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Chapter 19
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Queen 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
Queen 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
Queen 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
Queen 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
Queen 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
Queen 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
Queen of the West Chapter 26
LIAMAs I watched Monique, a smirk crept across my face. It was amusing to think she might be a bit jealous of Blanca. The pieces started clicking into place. "I take it you finally met Blanca," I said casually, gauging her reaction.She feigned disinterest, but I could see right through it—the slight twitch in her smile, the way her eyes narrowed just a bit. "I guess," she replied, a hint of annoyance creeping into her voice.I leaned in, enjoying the banter. "You're jealous, aren't you?""Of her? Please," she shot back, but I could see the blush creeping up her cheeks. The more she denied it, the more I was convinced."Just so you know, Blanca is a married woman," I said, a teasing note in my voice.Monique crossed her arms, a challenge sparking in her eyes. "So, you're her mistress, then?"Her statement should have annoyed me, but instead, it struck me as funny. I laughed lightly. "Not quite. Blanca and I haven't had anything for years, not since she married one of my biggest inves
Queen of the West Chapter 27
MONIQUEOnce, I had a crush on this boy in college. I never made it obvious, never gave myself the chance to even hope that he knew I existed. I was a loner—an orphan who'd lost everything in one day. Friends? They were a foreign concept to me, not in ballet school, not in college, and certainly not during my second degree. I often looked back, wondering how I managed to survive it all with no one but Richardson and my godfather by my side.But then, one day, he noticed me. The boy, who I thought would never even glance my way, asked me out, and for a fleeting moment, it felt like things were finally different. We had a one-month relationship—brief, but it meant everything to me at the time. And when we finally had sex, I thought it had brought us closer. I'd opened up to him that night and told him about the worst moment of my life—how my parents were killed right in front of me.But the next morning, he was gone. He never spoke to me again. Every time he passed me in the halls after
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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
Queen of the West Chapter 37
LIAMThe Sapphire Pillars—my newest and most luxurious hotel. I launched it with high expectations just a few weeks ago, convinced that success would follow swiftly.But reality didn't match my vision.Business was sluggish. The halls weren't overflowing with guests, and the rooms weren't fully booked like I had predicted. Worse still, the Queen of the West had her hotel thriving at the same time, right under my nose. I'd seen it firsthand a few days ago when I'd decided to check it out for myself. Her place was buzzing with life, pulling in my crowd—guests who should've been at Sapphire Pillars. It didn't make sense; there wasn't much difference in how we ran our operations, yet she was winning this battle, one that I thought I had the upper hand in.I sat in my office, the silence of the empty offices and halls around me. Midnight had come and gone, and everyone had long since gone home—including Monique—but I stayed, lost in my thoughts. My mind spun in circles, trying to figure ou
Queen of the West Chapter 36
LIAMI knew exactly what I was doing to her. She tried to fight it, to resist the pull between us, but it was useless. Every time she pushed, I felt her falter, saw that crack in her armor, and it fueled something primal in me.She was intoxicating, and I reveled in the power I had over her. I could see it in her eyes, the way they darkened with desire even as she tried to pretend otherwise. I could feel it in the way her body responded, betraying every word she threw at me.I made her wild, unleashed something in her she probably didn't even know existed. It was more than just lust now; it was something deeper, something raw and uncontrollable. And I loved it.Every look, every touch—it was like I was rewiring her. She could pretend to hate it all she wanted, but the truth was in her trembling, in the way she clung to me when I pushed her to the edge. I had gotten inside her head, her body. I could see the look in her eyes before she bolted—panic, confusion, and something else. Some
Queen of the West Chapter 35
MONIQUEThis was disgraceful. I had no control over my body anymore, every rational thought drowned in the heat of the moment.What the hell was I doing?The question barely had time to form before his fingers slid my panties to the side and found that tiny ball of nerves between my legs. A low moan escaped me, muffled by his mouth as his fingers began to move, stroking my clit with maddening precision. Each stroke was slow, deliberate, and sent waves of pleasure rippling through me. His mouth tasted of whiskey, and it intoxicated me more than the alcohol ever could. I drank him in, greedy for more. My body wanted more—no, needed more. He was unraveling me, piece by piece.I reached for his belt again, desperate to feel him, but he caught my hands, pinning them behind me. His lips pulled away from mine, his breath warm against my skin as he shook his head."No," he whispered, his voice rough and full of control. "Let me handle this."His fingers teased my clit again, and I whimpered,
