Page 59 of Serena (Shattered Queens #1)

Ifailed her. I failed the woman I love. I promised to protect her, and like everyone in her life, I’ve failed her. I look at Serena lying in a hospital bed. Bruised and beaten. She fought hard; I see that in the marks on her body, but she survived without anyone there to help her.

I was supposed to be there with her to sign the documents with the realtor, but when Javi called me, I knew it was important. He flew from Caligo Valley to tell me what he dug up.

I walked into Caleb's club to find it empty, Javi and his sister sitting at the bar.

“Hola, Ian,” he says, looking despondent. I’m sorry about the short notice, but this is news that we wanted to deliver in person.”

Laura stands and hands me a manila envelope.

She looks at her brother. He gestures to the envelope.

“Stephan Lars is the third man who was there. He’s my ex-husband's brother. Assumed to have died ten years ago, but it was a lie. I never met him; hell, I didn’t even know he existed.

Even when he…we were married.” Her brother holds her hand.

“How did you get this information?” I ask the siblings, but it’s Laura who speaks.

“After our last meeting, I decided to put out some feelers at some of the support groups I attend. An ex-employee came forward. They told me about the shit they saw at the club. We all know Bruce was deep in the drug business. He used his club as a means of distribution. In addition to selling at the clubs, he was very popular with the high school crowd.” She looks at me.

“Lester and Stephan were his collectors. They would also target girls together.” The realization of what she’s saying hits me like a ton of bricks.

"You're saying Serena was targeted?"

“Yes.”

“Why would anyone target her?”

“To send a message.”

My phone rings, and I answer it without looking. “Ian, the apartment, now!” I don’t hesitate and run out of the club with my cousin in tow. He drives like a maniac. “Talk to me, Miles.”

“The suspect crossed the street and followed the car into the garage. I checked the garage camera and found no sign of Gus. The suspect is making his way to her apartment now.”

I dial Serena, but there’s no answer. Fuck. “Call for backup, and where’s the realtor?”

“I called the team. ETA seven minutes, and there is no sign of the realtor.”

“Fuck! That’s too long.”

“We’ll be there in four,” Caleb yells. I ready my weapon. It feels like an eternity. So much can happen in four minutes. He pulls up to the building, and I jump out. The car is still running as I race inside. I take the stairs and finally make it to her floor. When I reach her door, I kick it open.

“Serena!” I can’t stomach the sight in front of me.

Serena is on the floor, barely conscious and bleeding.

Stephan's hand is on his neck. A small knife is lodged in his throat. I rush to her, pushing him off her, and he stumbles back. I can hear him struggling to breathe. He’s incapacitated. My attention is solely on her.

“Miles!”

“Ambulance is on its way up.”

“Baby, stay with me,” I beg. “Please stay with me.” I start to pray to whatever higher power exists and put my hand over her wound to apply pressure. The rest is a blur.