Page 56 of Serena
She opens it. “Ian, this, it’s gorgeous.”
“Just like you, Mi Reina. You said no diamonds, so emeralds it is. I know you like looking at the stars, so now you have one around your neck. I had it custom-made for you.” The deep emerald pendant is shaped like a bursting star. With intricate white gold details around the emerald. I take the jewelry from her hands and put it around her neck. “Stunning.” I still can’t believe she’s here with me. “There’s another gift.” I pull out a small rectangular velvet box. She opens it, and the realization hits her.
“A key card?”
“Yes, to my penthouse. I want you to come and go as you please. Redecorate the place if you want. I want you to move in, but I know you’ll fight me on it. So, you have this for now.” She doesn’t know that I have a deadline for her. If she isn’t moved within two months, she’ll come home to an empty apartment and all her things at my place. It’s her birthday, so I want towait to have that argument. Raising my hand, I say, “No arguing today. Let’s save it for tomorrow. Today is about celebrating. Now let’s go.” I take her hand and lead her out the door.
We pull up to a warehouse thirty minutes outside the city. When I arrive, I see Caleb waiting for us. My cousin comes to the car and opens the door for her. Without hesitation, he pulls her in for a hug, and she hugs him back. “Happy Birthday.” The motherfucker looks at me, holding on for a bit too long, and gives me the middle finger without her noticing. He knows what he’s doing.
“Are you sure you want to push my buttons, Caleb?” He laughs. He’s lucky I didn't throw my knife at him. Given where we’re at, he’ll be lucky to make it out alive.
“Have you two always been like this?” Serena asks.
“Yes,” we answer in unison.
I make my way over to her and pull her to me. She rolls her eyes, so I slap her ass. Hard. I know she likes it. “Ian, are you done marking your territory?” She’s trying to be serious, but I can tell she’s finding it hard not to smile. She bites her bottom lip. Fuck, I’m so close to bending her over the hood of my car.
“Are you two done?” Caleb asks. “If so, let's go.”
“What is this?” She’s been asking since I told her to get ready. Patience is not a virtue with Serena.
“Wait and see.” I lead her into the building. As soon as she sees what’s inside, her eyes light up. She looks at me and jumps with excitement, clapping her hands like a kid in a candy store. I didn’t expect her to be this excited.
“This is amazing.” She looks around the warehouse that’s been converted into a gun range. The dark-red matte walls are covered in a variety of weapons. Crossbows, rifles, handguns, you name it, it’s here. There are six range lanes set up but separated by noise-reducing barrier walls. Each equipped with targets. This warehouse is an arsenal, ready for a war. My uncleowns the property, but we all use it when we need to blow off some steam or just practice. I’ve been dying to bring Serena here. I found her handgun in the nightstand next to her bed. It's small, but it will do the job if she needs to use it. We’ve made progress with her and knives, but I know it’s not her weapon of choice. Fuck, does the idea of a lethal Serena get me hard.
“Who owns this?” she asks as she takes in the view.
“My family,” Caleb answers. “This is where we come to blow shit up, legally.” He winks. Has he always been this infuriating, but I just haven’t noticed? My cousin leads us to a table that’s been prepared. It has an assortment of guns.
Without hesitation, she picks one up, checks the chamber, then moves on to another one. Caleb looks at me, his eyebrows raised. He’s thinking the same thing that I am. She knows what she’s doing. The ease with which she handles the weapon. He’s impressed. “Dad is going to love her,” he whispers, and I know he’s right. My uncle loves his guns.
“So, Serena, it seems like you know your way around guns?” he asks as she continues to admire the weapons.
“Yeah, I like to know what I’m doing. My friend Annie made a point of teaching me everything she knows. She’s ex-military."
“Are you any good?”
“Well, in what way?” She looks at me and winks. Oh my god. She just openly flirted with me. I should bring her here more often.
“Guns, I mean guns, you perverts,” he clarifies. She giggles, feigning innocence.
“I think so.” She’s smart. She caught on to my cousin’s ego. So she must know where he’s going with this.
“Well, Ian is the knife guy, and he’s a good shot with a gun, but I’m better. That’s why he hates guns—because he knows he isn’t the best at it. I am.”
I interrupt him. “That’s bullshit. I just think you can get more creative with knives.” I don’t elaborate. Now is not the time to go into details of my extracurricular activities.
Still admiring the guns, she says, “Well, I’m glad you think so. But it’s your own opinion, so it doesn’t count for much if you’re the only one who thinks that.” A whistle catches my attention, and I turn to see Felix approach us.
“I like her.” Son of a bitch. This isn’t going as planned. They weren’t even supposed to be here when we arrived.
“Well, birthday girl, let’s make a bet. Ten bullets, the highest score wins,” Caleb challenges. Without a second thought, Serena accepts the challenge. I am confident in everything she does, but Caleb is the best shot with a gun. I won’t ever admit it to his face. I know Serena won’t back down from a challenge. She loves to prove people wrong. Especially men. She needs to prove to herself and them that she’s just as capable. If not better. Who am I to argue with her?
“What are the terms?” I interrupt their conversation.
Serena speaks first. “If I win, you will never try to fuck any of my friends, and I get that obnoxious red car of yours.” He knows exactly which one she means.
“Those are two things, but fine. If I win, you have to set me up with one of your friends, and I get Ian’s New York apartment, which he refuses to sell to me. Even though he hasn’t stayed there in over a year.”
