Page 12 of Serena
“Listen, Ian, Serena is smart and very capable of doing her job. She was hired for a reason. Anybody would be lucky to have her working for them. As far as being in control, yes, Serena is in control when it comes to her career.”
I’ve watched Serena long enough to know that she is anything but in control. The version she presents to others is a facade. She is teetering over the edge, and I’m going to be the one to catch her. Not Elias, not anyone else, me.
Elias may seem harmless, but make no mistake, he is a shark. He is a predator, only we don’t hunt the same prey. I don’t care if he knows about me and Serena. Protector or friend, he won’t get in my way. We move on, updating each other on family and businesses. His phone rings, and when he looks at the screen, the smile on his face is automatic. He takes the call from someone who I can guarantee is Theo.
I pull out my phone and go to my fake social media account. I pull up Theo’s page and see there are pictures from tonight that he posted. There is a picture of the three of them at the beginning of the concert—her beautiful smile. I’ve only seen her smile like that once before. The second picture is of them holding their bottled alcoholic drinks, which look like vodka. The other pictures are blurry, as if taken while dancing. I go back to the one of Serena smiling, zoom in, and screenshot it. My shit-eating grin is on full display as Elias walks back to the table.
“Is everything all right?” I ask.
“Yes, but I need your help. That was actually Serena who called me on Theo’s phone.”
I stand up straighter, tensing.
“Is sh…are they all right?” I’m not sure if he caught that, but if he did, he doesn’t acknowledge it.
“Her phone died, but apparently my sister and husband are very drunk. I sent the car to pick them up, but I need a ride to Yuri’s to pick up Theo and take Serena home.”
I pull out a couple of hundred-dollar bills, dropping them on the table. “Let’s go.”
Thirty minutes later, we’re parked on the curbside outside Yuri’s apartment building, waiting. The driver had to help Serena load Yuri and Theo into the car, so it took a while. We see a black-tinted SUV pull up and park behind us. Henry, the driver, looks exasperated as he gets out and opens the door. This is definitely a sight to see. Theo spills out of the car, drunk and hair disheveled, and grabs on to Elias’s hand. After him, Yuri jumps out of the SUV, and I catch her before she face-plants onto the concrete sidewalk. She’s wearing a tiny, pink, sequined halter-top dress that leaves nothing to the imagination. Elias is able to grab her arm and pull her toward him. I can hear giggles coming from the back seat.
“Shit, where is my purse? I need to get my keys,” Yuri slurs.
“I have your purse,” Serena shouts, making her way to the open door. Apparently, it’s the only one they can crawl out from. I hold my hand out for her to grab; she doesn’t notice it’s me, but the instant her hand is on mine, I feel my body temperature rise. She tries to pull away, but I grasp on to it tighter. Pulling her up toward me, her heels catch on the sidewalk, and she stumbles. Both her hands grab on to my shoulders, her chest bumping into mine. Instinctively, mine go to her waist; I hold her tight so she doesn't lose her balance. I inhale and smell her scent. Roses. My new favorite smell. She looks up, finally seeing that it’s me. Her eyes go wide, but she doesn’t move. When I smile, she pulls away, trying to compose herself, but I see the pink in her cheeks. She is flustered, and I can’t wait to do it again.
I’m taking her all in. I don’t try to hide my irritation when I see what she wore tonight. The smallest black shorts, red heels that I’m sure would’ve caused her to sprain her ankle had I not caught her in time, and a red lace top, but those red-tinted lips. She might as well have worn lingerie; her curves are on displayfor everyone to see. What I wouldn’t give to push her against the car, tear that off her, and…
“How much did you drink tonight?” Elias asks the drunk trio, interrupting the image.
“Well,” Theo starts. “We kept announcing that it was my birthday, so I kept getting free drinks.” Yuri can’t stop giggling, barely managing to stand up.
“Look at what you’re wearing.” Attention goes to the birthday boy’s outfit. The shirt in question reads, “It’s my birthday. Buy me a drink.”
“Yup, that’s not including all the drinking we did in the VIP room. There was a huge selection of booze.” Serena looks at her friends and laughs. Then she glances at Elias. “They had a lot of selections for me, too, so we took advantage of that. Plus, the dancing helped us sober up.”
“But we drank more!” Yuri shouts.
Elias rolls his eyes. “Yuri, is Xander home?” Pouting, she shakes her head. He’s irritated and doesn’t even try to hide it. I’m protective of my sister, so I understand his frustration with his incompetent future brother-in-law.
“He’s visiting his brother for the weekend,” she explains.
With a deep sigh. “Let’s go, you’re heading home with us. Ian, would you be able to take Serena home?” Before I can respond, Little Ms. Red Heels informs us that she can take a taxi. Before I can oppose this, her protector, Elias, interrupts. “Serena, I would prefer you didn’t go in a random car with a stranger at this time of night alone.” Then the cavalry chimes in, agreeing.
I suppress a smirk.
“Well, Mr. Kayde is a stranger,” she sasses.
“Ian, my name is Ian,” I remind her.
After some whining from her friends about how tired they are, she gives in. I grab her by the arm and place my other hand on her lower back, ensuring that I have a firm hold on her so she doesn’t fall. I guide her to the passenger seat and make sure she’s comfortable. I reach across her lap to buckle her in, and my arm grazes her breasts. Those breasts inthattop; it has me salivating. I look up and stare into her brown eyes and lose myself in them. Being this close to her is testing my willpower. Time stands still waiting for one of us to say something. To acknowledge the touch. I want to know if my touch affects her the way her mere presence does me. With a frustrated sigh, I move to my side of the car and start driving.
“Don’t you need my address?” she asks.
“I already have it. Elias gave it to me before you arrived.”
“You know, I can take care of myself, and I don't need you to take me home. I’m perfectly capable.”
Is she serious right now? “You are capable, but you’re also drunk and can hardly stand. There is no way you’re going to get into someone else's car. I’d rather put you in my car against your will and tie you down if I have to than let you get in a taxi.” That actually doesn't sound like a bad idea. Maybe I'll even gag her. I don’t say that part out loud.
