Page 83 of Serena
When the travel was done, I made it back to her. My plan was to punish her, but instead, she got on her knees and showed me how far she’s come in accepting herself. I couldn’t be prouder.
We entered her office with the idea of continuing our reunion, but a scent caught our attention. On her desk is a colorful bouquet of carnations. Similar to those in her mother’s yard. I walk closer and see a small envelope. What’s on the card inside has all the color draining from my face. She comes to pull it out of my grasp.
I immediately call security. Then I call Miles.
“I need you to check every single camera.” I hang up. Serena hasn't moved, just stares at the envelope. I lift her into my arms and carry her out of the building. Augustus is waiting to take us home. I take the note from her hands.
“Who would do this?”
“I don’t know, baby, but we’ll find out.”
After getting home, I had her shower and forced her to eat. I was getting updates from my security team, but they found nothing. She barely slept last night, so there were no nightmares. Today, she’s going to survive on caffeine. I make sure my coffee mug is ready with her favorite drink. My cousin and brother sit across from me. When I said Serena had an army at her back, I wasn’t kidding.
“We didn’t find anything on the security cameras, but we were able to track the florist. The order was placed over the phone by a man. A prepaid credit card was used. The delivery guy didn’t know anything,” Damon tells me.
I turn to Serena. “We aren’t going to the party.”
“What! No, we are going.”
“No, we aren’t. I closed the office as well. Everyone got the day off. You are staying here,” I order. She crosses her arms in defiance.
“I’ll just go alone or take someone.”
“Serena!”
“Ian! I’m going with or without you.”
“You are so goddamn stubborn.” She doesn’t stand down. She’s driving me insane with her inability to take directions when it comes to her safety. It’s infuriating.
“Fine, but you’ll be with me at all times.”
“Yes, Sir!” she says condescendingly in my direction, and she walks away angry.
“Don’t be a brat,” I yell, loud enough for her to hear.
“Don’t be an asshole,” she yells back. I look at the men sitting at my table.
“What?!”
“We really like her.” They laugh.
“Fuck you.”
“Listen, we’ll all be there tonight.” Gabe is the first to speak.
Saying what everyone is thinking, Damon speaks. “Maybe… This will flush him out.” I know he’s right. I leave them to check on Serena. They can let themselves out.
I find her in bed; she must have dozed off. Sensing me, she opens her eyes, and I kneel next to the bed.
“I just want you to be safe.” I caress her face.
“I know.” I lie next to her.
The relaunch party is taking place in an estate right by the beach. It’s one of the oldest in Veridian Bay. The interior has been renovated, and a modern crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling. Looking around, the new logo is on display. It’s modern and fresh, showcasing a new era at Kayde Investments.
I turn to the man who’s holding me close. Ian reeks of power and wealth. As soon as we walked into the room, all eyes were on us. I push my insecure thoughts down.
“They are looking at you, not me,” he whispers in my ear. He’s in his signature tailored black suit and bowtie. When he raises his arm, I can see the black ink on his wrist. That’s such a huge turn on. It’s like a peek into the other side of Ian. One that is only for me. I’m wearing a tight black off-the-shoulder dress. It makes me feel sexy, and by the look on Ian’s face when I walked out of the bedroom earlier, he loves it too. More like he’d love to rip it off me, and I'd let him.
