Page 52 of Serena (Shattered Queens #1)

Ian and Caleb are out of town. There’s an emergency that he needs to take care of.

So I’m staying at his penthouse; there’s no way in hell I’m returning to my apartment.

At least not until we find out who was following me.

My apartment was my sanctuary, my safe space; now that’s been taken from me. I’ll most likely sell it.

Felix has been my shadow for the last couple of days.

I like Felix; he isn’t much of a talker.

He’s also very intelligent. That was evident at work when I was looking at projections for the upcoming year.

He found errors that my Chief Financial Officer had missed.

He attends my meetings. He looks the part.

The all-American golden boy. He was somewhat of a distraction for the assistants.

Even Selma couldn’t keep her eyes off him. Claudia was undressing him with hers.

One of my favorite things about Felix? He loves to shoot things too. He prefers a bow and arrows.

“How long have you known Caleb?” I ask as he pulls back the bowstring.

“I've known him since we were children. Our fathers knew each other. Well, his biological father and my father.” He releases the arrow and bullseye.

“Is your dad really a politician?”

“Aren’t you curious?”

I shrug. “I need more friends.”

“Yes, my father is the mayor. He wanted me to follow in his footsteps, but it wasn't for me. I tried; I have a degree in political science to prove it.”

“I get what it's like…to want to live up to others' expectations of you.”

“Yeah, well fuck them.”

“Yeah, screw them.” I agree, but there’s an ache in my chest.

The rest of the evening is spent shooting targets and sharing stories about our friends. “How’s Ruby doing?” I invited her to my birthday party, but she had a family emergency to take care of. After my trip home, we met for dinner. She’s adjusting to Veridian Bay.

“She’s giving everyone hell. Especially Damon. They don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things, but she’s good at her job. Caleb made her manager of the bar.”

Ruby told me about her promotion. She gained Caleb's respect after turning down his numerous attempts to sleep with her. She saw it as a test, and I did too. She didn’t mention anything about Damon.

After a couple of hours at the range, Felix takes me back to Ian’s penthouse.

I walk in and find Veronica on the couch.

She sees me and smiles, lifting a bag of takeout. “Ian gave me the code and told me to make sure you're eating. So, I got your favorite. It’s Mexican from a place by your office.”

“So, you’re here to babysit me?”

“No, he asked me to keep you company. I am staying the night though.”

I think she needs company more than I do. Ian told me about Veronica's struggle with his mother’s health. She runs from what scares her. We’re kindred spirits in that sense.

“So, what’s your favorite Mexican dish?” I ask her as I take a look in the bag.

“I’m all about desserts. I love flan.”

“Did you get some? They have amazing homemade flan.” She lifts a smaller container. “Check.”

We put on a dating show that serves as background noise as we eat and gossip. I miss girl time. Yuri has been busy, so we haven’t seen much of each other.

“You know, I’ve never seen my brother so happy,” she shares. I bite my lip because I don’t know if I want to know the answer to my question.

“Not even with Mila?” My insecurity shows.

“Fuck no. They never dated, and if she says they did, well, she's a lying bitch. Seriously, though, Serena, I’ve never seen this side of my brother. You know, people think he’s like Dad. He may look like Dad, but personality-wise, he’s just like Mom.” She stabs at her dessert.

“In what way?”

“Just dark and closed off to the world.” Her eyes glisten with tears that I know aren’t only for her brother. “I just worried that no one would love him like he deserves. He’s egotistical and infuriating, but even monsters need to be loved. Gabe too, that’s why I was bitchy about Yuri Lobo.”

“Veronica, this may sound rude, but Yuri is my best friend. I get that there’s history, and I don’t know what that is, but Yuri’s like a sister to me.

I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk shit about her in front of me.” She stays quiet, but I continue hoping to save the moment.

“I really like you. I think you and I could become great friends. Actually, I'd really like that. So, let's just have a no-bashing friendship. Please.” I hope I didn’t upset her, but I won’t stand here and let her, or anyone, talk badly about one of the most important people in my life.

She leans in for a hug that I reciprocate.

“Deal.” And she goes back to her flan.

“Your brother’s been tracking me. It’s been going on for a while.” I look at Veronica, who doesn’t seem surprised.

“He’s got it bad. Do you have magic pussy or something?

” She laughs so hard I hear a snort. “Seriously though, welcome to the club. He’s been monitoring me since I dropped out of college.

Well, he has his lap dog, Miles, do it. I hate that guy.

I’m still mad that Ian had Miles hack into my social media account.

