Page 39 of Serena (Shattered Queens #1)

We made it to the restaurant just in time for my scheduled arrival.

After the incredible sex and shooting, I was exhausted.

I slept all the way back to my place. Where Ian and I got ready.

I decided on a simple black dress, since the main showpiece is my emerald pendant.

Ian is wearing a black tailored suit, with a dark-green button-up shirt that matches his eyes.

He’s been staying over so often that it seems like he’s moved in, but he hasn’t. It’s way too soon for that. I set a boundary for him staying over: no cuddling, which isn’t always the case, but that’s my fault. I naturally gravitate toward him, but I haven’t had a nightmare in weeks.

The party is at an Italian restaurant, which is my second favorite cuisine.

“I tried to convince her to have it at my place,” Ian says as we make our way up the stairs.

I laugh because trying to convince Yuri to change her mind about a party is a risk I won’t even take.

“As soon as I was invited, I offered to help, but she denied my request and told me to stay out of it.” Sounds about right.

“By the way, my brother and sister couldn't make it. He is out of the country, and she, well, she has things going on.”

I thought my party would be a great opportunity to meet his sister, but I’ll have to wait for another time.

The second floor is reserved just for us.

The high-beam ceiling is decorated with twinkling lights, and there are fresh roses spread throughout the space.

Balloons are everywhere. “Happy Birthday, Serena,” familiar faces shout in my direction. Yuri barrels toward me.

“You look amazing.” She zeros in on my neck.

“What is that?”

“It’s a gift from Ian.”

“Serena, it’s beautiful.” She looks at him and gives him a warm smile and a hug. She mumbles something, but I can’t hear it. She introduces Xander to Ian, and we excuse ourselves to head over to the other guests.

“I don’t like him,” Ian tells me, not caring who hears him.

“Who? Xander?”

“Yes, there is something about him.” I agree with him. There’s always been something off about Xander. “She could’ve done so much better?”

“What do you mean?” I know my friend could do better, but I feel like I'm missing something. Just then, Theo and Elias make their way over. I feel Ian tense, causing me to feel a pang of guilt. He’s so jealous of Elias.

There’s no reason to be. I give my friends a hug.

I can see Caleb and Felix, and I smile at the memory of earlier today.

Caleb was so confident; I took great pleasure in knocking down his ego.

They are talking to Annie and Nina. I make my way over with Ian next to me.

He moves to hold my hand, and I let him.

“Nina, Annie, I’m so glad you made it. I see you met my friends, Caleb and Felix.”

“Yes, he was telling me about the shooting range. Well, Felix was.” She high-fives me. “Atta girl.”

I smile like a proud daughter who was just given her mother’s approval. “I want you to meet Ian Kayde.” Not letting go of my hand, he uses the other to shake Annie and Nina’s hands.

“Oh, so you’re the reason for the no to James.” Shit, she went there.

“James. Who’s James?” I can feel all eyes on me.

“He’s a guy Nina wanted to set me up with.”

“Yes,” Nina interrupts. “But she said no, and now I can see why.” That seems to break some of the tension. He squeezes my hand. Then leans down and kisses my neck.

“So, James. I can’t wait to hear about him later.” He whispers loud enough so only I can hear. Still all eyes are on me. He’s marking his territory in front of everyone. Men are so juvenile.

“Nina, I’m so glad you met Caleb.” This directs all the attention away from me. “He is going to be donating to your organization—the equivalent of a Bugatti.” Caleb turns to me. “Can you tell him more about where his money’s going?”

“Oh my god! Yes, of course.” I share in her excitement because the money will help a lot of people.

“Well, I own the kickboxing studio, but I also have a nonprofit organization that helps abuse survivors start over. Many of them have children, so we provide them with free housing, employment services, and medical assistance. We also provide free self-defense classes for all ages.” She takes a moment.

This is personal to her. “Victims lose control to their abusers, so we try to give some of it back to them.” She looks at me and smiles.

“So, thank you very much. Those funds will help thousands.” Shit, this hits home for me too.

Caleb looks at me and smiles. “It was worth the blow to my ego.” That lightens the mood again. The conversation changes, and the party continues.

After a couple of hours, the festivities begin to wind down. Yuri and Xander are the first to leave. She wasn’t feeling well, but I could see she was upset. I head outside to get some fresh air and find Elias. It seems like the perfect time to ask him some questions.

