I shrink back instinctively, but Abe’s hand on my lower back urges me forward.
As my eyes adjust, two imposing figures come into focus—a taller man with “President” emblazoned on his leather cut, and a bearded man beside him with a “VP” patch.
Apprehension prickles over my skin as they approach us, their expressions unreadable.
My pulse kicks up another notch.
“Turmoil. With us,” the President orders crisply, jerking his head toward a hallway.
He turns on his heel without another word, clearly expecting us to follow.
Abe squeezes my hip reassuringly before dropping his hand.
Steeling my spine, I trail behind the President and VP with Abe—Turmoil—close at my back.
The door clicks shut ominously behind us as we file into what looks like an office, sealing me in with the three bikers.
The tension is so thick I can hardly breathe as Abe and I lower into the chairs across from them.
Four pairs of eyes stare each other down as a charged silence stretches out.
My mouth goes dry and my palms turn clammy. I’ve willingly walked into the dragon’s lair.
The President leans forward, elbows on the desk as he pins me with a hard stare. “Why are you here, Seraphina?” His gruff voice holds a note of suspicion.
I lick my lips nervously, heart thundering against my ribs. “I...I didn’t have all the information. For this quest for revenge my mother is on.” Frustration simmers in my veins as I think of her blindly charging forward.
“I don’t understand why she’'s so determined to go through with it, when my father was abusive toward her.”
Damon and the VP exchange a loaded glance.
Some silent communication passes between them before Damon looks back at me, his expression grave. “He didn’t get his road name by being a good man.”
A bitter smile tugs at my lips. “So I’ve been told.”
The words come out more brittle than I intend.
Dixon, the VP, crosses his burly arms over his chest, making his biceps bulge under his cut. “Appreciate you seeing the clear picture now, darlin’. But it doesn’t help with the issues we’re having with your mama.”
Guilt twists my stomach into knots.
I know my mother’s hell-bent warpath has been causing major problems for the club.
And despite the whirlwind of conflicting emotions raging inside me, I feel an overwhelming need to make things right.
To finally break this toxic cycle.
I can feel Abe’s intense gaze on me from beside me, but I keep my eyes locked on Damon and Dixon, trying to convey my sincerity. “I want to help. Tell me what I need to do to fix this.”
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly bone-dry.
Reaching out, I grab onto Abe’s hand like a lifeline, drawing strength from his solid presence. “I’m willing to help the club learn what my mum’s doing, tell you ahead of time, try to stop her...because she needs to be stopped.”
The words pour out of me in a rush, fueled by a newfound sense of determination. “Her doing all this for my father isasinine. Someone has to be the one to put an end to it, and I want to be that person.”
I take a shaky breath. “I know about the brothels and the car washes she’s going to start building, but honestly, she’s kept me in the dark about a lot. More than I’d like to admit.”
Damon nods slowly, his expression unreadable as he appears to mull over my words.