Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

Seraphina

Rita calls out as she pulls up to my building in her cherry red convertible. "Ready to go?"

I grab my Burberry tote and walk right up to her car.

The morning sun beats down on the palms lining the building.

A perfect day for some pampering and girl talk.

"You know it," I say, sliding into the buttery leather passenger seat. "I've been dreaming about this hot stone massage all week."

Rita flashes me a mischievous grin as we zip through the guard-gated entrance. "And I've been dying to hear all the juicy details about you and a certain man you can't get enough of."

I roll my eyes but can't hold back a smile.

Since that night at the club with Abe, my mind has been replaying it on a loop.

The feel of his calloused hands on my skin, the possessive fire in his eyes.

But I can't let myself get carried away.

This thing between us is strictly physical.

No feelings, no strings.

That's how it has to be, considering my true purpose for being in Vegas.

I tease, slipping on my oversized Chanel sunglasses. "Oh please, you know I don't kiss and tell."

"Ha! Since when?" Rita scoffs goodnaturedly. "Come on Sera, spill! I need to live vicariously through your sexcapades."

I hesitate, chewing on my crimson-painted lower lip.

I know I can trust Rita, but the less people know about my...personal business, the better.

Still, it would be nice to get her take on things.

Maybe she can help me make sense of the unfamiliar feelings swirling inside me lately.

Feelings I absolutely cannot entertain if I'm going to pull off my family's revenge plot against the Reapers Rejects MC.

I need to keep my eye on the prize.

I don't need any distractions.

Ugh, I'll talk to her about it later, after we can give me some time to relax.

We make our way to the spa and soon enough the massage therapist's expert hands work out the knots in my shoulders as I spill the details to Rita in a hushed voice. "Abe and I...it's just sex. Really hot, mind-blowing sex, but things are complicated now. More complicated than ever. Now we're not just fucking."

Rita lifts her head from the massage table, eyebrow arched skeptically. "Holy fucking shit. I see the way you two look at each other. I knew there was way more going on than just ‘fucking', as you so eloquently put it."

I avoid her probing gaze, focusing instead on the soothing scent of lavender oil permeating the room. "I'm serious, Rita. We both just got in it for the physical release. Bloody hell, I knew emotions would just complicate things. And look at me now,"

"Mhmm, keep telling yourself that, honey," Rita says, unconvinced. "But I know you, Sera. I can tell he's gotten under your skin. So spill—what really happened with you two?"

Sighing, I recount the events at the club a few nights ago—how Abe went all caveman, beating the crap out of some creep who got handsy with me. "It was so primal, the way he defended me...like I was his." I bite my lip, feeling a flush of heat at the memory. "Afterwards, we couldn't keep our hands off each other...then we agreed to make this something real…"

Rita grins salaciously. "Ooh la la! Sounds like our stoic boy is falling hard. And can you blame him? Look at you, you're a total smokeshow!"

I can't help but smile at that, even as doubt claws at the back of my mind. "I just can't believe we're in this now. Like, we're actually in this."

"Hell yeah you are!" Rita crows triumphantly. "Sera, this is huge! You deserve to have someone worship you, babe. Why not explore where this could go with Abe?"

Why not indeed?

I can't help but return her smile, even as a familiar melancholy settles in my chest.

She's right—I am happy.

Happier than I've been in a long time, if I'm being honest with myself.

But experience has taught me that happiness is a fleeting thing.

Especially for someone like me.

Rita must see the hesitation on my face, because her expression turns stern. "Uh-uh, I know that look. Don't you dare start with the negative self-talk, missy!" She wags a finger at me. "Maybe this thing with Abe is meant to last. You'll never know unless you give it a real shot."

I sigh, knowing she's right.

I've spent so long closed off, focused solely on revenge...maybe it is time to let myself hope for something more. "You're right," I concede with a rueful grin. "Enough about my love life. Are you going to the gala on Friday?"

