CHAPTER ONE
Seraphina – 6 weeks later
Breathing deeply, I fix my eyes on the graffiti-clad, rundown warehouse, its gritty atmosphere making me question why I was here. Nerves jangle inside me as I slide out of the passenger seat of the blacked-out limousine, ignoring Angelo’s, my stepbrother’s outstretched hand, as Amelia, my best friend, follows behind me.
Ignoring the way his lips thinned with irritation, I stride past him and link arms with Amelia. Together, we make our way into the packed warehouse where the fight will take place.
Ever since I can remember, I have always hated him. As a child, when he and his mother had moved into my childhood home after his mother had married my father, not even six months after the death of my beautiful mother in a car accident. Even at five years old, I knew there was something just not right about the strange ten-year-old boy. Just how not right, I found out not long after.
He would take great joy out of people’s and animals’ misery. I’d caught him one day torturing the neighbor’s cat, and he’d threaten me if I told anyone he would kill Tinsley, my best friend from school.
So, like the scared little girl I was, I ran away from him. But that only made his interest in me all the more terrifying, as he would focus all his attention on me, bullying me mercilessly.
There was no point in telling my father, because he believed the sun rose and set with Angelo, and I was just a stupid little girl. The bullying then turned to something dark and twisted on the day of my sixteenth birthday, when he stole into my bedroom at night, always using the threat he’d hurt Chloe, my pet dog I got for my birthday the year before, if I didn’t do what he said.
I’d hoped they were all empty threats, but when I found Chloe dead from poisoning, I knew he had a hand in it. Even though I was desperate to leave and get as far away from him as I could, his constant threats of harm to the people effectively breaking me down, and reluctantly I stayed. But he made one concession, allowing me to live on the estate in the pool house. At least he’d left me alone there.
And here I was, a grown ass woman now, and he’s still using threats to get to me. He warned me that if I didn’t show up to the fight on his arm, he’d do something to Amelia. I hated the asshole, and so many times I’d wished him dead. But in front of everyone, he was the sweet, amenable big brother I always wished I had. And that’s why Amelia was here as well. I had tried to tell her she didn’t need to com, but she demanded I take her with me. She wanted to spend as much time as she could with Angelo.
She had no idea what he was really like, and even though I’d warned her not to catch feelings, it was too late. She was completely smitten with him, her heart already lost.
I came here because I was forced by him. I wasn’t here to support him, but to keep Amelia, my best friend, safe. The unfortunate thing being she had always had a soft spot for Angelo, and her crush grew year by year until she became deaf to my warnings. I never told her what he did to me, I doubt she would even believe me. But even though we’d been on the outs for a while now, I still had this urge to protect her.
He shaped himself in my father’s image, becoming a monster, just like him. The older I got, the more I was sure my father had something to do with my mother’s car accident. When I was younger, I’d heard them arguing constantly, my mother threatening to leave and take me with her. His response was, if she did, he would kill her. Of course, I could never prove it, but deep in my heart, I knew it to be true.
The warehouse where the fight was going to take place was already full of people, ensuring for now I would be safe from him. From the outside, we appeared to be a picture-perfect couple, a wealthy socialite and her handsome partner, radiating a sense of effortless luxury. The mere thought of it made me shudder, a wave of disgust washing over me. After all, I'd always had to put up with rumors about our relationship, which Angelo never clarified with the hungry for salacious gossip, press.
I had a forced smile pinned to my face, and internally wished I was anywhere but here. He wanted me here for appearances’ sake. To avoid scandal, and most of all, his wrath, I agreed.
Quickly scanning my surroundings, the way I was raised instilled in me the habit of searching for anything that could pose a threat. My eyes turn to my best friend, Amelia, who was practically brimming with excitement. It wasn’t because she was a fan of underground fighting. It was because she was here with Angelo. It terrifies me how much she was head over heels for the guy.
As we enter, the air was heavy with the acrid smell of sweat and anticipation, making me turn up my nose, but I force myself to calm down as the sound of pounding music reverberates around the space, making the floor vibrate beneath my feet. Yet again, I wonder just what the hell I was doing here, since Angelo never forced me to come to any of these events before, and none of it was my scene. But I suppress those feelings and continue on.
Tonight was apparently the debut of a new opponent for one of Angelo’s mainstay fighters. An opponent I knew nothing about, since I’m really not into the whole ‘hit 'em until blood spurts everywhere and they stay down’ sort of thing. But I’m not into all the threats of violence and death Angelo has going on either, hence why I was here. I just hoped that this would be the last time.
But who was I kidding, because I doubted he would let me off the hook so easily. I was just hoping to be in and out quickly. Be seen by the paparazzi and leave. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t to be. Angelo was the owner of this fine establishment.
The Killer was in the top five of all underground cage fighters, and as yet no one had been able to best him.
