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Chapter 17
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2024-11-09 01:51:30
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Queen of the West Chapter 18
MONIQUEI loved being in control. It felt good. Knowing I had almost gotten Liam nearly kneeling and under my charm felt even more amazing. I was going to use his developing feelings to my advantage rather than let them get to me simply because I reciprocated parts of those feelings.If I could have gotten him to follow me blindly to some place, claiming to have a surprise for him, it meant I was already on my way to getting him completely wrapped around my finger.His eyes followed the roll of my hips as I arched and leaned into him, my body brushing up against his, a soft smile tugging at my lips. This was my game, and I was playing it with all the finesse I had.But I couldn't make it too obvious—couldn't let him know that every touch, every brush of my fingers against his skin was leading him exactly where I wanted.With a playful grin, I pulled back just enough to make him lean in, chasing that connection. "Wait," I said softly, pressing a finger to his lips. "We need a drink."
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Queen of the West Chapter 19
LIAMLunch with Blanca Torres felt almost routine by now. We had met several times before under the pretext of discussing business, but there was always more to it than that. She had been the one who introduced me to her husband, David—a powerful investor whose backing I needed for my dealings. He had already proved himself a worthy partner when I had issues with my latest shipments. And while David was the ultimate target, it was clear that Blanca held the reins when it came to influencing his decisions.She sat across from me at a private table in one of my restaurants. Her dress, a form-fitting designer piece, complemented her perfectly, and she wore it with the confidence of someone who was used to having eyes on her."I owe David for his involvement last month; he saved me a lot from the authority," I said, offering her a smile as I sipped my wine. "I wouldn't have made it this far with him without your introductions."Blanca's lips curved in a playful smile. "Oh, I'm sure you co
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Queen of the West Chapter 20
The grand ballroom was bathed in golden light, chandeliers casting a soft glow over the crowd. Tables draped in the finest linens were adorned with centerpieces that screamed elegance. The stage was set for success—everything arranged, down to the last detail. The new hotel stood tall and gleaming against the skyline. The idiot contractor brought the initial idea to life, just as I'd pictured it.But something was off.As I stepped into the ballroom, I immediately noticed the sparse crowd. Sure, people were mingling, sipping champagne, smiling politely, but the energy wasn't there. The room wasn't packed like I had expected it to be. Not even close. I glanced around, my stomach sinking. There were far fewer people than we'd anticipated. The hum of conversation lacked the buzz I had imagined. This was supposed to be the event, but the excitement just wasn't in the air.Where the hell was everyone?I adjusted my cufflinks, trying to keep my cool, but my mind was racing. I had spent mont
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Queen of the West Chapter 21
MONIQUEAs the clock ticked closer to the moment of the official seal being opened, the few guests that were in attendance had dwindled—it was almost laughable. The very few guests that hung around mingled, champagne flutes in hand, while photographers hovered nearby, ready to capture the moment. But as I scanned the room, I discovered Liam was nowhere in sight.This was his big night, wasn't it? The launch couldn't wait, but neither could my questions about his whereabouts. Watching how all this affected him was the highlight so far of my time in his employ. I couldn't even hide the satisfaction on my expression.I slipped to the side of the ballroom, out of sight of the few people lingering, and quickly dialed Richardson. As I waited for him to pick up, I surveyed the room again, searching for any sign of Liam. When Richardson answered, his voice was clear and steady, reassuring me and rubbing my own proud shoulder. It just felt too good."Everything's running smoothly here," I cou
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Queen of the West Chapter 22
LIAMTwo days after the hotel launch, I had done my best to stay off the grid. I needed to reset, regroup. The launch night still lingered in my mind, the low turnout, the whispers about her—the damn Queen of the West. She'd managed to pull off a spectacle, sure, but I wasn't worried about the fireworks and flash. I had longevity on my side. Running a hotel in Midtown Manhattan was about more than just showmanship. It was about staying power, strategy, and knowing how to pull the right strings in the right places.She could pull a big launch show, but let's see if her business strategy was worth anything. Launching a hotel is one thing, keeping it thriving in a city like this is a different beast entirely. And I intended to own this city, one way or another.I didn't get this far to come out second. I was currently running one of the biggest cartel in the state. The hotels, clubs and restaurants were just surface level glory. Legit concealing the illicit.The competition had just offi
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Queen of the West Chapter 23
