Page 65 of Turmoil's Target

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?

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Turmoil

I slam my fist against the steering wheel as I peel away from Seraphina’s.

---