Page 58 of Serena (Shattered Queens #1)

“I’m sorry I haven’t been around much. Xander and I have been trying to work on our relationship. Things have been tense.” I look at Yuri as we eat pizza. We decided to stay in the penthouse, so Ian is staying out of our way in his office because he won’t let me go anywhere without an army.

“Are you still fighting about the prenup?”

“Kind of. After the holidays, we’re thinking about taking a trip.” I look at Yuri. She’s lost some weight and isn’t smiling like she used to.

“Do you still want to expand the studio? A second location?”

“Xander and I think it’s best to wait. Maybe after the wedding.”

“But you started to look for a location, you looked into investors. You—”

“Serena, no! It’s not a good time.” Her words are sharp. Something is definitely wrong. “Yuri, you know I’ll always be here. You're my number one. I need you to tell me if something is wrong.” She looks at me with tears in her eyes.

“I know. I will, I promise. Xander and I are just working on things.”

She didn’t stay long, and I ask Gus to take her home, then I go to Ian. I need his help. Entering his office, he comes to me. Already sensing something’s wrong.

“Baby, what is it?”

“I need your help. Actually, I need Miles’s help.” He furrows his brows.

“It’s Yuri. I think something’s wrong.” He gives me Miles’s information.

“Whenever and whatever you need, he will help.”

My phone rings, and I see Maggie's name on the screen.

“Hello, Ms. Nerva.”

“Hello, Maggie. Is everything all right?”

“No, it’s Claudia. She was attacked.” I look at Ian and start walking to the elevator; he follows without question.

After a short car ride, we arrive at the hospital. Ian sits next to me in the sterile hospital room, and I look at my assistant, who’s become my friend. She’s lying down, sleeping on the bed. No visible bruises, no knife wounds, but I know she’ll hold invisible scars after tonight.

“Serena?” She sobs. I go to her and hold her.

“You’re safe.”

“Serena, I was so scared.”

“Shh, I know.”

“He came out of nowhere.”

“What happened?”

“I was leaving the bar. After a block, I heard someone walking behind me, but I didn't think much of it.” She stops to compose herself. “I heard someone whistle and hum, “pretty girl.”

My blood runs cold, and my mouth dries. “Wh-what?”

“It was very creepy.” She sobs. I look at Ian, but she continues.

“I think he was doing it on purpose, to scare me.” She sniffles.

She looks at me. “He sped up and pushed me against the wall. He grabbed my breast and ripped my shirt. I tried to fight him, but he slammed my head against the wall. He smelled like pine but something else. I bit his hand and screamed. Someone must have heard me because he ran. The next thing I remember is Maggie running to me.”

“Did he say anything?” Ian asks.

“He said, ‘X marks the spot.’”

“Claudia, why did I get called?”

“I was about to call you before everything happened. I was going to tell you I did as you asked. Careful with my drinks and left sober.”

“What can we do?”

“Can you stay? I don’t want to be alone.”

“Of course.”

I step outside the hospital room and wrap myself around Ian. “Who could this be?”

“I don’t know, but I'll make it my mission to find out. I’m going to have her moved to a private room. I’m staying too.” I don’t oppose it.

It’s been days since Claudia was attacked. Ian gave her a couple of weeks off with pay. I also had Nina reach out. The nonprofit has great resources for victims of assault.

So much has happened in the last couple of months. It’s all catching up to me. I decide that change is needed. My first step is selling the apartment. It’s bittersweet. It served as my haven, my comfort, but I’ve found that somewhere else now. Better yet, with someone else.

I’m scheduled to meet with the realtor this afternoon to put the apartment on the market. Ian’s heading to a meeting, so Gus will be joining me. I’m enjoying my favorite snack when I get a call from Yuri asking to meet her for dinner later this week. Then it’s time to go.

Arriving at my soon-to-be-old apartment, I notice it’s been staged.

Ready for potential buyers. It makes me think of my mother.

I still haven’t spoken to my parents in months, and I don’t think I will for a long time.

I check my bedroom and double-check I haven't left anything behind since I moved in with Ian.