MONIQUEI hated him.Who did he think he was, claiming my body like it belonged to him? As if that wasn't enough, he stirred feelings in me that had no right to exist. Thankfully, I caught myself before they could take root.I knew exactly what kind of man he was. What had I been expecting—some kind of commitment to whatever twisted thing was between us? He was a lying, disloyal, murderous bastard. It was time to sever any ties that weren't focused on one goal: tearing down his empire and ripping everything from him, just like he did to me.Blanca was exactly his type—married or not. They were a perfect match. A shallow relationship like that was going nowhere fast. I still heard her condescending tone when she delivered his message at the launch, practically gloating. If he was going to sleep with her, he might as well have done it in the hotel foyer and given his guests a show.God, I was furious. But why?I hated feeling this unsettled, this worked up.I spent the day watching him
Last Updated : 2024-11-13Queen of the West Chapter 24
MONIQUEI stepped into my apartment, package in hand, and tossed my keys on the counter. The box from Liam sat in front of me, taunting me with its presence. I stared at it, nearly burning a hole through the cardboard and that ridiculous little bow tied neatly on top. There was a note attached to the outside—short and simple."Care to join me for dinner tomorrow night? L."I rolled my eyes, crumpling the card in my hand. Typical Liam. Always trying to charm his way out of being the lying, manipulative bastard he was.I resisted the urge to throw the box across the room and instead carefully untied the bow, opening it slowly. Inside was a gown—an absolutely stunning, expensive looking dinner gown. The fabric was smooth, luxurious, the kind that would drape perfectly against my skin. Alongside it were a pair of delicate sandal heels, equally expensive, and a spa and salon day treatment access card tucked beneath them.I almost scoffed. How predictable. Of course, he'd send something ove
Last Updated : 2024-11-13Queen of the West Chapter 25
LIAMI stared at the text from Monique, my pulse quickening as I read her short and simple reply: "Pick me up at seven." It felt like an indirect acceptance of my invitation—an indication that she had agreed to the dinner I had arranged.A date, huh?I wasn't one for dating; I had never believed in commitment or the vulnerabilities that came with it. But somehow, Monique had managed to slip under my skin. She impressed me in ways I hadn't expected, and now I found myself looking forward to our time together more than I cared to admit.As I climbed into the backseat of the car, I signaled for my driver to head to her apartment. The city zipped by outside, but my mind was fixated on her.I couldn't wait to see her in the dress I picked out for her. Could I charm her beyond the sex invitations I always presented her with? A part of me wanted to keep things professional, yet another part was desperate to see that spark in her eyes again.When we arrived, I stepped out and straightened my
Last Updated : 2024-11-13
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Queen of the West Chapter 57
MONIQUEI had control issues, and ballet school made me become a perfectionist. When I started getting bullied, our dance instructor from Italy—Costanza—had made a joke about my weight. She told me I was missing steps because I had fat arms and calves. The girls laughed and they used it to make fun of me every single day till I left that school.This made me a control freak. If things didn't go my way, I would want to tear things apart. But while I was in hiding, Don Antonio had a girlfriend, she was French and she was a lot younger than him and closer to my age. We bonded, in a way. She was a ballet instructor, too, and one of the few people who didn't make me feel inadequate. She showed me how to use my frustration and lack of control to fuel something productive, something that could center me.My years in hiding taught me more than patience and strategy. They tau
Queen of the West Chapter 56
MONIQUEI arrived at the hotel café, scanning the room for Richardson. He was already seated at a corner table, blending in with the upscale surroundings of my hotel. His eyes caught mine the moment I walked in, and he gave me a quick nod, his face calm.I walked over, and without a word, took the seat across from him. He opened his mouth to speak, but I raised a hand, cutting him off before he could even start."How could you be so sloppy?" I asked, my voice low but sharp. "Your name, Richardson. They know it. Charles."His jaw tightened, and he sat back, crossing his arms. "I didn't reveal my name," he replied, his voice just as controlled as mine. "The messenger I sent must have picked it up somewhere after the agreement was made. I didn't hand it over."I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes at him. "Do you have any idea what k
Queen of the West Chapter 55
MONIQUEHis words echoed in my head like a constant siren. I can't let you go.I hadn't fully recovered from Liam's confessions the other day. The intensity of his emotions, his possessiveness—it was almost too much. And yet here I was, tangled up with him again, our bodies intertwined in the sheets of his penthouse bed. The city hummed outside, but in this moment, it felt like we were in our own world.The sharp ring of the doorbell cut through the silence, stirring Liam awake. His body shifted beside mine, and I felt the absence of his warmth as he slid out of bed. I watched through half-open eyes as he grabbed a pair of pants from the chair nearby. He moved with the quiet confidence of someone always in control, even in the early morning hours.He glanced back at me once before leaving the bedroom, his gaze lingering, then disappeared into the hallway to answer the door.Through the muffled walls, I could make out the low murmur of voices. It was Felix. My pulse quickened. I couldn
Queen of the West Chapter 54