Queen of the West Chapter 34
LIAMI always got what I wanted when I set my mind to it. And when I didn't, things got bad—not just for me, but for everyone around me.The two things I wanted most were solid deals, great business returns. And her.It didn't take long for me to realize how badly I wanted her. The wrong intel she'd fed me about the Queen of the West? It didn't matter anymore. People made mistakes, right? What bothered me was not knowing who that man was to her. That question gnawed at me until I finally let it loose.Was he a lover? A family member? I remembered she'd once mentioned having a brother. Even though I did my research after she told me her full name, all I found under "Monique Harris" in Midtown Manhattan was a middle-aged woman with three kids. No brother in sight. But maybe I missed something. Maybe she wasn't local to Manhattan after all. So, I let that slide.But now, standing in front of me after I'd asked about the man from the other day, she looked shocked—downright trembling. I co
Queen of the West Chapter 33
MONIQUEOver the weekend, I spent some much-needed time with Sophie, my only real escape from the chaos surrounding me. With Sophie, everything felt simple. She had this innocence that I clung to—a break from the manipulation and lies that filled the rest of my world. We spent the day having brunch and strolling through the park, and for a few hours, it was easy to forget about everything else.But then my phone buzzed, and reality came crashing back in. It was my reminder telling me about my regular visits with my godfather.After parting ways with Sophie, I made my way to Don Antonio's mansion. As always, the place was a fortress—an empire of wealth and influence.I found him in the garden, tending to his roses. He looked up when I arrived, his weathered face breaking into a broad smile. "Niña, my dear. Always a pleasure." He opened his arms, and I leaned into his embrace, a familiar warmth that reminded me of my father, no matter how hard I tried to suppress all memories of him.We
Queen of the West Chapter 32
MONIQUEWalking out of Liam's office, I felt a strange mixture of pride, relief, and confusion swirling in my chest. Pride because I was getting damn good at this. Standing there while he questioned me about the false intel, I had feigned ignorance and even a bit of self-reproach like a seasoned pro. My face didn't betray a thing, even though my heart had been pounding the entire time.The relief washed over me as soon as I stepped out. He hadn't questioned me about anything more serious, hadn't pressed me about Richardson, even. I'd been worried all afternoon that he was on to me, that somehow, he'd pieced things together and I was moments away from my cover being blown. I mean, with the strange way Felix had been staring at me when he came. But no. It had just been about the fake information.Why hadn't he brought up Richardson? I'd half expected him to corner me about it the second I walked in. I had already rehearsed some explanation, prepared to lie through my teeth. But it never
Queen of the West Chapter 31
LIAMI wanted to ask her who the hell that guy was, but I held back. Not because I didn't care—I did.A lot.But the real question was whether it was even my business. I'd asked her once if she was sleeping with someone else. She never gave me a straight answer, and I didn't push it. Still, seeing her slip out of a man's car looking guilty made me wonder why we never talked about it again after that day.If she was in a relationship, then I had no business sniffing around her panties, and she had no business taunting me and flashing said panties in my face all day, everyday like she wasn't getting enough from her man.I've stolen, lied, and done whatever it took to get to the top. But I wasn't the type to take another man's woman. Yet, here I was, fuming and mad with jealousy. Because I wanted her, and I hated the idea of anyone else having what I thought should be mine.Seeing what I'd just witnessed only made an already bad day worse—all because of her. Felix had called me earlier w
Queen of the West Chapter 30
MONIQUEStanding in my hotel lobby, watching it thrive, gave me a rare sense of satisfaction. The place was bustling—guests flowing in and out, the hum of conversation and clinking glasses filling the air. I couldn't help but smile behind my aviators, a magazine in hand, blending into the scene as if I were just another guest.I took a sip of my coffee, pretending to be absorbed in the article, while in reality, I was taking in every detail of the operation. I had taken a break to meet Richardson, curious to see how the hotel ran in my absence. It was running smoothly, better than I could have hoped.For now, no one in the lobby seemed to notice me. To the staff and guests, I was just another customer, lounging at the café with my croissant and magazine, waiting for a ride or perhaps passing the time. Perfect.Richardson slid into the seat across from me, giving a brief nod before leaning in. "By the hint of a smile on your face, I take it you're quite impressed by the workings and bu
