Page 13 of Serena
“It seems like the three of you had a great time.” I smile because I know for a fact they did. When I found out they were attending a concert, I wanted her to let loose and have fun. If I couldn’t be there to look after her, I made sure someone was. They had no idea that there was additional security around them. Updates were being sent to me throughout the night. When Serena called Elias, I thought the security detail had missed something.
“Are you going to give me a lecture about drinking, Mr. Kayde?”
“Ian,” I tell her again.
“It was fun. I love to dance when given the chance. I’m not at Yuri's level, but I have rhythm. Can’t say the same for Theo. Anyway,Mr. Kayde, Icantake care of myself.”
“I. A. N,” I repeat, again. I know she’s messing with me. The smile on her face gives her away. “I know you can. You have one hell of a right hook.” She laughs, and damn, I want to hear that sound again and again. That laugh was only for me, not her friends, but me.
“I'm also a good shot.”
I raise my eyebrows. “You know how to shoot a gun? Do you go shooting often?” I’m trying not to sound so eager, but she’s sharing things about her life. Plus, my dick isn’t getting the memo. I can feel it getting hard just imagining Serena with a weapon in her hands. Lethal and perfect and all mine. She doesn’t know the last part…yet.
“Every once in a while. I took a safety class a couple of years back, and my friend suggested I get a small gun. At the time, Yuri and I were roommates, but when I moved into my own place, I decided to get one. It’s more for home security. I take kickboxing classes too.”
“Is there a reason you felt unsafe?”
She thinks about her answer. “No, just a girl living alone. Something that I’m sure you don’t have to worry about.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Well, look at you and look at me. We are worlds apart.”
It’s true. I’m a privileged man who can afford private security. Even my sister lives a privileged and somewhat sheltered life.
“You’re right.” That’s all I can say. “I prefer knives; they’re more inconspicuous, and you can get more creative when you need to hurt someone,” I share.
“Have you ever hurt someone?”
I don’t respond and let the silence do it for me. I have to ask the question that's been bothering me since dinner with Elias. I might as well do it with alcohol in her system. Aren’t people the most honest when inebriated?
“You also have friends looking out for you. Like Elias. You two seem very close. He seems very protective of you. Is there history there?”
“History?” Her eyebrows furrow.
“More than friends?” I don’t sugarcoat it.
“Did you just ask me if I’ve ever slept with Elias? Elias Lobo, my best friend’s brother and my other best friend’s husband?!”
“Yes,” I say point-blank. If looks could kill, I’d be six feet under.
“That’s none of your business, and it’s very presumptuous of you to ask. You don't even know me. Maybe you’re deflecting, and you’re the one sleeping with your friends.”
“Hermosa, if you want to know if I’m fucking someone, you can just ask. But to answer your question, no, I don’t fuck my friends. If I want a fuck, there is a list of women I can call. No strings attached.”
She might have been drunk when she got into my car, but this fired her up.
“Well, that’s good to know, not that it matters to me. But we have something in common. We both have people we can call for an easy fuck. As far as Elias, he and I are just friends. God, you’re such a dick.”
She gets out, slamming my car door, and heads into the building.
Breathe, Ian, just breathe.
I quickly send Miles a text to check Serena's phone for any conversations with other men. I catch up to her just as the elevator is closing. She looks pissed. Well, guess what? So am I. Serena is nothing like her namesake. Calm? Tranquil? She is anything but, always on the defense, ready for a fight. If she wants one, I will gladly give her one. I realize she didn’t answer my question, which only pisses me off more. We stand there in silence. She doesn’t look my way.
“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be gone?”
“I told Elias that I would take you to your apartment.”