MONIQUEThe number of work meetings had drastically reduced. As Liam's assistant, I not only gained access to his world but also front-row seats to the spectacle of it crumbling, piece by piece. Each passing day, I watched as the empire he had meticulously built seemed to unravel, and though I was part of it, I couldn't help but feel a certain satisfaction. There was a power in watching someone so formidable brought down by forces they couldn't control.I was seated in my office, scrolling through pictures Sophie had sent of Star. The fluffy Persian was curled up in a ball in one image, playfully batting at a string in another. I smiled absently as I flicked through them. There wasn't much else to do today. Liam had been out handling God-knows-what, and the office felt unusually still, like a quiet before an impending storm.I almost didn't notice when the door opened. Liam walked in, the tension radiating off him like heat from a furnace. I locked my phone and rushed to meet him. He
Queen of the West Chapter 53
LIAMAs I stepped into the storage room, the strong smell of blood hit me, a clear reminder of the seriousness of the situation. I rolled up my sleeves, the dim light illuminating the grim scene: Trevor was tied to one chair, his body bruised and battered, while two other men were similarly restrained nearby. My men had done a thorough job. Felix stood at the forefront."Three men," he explained, nodding toward the lifeless form sprawled on the floor, "but one got caught in the shootout and didn't make it." His gaze flicked toward the surviving trio, a predator sizing up his prey.One of the men, a scrappy guy with a wild look in his eyes, squirmed in his chair, a desperate plea creeping into his voice. "Look, I'll cooperate! I'll tell you anything you want to know, just don't kill me."A humorless grin stretched across my face, a reflection of my disdain for his delusions. "You really think you'll walk out of here alive?" I stepped closer, my presence looming over him. "Who sent you?
Queen of the West Chapter 52
LIAMThe warehouse was eerily silent when I arrived, tension so thick you could slice through it. The four workers stood before me, a mix of fear and confusion on their faces. I could see it in their eyes—none of them had a clue what was happening, or at least, that's what they wanted me to believe. I wasn't buying it. I didn't trust anyone fully at this point. One of them could've easily been in on it.I looked each one of them in the eye, my gaze hard. "What do you know about the attack?" I asked, my voice even but carrying a sneer.One by one, they fumbled through their answers, all variations of the same thing—we don't know anything, boss. Their voices desperate and nervous. It was hard to tell who was genuinely clueless and who was faking, because I was completely blinded by rage.But I was also not a fool. Trust wasn't something I handed out easily. After what happened, if one person could betray me, then why not all of them? Maybe they were in this together, covering for each o
Queen of the West Chapter 51
LIAMA week had passed, and still, we hadn't found the thieves. Whoever they were, they covered their tracks well, leaving no trace behind. Each passing day felt like a ticking bomb. It wasn't just the financial hit—though that alone was staggering—it was the cracks it had started to create in my reputation.The rage boiled inside me as the reality of the situation grew clearer. Half of my investors had begun pulling out. Contracts that had taken months, even years, to secure were suddenly being terminated. The trust they had in me, in my operation, was slipping through my fingers like sand. And I didn't even have enough money to pump into my company anymore. All of it—both business above and underground—were evaporating before my eyes.I slammed my fist against the desk, the sharp crack of wood and bone reverberating through my penthouse office. I couldn't even keep track of how many times I'd lost control in the past month. Everything was spiraling, slipping through my fingers.Was
Queen of the West Chapter 50
MONIQUEYou know how, when you spotted a trail of ants invading your yard, and after following their line, you finally found the nest? That moment when you crushed it, watching them scatter in chaos—that was exactly how it felt watching Liam and his people scramble in the aftermath of what I had done to his so-called empire. There was something deeply satisfying, almost intoxicating, about seeing their destruction unfold. It had been a whole surge of power.I got home from work and poured myself a glass of champagne, one of my most expensive bottles. The cool fizz hit my tongue as I leaned back against the kitchen counter, savoring the taste. The bubbles burst with the same satisfaction I'd felt earlier when watching Liam fall apart from the news of his robbery.I couldn't help but replay the scene in my head, how I had given him that reassuring shoulder, offering to help find the people responsible for the theft. It had been seamless. And after the night we spent together, the way I'
Queen of the West Chapter 49
LIAMMy empire felt like it was crumbling, piece by piece. First, the warehouse attack, and now, the possibility that someone on the inside was behind it. It didn't sit right with me. Maybe it was just random thieves, desperate and stupid enough to try their luck against me. Bandits selling off the stolen goods in some lower market to make a quick buck. But it didn't add up. The lack of trust had slowly crept into my life, and I couldn't shake it.I was always careful, selective about the men I let into my organization. Loyalty was everything in my business. These weren't just street thugs; they were men who had stood by me, bled for me. But that didn't mean one of them couldn't turn two-faced and stab me in the back when I wasn't looking.The thought gnawed at me as I sat in my office. Monique was reading through some stock reports and going over schedules, her voice clear and calm as she listed off everything in a way that helped me focus, even in moments like these.The door to my
