Page 96 of Turmoil's Target

“Better now,” I say with a grin. “It went all right. Club business, you know how it is. How about you? Anything I should know about?”

She hesitates for a split second before answering. “It was good. Productive. Although...I did find out my mother is planning to come back to Vegas. In the next month or so.”

I tense.

Her mother, the she-devil herself.

I tighten my arms around her.

“We’ll handle it,” I tell her firmly. “Together. She’s not going to hurt you again, not on my watch.”

Seraphina nestles into my chest and lets out a shaky sigh. “I know. I’m not nervous, exactly. I just don’t want anything to ruin this, what you and I have. I’m...I’m really happy, Abe. With you.”

Emotion wells up, threatening to spill out.

I have to clear my throat before I can get the words out. “I’m happy too, darlin’. Happier than I’ve ever been. You’re the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me, you know that? I’m not gonna let anything come between us.”

I seal the promise with another kiss, slow and deep.

Seven months by her side, and I already know with soul-deep certainty—I’ll spend the rest of my life fighting tooth and nail to keep her there.

The sounds of whoops and hollers interrupt our moment, drawing our attention back to the party.

Fate and Orion are chasing each other around, weaving between the adults, silly string shooting everywhere.

The clubhouse has been transformed into a veritable wonderland for the twins’ birthday bash.

Streamers in electric blue and hot pink zigzag across the ceiling.

Balloons in every color of the rainbow bounce and bob.

The ladies really went all out—there’s a nacho bar, a make-your-own sundae station, even a bounce house set up out back.

No expense spared for our birthday girl and boy.

Orion cackles with glee as he ambushes Fate with another stream of foam.

She whirls on him, her face scrunched in outrage. “Orion! Stop it!”

He dances away with a mischievous grin. “Make me, na na!”

With an ear-splitting shriek, Fate charges after him. “I said fucking STOP!”

Jaws drop all around at the expletive.

Then raucous laughter breaks out among the brothers.

Ivy arches an eyebrow, but Kade just guffaws and calls out, “You tell him, baby girl!”

I can’t help cracking up myself.

Hearing that word come out of our sweet Fate’s mouth in her little angel voice is just too much.

She’s growing up fast, no doubt about it.

My eyes find Seraphina’s and we share a smile.

This is what it’s all about—family, brotherhood, joy and chaos.

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