Page 3 of Serena (Shattered Queens #1)

“Idon’t know how you got him to agree to the deal. The company has no liabilities that we need to worry about and is financially stable,” Gabe tells me through the screen.

“Money talks, little brother.” It’s true, money does talk. That much I can attest to, but for those who need an extra push, there are other means to get them to cooperate.

“He tried to play hardball. It didn’t last. He had no choice but to give in. Plus, when have I ever taken no for an answer?”

“Don’t I know it.” He laughs. “One thing about you, big brother, is that you always get your way.”

That’s true; there has never been anything or anyone that I couldn’t take for myself, whether it’s a business deal, women—you name it. I live by the code that if I want it, I take it. It’s that simple.

“So, do you want the pleasure of telling Dad the good news?”

“No, I’m sure you can handle that. Another asset for his empire.”

“You mean, your empire, Ian,” he says, looking relieved.

“Make the call after this meeting.” He nods. Always my trusted soldier. I will continue the Kayde legacy as king of the empire, but every king needs his queen.

“I won’t be able to join the meeting in person, but I'll be on.” He doesn’t ask for more details because he knows there’s more to the story.

I was supposed to be there in person. The weather had other plans.

Owning a jet doesn't mean shit if you can’t land in a snowstorm.

I blame my cousin for this. I should’ve said no to the last-minute trip, but I didn’t; he needed me.

Caleb asked me to help negotiate a business deal, but when the meeting went sideways, we didn’t anticipate just how messy the situation and the cleanup would be.

Fuck, now I’m sitting here staring at a screen when I should be there. Sitting across from her, looking into those eyes. I should kill Caleb; better yet, I should just take his piece of the deal I negotiated. He owes me, and he knows I’ll collect.

The screen lights up, and I sit back and wait for the only part of this meeting I actually care about. The object of my obsession is about to walk in.