Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Seraphina

I glance at my phone as it buzzes on the marble countertop.

Mom.

Why is she calling me at this hour?

I set down my cup of Earl Grey and answer. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Her crisp British accent cuts through the line. "Seraphina, darling. I'm back in town and I need to speak with you immediately. Come to the office at the casino."

I trace the edge of the teacup with my manicured nail, pursing my red lips. "What's this about, Mum? I thought you weren't due back until next week."

"I'll explain when you get here. Just get over here right away. It's urgent." She hangs up before I can protest further.

I sigh and slide off the bar stool, my Louboutin heels clicking on the white marble floor as I head to the bedroom to change.

Nothing good ever comes from my mother summoning me like this.

But I have no choice but to obey.

Minutes later, I'm in my sports car zooming down the Strip toward the glittering lights of our family's crown jewel—the Bellagio casino.

I pull around back to the private VIP entrance and hand my keys to the valet before striding inside, smoothing my black Chanel skirt suit.

The elevator whisks me up to the executive offices on the top floor.

As I enter the outer office, my mother's secretary, Janice, looks up from her computer with a wary expression.

"Seraphina, brace yourself," she warns in a low voice. "Your mother is in rare form today. I haven't seen her this agitated in ages. Mentally prepare yourself before going in there."

I nod curtly. "Thanks for the heads up, Janice. I'll handle her."

Squaring my shoulders, I march over to the imposing double doors and push them open without knocking.

I stride into my mother's opulent office, all white and gold with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the shimmering desert city below.

Whatever fresh hell awaits me, I must face it with poise and composure befitting the Bernard family name.

But an uneasy feeling gnaws at my gut as I step inside to confront my mercurial mother and whatever new scheme she's hatching.

The game is afoot, and I have no choice but to play my part.

"Mother, I'm here. What's so urgent that you?—"

Before I can finish my sentence, she's on me in a flash, her manicured hand wrapping around my throat and slamming me back against the wall.

I gasp in shock, my hands flying up to claw at her wrist.

Her ice blue eyes, so like my own, bore into me with unbridled fury as her fingers dig into my windpipe.

I've seen my mother angry countless times, but never like this.

Never with her hands on me in violence.

"You stupid, stupid little girl," she hisses, her face inches from mine. "What the bloody hell have you done?"

Spots dance in my vision as I struggle for air.

None of this makes any sense.

What could I have possibly done to provoke such unhinged rage?

"Mum," I rasp out. "I don't understand...why are you...I can't breathe..."

She releases me abruptly and I slump against the wall, dragging in ragged gulps of air.

My mind reels as I try to comprehend what's happening.

I've always been the perfect daughter, the obedient soldier in her vengeful crusade.

So why do I suddenly feel like I'm the enemy?

What secrets has she been keeping from me?

Rubbing my bruised throat, I straighten up and face my seething mother.

Indignant anger swells in my chest, momentarily overriding the confusion and hurt.

"What the hell was that for?" I demand, my voice hoarse but defiant. "I've done nothing but follow your orders, dedicate my life to your bloody revenge mission. So why in God's name are you attacking me?"

She laughs, a harsh, mirthless sound that sends chills skittering down my spine. "You really have no idea, do you? You're even more naive than I thought."

I clench my fists, determined not to cower under her withering glare. "Then enlighten me, Mum. What is this all about?"

She stalks over to her mahogany desk and leans against it, arms crossed. "It's about your charming new boyfriend, Abe. The one you've been sneaking around with, putting everything we've worked for at risk."

My heart stutters in my chest.

How did she find out about Abe?

I thought I'd been so careful to keep my personal life separate from our plans.

"Abe? What about him? He's...he's just a bit of fun," I stammer, trying to downplay the depth of my feelings. "A distraction to pass the time. He doesn't know anything."

"Doesn't he?" Her eyes narrow to slits. "Because according to my sources, your dear Abe is a prospect for the Reapers Rejects MC. And he's been feeding them information about us, about our operation here."

The revelation hits me like a punch to the gut, stealing my breath.

It can't be true...can it?

Has the man I've fallen for, the one who makes me feel alive for the first time in years, really just been using me this whole time?

"No," I whisper, shaking my head. "No, you're wrong. Abe wouldn't do that. He cares about me, he?—"

"Grow up, Seraphina!" She snaps, slamming her palm on the desk. "Do you really think a low-life biker would genuinely care for a girl like you? He's played you for a fool, and now everything we've built is in jeopardy because of you chose the wrong man to fool around with!"

Tears sting my eyes but I blink them back furiously.

I won't let her see me break.

Even as my heart shatters in my chest, I cling to the desperate hope that this is all a misunderstanding.

That the tender moments and passionate nights I've shared with Abe couldn't possibly be a lie.

But the cold, hard gleam in my mother's eyes tells a different story.

A story of betrayal, heartbreak, and inescapable consequences.

"You're a disappointment, Seraphina," she says coldly. "More than you've ever been. And now, you're going to fix this bloody mess you've made. Before it destroys us both."

The sharp crack of her palm against my cheek sends my head snapping to the side.

Shock steals my voice as I slowly raise a trembling hand to my stinging flesh.

"You're an idiot," Mum hisses, her face twisted in disgust. "A lovesick fool who's jeopardized everything for a piece of biker trash. I thought I raised you to be smarter than this."

Humiliation and fury war within me, heating my blood to a boil.

How dare she lay her hands on me!

How dare she speak to me this way, after all I've sacrificed for her?

