Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

Seraphina

I stare out the floor-to-ceiling windows of my penthouse suite, the lights of the Las Vegas Strip glittering below.

I don't know why it stings so much, but all I can think about is how quickly Turmoil agreed to be a friends with benefits sort of situation.

Why am I even bothered by it?

Fuck, I'm the one who told him we were just fooling around, keeping things casual between hookups.

No strings, no feelings.

That's what I wanted...isn't it?

But hearing him say it out loud the other day, with that sexy half-smile of his, those aqua blue eyes glinting—it felt like a sucker punch to the gut.

Some naive part of me hoped he might want more, that he'd pull me close and growl something dominating like "You're mine, Your Majesty. And I always take care of what belongs to me."

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the dangerous train of thought.

I can't be hung up on Turmoil like some lovesick girl.

Not when I have a mission, a purpose for being in Vegas that goes way beyond amazing sex with a hot guy.

I'm seeking revenge for my father.

I'm getting justice for my family.

That has to come first.

Sighing, I turn away from the window, the red soles of my Louboutins clicking on the Italian marble floors as I head to the kitchen to pour a much needed glass of Merlot.

I need to get my head on straight, focus on the end game.

Even if my treacherous heart keeps wandering back to a certain muscular, tattoo-covered man with a smile that could melt ice.

Feelings are a luxury I can't afford right now, I remind myself firmly, sipping the rich red wine.

Not when we're getting so close to taking down the club that killed my father.

Abe is just a temporary distraction, a bit of fun. He has to be.

So why does the memory of his words still make my chest ache?

Groaning, I drain the rest of my wine in one long swallow.

My phone chimes as I'm walking into the Bellagio casino to meet my mother, and I pull it out of my Chanel handbag to see a text from Abe.

Hey gorgeous. Feel like hitting the club tonight? I could use a dance partner.

A smile tugs at my lips.

Maybe a night out is exactly what I need to take my mind off all of the stressful shit whirling around in my mind.

I type back, then slip the phone away as I enter the lavish lobby.

Sounds perfect. Meet you there at 10.

Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the plush carpets and gleaming marble as I navigate through the casino floor, heading for the private lounge where my mother awaits.

Excitement and nerves riot in my stomach, battling for dominance.

The host grants me entry with a polite nod, and I step inside the opulent room.

My mother rises from a leather armchair, impeccably coiffed and dressed as always in her signature Chanel suit.

"Seraphina, darling. Prompt as ever." She air kisses my cheeks. "I trust you have good news for me?"

"Of course, Mother." I settle into the chair across from her as a waiter materializes with flutes of champagne and a plate of gourmet finger sandwiches.

Clearing my throat, I tell her what I've discovered. "I've been working my contacts at the city zoning office. They're ready to crack down hard on all the code violations at the MC's makeshift trailer park. Fines, legal action, the works. It should be another way to bleed them dry financially."

"Excellent." My mother's smile is cold and sharp as a blade. "Hit them where it hurts—their wallet. How soon do you think this will start?"

"Within the week," I reply, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and unease. "The city's eager to clean up their image, and the Reapers Rejects MC is a stain they're keen to erase. My contacts have told me public officials believe they're partially to blame for the crime rate increase."

"Fantastic, darling." Her voice drips with victory as she lifts her glass in toast. "Here's to our revenge."

I lift my own flute, the bubbles tickling my nose as we clink glasses and take a sip.

The champagne is sweet and cool on my tongue, but it does little to wash away the bitter taste of guilt that lingers.

Forcing a smile onto my face, I engage my mother in small talk as I wonder what I'll do when this quest for vengeance is over.

I feel like for so many years all I've been focused on is avenging my father.

As our meeting wraps up and I step out into the bustling heat of the Vegas Strip, I can't help but glance down at the text message from Abe that lights up my phone screen.

Can't wait to see you tonight.

I approach the town car that waits for me and my driver steps out, opening the door for me.

I slide inside and he swiftly shuts it. The moment I'm in the car, everything hits me.

We're so close to taking down the club.

Soon enough we'll be destroying them.

We'll be making them pay.

It should be easy, like slipping into a role I was born to play.

The drive is a blur and before I know it I'm striding into my massive bathroom, shedding my business attire like a second skin.

Tonight, I'm going to show Abe just how bold and sexy I can really be.

I slip into the dress I just got in a few days ago—a barely-there scarlet silk that clings to every curve.

All I have to do is put a sexy shade of shimmer on my lids, red rouge lipstick on my lips, and I'll have my hair tumbling artfully over one bare shoulder.

A spritz of intoxicating perfume at my wrists, behind my ears.

And, I'm done.

