Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Turmoil

It's hard to believe it's been three weeks since my woman came to the clubhouse and began gathering intel for the club.

Speaking of the devil, she struts in, her high heels clicking against the wooden floor.

Her piercing gray eyes find me across the room and she makes her way over, a worried crease across her brow.

"Abe, have you heard anything about Raven? She went into labor yesterday," Seraphina asks, her usually commanding voice tinged with concern for our friend.

I nod, pulling out my phone. "Yeah, Hawk sent a group text a little while ago. They had a baby boy." A grin spreads across my face. "They named him Phoenix."

"Oh that's lovely," Seraphina exclaims, her ruby red lips curving into a delighted smile that lights up her face. "A strong name. I'm so happy for them."

I can just picture the big, tough biker cradling his newborn son, totally enamored. "Me too. Hawk's gonna be a great dad."

Becoming a father changes a man.

Not that I'd know firsthand, but I've seen it happen often enough in the club.

Maybe someday, when we're ready for it.

My eyes flick over to Seraphina, with her bombshell body poured into a tight black dress, and the way her silky hair tumbles over her shoulder, she's a walking temptation.

Being around her makes me ache to pull her close and bury my face in her neck, breathing in her intoxicating scent.

To run my hands over her smooth skin and...

I swallow hard, reeling my thoughts back in.

We've been dating for a little while now, but I still feel like there's so much I don't know about the mysterious British beauty.

She keeps her secrets close to her chest, but I'm a patient man.

I'll take the time to unravel all her layers.

"You want a drink to celebrate the happy news?" I ask, nodding my head toward the bar.

Seraphina purrs, stepping closer until the heat of her body melds with mine."Mmm, I'd love one,"

I wrap an arm around her slim waist.

"Then let's get you that drink, Your Majesty." As we head to the bar together, I can't stop the slow grin that spreads across my face.

Life is damn good.

"It's wonderful news about Hawk and Raven's baby," Seraphina remarks as I pour us each a finger of top-shelf whiskey. "I'm so happy for them."

"Yeah, it's great," I agree, handing Seraphina her glass, our fingers brushing. "Adding to the newest generation for the club."

Seraphina takes a sip, her full red lips leaving a prints on the glass.

I watch, transfixed, as she swallows, a blissful expression crossing her face.

Damn, even the way she drinks is sexy.

"You ever think about it?" I ask impulsively. "Having kids someday?"

Seraphina's eyes widen and a becoming blush stains her porcelain cheeks. "Oh! Well, I... I suppose I'd like to be a mother eventually. But not anytime soon," she says with a light, tinkling laugh. "I quite like the freedom of not being tied down at the moment. Plenty of time for nappies and midnight feedings later."

"I get that," I nod, wrapping an arm around her. "No need to rush. But I gotta say... you'd make a gorgeous mama." I picture her, belly swollen with my child.

The image sends a visceral punch of longing through me.

Seraphina ducks her head, looking pleased yet flustered by the compliment.

I'm about to steal a kiss when my phone chimes with an incoming text.

Frowning, I pull it out.

A message from my mother scrolls across the screen:

Abram, my love. I'm so sorry for how your father acted. You know how bull-headed he can be. The girls and I are in town, we'd love to see you and grab a drink together. Let me know, we can meet anywhere. Xoxo Mama

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Leave it to my father to create family drama without even being present.

But I can never stay annoyed at my mother for long.

She's the best woman I know.

"Everything okay?" Seraphina asks, concern etching her brow as she lays a comforting hand on my chest.

"Yeah, just my ma. She's in Vegas with my sisters and wants to meet up. Probably smooth things over after the argument I had with my Pops." Lowering my phone, I gaze down at her. "You want to join? Meet the Morozov women?"

Seraphina's eyes light up. "I'd love that! It would be an honor."

My chest expands with pride, thrilled that she wants to meet my family.

But then reality crashes back in.

Having her out in public right now...it's a risk, with her mother's meddling it's not a good idea.

I can't take that chance.

"On second thought, it's probably better if they come here," I say in a low voice. "Considering the situation with your mom... We shouldn't be seen out and about too much, in case word gets back to her that you're playing both sides. Best not to raise suspicions."

Seraphina's face clouds, but she nods. "You're right, of course. Having them here would be lovely." She gives a slightly strained smile.

"Hey." I tip her chin up. "I promise I'll wine and dine you properly soon, baby. Get out of Nevada, take you out on the town, treat you like the queen you are."

"I'll hold you to that," she murmurs, her smile warming.

Rising on her toes, she brushes a feather-light kiss across my jaw.

My fingers flex on her hip.

