Page 9 of Serena (Shattered Queens #1)

After I give Byran a much-deserved hello, although I wish I'd done more damage, I make my way back inside and find Yuri standing next to her brother, Elias. He’s friends with the Kayde brothers, but I’ve never seen them in the same room together.

Still, I’m not surprised he’s here. Theo is catering this event, so any opportunity they find to be near each other, they’ll take it.

Yuri knows me well enough to see that something is amiss.

Right now, I’m barely holding it together.

I don’t even hug Elias because if I do, I’ll crumble in his arms. Being near the people who have seen me at my worst, well, it’s easy to fall apart, but I won’t.

“Hey, where did you go? I was worried.” Yuri holds my hand. “After you walked away, Byran tried to talk to me, but I left him. I went looking for you. I was getting a search party ready. Did he go after you?” She looks like she’s about to cry for me because she knows the damage he’s done.

“What the hell is he doing here?” Elias asks.

“I don’t know. The only thing I know is that I need to get out of here.”

“I’ll have my driver take you both home.

” He gives me a hug before turning to his sister.

I know that Yuri thinks of her big brother as overbearing and intrusive, but right now, that is what I need.

And coming from someone I consider family, it’s even better.

A sour feeling forms in the pit of my stomach because my own family can’t be here to support me like they are.

Even if they were, they don’t help. I put on my confident smile and nod.

When Yuri dropped me off, she insisted on staying, but I insisted that she go home to her fiancé.

We both know how tonight's interaction affected me, but I can’t be around her or anyone.

I have to process the reality that Byran Carson was in front of me tonight—after five years.

She also knows better than to push me; she knows that when you push me too hard, I shut down, just like I am right now.

Finally inside my apartment, I lock up and break into pieces.

This time, the dam breaks, and I cry for today and for all those years ago.

The reminder of my past just walked back into my life.

After getting up from the floor, I go into my fridge, take out the bottle of tequila, and drink. I don’t know how I make it onto my bed, but I do. Still in my dress, makeup smeared, and barefoot. I lie here letting the bed swallow me. I don’t know when, but I finally fall asleep.

When I wake up, I check my phone. Fuck, I slept almost all day. I check in because there are messages from my friends. If they don’t hear from me, they’ll show up at my apartment; they’ve done it before.

I go back to bed and don’t bother doing anything for the rest of the weekend. This isn’t the healthiest way to cope, but reminders of those months and that night play in my head over and over again.

I don’t know how I managed to make it to kickboxing this morning. Especially as it’s Monday, but here I am. Maybe it’s what I need. The questions will still be there.

Why was Byran at the gala? Was he there with someone? Was he invited? Why is he here? I’m spiraling. Damn, I thought being here would help.

“You okay?” Nina, my kickboxing instructor, asks.

“Yes,” I lie. “I just have a lot on my mind, with work.”

“Let me know if you want to talk. You seem distracted.”

“I will, thanks for checking.”

After class, I rush to get my things. “I have to go get ready for work.” I’m trying to avoid more conversations.

I’ve been coming to these classes for two years.

My anxiety was so bad, I could barely function outside of work.

I would help Yuri at the dance studio, work long hours, and have my casual hookups with whatever flavor of the week I was having.

Anything and everything I could do to exhaust myself to get home and just sleep.

Because if my thoughts didn’t keep me up, the nightmares did.

I met Nina when she attended a free dance class at Yuri’s.

She told me about her kickboxing studio, and I started attending.

She introduced me to her wife, Annie, who helps manage the class schedule and also teaches gun safety.

So I befriended Annie and started taking lessons from her.

I try to make it to the shooting range as much as I can, but with the new position and long hours, it’s been difficult to find time.

Exiting the elevator, I head straight to my office when Claudia stops me, looking frenzied. “Good Morning, Ms. Nerva. There was a last-minute meeting scheduled first thing this morning. Everyone is setting up in the conference room.”

“That explains the formalities in name,” I murmur as I hurry.

