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Chapter 43
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2024-12-17 20:31:07
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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
Last Updated : 2024-12-17Queen 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
Last Updated : 2024-12-17Queen of the West Prologue
There's a certain silence in suffering—the kind that wraps around your throat, leaving you gasping for air. It's like a constant tinnitus, a ringing that drowns out everything, even the sound of your voice as you silently scream for help. You want to reach out to someone, anyone, to plead for relief. But even when someone is there, the silence can still feel overwhelming.Amid the chaos of New York's evening rush, with honking horns and bustling streets, the quiet inside me remained deafening.Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled out of the studio, jogging away from the school building and the girls who made my life feel like hell at school. My pointe shoes were still tight on my blistered feet, tulle brushing against my leotard, and tights sticking uncomfortably to my sweaty skin, the cold night air made my sweat feel like icy pins. I felt like I was suffocating.I saw the SUV parked in the lot, waiting for me like a lifeline. I sent up a quick, desperate prayer that my mother was i
Last Updated : 2024-11-03Queen of the West Chapter 1
MONIQUETen years laterIt felt good to be back out in the city that never sleeps—New York, a city that had swallowed me whole and, in return, spat me out stronger.I watched my childhood and innocence engulfed in flames just shy of a decade ago. The first few years of my life after the tragedy were like getting dragged through razor wire... nearly impossible even, especially in a world I now called mine. I could have been assassinated along with my parents that night, but I managed to maneuver the part where I was the victim and slip out of the tragedy of being the timid kid orphaned by bullets. I had to burn those memories of being bullied as a teenager, and you know what else I did? I became well-acquainted with the dangers that my family attracted, those dangers that lurked due to power and position.I drove myself to 'The Dark Pulse' nightclub. It was one of the newer clubs in town, and its reputation was spoken about by people who knew it. It was not just an advertised spectacle
Last Updated : 2024-11-03Queen of the West Chapter 2
LIAMI shoved open the door, barely giving it a chance to swing back before I had her pinned against the wall. Her lips were on mine, zealous, hungry. I wasn’t one for chasing women—hell, I never wasted my time at the club hoping to find one worth my trouble. But tonight, I needed the distraction. And she was something else. Sharp-eyed, with a smile that promised chaos and a body made for sin. She hadn’t hesitated when I grabbed her hand and led her out of that noise. That’s how I knew she belonged here, in my penthouse, under my grip. My one hand anchored her to the wall, the other hand tangled in her hair. God—the way she moved, the biting edge of her brown eyes drinking in my space like she was impressed. She seemed to be looking for trouble, looking for someone like me. Dangerous. Sexy. This woman wasn’t my usual type—I didn’t like them so businesslike, and god, not the ones with so much hair I couldn’t wrap around easily. She moaned against my mouth as I pressed her harder aga
Last Updated : 2024-11-03Queen of the West Chapter 3
MONIQUEMy therapist once told me about the four stages of rage. Annoyance, frustration, hostility—and then fury. I didn't think I had felt the first three, not really. But that final stage? The white-hot, blinding intensity of fury? I felt it now, burning through me like a fire I couldn't control.I didn't cry when I watched my parents get murdered. I didn't cry at their funeral when they were lowered into the ground, the weight of grief suffocating me. But seeing the face of their killer? Discovering I had unknowingly spent the night with him, sharing an unforgettable, passionate encounter? That broke me in a way nothing else had.The tears came before I could stop them, hot and bitter. The anger surged inside me, unstoppable, until I was shaking with the force of it. I locked myself in my bedroom all morning, burying my face in the pillows, letting the rage consume me until I had nothing left but exhaustion.But I couldn't stay in that place. Not now. Not with so much at stake.A s
Last Updated : 2024-11-03Queen of the West Chapter 4
LIAMThe casino's entrance was a statement of luxury. As I stepped through the doors, the sound of slot machines and the low hum of conversation surrounded me. The air was filled with the scent of expensive cigars and the soft click of high heels on polished marble. The ladies couldn't hide their gawking--a usual occurrence I was already used to.I made my way toward the high-stakes room, my presence marked by the subtle shift in the atmosphere. Heads turned, and whispers followed in my wake. I offered courteous nods and firm handshakes here and there."Liam Sterling," a familiar voice called out. I turned to see David Torres, a seasoned distributor with a habit for theatrics. He extended his hand, which I took with a firm grip. "Good to see you. I hear you're quite the player tonight.""David. Always a pleasure."As I continued through the casino, I exchanged pleasantries with several other key figures. There was Carla Mendoza, a club owner with connections that stretched the whole o
Last Updated : 2024-11-03Queen of the West Chapter 5
LIAMAs soon as I left Felix, my irritation still pulsing beneath the surface, I gave him a clear directive: "Dig into this 'Queen of the West.' I want to know everything by morning."This day kept getting better and better, with more mysterious women throwing themselves in my path.This Queen of the West woman, whoever she was, sounded more like a joke and a waste of time, and I had a feeling the stunt she pulled back in the game room wouldn't be her last.I walked out of the casino, the glitzy lights doing nothing to calm the storm inside me. Once in the back of the car, I pulled out my phone and started making necessary calls. The night and my initial plans were already ruined. I needed to reshape my plans to gain new and bigger deals... more partnerships and expand my dealings far beyond the country. That was the aim when I first started to build my empire from the ground up.I decided to call the hotel contractor working on my newest hotel, which would open in a few weeks. The ma
Last Updated : 2024-11-07
Latest chapter
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