The Seraphina in the mirror oozes pure sex, a crimson-lipped temptress without a conscience.

I practice a coy smile, imagining Abe's azure eyes darkening with lust, his strong hands skimming over my exposed skin.

My pulse quickens traitorously.

God, I crave his touch.

I ache for the rasp of his stubble against my inner thighs.

I turn away from my reflection's knowing eyes and look at the time.

Okay, I just have to wait an hour or so, and then I can head out.

Tonight, I'll devour him whole and not leave a single crumb behind.

Time flies by and before I know it I'm in the club.

It's throbbing with pulsing beats as I step inside, the air thick with sweat, alcohol, and primal energy.

I scan the crowd, my gaze drawn to him like a magnet—Abe in all his rugged glory, leaning against the bar with lazy confidence.

Our eyes lock across the room, a crackling current arcing between us.

The corner of his mouth lifts in that maddening half-smirk, both invitation and challenge.

I saunter toward him, hips swaying to the music, relishing the appreciative stares I collect along the way.

"Seraphina," he drawls when I reach him, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. "You look ravishing tonight."

I trail a crimson nail down his chest, feeling the hard planes of muscle beneath his shirt. "You don't look so bad yourself. Buy a girl a drink?"

He signals the bartender, his gaze never leaving mine. "Tequila for the lady. Double shot."

I raise an eyebrow. "Trying to get me drunk?"

"Nah. Just want to see if you can handle your liquor." He leans in, his breath hot against my ear. "Among other things."

The tequila burns deliciously going down.

I set the empty glass on the bar and press closer, molding my curves to his hard angles. "Dance with me."

It's not a request.

His hands find my hips as I lead him to the dance floor, the crowd parting around us like the Red Sea.

We move together to the primal rhythm, bodies grinding, pulses racing.

His touch brands me through the thin silk, proprietary and possessive.

I lose myself in the dance, in him, even as warning bells clang in the back of my mind.

This is too real, too raw.

I'm playing with fire and we both know it.

Abruptly, he pulls away, his jaw clenched. "Be right back. Need to take a piss."

He disappears into the crowd, leaving me hot and bothered, off-balance.

I curse myself for the pang of disappointment, for the treacherous desire still coursing through my veins.

Get it together, Seraphina.

But as I stand alone on the dance floor, I move off to the side, getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyone else.

My skin still tingling from his touch, I wonder if I've bitten off more than I can chew with this delicious man.

If I'm the flame, he may be the fire that consumes me whole and leaves only ashes in his wake.

Out of nowhere, a hand clamps down on my arm, fingers biting into flesh.

I whirl around to find a beefy man leering at me, eyes raking over my body like a lion sizing up a gazelle.

His breath reeks of whiskey and cigarettes. "Well, well. Looks like you're all alone. Why don't you come play with me instead, sweet thing?"

My lip curls in disgust as I try to wrench my arm free. "Not interested. Let fucking go of me."

His grip only tightens, pulling me flush against him.

Panic rises in my throat.

Why did Abe have to go take a piss right now?

"That wasn't a suggestion." The man's voice drops to a menacing growl. "You'll do as I say if you know what's good for y?—"

Suddenly, he's ripped away, a dark blur slamming him against a nearby wall.

Abe towers over the man, murder etched into every line of his face.

His words are pure venom, dripping with lethal promise. "Touch her again, and I'll rip your fucking arm off and beat you to death with it."

The man shrinks back. "Shit, man. I didn't know she was yours. I'm sorry."

"Get the fuck out of my sight." Abe releases him with a shove, sending him scurrying away like the coward he is.

Then those blazing green eyes lock onto mine, and my breath catches.

In this moment, Abe is a force of nature, savage and fierce and beautiful.

My dark avenging angel.

Something shifts between us, the air crackling with a new intensity.

For the first time, I glimpse the man beneath the rough exterior.

I realize he's a man who would burn the world down to keep me safe.

My heart stutters at the realization, even as warning sirens blare in my head.

I can't afford to fall for him. I can't.

Abe closes the distance between us, his gaze still stormy. "Let's get out of here. I've had enough of this place."

I can only nod, mute, and let him lead me through the crowded club.

His hand rests possessively on my lower back, a silent warning to anyone who might try to stop us.

The cool night air hits my flushed skin as we step outside, a welcome relief from the stifling heat of the club.

But I can't shake the memory of Abe's fury, the fierce protectiveness in his eyes when he saved me.

It haunts me, even as I climb into his Mustang and place my hand on his inner thigh.

We speed through the neon-lit streets, windows down, the wind whipping my hair into a frenzy.

Adrenaline still courses through my veins, electric and addicting.

He feels like the only solid thing in my world right now.