I enter the conference room and see that everyone is ready, so I take the seat next to the head of human resources, Maggie.

“Do you know what this is in regard to?”

“Not a clue. No one knows, but it may have something to do with the new campaign? Mr. Kayde’s assistant reached out first thing this morning and scheduled the meeting.”

My eyes move to the door as it swings open. Then he walks in, the man from the balcony, the man whose eyes held my attention even amid the chaos of emotions. He casually looks around the room, and his eyes meet mine. The corner of his mouth lifts in a smirk. Shit.

“Good Morning, everyone. I’d like to introduce myself. I am Ian Kayde, the CEO of Kayde Investments. I’m usually based out of our corporate office, but since this is a transition period for all of us, this will be my home office until further notice.”

Questions are asked, and he politely answers them. Short answers and straight to the point. The meeting ends, but just as I make my way to the door…

“Ms. Nerva, may I have a word?” I can feel all eyes on me. It’s like being called into the principal's office. My ears heat. I nod. I see Jacob walk by me with a shit-eating grin on his face. What a dick.

Everyone exits the room, and only he and I remain standing.

This man is tall—it’s one of the first things I noticed about him—I’d say about six three and built like a wall.

His tailored suit fits like a glove. I’m short, and although heels add some height, I’m nowhere close to meeting him at eye level.

His mere presence engulfs the space around us, and I can’t look away.

Pull yourself together, Serena, I chastise myself.

He’s just standing there, not saying a word.

Does he recognize me? There were so many women at the party, granted, only one was on the balcony punching and kneeing a guy.

Shit, I hope he doesn’t remember me. I’ll be mortified if my new boss realizes that he saw me knee a man in the balls.

I was so upset that I didn’t care if anyone saw me.

I was so careless, which is unlike me in public.

I doubt that one single look at me would be memorable for someone like Ian Kayde. I stand with the confidence that I’m severely lacking. What’s that saying? “Fake it ’til you make it.”

“Ms. Nerva, I want to check in and make sure you are settling well into your new position,” he finally says.

“I am, everything has been great. Work has been very busy, and my office, well, the view is amazing. I also hired a wonderful assistant. Thank you for checking in, Mr. Kayde.”

“I’m glad to hear it, and please call me Ian.

” He takes a deep breath. “There is a business trip that you need to attend in a couple of weeks.

Kayde Investments is continuing to expand, and another possible acquisition is in the works.

I need you to audit their finances. I hope a couple of weeks' notice is enough time to make adjustments to your schedule. My assistant, Selma, will be coordinating everything.”

“Don’t you think Jacob from accounting would be more suitable? It is his department.” I can’t believe I just suggested Jacob, but something tells me that being close to Ian Kayde isn’t a good idea. There’s something about him that I just can’t put my finger on.

No, is the only answer he gives me.

“Is this a request or an order, Mr. Kayde?” Where did that come from? “Because I don’t do well with orders.”

He smirks. “Expect the trip to be a couple of days, Ms. Nerva.” He grabs the door handle and turns to me. “By the way, how’s your bad leg?” He grins and exits the room.

Well, that answers that question. I’ve barely spoken to this man, and he’s already infuriating.

I make it back to my office and check my calendar.

Yup. There’s a trip on it, scheduled for later next month, with a full itinerary.

It lists two others who will be joining me: Maggie from Human Resources and Andrew in Operations.

My day flies by in a blur of meetings, but I mentally prepare myself to visit my best friend after work.

I promised Yuri that I would stop by her studio, mostly so she can check and make sure that I’m still alive.

I park and walk toward her studio. My best friend and I are inseparable, despite our opposite personalities.

I like structure, and she thrives on chaos.

When we moved to Veridian Bay, her father insisted on buying her an apartment.

As a way for him to monitor and keep some semblance of control over her life, which always backfires.

I know because I've always been there for the fallout.

Xander is an example of that. My best friend is passionate about dancing, so she asked her father for funds to open her own studio.

Being outgoing and charming pays off. That is why her studio is so successful.