Page 30 of Serena (Shattered Queens #1)

“So, you called my brother?” Caleb asks from across the room. We’re at one of his bars, catching up on the last couple of weeks.

“Yes, he has people in that city, and I had a problem that I needed help with.”

Caleb and his brother, Damon, have a complex relationship. At the end of the day, we’re all family, but that doesn’t mean we get along or agree with one another. Unlike Caleb, who has more control over his emotions, Damon is a loose cannon.

“Who was the guy?” Caleb asks.

“He was some local, known for causing trouble with women. He won’t be missed.

” I had Miles look into the guy; it’s true he won’t be missed.

If anything, his being gone may give others peace.

He was a piece of shit who got his kicks hurting people.

There are a couple of outstanding warrants for his arrest, but they’ll never find him, at least not all of him.

I look at the tracker to check on Serena and see that she’s still at the kid’s birthday party. Claudia, her assistant, invited the entire office, so maybe I should show up. It’s not too late. Fuck space.

Thirty minutes later, I find myself in a park, surrounded by a bouncy house and tables with discarded paper plates with half-eaten cake and pizza.

The remainder of what looks like an Iron Man pinata is on the ground, empty.

Sugared-up little kids run around. It’s pure chaos.

I see her sitting on a bench talking to Claudia and some other people from the office.

She’s wearing jeans and a Loki T-shirt. She definitely likes the villains. Shit, I could have told her that.

“Hello.” The group looks at me, surprised by my arrival.

“Mr. Kayde, he-hello,” Claudia says.

“Serena, how lovely to see you.” I can see her turn red from all the eyes that move in her direction. That happened yesterday when my father showed up for an impromptu visit. I know he saw the way I looked at her. I don’t care; the more people who know, the better.

“I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by. Here you go; this is for the birthday boy.” I hand her an envelope. On my way here, I stopped by the store and picked up a birthday card with a puppy on it. Kids love puppies. Don’t they? Shit, even I love puppies.

“Would you like some cake?”

“That would be lovely, Claudia, thanks.”

“Mr. Kayde, what are you doing here?” Serena asks. I narrow my eyes at the sound of my name.

Rolling her eyes. “I mean, Ian.”

There, better. “Like I said, I was in the neighborhood. By the way, nice shirt.”

Looking around, I catch the theme of the party. I’m the odd one out in my dark jeans and gray shirt.

“Thanks. I didn’t take you as a kid’s-party type of guy.”

“Oh, what kind of guy did you take me for?” I tease. I sense all eyes on us, but I couldn’t care less. She, on the other hand, does care.

“Well.” She shrugs. “It’s more of a bootcamp scenario.” She turns and looks at the miniature wrecking balls running around.

“I do like giving orders.” I wink.

I immerse myself in the conversations around me, sticking around for the opening of gifts. When it comes to my gift, it’s cash.

“Ian, you gave a five-year-old five hundred dollars?” Serena chastises me.

“Was that not enough? Do I give more?”

She laughs. “No, I’m sure you just funded months of toy shopping.”

We’re the last people to leave. She and I stay to help clean up.

“What time is Augustus picking you up?

I had him collect her today, and as usual, she fought with him and then with me, but she gave in eventually. She realized there was no point in fighting this.

“Oh, I told Gus that I’d let him know.”

“Excuse me, did you say Gus? My driver?”

“Yes, Gus, short for Augustus. Like from Cinderella.”

“Did you nickname my driver after a rat?”

“A mouse, and yes. It’s my favorite movie. He didn’t mind…at first.”

“Oh, I guarantee he did mind, but like me, you have him wrapped around your finger. All it took was a couple of minutes.”

She stops what she’s doing and looks at me.

The moment is interrupted by a child barreling into me.

He catches me off guard, and I fall back onto the table and knock over the glass bottles.

They hit the concrete floor, broken glass everywhere.

I’m able to grab the kid as his mom rushes to him, and I hand him over unharmed.

I look at Serena, and the same can’t be said about her. She’s just standing there, frozen and staring at the broken glass.

“Serena.” No response.

I see Claudia approach. “Oh my god, are you okay?”

“Yes, can you please give us a moment?”

“Serena.” Fuck, still no response.

I lift her chin and see her eyes. Those beautiful brown eyes that are usually filled with fire seem so hollow. Shit, the broken glass.

“Serena, baby. Look at me. What is it? Tell me.”

Her eyes begin to fill with unshed tears. “There is so much glass everywhere.” I look down and see a couple of broken bottle necks from the beer lying by her feet. Fuck.

“Baby, I’m going to pick you up and take you to my car, okay?” She nods. “Use your words, Serena, use your words.”

“O-okay,” she whispers.

I gently pick her up and carry her to my car, placing her in the passenger's side. I take off her shoes and put them in my trunk. Claudia notices and comes to check on her boss, who I can see has turned into more of a friend. I make up an excuse about Serena not feeling well.

“Please let me know if there’s anything that I can do.”

“I will, Claudia. Thank you.”

I quickly call Augustus, letting him know I have her, then make my way to her apartment.

“Mi Reina, can you hear me? And use your words.”

“Yes.” One-word responses are all I'm getting. At least it’s something.

Then she lays her head on the passenger window.

I move my hand to her thigh and squeeze her gently.

I know trauma when I see it, and right now she’s lost in it.

After a couple of minutes, she moves her hand over mine and squeezes back.

I make it to her place and use my key to enter.

I lay her on the couch and just sit next to her, stroking her hair.

“Can you please stay with me?” The plea in her voice breaks me.

“You don’t have to ask.”

This woman is such a contrast to the Serena I see every day.

She does such a great job of masking her fears and her true self.

There is no reason why she should. Regardless, I’ll push her to confront those fears, and if needed, I’ll help slay whatever they may be, but I can’t do that if she keeps secrets from me. As if reading my mind.

“I developed my phobia in the last year of college. It became so bad that I started going to therapy. The coping mechanisms do work, but in situations like today and a couple of weeks ago, well, it becomes debilitating,” she admits.

I continue to stroke her hair, and she continues to speak. “Sometimes I have nightmares that my body is being sliced open by a hunting knife. Other times, it’s a piece of glass cutting into my skin. They all end with me lying in a bed of shattered glass, with blood everywhere.”

She sounds so defeated. I lift and bring her to my chest, holding her tight.

“I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere,” I remind her.

I’d move in, but that would definitely make her run or even move.

After a couple of minutes, I hear the sound of her snoring.

When I’m sure she won’t wake up, I move her to our bed.

I take off her jeans and pull the cover over her, then I undress and get into bed.

Fuck her no-cuddling rule. I keep her on my chest, not letting her go for a second.