I know all this because my best friend Amelia had told me.
Something she had learned from Angelo, since she’s mostly on his arm at these things.
I close my eyes as a sudden wave of nausea hits, and I curse myself for being weak, where Angelo was concerned, not staying home instead. But he had insisted I come along, and when he insists, you do as he says. I couldn’t wait for the day that I was able to get free from under his thumb and run as far away from him and his controlling ways as humanly possible.
At least he allowed me my own place, even if it was on the same property, it was somewhere I could escape, lock myself away and keep the boogeyman out.
I’ve noticed how much Amelia has changed, her obsession growing where it was constantly Angelo this, and Angelo that. She has been spending more and more time with him, and I didn’t like it. It seems his influence has been rubbing off on her.
But at least he kept away from me, which is a terrible thing to be thinking. But it was true. If my best friend couldn’t keep away from the man I had warned her about countless times, who was I to stop her?
Wrapping my arms around myself, trying to keep the chill out, lost in the memory of the hot and heavy encounter, and the stranger's touch from the bar six weeks ago. The memory so strong, I could still feel his touch. I had been a different Seraphina back then, not the scared little mouse I usually am when Angelo was around. He had gone on a business trip for a few days, taking Amelia with him, and thankfully, leaving me alone. I shiver, rubbing my arms to keep me warm, even though I was wearing an ankle-length coat.
I let my mind think back to that time, all those weeks ago, as on a whim; I had decided I was going to go out, and hopefully either get myself rip-roaring drunk, and forget all about my problems, or I was going to end up having a one-night stand with a nameless and faceless man.
I ended up getting drunk and a one-night stand. Yes, he was nameless, but he certainly wasn’t faceless. I didn’t end up being so drunk that I didn’t know what was happening, that I was being hit on by the most beautiful man I had ever seen in my entire life. But that I actually had taken him back to my place instead of some hotel room was a testament to the fact that I wasn’t in my right mind that night.
I chose not to think about the fact that he was gone the next morning, reassuring myself that it was for the best. I would hate to think of what Angelo would do to him if he ever found out. Taking a deep breath, I shove all thoughts of the stranger to the back of my mind. I need to stay focused if I’m ever going to escape Angelo’s grip.
I still couldn’t believe my father had handed me over to my stepbrother like some kind of prize for taking over the family—on his deathbed, no less—and even had it written into his will.
The thought of being Angelo’s possession made me ill.
I was so deep in my own head I didn’t realize Angelo and Amelia were now sitting down in the front row, right by the boxing ring. I look down, and try not to show my disappointment, when Angelo demands I sit next to him, relegating Amelia to the next seat over.
Feeling sick to my stomach, I hadn’t missed the way Amelia narrows her eyes at me angrily. Surely, she doesn’t think I orchestrated the seating arrangement? I cross one leg over the other, freezing when Angelo’s hand comes to rest on my thigh, it was all I could do not to throw his hand off me. At that moment, I was glad I had worn jeans, pairing them with a casual silk purple colored blouse with cold shoulder cutouts. A few silver bangles and light makeup completed the look.
Once I was seated, I was surprised that my nausea didn’t abate—in fact, the room just continued to spin, and I lowered my head into my hands, closing my eyes, hoping I don’t bring up my dinner right here in front of everybody.
“Are you feeling okay?” Angelo demands, leaning forward and talking into my ear so that I can hear him over the noise, his breath fanning the shell of my ear, making me shudder in revulsion.
I wasn’t a fan of any form of fighting—boxing or otherwise. But being forced to come, I had to adapt, and not throw a tantrum like I had wanted to before we left. Because if I had gone against Angelo’s wishes, I’d be in a world of hurt right now. I nod silently, forcing a smile, not trusting myself to speak.
“Are you sure, because you look like you’re about to hurl.” He pushes. “I wouldn’t want you to embarrass me in front of everybody by throwing up all over me and yourself.” His concern was touching. Not.
“I’m fine,” I reply tightly, becoming annoyed. He lifts his hands up in a placating motion, his blue eyes flashing with anger. I take a sip of water from the bottle I was carrying, thankful the nausea abates a little. At least enough that I don’t think I was going to vomit.
“Alright then. You’re fine,” he replies mockingly, and I shake my head in frustration. At that moment, the lights dim, strobe lights lighting up the boxing ring as Angelo’s fighter and his opponent walk out.
When I lock eyes with The Killer’s opponent, my heart stops and drops to the floor. I can’t believe my luck that after not seeing the stranger I slept with for six weeks, he could be right here in front of me, staring back at me.
The room was shrouded in darkness, but I could still feel the weight of his eyes fixed upon me. Those beautiful dark brown eyes that could see deep into my soul. His eyes sweep over the scene, noting how close Angelo is sitting next to me and the way his hand rests on my leg. His narrow eyes dart around the packed warehouse, his tattoo-covered hands clenched tightly, as if he's struggling to maintain composure.