"I've only ever done what you asked," I grit out through clenched teeth. "I've given up everything to help you get your precious revenge. And this is the thanks I get?"

She scoffs, crossing her arms over her designer suit. "Spare me the martyr act, Seraphina. You've been slacking on your duties, too distracted by spreading your legs for that Reaper to focus on what really matters."

Red fills my vision, the metallic tang of rage coating my tongue.

Without another word, I spin on my heel and storm out of the office, ignoring her shouts for me to come back.

I can't bear to look at her for one more second.

I can't stand to be in this suffocating casino with its glaring lights and hollow laughter a moment longer.

Blinking back the hot tears threatening to fall, I rush out into the biting desert night.

The chill wind whips through my hair as I climb into my car, my hands shaking so badly I can barely grip the wheel.

I have to get out of here.

Have to clear my head and figure out what the hell I'm going to do now that my world has been turned upside down.

But even as I peel out of the parking lot, tires squealing against the pavement, one thought consumes me: I need to confront Abe.

I need to look into his eyes and demand the truth, no matter how much it may destroy me.

The drive back to my penthouse is a blur, rage and betrayal shorting out my mind until all I can see is Abe's face.

Those warm brown eyes that crinkled at the corners when he smiles at me.

Those full lips that have trailed fire along my skin and whispered sweet promises in the dark.

Was it all a lie?

An act he put on to infiltrate my life and tear down everything I've worked for?

I barely register parking the car, storming through the sleek lobby and into the elevator.

My finger jabs the button for the top floor, the confined space feeling like a cage around me as I watch the numbers crawl upward.

The moment the doors slide open, I'm moving, high heels clicking on gleaming marble as I stride down the hall.

I shove my key into the lock, the door banging open to reveal the dimly lit penthouse.

The sight of the tastefully decorated space, with its modern furniture and expensive art pieces, suddenly feels alien to me.

A harsh laugh bubbles from my lips.

Here I've been living in a luxurious nest of lies, tangled in a web of deceit spun by my own lover.

The irony isn't lost on me.

My fists clench.

The urge to break something, anything to mirror the chaotic churn of emotions inside me, is overwhelming.

I scream, making my way through. "You better have a bloody good explanation for this, Abe!"

With a shuddering breath, I head straight for the kitchen and grab a bottle of wine from the temperature-controlled cellar.

Perhaps it's not the best idea considering my current state, but right now I don't give a shite.

I'm furious and if I'm going to have this conversation, I'm going to need a drink.

All I need is a moment of numbness, a fleeting escape from the whirlwind of betrayal and raw hurt threatening to consume me.

Abe's sitting on my couch watching the game and I'm barely containing my rage.

He jumps to his feet as soon as he sees me, a look of alarm in his eyes. "Sera, what…?"

His words die in his throat. Good.

The sight of his momentary confusion brings a bitter satisfaction.

Without a word, I stride across the room and land a stinging punch right on his nose.

The force of it sends him staggering back onto the couch, hand clamped over his bleeding nose.

He grits out between bated breaths, glaring at me from under hooded lids. "Damn it, Sera! What's gotten into you?"

But his words have no effect on me.

They are drowned out by the ringing in my ears, the rapid beating of my heart.

With a shudder coursing through my body, I throw the bottle of wine onto a nearby table and cross my arms over my chest.

"Abe…" My voice sounds foreign even to my own ears. "Are you a prospect for the Reapers Rejects MC?"

It's as if a spell has descended over the room, and the only sound that resonates is the thumping beat of my pulse in my ears.

Abe looks at me, dumbfounded.

His brown eyes have widened, and blood from his nose stains his lips.

"Wha…what are you talking about, Sera?" he stammers.

I march toward him, each click of my heels echoing against the polished marble floor like a judge's gavel.

The sight of his confusion doesn't make me feel victorious this time.

Instead it grates on my nerves, makes my anger bubble.

"Don't play coy with me!" I yell, jabbing a finger toward his chest. "Are you working for them? Are you feeding them information about my operations?"

His hand snakes out to grip mine, holding it tightly in his grasp. "Sera," he whispers hoarsely, pain etched into every line of his face. "I'm so sorry,"

It feels like my entire world is shattering in front of my eyes. "Was any of this real? Any of it?" I sob, tears sliding down my cheeks.

His gaze lowers for a moment, his fingers clenching and unclenching. "It was all real, Sera..." Abe's voice breaks, and when he looks up, his eyes are filled with sorrow and regret. "I never lied about my feelings for you. I wasn't supposed to care, but I do. Fuck, I care for you so deeply."

His words only fan the flames of my fury.

A laugh — bitter and hollow — escapes from my lips. "You never lied?" I repeat, shaking my head in disbelief. "You sneaky, duplicitous bastard."

With a swift movement, I pull my hand out of his grip. "You used me. You used me for your dirty club business. Your club, who murdered my father in cold blood!"

Stepping back, I glare at him as emotions rise like fierce waves inside me.

I was a fool to trust him, to let him into my life and heart.

"Get out," I whisper harshly.

"Sera..."

My voice echoes through the room. "Get the fuck out! I never want to see you again."

Abe licks his lips, sadness evident in his eyes. "I'll leave now, Your Majesty, but don't think for a god damn second I'm giving up on this. I was sent here by the club, sure, but my feelings for you aren't a lie."

With that, he walks out of my sight, and I crumple to the ground, sobs wreaking through my body.

How could I be so foolish?