Page 37 of Serena (Shattered Queens #1)

I’m waiting for Serena to get ready for an early birthday surprise.

Her party is later tonight, but I want some time just for us.

These last couple of weeks with her have been amazing.

My woman is insatiable when it comes to me between her legs.

She can’t seem to get enough of me, and I of her.

She loves to be treated like my whore, but make no mistake, she’s my queen in all aspects of life.

She’s told me some of her fantasies, and I have no problem indulging her in fulfilling them.

My woman loves it hard and rough; the pain is what takes her over the edge.

She loves being tied up, and it’s no surprise that she has an exhibition kink, to name a few, but that’s where I have to set boundaries.

No one is allowed to see her completely naked but me.

My neighbors didn’t know my name before, but they definitely know it now.

Her biggest hard limit is being blindfolded; she needs to be aware of her surroundings.

We had to create a safe word because I don’t want to ever hurt her.

Not that she’s used it. I worship her completely.

I’ve been staying at her apartment; shit, I practically live here. That will be changing tonight. The closet space isn’t equipped for two.

“Okay, I’m ready.” She rushes out of the bedroom. “We wouldn’t be running late if we had a regular breakfast.” She tries to be serious but can’t because she was my breakfast.

“Well, if I remember correctly, you had two orgasms for breakfast,” I rebut. She giggles, and I pull her to me, then I lean down to kiss her neck.

“Ian,” she moans. “We have to get going.” She’s right, but first.

“All right, but I need to give you your birthday gifts.”

“You don’t have to give me a gift.” She’s still trying to fight me on this. It’s a battle she’ll never win.

“Stop it. It’s your birthday.” I pull out a square velvet jewelry box and place it in her hand.

She opens it. “Ian, this, it’s gorgeous.”

“Just like you, Mi Reina. You said no diamonds, so emeralds it is. I know you like looking at the stars, so now you have one around your neck. I had it custom-made for you.” The deep emerald pendant is shaped like a bursting star.

With intricate white gold details around the emerald.

I take the jewelry from her hands and put it around her neck.

“Stunning.” I still can’t believe she’s here with me.

“There’s another gift.” I pull out a small rectangular velvet box.

She opens it, and the realization hits her.

“A key card?”

“Yes, to my penthouse. I want you to come and go as you please. Redecorate the place if you want. I want you to move in, but I know you’ll fight me on it.

So, you have this for now.” She doesn’t know that I have a deadline for her.

If she isn’t moved within two months, she’ll come home to an empty apartment and all her things at my place.

It’s her birthday, so I want to wait to have that argument.

Raising my hand, I say, “No arguing today. Let’s save it for tomorrow.

Today is about celebrating. Now let’s go.

” I take her hand and lead her out the door.

We pull up to a warehouse thirty minutes outside the city.

When I arrive, I see Caleb waiting for us.

My cousin comes to the car and opens the door for her.

Without hesitation, he pulls her in for a hug, and she hugs him back.

“Happy Birthday.” The motherfucker looks at me, holding on for a bit too long, and gives me the middle finger without her noticing. He knows what he’s doing.

“Are you sure you want to push my buttons, Caleb?” He laughs. He’s lucky I didn't throw my knife at him. Given where we’re at, he’ll be lucky to make it out alive.

“Have you two always been like this?” Serena asks.

“Yes,” we answer in unison.

I make my way over to her and pull her to me.

She rolls her eyes, so I slap her ass. Hard.

I know she likes it. “Ian, are you done marking your territory?” She’s trying to be serious, but I can tell she’s finding it hard not to smile.

She bites her bottom lip. Fuck, I’m so close to bending her over the hood of my car.

“Are you two done?” Caleb asks. “If so, let's go.”

“What is this?” She’s been asking since I told her to get ready. Patience is not a virtue with Serena.

“Wait and see.” I lead her into the building. As soon as she sees what’s inside, her eyes light up. She looks at me and jumps with excitement, clapping her hands like a kid in a candy store. I didn’t expect her to be this excited.

“This is amazing.” She looks around the warehouse that’s been converted into a gun range.

The dark-red matte walls are covered in a variety of weapons.