For the first time, I pray that my handsome stranger beats the shit out of Angelo’s fighter. I stop my thoughts. No, he’s not mine, and I’d do well to remember that. Angelo can never know what we did. If he knew, the stranger and I would be in deep shit.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the MC begins his spiel, and I fidget in my seat. “Welcome to tonight’s fight, which is sponsored by Bianchi Industries. Tonight, we have some special guests with us, the CEO of Bianchi Industries, Angelo, and Seraphina Bianchi. Please give them a round of applause.”
The room erupts with whoops and cheers, and all I want to do is to disappear through the floor. But I fight to remain calm, trying to show no emotion, but noticing the clear disgust on my stranger's handsome face. I rear back as though I’d been hit, and a gasp of shock escapes my lips.
“In the blue corner we have Travis ‘The Killer’ Kearns…” He goes on to sing the fighter’s praises, but I tune him out until he gets to the other man.
“In the red corner we have simply Ky.” Arching an eyebrow, the MC waits for the laughter and boos to die down in the warehouse, and I can’t help but roll my eyes. Now that I know my stranger’s name, I can’t help but think how well it suits him.
The nerves tighten in my belly as the anticipation of the fight from the patrons crowding around the boxing ring almost suffocates me—the two men in the ring squaring off with each other.
I despise Angelo for forcing me to come here.
The sickening thud of The Killer's fist against Ky's jaw made me want to tear my eyes away, but I was glued to the horrifying spectacle, my gasp echoing in the still noisy room. He quickly rights himself and returns a hit with his leg to The Killer’s knee. My eyes are transfixed on the fight in front of me, and I don’t notice Angelo leaning in until he whispers in my ear.
“Did you honestly believe I wouldn’t know you brought that pond scum into my home?” he growls, and I freeze.
The reason I was here becoming clearer by the second.
I was frozen in place, my muscles stiff, my mind racing but unable to speak. I desperately scan my surroundings, searching for an escape route, only to find myself trapped with nowhere to go. I had no choice but to sit there, bracing myself for what was about to come. Frustrated by my foolishness and desire to break free from his control, I curse myself.
I look up to the boxing ring, my hands wrapped tightly around the armrests as The Killer seems to have gotten the upper hand over Ky. I squeeze my eyes shut as another wave of nausea hits, my stomach deciding for me. I bolt out of my seat and rush to the nearest bathroom, ignoring Angelo’s calls behind me.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to go too far, pushing my way into the empty bathroom, turning my nose up at the rank smell.
What did you expect, Sera? You’re in an abandoned warehouse .
Going into the only cubicle, I hurl whatever was left over in my stomach from the last time I did this earlier in the day into the toilet. Quickly flushing.
What the fuck is happening?
In an instant, my body goes rigid as the weight of the past six weeks hits me—my period has been absent, and a sense of unease settles in.
No! It couldn't be happening, could it?
Tears well in my eyes as I realize that yes, it very well could be, since we didn’t use protection on that night six weeks ago.
Shit, shit, shit. Angelo was going to kill me when he finds out. Literally. He already knows what happened between me and Ky when he was out of the country. But how? I thought I’d been so careful, making sure none of his men were around.
Once I was certain my stomach was truly empty, I stood, slowly making my way to the sink, careful not to touch anything. Turning on the faucet, I was lucky to at least find clean water, and I washed my face. Avoiding looking into the dirty mirror, I turn on my heel and head back out, crashing into a hard wall.
Tattooed hands grab hold of my arms to steady me. Those hands, oh how they knew exactly how to bring me to the peak of pleasure, etching their touch into my memory. Clearing my throat, I step back, needing to create some space between us.
I look at his face, noticing only slight wounds on his face from his fight, and the small amount of blood. He’s changed into a black T-shirt and jeans that mold to his hips and his long legs. On his feet are motorcycle boots. His long hair, which had been tied back for the fight, now hangs loose in damp strands around his face. I have the urge to touch his bearded face, but I squash that feeling down.
“Your husband is an asshole.” Ky says, bringing me out of my quiet perusal of him.
I sink my teeth into my bottom lip. If Angelo sees us together, it won’t bode well for either of us.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Angelo isn’t my…” But Ky doesn’t let me finish, cutting me off.
“Isn’t what?” he taunts. “Your boyfriend? Your lover, your husband?”
“Fuck you,” I spat.
“Been there, done that, baby. Not looking for a repeat. So tell me,” he growls, cornering me against the wall. “What was it like, slumming it?” My eyes go wide at the way he was looking at me with such distaste in his gaze.
“Excuse me?” I reply, feeling at a disadvantage since I wasn’t wearing my heels tonight and only reached his chest, jutting out my chin.
“You heard me. You and hubby must’ve had a good old laugh at my expense.”