With great reluctance, I tear myself away to tap out a response to my mother:

Why don't you and the girls come to the clubhouse instead? Maybe in an hour or two? We'll have food and drinks here. Seraphina is dying to meet you.

After hitting send, I shoot Seraphina a grin. "Hope you're ready for the Morozov tornado, babe. My family is...a lot."

Seraphina just laughs. "Don't worry, I think I can handle them."

"That may be true, but you've never met a force of nature like my little sisters before..."

My phone pings with a response from my mother almost immediately.

Wonderful idea! The girls and I will be there in an hour. Can't wait to meet this Seraphina of yours! Shoot me the address.

I chuckle and show Seraphina the message. "Told you. Hurricane Morozov incoming."

"Well then, I best batten down the hatches and prepare." Seraphina quips, eyes sparkling with mirth.

She taps a finger against her crimson lips. "Hmm, what to make for dinner... I could whip up some traditional English fare for your family. Give them a little taste of my heritage."

"You don't have to go to any trouble, krasivaya ," I say, tucking an errant strand of golden hair behind her ear. "I'm sure they'll love whatever you make."

Seraphina swats my hand away playfully. "Nonsense. I want to make a good impression. It's not every day I meet my boyfriend's family."

Boyfriend.

The word sends a thrill through me, even as a pang of guilt chases on its heels.

"Well, far be it from me to stand in the way of a woman on a mission," I say, holding up my hands in mock surrender. "Need any help in the kitchen?"

Seraphina tosses me a cheeky wink. "I think I can manage. Though I may put you to work setting the table later."

With that, she turns and saunters toward the kitchen, hips swaying enticingly.

I watch her go, a dopey smile on my face.

How did I get so lucky?

But I know luck has nothing to do with it.

Seraphina is a once-in-a-lifetime woman.

Strong, brilliant, passionate.

She's a bright flame, and I'm just a moth drawn to her fire, ready to be consumed.

Over the next hour, I keep myself busy around the club, cleaning up, mopping the floors, doing basic shit a prospect needs to get done.

Jolt comes up beside me, a knowing smirk on his face. "So, the family's coming to visit, huh? Including your baby sisters?" He waggles his eyebrows suggestively.

I shoot him a dark look. "Watch it, Jolt. Those are my sisters you're talkin' about."

He holds up his hands, his expression the picture of innocence. "Hey, I didn't say anything! Just...noticing they're not so baby anymore, yeah?"

My jaw clenches. "Angelika and Kamilla are off-limits, you hear me? I catch you sniffing around them, I'll break your nose. Again."

Jolt huffs out a laugh, but there's a wary glint in his eyes.

He knows I don't make idle threats. "Relax, brother. I'd never make a move on your sisters. I'm just yanking your chain."

I grunt, not entirely convinced.

Jolt's a good guy, but he's got a rep for chasing anything in a skirt.

I'm going to keep a close eye on him when my sisters arrive.

As if on cue, my phone buzzes with an incoming call.

I fish it out of my cut, glancing at the screen. "Shiver," I greet, bringing the phone to my ear. "What's up?"

"Your mom and sisters are at the gate," Shiver informs me. "Want me to let them through?"

"Yeah, send them in." I end the call and tuck the phone away, my stomach doing a little flip.

It's been too long since I've seen my family.

Work and club business always seem to get in the way.

I head outside just as a sleek, black Bentley pulls up in front of the clubhouse.

The driver's side door opens, and my mother steps out, looking as regal and put-together as ever in a tailored pantsuit and sleek updo.

But it's the two younger women who tumble out of the backseat that makes my heart clench. Angelika and Kamilla, my baby sisters.

Except they're not babies anymore.

They're grown women now, all long limbs and curves, their dark hair tumbling down their backs in glossy waves.

They spot me and let out twin squeals of joy, racing toward me on sky-high heels.

I brace myself just in time for them to crash into me, their slender arms wrapping around my waist in a fierce hug.

"Abram!" they squeal like schoolgirls.

"It's good to see you two, too," I say, laughter rumbling in my chest as I wrap my arms around them.

"I've missed you, Abram," Angelika mumbles into my shoulder, her voice choked with emotion. "It's been too long."

I press a kiss to her head and then Kamilla's. "I missed you monsters, too."

"Ahem." The sound comes from behind us, and we turn to see our mother standing there with a small smile playing on her lips.

"Can I get a hug from my son as well?"

Wordlessly, I release my sisters and stride toward her, pulling her into a hug.

She smells the same as always—lilac perfume and that comforting scent of home.

"We've missed you, Abe," she whispers into my ear.

"I've missed you too, ma," I reply, breaking away to look down at her.

"But enough of the sappy reunion," she says briskly, "I'm ready to meet the woman who's managed to capture your heart."