I hear the door close, and my phone rings, so I answer it.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Serena, it's Amy. I wanted to let you know I won’t be making it. Someone broke into my office and went through my things. I have to check for damages.”

“Oh no! Did they steal anything? No, just rummaged through everything. I have to go; the police just showed up.” I hang up and take a deep breath. That’s when I smell pine.

I turn and see a slender man, with hollow dark-brown eyes, they look almost black, and he has dark-red hair. He’s wearing a hoodie, similar to the one in the footage from months ago.

“Hi, pretty girl.”

“Who are you? Wha-what do you want from me?” He smiles, and I see his rotting teeth.

“You really don’t remember me, do you? Well, you were pretty out of it. I’m not surprised, but I am surprised you’re still alive. Considering the damage we did.” He smiles again, and it turns my stomach.

“I have a security guard right outside.”

“Are you referring to the driver who’s most likely bleeding out in the parking garage?”

What? No! “What did you do to him?” I try to stay calm, but the thought of Gus hurt because of me is too much. He takes a step toward me, and I take one back.

“Pretty girl, this is what I do for a living. I get rid of people. I used to do it for my brother all the time.”

I swallow. “Who’s your brother?”

Tsk tsk tsk. “Let me ask you a question, pretty girl. Do you think about that night as much as I do?” He bares what little teeth he has in an unnerving wide grin. I push back tears and try to mask my fear.

“It was Lester who—”

“Who got a piece of that cunt before I could. He was always too eager. Then he marked you and didn’t even wait for me. See, he and I always tag-teamed orders.”

This doesn’t make any sense. “What do you mean by orders?”

“Oh no, pretty girl, you thought it was a coincidence that you were chosen that night? You were the target.” My knees buckle, but I use the dresser as a support.

“Fuck you, you piece of shit.” Then he pulls out a large hunting knife.

“Remember this?” I never saw the blade; I just carry the reminder of its mark on my body.

I don’t respond, looking around the room for a way to escape.

He knows what I’m doing because he launches himself toward me.

I jump onto the mattress and swing myself around to the other side of the bed.

I run toward the bedroom door, but I don’t make it.

He pulls on my hair so hard that tears spring from my eyes.

I back kick, but he doesn’t let go. I can see my purse across the living room, on the kitchen island.

My knife. I turn and feel my hair being torn from my scalp, but I land a punch to his face.

“You fucking bitch.” He lets go of my hair and wraps one arm around me, still holding the knife.

Looking at the weapon’s close proximity to my body has my skin crawling.

My back is to his chest. I headbutt him and feel my skull make contact with his nose.

I hear bone break before he lets go. Fuck, that hurts.

His hunting knife lands on the floor, and I reach for it.

He kicks it away before I can grab it. He wraps his hand around my hair again and pulls me close.

I can smell the rot in his mouth, combined with the smell of pine.

It makes me gag. I feel the crushing impact of his fist on my cheek.

He’s close enough that I’m able to land an uppercut to his jaw.

He doesn’t let go and lands another blow.

This time to my stomach, and I heave. Then he throws me to the ground.

“Five years ago, Lester had the first taste; today, I’ll have the last. Want to know a secret?” I hear him through the coughing and searing pain. “I wasn’t much of a watcher until you. When I saw that little fucker Kyle pin you, I almost came right then and there.”

“Fuck you, you piece of shit.” I spit at him.

He goes to kick me, but I catch his foot and punch him between his legs.

I manage to get up and run to my purse. I grab the pocketknife and turn to see the tip of a silver blade being thrown in my direction.

I feel a sharp and burning sensation as the blade slices through my abdomen.

The warmth of my blood flows down my skin.

A coppery scent engulfs my senses. I fall to the ground, and he straddles me.

“You're a feisty bitch, aren’t you?” I feel the tug of my jeans.

He’s trying to unbutton them. I remember being in this position five years ago.

Looking up, trying to stay conscious. But it’s different now; I’m stronger, and I fight.

I feel the small knife in my hand. I flip it open, and with all my remaining strength, I shove it into his neck.

Blood is everywhere. I hear the door burst open, and I try to stay awake, but everything hurts.

I hear Ian’s voice before I succumb to the darkness.