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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 45
MONIQUEWe kissed for so long that I started to become lightheaded, my breaths shallow, and the world around us seemed to blur. The terror of my nightmare nearly forgotten. My eyes fluttered closed again, lost in the sensation of his lips against mine, the heat of his body pressing closer. I just needed to enjoy this.Every kiss deepened, his hands sliding down my back, pulling me closer. I could feel the pounding of his heart in sync with my own, both of us on the edge of something we desperately craved.His fingers traced the hem of my sleep shirt, then he started lifting it, the fabric gliding over my skin in a slow, tantalizing motion. My body reacted immediately, a soft shiver running down my spine as his hands caressed the newly exposed skin. I raised my arms, letting him pull the shirt over my head, tossing it aside carelessly. His gaze darkened as he looked down at me, his eyes roaming over my bare chest, taking in every inch like he was memorizing the sight. The intensity of
Queen of the West Chapter 44
LIAMI felt oddly relaxed. The day had been... something. The hike, the laughter, the lighthouse view—it all felt like a dream I didn't know I needed. But what made the day better was watching Monique. Her smile was different today. It wasn't her usual guarded smirk or the polite curve of her lips she gave when she had to. No, this was real. Genuine. She was excited, full of energy, and for the first time, it was like she let herself forget whatever demons she carried with her. That energy, that spark in her, was contagious. I found myself smiling more than I had in weeks, just because she was.As we settled in for the night, I drifted off easily, a sense of calm wrapping around me like a warm blanket. But the peace didn't last long.I woke up to a noise. It was faint at first—just some shuffling, then mumbling. I thought maybe Monique had gotten up, but the sounds grew louder, more frantic. A scream tore through the silence, jolting me out of bed. My heart pounded in my chest, adrena
Queen of the West Chapter 43
MONIQUEI hated sharing such a personal moment like that with him.The kitchen incident replayed in my head, again and again, all night. Conversations over hot chocolate had always been my thing with my mother, a sacred ritual of sorts. It was our comfort, our peace—a symbol of warmth and love. And now, I had shared that moment, that intimacy, with Liam Sterling, the man responsible for taking her away from me. It felt like a betrayal, like I had given him a piece of my heart that he had no right to.I had gone to the kitchen to calm my nerves, to find some quiet in the chaos that always seemed to creep up on me when I tried to shut my eyes—nightmares and hallucinations about the past. The hot chocolate was supposed to ground me, to give me a moment of clarity. But instead, I ended up sharing it with him, the man I was meant to destroy.I hated myself for it.After that awkward exchange, I left Liam in the kitchen. I couldn't stand to be in the same room with him any longer. He was st
Queen of the West Chapter 42
LIAMShe was right. I hadn't realized how much I needed this getaway until I was on the plane, staring out at the clouds below. Monique had been unusually adamant about the entire thing, practically threatening to toss my phone into the toilet if I kept trying to check in with Felix and my other men. The moment we arrived on the island, I called Felix, and she let me—for now."I'm out for the weekend," I told him, leaning against the railing of the ferry that was taking us to the Outer Banks. "Won't be very active online."Felix chuckled on the other end, but I could sense his concern. "You? Out of action for a whole weekend? Sounds like you've either been kidnapped and you're saying this under duress or it's a weird girlfriend order, Liam. You good?"I glanced at Monique, who was standing at the other end of the ferry, talking to one of the crew members about our arrival. The word 'girlfriend' played in my mind over and over. She wasn't even my girlfriend, yet here I was, playing alo
Queen of the West Chapter 41
MONIQUERomano stared at me like I had grown a second head. He hesitated, his gaze flicking between Liam and me, before settling back on me once again with a raised eyebrow, twitching with irritation."No offense, but financial matters are for the boss alone," he said flatly.I kept my expression neutral, but inside, frustration was simmering. This was my shot to get a glimpse into Liam's financials, and Romano wasn't budging. "Liam's in no shape to meet anyone right now. I'm just trying to help."Romano glanced at Liam again, his features hardening. "I get that, but this? This is something I can't hand over. You know how he is. He'd lose it if he found out I discussed his financials with someone that isn't him." His tone was firm, but there was a flicker of unease beneath his words.I bit back a sigh. So much for Liam's trust. If he'd specifically instructed Romano to withhold financial information from me, it meant I was still being kept at arm's length. And that was a problem. I ne
Queen of the West Chapter 40
MONIQUEI was a loving daughter, always eager for my parents' attention. But as I entered adolescence, their business consumed them. I remembered the hollow ache I felt when their focus shifted away from me, how I would sulk and brood, convinced they had stopped caring. There were days I wanted to throw a tantrum, scream at them for always being too busy, for not noticing how much I missed them.But one day, when I came home from school, Mother called me into the kitchen, her graceful figure perched on a stool by the counter. She looked perfect, as always, in a crisp white suit, sipping hot chocolate. Without a word, she passed me her mug, a gesture that I was used to. I took a sip, unsure of what was coming next.She smiled softly, her eyes warm, and said, "There is nothing in this world that will ever stop your father and me from loving you. And there is nothing we wouldn't do for you." Her voice was filled with the reassurance I hadn't realized I needed.She explained that their wo
Queen of the West Chapter 39
LIAMDays dragged on, each one feeling heavier than the last as I anxiously waited for some kind of movement from the contacts on Felix's list. The buzz about my offer had been circulating for days, and yet, the return was a far cry from what I'd expected. A few potential clients had reached out, but their orders were laughably small—barely making a dent in the mountain of merchandise sitting untouched in my warehouse.I had just wrapped up a virtual meeting when a new message popped up on my phone. It was from a contact I'd already reached out to.Can we meet? I have some questions about the merchandise. The message read.My frown deepened as my heart kicked up a notch. This was a step forward, but I was playing this game anonymously. I couldn't afford to expose myself, especially with how risky things were. I wasn't taking any chances.I quickly decided to send one of my men instead—someone reliable, someone who wouldn't draw attention. But not just anyone.I couldn't use Felix for
Queen of the West Chapter 38x
MONIQUELiam Sterling was clearly a man who didn't like to lose. I'd seen him lose his cool when things weren't going his way. And I'd seen him act like the King of the world when things went his way. It was one thing we had in common.I was still weighing things and mapping out my plan. The clock was ticking and I knew I had very limited time before Liam sealed his deals.I dialed Richardson immediately I came up with a plan, my mind already working on the strategy. I glanced around to make sure no one was coming."I need you to do something for me," I said, the moment he answered."Name it," he responded calmly."We need to act fast with this, so listen carefully. I want you to use the same means we used to divert people from his hotel launch to mine. But this time, we'll plant false information about his so-called high-quality merchandise. Make it look like his product isn't safe, that it's compromised somehow."There was a brief pause. Then he hummed " I think I know someone who c
Queen of the West Chapter 38
MONIQUEI spent the entire weekend trying to push thoughts of Liam out of my mind. But no matter what I did, he lingered. At least, by the time Sunday rolled around, I was in a better state of mind than when I stormed out of his office. My emotions weren't so raw, though they still simmered just beneath the surface. I knew I couldn't keep them bottled up forever. So, I decided to confide in Sophie.Of course, I left out the more dangerous details—like the fact that I was a drug dealer with an alter ego, working under someone else. I wasn't ready to open that part of my life to anyone. Instead, I told her the simpler version: that I had feelings for my boss, and it was getting complicated.Sophie had listened intently, giving me that warm, knowing smile of hers. After I finished, she had offered her advice."Monique, you're making it harder on yourself by fighting it," she said. "If you both feel something, why not let it happen? You've told me how intense it is, how undeniable. Maybe