“Hey,” he says. “I didn’t give you a hug.” He wraps his arms around me. This feels different. The hug is the same as before, but something just feels different.

“Did you have a good trip?” I ask my friend.

“Yes, I didn’t want to come back to reality.”

“I completely understand,” because I do. Being away helps avoid whatever problems a person is going through. It’s called running away; I’m really good at it. Although I don’t want to be anymore.

“So, you and Ian? I can’t say I saw that coming.”

“Neither did I. I’m taking it slow,” I admit. “One day at a time.”

“You may be, but I know him well enough to know he isn’t.”

“Elias, you and Ian have been friends for a long time. Why didn’t I ever meet him before?”

“Well, he lived overseas and rarely came to the States. He isn’t one to attend parties or big events. That was usually his dad or brother.” I can see him thinking. “Do you trust him?” The question catches me off guard. Do I?

“Yes. I think I do.” I’m honest. Trusting people is hard for me. With Ian, I’ve given him so much of myself already, and all he’s asked in return is for honesty. Still, I know how he feels about Elias and my closeness.

He takes a deep breath. “Then you have to tell him everything.”

“Everything?” There’s panic in my voice.

“Serena, he needs to know everything. If you keep secrets, it will destroy what the two of you are building.” I know he’s right.

“Even…Even what happened between you and me?” Shit.

“Yes, even that. I kn—.”

He looks at me. No, through me to the person standing behind me. I take a deep breath and know exactly who it is.

“Oh, don’t stop on my account,” Ian says, walking over.

“I’d love to hear more about you and Elias.

” I can feel the air around us change. He’s not angry, no, this is something dark and destructive.

I look up, his light-green eyes from earlier are now dark green, almost black.

I instinctively stand between him and Elias.

Fuck, I have to tell him. I look back over my shoulder to Elias, and we share an understanding look.

He knows I can’t, so he has to do it. This is going to be a disaster.

He looks at his friend. “You have to understand this was a very long time ago.” There is no acknowledgment from Ian. I look down and see his hands balled into fists. I put my hand over his; maybe that will help to ease the blow. The words just come out of my mouth.

“Ian, a couple of years ago, Elias and I, well, we slept together. It didn’t last long.

” Everything happens so fast. Ian pushes me to the side and lunges at Elias.

Landing a punch straight to his jaw. Elias falls back, making contact with the hard ground.

Ian straddles him, attempting to land more punches, but Elias manages to block them.

“I asked you if you were in love with her. You lied. You son of a bitch.” He what?

I attempt to pull Ian off, but he’s too strong. Theo runs out and wrestles Ian off his husband.

“What the fuck are you doing, Ian?” I turn, and Ian’s stare burns right through me. Disregarding Theo’s presence.

“I asked you after the concert. You lied to me.” He sounds hurt.

“No, I didn't answer the question. I didn’t even know you back then.”

Elias is up on his feet. I’m surprised he doesn’t try to return the punch Ian landed.

Elias never stands down from a fight. He tries to explain.

“It was years ago, before Theo. It didn't mean anything.” He’s right, it didn’t mean anything in the romantic sense.

“When I told you I didn’t love her, I wasn’t lying.

” He looks at me. “I love her as a sister.”

“A sister? Really? Do you fuck your sister?” Now, he’s just being offensive, and it’s pissing me off. How dare he judge? If this is his reaction to one secret, how will he react to the others?

I stand in front of him. “No, Ian, you don’t get to judge.

It was years ago. I’ve known Elias for years.

I met you, what? A couple of months ago?

” I feel the tears wanting to escape my eyes, but I hold them back.

“You don’t get to judge me or him. You have no right.

” I look at Theo, and he looks at me with sympathy.

“Theo, are you okay with your husband screwing your best friend?” he yells. Theo looks at his husband with all the love in the world. He takes Elias’s hand. With a heavy sigh.

“He’s not screwing her, you idiot. And for your information, I’ve known about it for years.” Theo and I share a knowing look. No anger, just understanding. I turn to my friend, who is in utter shock.

“You told him? What the hell, Serena?” I wince. Elias never raises his voice at me.

“It’s my fault. I pushed her,” Theo whispers.

“Explain now,” Elias orders Theo.

It wasn’t one of Theo’s finest moments. I never judged him for how he approached the situation. I would have done worse in his shoes. So Theo tells his husband how he found out that we slept together over the course of three weeks.