Another time, Miles hacked into my dating app and locked my profile.

I wouldn't be surprised if he’s watching us right now. ”

“Ian?”

“No, that fuckface Miles. He makes me so mad.”

“Have you met him?”

“No, he’s a pussy and hides behind his computer. He probably has a small dick too,” she yells, looking around the room.

I pull out my phone. If he’s tracking me…I wonder… I check the apps on my phone and see that some are missing. I hadn’t even noticed before.

“Veronica, you said Ian had Miles hack into your social media apps?”

“Yeah, all of them. Fucker even deleted my online inspiration boards, probably as a personal fuck you.”

I wonder…

Veronica went to bed; she was falling asleep on the couch. I’m cleaning up and pick up my phone. I dial Ian, and he picks up on the first ring.

“Miss me?” he asks in his husky voice that does things to my body, even over the phone.

“What’s there to miss?”

“Careful, baby. I can’t be there to punish that smart-ass mouth, but that doesn’t mean I won't do it when I get back.” I love his dirty threats.

I cut straight to the point. “Ian, do you have Miles monitoring the penthouse?"

“Why do you ask, Mi Reina?”

“I want to know to what extent he’s watching me.”

“Mi Reina, the cameras are placed in various locations for your protection. Miles monitors the feeds for additional security.”

“Can he see me right now?” I ask as I stand in the kitchen.

“Yes.”

“Your bedroom?”

“No.”

“Your home office?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I just wanted to know. So, how does it work? Does Miles just tell you what’s going on, or do you have access to the cameras?” I grab the hem of my shirt and pull it over my head.

“What do you mean?” he asks. I pull down my shorts.

“Like today, when Veronica was over. Was he listening?”

“He checks the feed often. Why so interested?”

I unclasp my bra. Flashing my breasts to whatever camera is watching me. “Let’s say I was getting naked in the kitchen right now. Would he or you be watching?” There’s a pause. I pull down my underwear so I’m standing completely naked. I hear typing on a keyboard.

“Serena, did you just strip for the camera?”

“Maybe. Maybe I stripped for whoever was behind the camera.” As soon as I said it, I knew it wasn't my best choice of words. “Goodnight, baby.”

“Ser—” I cut him off, walking to the bedroom naked, knowing he’s watching.

Knife Guy

You’re going to pay for that.

And I send him a screenshot of my canceled dating app account.

The next morning, I wake up to make Veronica and me breakfast. I fill my mug with coffee and my favorite sweetener. Felix arrives just in time. We all eat and chat. I drink more of my coffee; I can’t live without this drink. It’s a necessity to function.

“I can’t believe Ian likes his coffee sweet. I didn’t peg him for a sweets type of guy. More of a citrus and bitter palate.” I look up and find them both staring at me.

“He doesn’t,” Vee says.

“What she said.” Felix looks at Vee, then back at me. “He likes his coffee black. Ian hates sweets,” Felix adds.

“What? He’s always making himself coffee with sweet creamer. He has chocolate cake in the refrigerator.”

“Serena, that isn’t for him. Ian’s hated cake since we were kids.”

I let that sink in while we sit and finish our breakfast, then Vee heads out to meet with her real estate agent. She’s looking for her own place. I check my phone as I head to work. Nothing from Ian, no call, no texts. I turn to Felix.

“Hey, have you heard from Ian and Caleb?”

“Nope.” He’s lying. I don’t ask; I just mentally get ready for my day.

As soon as I walk in, the meetings start.

Felix let me know that he had errands to run but that there would be extra security surrounding the building.

I decide to decompress, so I have lunch in my office.

As soon as I close my door, I hear my phone ring. It’s Ian.

“Hello.”

“Hi, baby, how’s your day?” His tone is calm. Too calm.

“I thought you’d be too mad to talk to me.”

“Oh, I’m pissed that you gave another man a view of what’s mine.” I roll my eyes. Men and their egos. “But I needed to hear your voice. I wanted to tell you how beautiful you look in the red dress.”

I look around, trying to find the camera. “Are you looking for something?” he taunts.

“No, I’m just admiring the lighting.” I walk to my office door and lock it. Then I make my way to my desk and see what I can use. There, a highlighter. I make a mental note. “Where is it?” My voice is firm.

“Where’s what, baby?”

“The camera.” He chuckles, and it pushes my buttons. Fine. I move around my office and stand facing the bookshelf. There are a lot of things on it, so the camera must be there.

“Ian, when will you be back?”

“Soon, I promise. Why do you ask?”

“My cunt has been very needy.” I pout so the camera can see me.