Before I can think of the consequences, I lift my hand with the full intention of slapping his handsome face, but he grabs my wrist with his left hand, pulling me against him. I can feel every ridge and hard plane of his body. I’m shocked to even feel his hardness against my belly, since being near me is so distasteful to him and I whimper.
“Let me go,” I grit through my teeth, but instead of coming out in a commanding voice, as I had intended, my words escape with a tone of desperation.
“Such a touching reunion.” Angelo’s voice cuts in from somewhere behind Ky. My eyes finally focus, and I see him descend towards us, his gun in one hand, trained on us, and his other hand around my best friend's upper arm, the look on Amelia’s face telling me he was hurting her. Standing next to him, a look of shock on her pretty face.
I shake my head. Surely, she couldn’t be surprised Angelo would do such a thing? She’s spent a heap of time in his company, I guess he hadn’t shown her his true face. Involuntarily, I grab Ky’s arm, trying to pull him back. I look at his face, and instead of the fear I see in people’s faces when they’re facing off with Angelo, I see nonchalance. What? The? Hell?
“Well, if it isn’t the great Angelo Bianchi,” Ky sneers.
“If it isn’t the criminal biker, a member of the Devil’s Carnage MC.” Angelo replies in a caustic drawl.
My eyes widen at that. I really took a walk on the wild side when I took him back to my place that night.
Ky chuckles without humor. “I see you’ve done your homework.”
“A man in my position always does his homework. Now take your filthy fucking hands off my property.”
Ky narrows his eyes at my stepbrother, not moving an inch from me. It’s then that I notice Angelo’s goons flanking him, both their guns trained in our direction.
“Your property?”
Angelo looks in my direction, an unmistakable look of disgust on his face.
“I was really hoping my fighter would finish the job for me tonight. But it looks like it’s up to me to clean up your messes. Seraphina, come here,” He commands.
“Angelo, what are you doing?” Amelia demands shakily. “You promised me I’d be yours. That we would get married, and you’d forget about your obsession with Sera.”
Angelo throws his head back and let out an almost maniacal laugh.
“Shut your mouth, bitch. I’m done with your whining.”
Amelia’s gasp of shock and the tears that form in her eyes breaks my heart. We had been as close as two friends who weren’t born sisters could be, but Angelo had come between us when Amelia’s crush turned into something deeper, but only on her end—because Angelo has never known how to love anyone but himself—and she had forgotten all about our friendship when he started taking notice of her.
“Seraphina, I won’t ask you again. Come. Here,” he yells.
Swallowing the lump that has suddenly formed in my throat, I look across at Ky, and he gives me a slight chin lift, telling me without words that I should do as Angelo says. But how can I leave him to face my brother and his goons alone?
Clearing my throat, I slowly make my way towards Angelo and Amelia, and that’s when all hell breaks loose. Ky retrieves a gun which had been tucked into the waistband at the back of his jeans, I guess that’s why I didn’t notice it. Frozen in place, I watch as if in slow motion. Ky fires at Angelo, but the bullet doesn’t hit my brother. Instead, it strikes Amelia, who had stepped in front of him like a human shield, taking the bullet meant for him.
I duck and scream, as another gun is fired by one of the goons, and goes straight through Ky, who drops to the floor like a dead weight. A scream is ripped from me, and I smack my hands over my ears, lowering my head as I continue to scream. I’m roughly pulled to my feet, and a hand smacks me across the face, stopping my tears and my screaming.
“What did you do?” I whisper again and again, ignoring the pain that was radiating from my cheek.
“What had to be done to take out the trash,” he says without an ounce of remorse. My eyes lower to the two figures on the floor. One is my best friend since childhood, a woman I told everything to, and who’d gotten in so deep with my brother that she didn’t want to hear the ultimate truth about the man she had fallen in love with. Her eyes open, the beautiful blue looking straight ahead into nothing, and I knew she was dead. I should feel something other than pity that she was gone. But our friendship had suffered since the day she got tangled up in Angelo.
The other, a man that had given me the best night of my life, and if the events of tonight were to be believed, maybe even a lasting memory. He was lying on his stomach, and both had blood pouring from various wounds in their bodies. I whimper as I touch my hand to my belly. Could it be possible? I shake my head, too afraid to believe any of it.
My teeth chatter as shock settles in. It was difficult trying to get away from Angelo while it was just me, but with a baby involved, it will be even more so now. I want to stay; I want to call 911 and get help for them, but I can’t do any of that. I have to think of this unborn baby now. I have to stay alive for him or her.
Clearing my throat, I jut out my chin and hate myself even more for stepping over Ky’s prone body as I walk toward Angelo. But what other choice did I have? Unable to look at the carnage in front of me any longer, I willingly walk out of the warehouse with Angelo and into a future I don’t know if I’ll ever survive.