Almost too soon, we're pulling up to his condo complex, the Mustang slowing down.

Abe cuts the engine and walks around to open my door, his hands lingering just a moment too long.

That single touch is enough to set me ablaze all over again.

"Abe, wait, I need to say something." The words tumble out before I can stop them.

He pauses, those aqua eyes locking with mine, questioning.

I take a shaky breath. "After tonight...I want more. With you. I thought it was enough, what we have, but it's not. Not anymore."

My pulse pounds wildly as I lay my cards on the table, terrified of his response.

Seconds feel like hours.

Then slowly, a smile breaks across Abe's handsome face, pure and almost boyish. "I want that too, Your Majesty. So damn much."

Relief crashes over me like a tidal wave.

I grab his shirt and yank him down for a searing kiss, pouring every ounce of pent-up emotion into it.

He responds with equal fervor, hands fisting in my hair.

We somehow make it up to his condo, stumbling and laughing between kisses.

As Abe fumbles with the keys, a voice calls out from inside. "That you, man?"

The door swings open to reveal Jack, lounging on the couch.

He takes one look at our swollen lips and grinning faces and snorts. "Well shit, time for me to make myself scarce."

Jack grabs his keys and saunters out with a wink, leaving Abe and me alone in the charged silence.

My earlier boldness falters under the heat of his gaze.

Abe's lips capture mine in a hungry kiss as he walks me backwards into his bedroom, never breaking contact.

My heart pounds against my ribs. I've imagined this moment countless times, but the reality eclipses every fantasy.

"Sera, fuck," he murmurs against my skin between fevered kisses. "I need you. All of you."

"I'm yours," I breathe. "Only yours."

With a low growl, Abe finds the zipper of my dress and drags it down slowly, reverently.

Like he's unwrapping a long-awaited gift.

The garment pools at my feet and I step out of it, leaving me bare except for a scrap of black lace.

Abe drinks in the sight, pupils blown with desire. "My God, you're a fucking vision."

Self-consciousness prickles under my skin, but it's swiftly extinguished by the blatant appreciation in Abe's gaze as it roams over my body.

Like he wants to simultaneously worship me and devour me.

"Your turn," I whisper, emboldened.

My fingers find the hem of his shirt and he obligingly lifts his arms, allowing me to divest him of the fabric barrier.

I map the ridges and valleys of his sculpted chest and abdomen, committing every inch to memory.

Abe's control snaps.

He tumbles me onto the bed, his powerful body blanketing mine deliciously.

I arch into him, craving more of his heat, his hardness.

"I'm going to take my time with you," he promises darkly. "Learn every secret. Draw out every moan and whimper until you're begging for release."

A full-body shiver wracks me at his words.

If I know anything, Abe is a man of his word.

And true to it, he sets about taking me apart with lips and teeth and tongue.

Cherishing and ravishing in equal measure until I'm a writhing, incoherent mess beneath him.

When he finally joins our bodies, twin groans of ecstasy fill the room.

It's completion. Absolution. A piecing together of souls.

We move together in perfect synchronicity, racing toward the pinnacle.

I crest with his name on my lips, seeing galaxies explode behind my eyelids.

Abe follows me over the edge with a harsh cry, his face awash with awe and adoration.

As we lay tangled in the afterglow, I realize this is more than desire. More than affection.

Abe's arms tighten around me, cocooning me in warmth and security.

I nuzzle into his broad chest, inhaling his intoxicating scent of sandalwood and cedar.

His fingers lazily trace up and down my spine, raising goosebumps in their wake.

I've never been much of a snuggler, always quick to flee as soon as the deed was done.

But here, with him, I find myself craving this quiet intimacy.

Remnants of pleasure still spark along my nerve endings, making me languid and sated.

Abe presses a kiss to the crown of my head, his stubble rasping deliciously against my skin.

"Get some sleep, Your Majesty," he murmurs, his voice a low rumble. "I've got you."

And I believe him. For the first time in longer than I can remember, I feel...safe.

Protected.

Cherished.

Lulled by his even breaths and the steady thump of his heartbeat beneath my cheek, my eyelids grow heavy.

I burrow deeper into his embrace, relishing the way our naked bodies fit together like puzzle pieces.

Just as I'm about to drift off, an errant thought runs through my mind—a whisper of unease.

This...thing between us...it's only supposed to be physical.

A way to scratch an itch.

Nothing more.

I can't afford any emotional entanglements, but I want him, and dammit, I'm going to have him.

Not with my task to take down the MC responsible for my father's death.

One wrong move, one misplaced trust, and everything could come crashing down.

But as sleep finally claims me, wrapped in Abe's strong arms, I can't bring myself to care.

Just for a night, I'll bask in this happiness.