Crossbows, rifles, handguns, you name it, it’s here.

There are six range lanes set up but separated by noise-reducing barrier walls.

Each equipped with targets. This warehouse is an arsenal, ready for a war.

My uncle owns the property, but we all use it when we need to blow off some steam or just practice.

I’ve been dying to bring Serena here. I found her handgun in the nightstand next to her bed.

It's small, but it will do the job if she needs to use it. We’ve made progress with her and knives, but I know it’s not her weapon of choice.

Fuck, does the idea of a lethal Serena get me hard.

“Who owns this?” she asks as she takes in the view.

“My family,” Caleb answers. “This is where we come to blow shit up, legally.” He winks. Has he always been this infuriating, but I just haven’t noticed? My cousin leads us to a table that’s been prepared. It has an assortment of guns.

Without hesitation, she picks one up, checks the chamber, then moves on to another one.

Caleb looks at me, his eyebrows raised. He’s thinking the same thing that I am.

She knows what she’s doing. The ease with which she handles the weapon.

He’s impressed. “Dad is going to love her,” he whispers, and I know he’s right. My uncle loves his guns.

“So, Serena, it seems like you know your way around guns?” he asks as she continues to admire the weapons.

“Yeah, I like to know what I’m doing. My friend Annie made a point of teaching me everything she knows. She’s ex-military."

“Are you any good?”

“Well, in what way?” She looks at me and winks. Oh my god. She just openly flirted with me. I should bring her here more often.

“Guns, I mean guns, you perverts,” he clarifies. She giggles, feigning innocence.

“I think so.” She’s smart. She caught on to my cousin’s ego. So she must know where he’s going with this.

“Well, Ian is the knife guy, and he’s a good shot with a gun, but I’m better. That’s why he hates guns—because he knows he isn’t the best at it. I am.”

I interrupt him. “That’s bullshit. I just think you can get more creative with knives.” I don’t elaborate. Now is not the time to go into details of my extracurricular activities.

Still admiring the guns, she says, “Well, I’m glad you think so. But it’s your own opinion, so it doesn’t count for much if you’re the only one who thinks that.” A whistle catches my attention, and I turn to see Felix approach us.

“I like her.” Son of a bitch. This isn’t going as planned. They weren’t even supposed to be here when we arrived.

“Well, birthday girl, let’s make a bet. Ten bullets, the highest score wins,” Caleb challenges.

Without a second thought, Serena accepts the challenge.

I am confident in everything she does, but Caleb is the best shot with a gun.

I won’t ever admit it to his face. I know Serena won’t back down from a challenge.

She loves to prove people wrong. Especially men.

She needs to prove to herself and them that she’s just as capable.

If not better. Who am I to argue with her?

“What are the terms?” I interrupt their conversation.

Serena speaks first. “If I win, you will never try to fuck any of my friends, and I get that obnoxious red car of yours.” He knows exactly which one she means.

“Those are two things, but fine. If I win, you have to set me up with one of your friends, and I get Ian’s New York apartment, which he refuses to sell to me. Even though he hasn’t stayed there in over a year.”

“Deal.” She extends her hand to solidify the wager.

“How did my apartment get in the mix?” The only reason I say no to Caleb about the New York apartment is that once he gets what he wants from me, he’ll flaunt that I gave in. I’ve never given in to anyone. Serena is another story.

“To keep it fair, it has to be the same gun.” They both nod. We decide on a .45 caliber handgun and make our way to the lane. The bullseye target is ready. Felix has now joined the group.

“It’s my birthday, so I want to go second.” She turns to Caleb.

“Fine.” He has a smug look on his face.

He gets into position and shoots his rounds.

I don’t take my eyes off Serena. Her features show indifference, but I’ve seen that look.

She doesn’t want to give anything away. Always calculating.

Bullets make contact with the target. Caleb pushes a button, and the target moves toward us.

It’s nearly a perfect score. Ninety-seven out of one hundred. Fuck.

Now it’s her turn. She stands in position. Her ass looks amazing. Those jeans fit like a glove. I’m so close to pulling them down and getting on my knees.

“Do you need a moment alone, Ian?” Felix interrupts my daydreaming.