Page 63 of Turmoil's Target

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.

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