Page 64 of Serena
He leans his forehead to mine. “I hate that things ever happened between the two of you, but it happened. I will never judge you for doing what you needed to survive.”
“Ian, don’t you understand? You’re the only one I didn’t have the courage to tell. I didn’t want you to look at me like I’m broken… When I'm with you, I feel whole. It’s the most whole I’ve ever felt in my life.”
He stands up and puts his hand out for me to take. He looks at the bar, then back to me. “But I’m thankful you had someone to keep you from going into the abyss. I’ve seen what that does to a person. How you can lose yourself in the pain and shame. You aren’t alone, but I want to get one thing straight. You don’t need Elias or me to save you. You saved yourself. You did all the work and brought yourself back.”
“So what, a shattered woman just surviving?” I mock.
“No, Mi Reina, you’re a goddamn queen. Call yourself a shattered queen if you want, but you’re a queen. Mine to worship and protect.”
“Now, let’s get the fuck out of here.”
Discovering that my close friend had a fling with the woman I love. Well, who wouldn’t go crazy? After she left the party, I went to her apartment and found that she was gone. The emerald pendant was on her dresser. I immediately called the pilot and had him prepare the jet. As I pulled up to the terminal, I saw Caleb and Damon waiting for me. Only I hadn’t informed them of my travel plans. Fucking Miles.
“Where are you going?” Damon asks nonchalantly.
“You know where. I’m assuming Miles told you?”
“He might have called. Something about you losing your shit. Serena leaving you. Colorado.”
“I found out Serena and Elias had a fling. I lost my shit. Now I’m going to get her.”
“Damn. I didn’t know she had it in her. Pun intended.” Caleb laughs.
“Go to hell, Caleb.” I’m not in the mood for his shit.
“Want to go kill him? I’ll start.” I know he isn’t kidding. Caleb has his own issues with Elias. Ones that I prefer not to get involved with.
“No, if I hurt him, I hurt her.” I’m trying hard to keep that promise. My hands are itching for some revenge. The brothers look at each other.
“Ian from a year ago wouldn’t have hesitated to skin him alive. Friend or no friend,” Damon taunts. He's right.
“That’s what happens when you fall in love,” Caleb says sarcastically.
This mother fucker. “I’ve gone soft?” I look at Caleb. “How’s it going with the surveillance of a certain waitress?” Then to Damon. “Have you visited New York lately? I hear there’s a nice club in Manhattan.” Neither responds. “I thought so, now get the fuck out of my way.” As much as they keep an eye on me, I do the same for them.
“What did you do, Ian?” Damon asks while looking at his phone. I run my hands through my hair. I tell them what happened earlier.
Damon seems to be full of opinions. “She’s right. You don’t have any right to be mad at her. The situation, yes, but not her.”
“Listen, I'm not the biggest Elias Lobo fan, but she has a point,” my older cousin chimes in. “Don’t be so archaic. You’ve had your fair share of women.” He adds salt to the wound. “Let’s not forget the list of suitors she’s had. I’m sure she would have had more if you hadn’t told Miles to fuck with her dating app.”
“Whose side are you on?” I ask my traitorous cousins.
Caleb has no problems speaking his mind on this matter. “I’m on her side. She’s the best thing that’s happened to you. Listen, Ian, you’re a killer through and through. You are two sides of a coin, and both sides are madly in love with her. When I see you with her, you don’t pretend to be only one side. Even if she doesn’t know how far you’ve gone for her. I know shewouldn't see you any differently. I mean, that woman loves her weapons. I think she could be a natural killer; she may not feed into that part of herself, but she won’t deny you of yours. If anything, it may make her feel more alive.”
I look at him, dumbfounded. “So, now you specialize in motivational speeches?” He flips me the bird.
“Seriously, don’t go. Asshole,” Caleb says, walking away, followed by his brother. My phone rings.
“Hello, brother.”
“Ian, let her be.” After speaking to my little brother, who I’m sure was notified by Damon, I decided to go into the office. I’m giving her seventy-two hours of space.
I madeit to thirty-six hours. I buried myself in work to distract myself from getting on a plane and going to her. Gabe even sent in the cavalry. Veronica stopped by the penthouse last night. No doubt to keep me from doing something stupid.
My restraint broke when I received an email early this morning letting me know that Serena Nerva was taking the rest of the week off. I immediately knew something was wrong. So within the hour, I was on my way to Caligo Valley.
I check her location and drive straight to her. Reaching my destination, Serena comes into view. She’s standing in front of a burned-down building—the bar. She’s lost in her thoughts and doesn’t hear me approach, but I know the moment she senses me. Facing her past makes her physically sick. She looks so tired; no doubt she's lacking sleep.