"Planning on it," Rita replies. "What about you? Please tell me you're coming, I need my partner in crime!"

"I'll be there," I assure her, though the thought of schmoozing with Vegas high society makes me want to gag. "Not sure about bringing a date though..."

Rita arches a perfectly sculpted brow. "Why not? I bet Abe would make one hell of an escort. Just imagine the looks on those snotty bitches' faces when you walk in with that beefcake on your arm!"

I bark out a laugh at the image. "I'm not sure a gala is really Abe's scene," I point out wryly.

Still, I can't deny the appeal of having him by my side, even if it's just for one night of frivolous fun.

"Only one way to find out!" Rita sing-songs. "As for me, I'm definitely asking Jack to be my arm candy. If we're gonna suffer through this stuffy affair, might as well do it in style, right?"

"I'll drink to that," I agree with a smirk, already mentally rifling through my closet for the perfect dress.

If I do decide to bring Abe...well, suffice it to say his jaw will be on the floor when he sees me in it.

But first, I need to figure out if I'm really ready to take that leap with him.

To let him into my life, to allow him to know the best and worst parts of me.

I suppose I've already made the decision, but it doesn't make me any less afraid.

Rita groans dramatically. "Not to suck the fun out of our conversation, but ugh, I have to vent. My father is being such a pretentious prick lately. Keeps harping on about how I can't just coast through life as a ‘trust fund baby.' As if he didn't hand me everything on a silver platter!"

I frown, trying to find the right words. "I mean, he kind of has a point, Reet. We can't just spend our days shopping and partying forever. At some point, we need to find a sense of purpose, you know?"

Rita scoffs, turning her head to shoot me an incredulous look. "Oh please, Sera. Like you're one to talk! How are you any different from me, huh?"

I wince internally, knowing she's hit the nail on the head.

If only Rita knew the truth about my ‘purpose' here in Vegas...but I can't tell her.

Not now, not ever.

Forcing a breezy smile, I shrug nonchalantly. "Who knows? Maybe I've slowly been working with my grandfather to gain control over the casino, since my mum feels the need to move on to other business ventures."

"Ha! I'll believe that when I see it," Rita retorts, rolling her eyes. "Face it, babe. We're cut from the same cloth, you and me. Born with silver spoons in our mouths and designer shoes on our feet."

If only it were that simple, I think to myself ruefully.

The truth is, my entire life has been shaped by my family's dark history with the Reapers Rejects.

A history that Rita knows nothing about...and one that I pray she never discovers.

Because as much as I adore her, Rita is a wild card.

Loose-lipped and impulsive, with a penchant for drama.

If she ever found out my true motives, I worry that she'd brag about it and then the Reapers would know exactly what we're doing.

I shudder at the thought, pushing it firmly from my mind.

No, I can't afford to dwell on worst-case scenarios.

All I need to do right now is focus on my present and the things that are making me happy—like Abe.

Confused by my sudden quietness, Rita leans forward and narrows her eyes.

Her voice is laced with concern. "Hey, where'd you go?"

I force a small grin. "To the moon and back," I quip, tapping my fingertips on the table in an attempt to regain my usual calm demeanor. "That's kind of how it feels when you're starting to get lovestruck, isn't it?"

Rita throws her head back and laughs heartily. "Ah, love! Such a sweet yet bizarre emotion, right? But honestly, it suits you. The way your eyes light up when you talk about Abe...it's infectious! It almost makes me wish I had someone. Almost ."

I can't help but join her laughter, despite the storm of thoughts swirling inside me.

Rita will never be the kind of woman who settles down.

She's too much of a free spirit, her life studded with glittering parties and reckless adventures.

Still, seeing her so carefree and vivacious, I can't help but envy her.

She wasn't convinced to fight for her family, to go after people who hurt hers.

In a way, she's had it better.

She's gotten to live her life, while sometimes I feel like I've devoted myself to my father.

Have I truly lived, or has my life been dedicated to avenging him?