Page 24 of Shattered Queens: Veronica
“Fuck off,Miles.”
“Wow, that’s original.”
“Enough, both of you,” Ric shouts. “The boss has a guest, but we’re taking her and Ms. Kayde home.” He looks at me and smirks. “And don’t worry. I won’t tell Gemma.”
Fuck him. Everyone knows that I’m not her only client. He’s about to say something when the elevator door opens. Berenice stands in front of me, not having a clue who I am. Next to her, with his arm around her waist, is the owner of this club: Sebastian Valdez. I walk past them and head to his office down the hallway, giving them privacy.
A couple of minutes later, Sebastian enters his office. I wasn’t sure how long he’d be, so I made myself comfortable. He doesn’t bother with pleasantries; instead, he sits on his chair that looks like a throne, but that’s Sebastian—larger than life. That’s why seeing him with Berenice is so shocking. She’s so normal, and he’s so…Sebastian.
He may intimidate others, but not me. Nothing gets past him, though; this is his domain, so he knew Veronica was coming. I’m trying to rein in my anger, but I can’t. “You invited Veronica Kayde to your club?”
The motherfucker gives me a sinister smile. “She was invited by my guest.” He sits there, baiting me. “One who I don’t deny and who I keep safe.” I know he’s throwing that in my face. “It worked out in your favor. No?” He looks at the wet spot. “I must say, I wasn’t expecting to see the younger Kayde put on a show.” I jump out of my seat, but he remains rooted in place, not fazed by my reaction.
“Careful, Sebastian, you know what lengths I can go to,” I threaten, but I still don’t get a reaction from him.
He stands up and walks to a shelf that holds some of the most expensive liquor I’ve ever seen. “No, Miles,youneed to be careful. Do you know what Damon would have done if he saw you and her?” He takes a sip from his glass. “He’s a fucking loose cannon. Albeit one of my oldest customers, but a loose cannon, nonetheless.”
He’s right. What we did—no, what I did—was reckless and stupid. He grabs a water and walks to me, extending the bottle to me. “Here, you must be parched.” I watch the effort it takes for him not to grin. “Next time, use the private room.”
“There won’t be a next time,” I snap.
“Hmm, if you say so.” He moves to his desk, grabs two folders, and walks back to me. “Here.” I take them and immediately open them. I don’t question him; if he needs something, I’ll do it. I scratch his back, he scratches mine. I look at the contents of the first folder. It’s a picture and a name. He answers the question before I have time to ask. “I need you to find that person. I don’t care how long or how much it takes.”
I have a feeling this has to do with Veronica’s friend. The woman he held so closely—Berenice.
I nod and move to the second folder. It’s photographs of Eric Harrison and some men I don’t recognize. “What’s this?”
“Information. I received it earlier tonight from my New York office. Do with it what you will. Eric Harrison and his associates have been banned from entering any of my businesses. If he shows his face, I will personally put a bullet in his head.”
“What did he do?”
He takes a moment to answer. “He stabbed a woman in the thigh with asmall knife.”
I feel my blood run cold. Son of a bitch. “Why are you telling me? You’re neutral. You don’t get involved.”
He doesn’t hesitate. “Things have changed. Your ward is friends with my…Berenice. So that means that I will protect them both. It’s public knowledge she isn’t your biggest fan.” He likes rubbing that in my face. “My advice is that you tell hereverything.” He takes another sip of his drink. “I know men like Eric. Once they set their sights on something or someone, they don’t stop until they have it. Now that includes the younger Kayde.”
I’m not surprised Veronica has told others how much she hates me. “If it were only that easy,” I say as I walk out of his office.
Veronica
Chapter 14
I’m sitting on mybathroom shower floor. The hot water cascades down my body. After getting finger-fucked by a stranger, Berenice found me, and we went back to her place. I didn’t want to go home, so I spent the night with her. I don’t regret going to the club or letting a stranger touch me. Hell, I’ve let strangers eat me out in a bathroom for fuck’s sake. It was a transaction. Fulfilling a need. Last night felt different. When the stranger left me after making me come, that felt a lot like regret on his part, and that makes me feel cheap.
I can still feel his hands on me. When we arrived at Bere’s, I was still so wound up that I barely slept all night. We were very proud of ourselves for getting away with what we did. I didn’t expect Miles to check on me. He never does. He’s just a shadow, present at all times. After I saw a few missed calls, I lied and sent him a message telling him I’d fallen asleep. Whether he believed me or not is beside the point. I simply don’tcare. I need to get him out of my life. I know that my brothers use him in whatever work they do. That shouldn’t include me anymore. My stomach rumbles. Shit, when was the last time I ate? I need to be better about eating. Even though my bed is calling me, I need to eat something and get some work done.
I’m not much of a cook, so cereal it is. I grab my bowl and walk over to the window to admire my plants and flowers. My mother doesn’t have a green thumb. I’m pretty sure I inherited that from my grandmother from my dad’s side; she died when I was little. I don’t remember her, but I heard she was very kind and only saw the best in a person. I wish I had known her more. I’ve always felt like the odd one out in my family.
“How are my babies doing today?” I ask the orchids, and “What about you?” I ask the plants. “Do you want to hear about my night at the sex club? You know I haven’t felt that sexy in a long time. I really need groceries, don’t I?” If anyone saw me, they’d think I was eccentric.
I try to remember the last time I wore lingerie for someone. It was years ago. Tony and I had been dating for a couple of months, and I wanted to do something special for him. Something I’d never done with anyone.
“I have a surprise for you, but you have to close your eyes and promise not to look. Okay?” I tell him as I peek out of the bathroom door.
His lips lift into a half smile. His smiles never make it to his eyes. I think it’s because he isn’t happy with me. I’ve asked him many times if he’s happy. He assures me he is. That I make him feel good. I know he’s older than me, but I can be like the other girls he’s dated. I can do what they do.
I look in the mirror; I feel undeniably sexy. I’m wearing a red lace bra and matching panties. I added a garter belt to get him excited, then slip into my red heels. “Are you ready?” I ask him.
