Page 8 of Serena
“Well, you did learn from the best.”
“That I did.”
I was so afraid to hold a gun that it took me weeks to get the guts to take her class, but Annie helped me feel comfortable. Now it’s like second nature. I’ve shared some things about my past with Nina and Annie. It’s helped them understand my need to feel safer in my own skin.
“What’s going on in the world of Serena? Dating anyone? If you even call it that?”
“Hahaha. None of that; my career is taking up so much of my time. Plus, I don’t want to put the effort into anyone right now.”
“Serena, if you feel like giving it a shot, I know someone who may be interested.”
“Really? Who?” I’m curious.
“James—he’s an instructor at another gym I teach at. He’s tall, big muscles, and can probably toss you around, in the bedroom and on the mat. Think about it.”
“Not right now, but thanks for thinking of me.” I push the thought away for now and focus on my target. But a girl does have needs.
It’s been a week since I made myself comfortable in the office. With all the changes going on, I make a point to check on every department, and that includes a certain brunette workaholic with a caffeine addiction. I make sure that security escorts her to her car every day because she keeps late hours. I’ve also noticed the looks she gets from other people in the office, by other people, I mean men—the men in the office. My brother advised me that it’s bad for company morale to fire employees so shortly after getting here. If women were to look at her, I have no problem because I know her preference, so there is no competition there. I can always transfer them. I’m still contemplating the purchase of a company in New Hampshire.
Our brief interaction last week did nothing to tame the need to be around her. I make the smallest excuse to walk by her office, to go to the coffee machine. Shit, I’ve even started talking to the assistants. After she made the sassy comment about the trip, I couldn’t stop imagining ways to punish her. I can workfrom home. Hell, my other office across the city is larger, but then I wouldn't get my daily fix of Serena. I’m royally fucked when it comes to that woman.
“I’m still pissed about you not attending the gala; you know how I feel about those things. Where the fuck were you?”
My brother responds from the other side of the car speaker. “I told you something came up, so don’t be a dick. Did you see her there? Isn’t that the real reason you went?”
“Yes, and I don't appreciate you smiling and flirting with her.” He laughs, but I don't find it funny.
“I was being polite, you jerk. You can’t kill or transfer every man who talks or looks at her.”
“Yes, I can.”
He laughs, but he knows I'm serious. My brother and I are very close, and he’s aware of how deep my obsession runs and the lengths I’ll go to. He should know not to fuck with me. I don’t pretend to be a good man; I don’t pretend that I don’t enjoy hurting others. I savor the moment when I end a life. When a person takes their last breath because of you. The feeling is godlike. Hell, I enjoy it so much that I serve as an executioner for my cousin. I relish the fact that I can be two sides of the coin. The philanthropist and the killer. Helping others while making sure my interests are met. This isn’t a perfect world, so why mold myself to it when I can mold it to me?
“I’m on my way to see Mom. I’ll call you later to discuss a couple of things.”
“I stopped by yesterday. She mentioned Veronica hasn’t been home in a couple of days. We need to look into what she’s been up to.”
“I’ll have Miles follow her trial and report back,” I tell him, then hang up.
My parents live outside of the city. They preferred to raise us away from all the peering eyes of a camera. The media alwayswanted the latest on the Kayde family. The place I called home growing up is guarded by dozens of men who have been with the family for years. Passing the front gates, I make my way up the driveway and mentally prepare to see my parents. I enter the house that's painted in soft hues of blue, making the space feel open and inviting, and I’m engulfed by the smell of the ocean. My mother has always loved the water. When she saw this house, she knew she had to have it. Growing up, we would go down to the beach for family picnics, make sandcastles, and run in the water. There are so many loving memories in this home. I had a fantastic childhood, but there was always something missing.
I walk directly to the back of the house, knowing that’s where they’ll be. I’ve always been told that I resemble my father in his youth. I’ve seen pictures of when he was my age, and the resemblance is uncanny, both of us tall, black hair, sharp jaw, but my eyes, those come from my mother, Abigail Kayde, who is sitting down with a blanket over her legs, keeping warm from the cold ocean breeze. It’s February, so there is a chill in the air.
My mother is a force to be reckoned with; she has been all my life. The love my parents share is a once-in-a-lifetime love. My father is her anchor. He’s what keeps her in the present. What keeps her from losing herself. She lives for the present and a hopeful future. I know that she loves her children, but we will never compare to the man who slayed her demons and keeps them away in the moments she gets lost in the past. There has always been a darkness to my mother that she tries to hide from us, but darkness recognizes darkness.
She comes from a fortunate family and grew up very privileged. It wasn’t until she met my father that she realized just how little control she had over her own life. He set her free. They got married and have built their empire together. Growing up, she would tell me that empires can’t be built without sacrifice,whether it’s our soul or a life, and she was right. I’ve sacrificed both. The only thing that I am not willing to sacrifice isher. Serena doesn’t know it, but she has always been mine. God help anyone who ever stands in my way.
“Hi, Mom, how are you feeling?” I ask, placing a kiss on her forehead.
“Ian, my sweet boy. I didn’t hear you come in. Did you just get here? Are you hungry?”
“I just walked in and ate earlier.”
“Where’s Dad?”
“Oh, he just stepped away. He needed to check on something in his office. You know that man will never stop working. How is everything at the new company?”
“Yes, Gabe told me Dad asked for the reports and possible property purchases. He wants to make sure they would be good for business. He needs to back off; we are very capable of running the company.”
