by Nicola Jane
I curse the effect of alcohol under my breath. It’s made her brave . . . or stupid.
Riggs stares at Leia for a minute. We’re all silent, hoping this is the final shove he needs to see what a mistake he’s making. I’m praying her little speech makes him forget about the part where she kissed Vinn. He pushes himself to stand on wobbly legs. “I’m going to bed,” he mutters. “Goodnight.”
Chapter Three
Leia
“What the hell were you thinking?” Mum’s voice sounds scratchy mixed with my hangover. “You kissed the next in line to take over the Italian mafia. Are you crazy?”
“I was drunk,” I mumble into my hands.
“That’s the excuse for you and your brother lately and I am sick of it. No more drinking. And no more kissing mobsters!” she yells. Eva smirks from across the breakfast table. I scowl back. “Why can’t you get with one of the guys? It doesn’t have to be from this charter, but a Kings Reaper isn’t so bad, is it?”
“Mum, do we have to talk about this right now?”
“Yes, we do. I want to know why you are always trying to escape this life. What’s so bad about becoming an ol’ lady and settling down here?” Chains walks into the kitchen with Anita clinging onto his hand. We lock eyes for a second. I don’t know why it bothers me to see him with Anita, but it does. A lot! “Well?” mum pushes.
“Why does it matter to you so much,” I ask. “Why do you want me to settle for a biker so badly?”
“Because this is your life, Leia. You love the club and it makes sense for you to marry into the club. It’s what your dad would have wanted.”
I hate it when she throws that at me. “But not what Riggs wants. Besides, I want to be a nurse, Mum. I want to have fun with my friends. I have plenty of time to settle down, but that’s damn near impossible with Riggs constantly breathing down my neck and preventing me from meeting anyone inside or outside of this damn club.”
“Riggs would happily let you settle with a member from another charter,” she argues. “And he knows what’s best for you. He doesn’t want you settling for the wrong type.”
“I don’t even know what’s best for me, so how does he know? And in case you haven’t noticed, his life is messed up, so he really can’t guide me along my path.” I take a breath. “Look, I know you and Dad were happy and I’m glad for you, but it doesn’t mean this life is for everyone.”
“What does that mean?” she demands.
“It means that I want to meet a man who’s nothing to do with the MC. The sooner you face that, the better.”
“Is the MC not good enough for you, Leia?” asks Chains.
I glare at his hand as it strokes up and down Anita’s back and it’s like a physical pain in my chest, which is ridiculous—I kissed him once and I was drunk. “There’s nothing wrong with Leia waiting for a hunky doctor to sweep her off her feet,” Eva butts in.
“That’s what you’re looking for?” asks Chains, his eyes burning into me.
“Why are you all so focussed on my life,” I snap, getting to my feet. “I’m nineteen years old and I’ll do what I like. You all need to back off.”
I almost crash into Anna as I stomp through the club. “Anna,” I gasp. “Everything okay?”
She nods and smiles. “I came to see your brother,” she mutters. “He called. He wants to talk.”
“Hey, that's great news.” I smile. Perhaps he took on board what I said last night.
“Maybe. I’m not just gonna smile and let him charm his way back in. He’s been an ass and I’m not gonna make it easy for him to be in my life. Obviously, he can see the baby.” She shakes her head. “Sorry, thinking out loud.”
“I know you’re hurt, but he’s just scared. Hear him out first.”
“Leia, we need to talk,” comes Chains’ voice. I roll my eyes.
“Will it take long?” I ask and sigh.
“Stop being a fuckin’ brat,” he growls. “Get moving.” He shoves me towards the stairs, then we go into my room. “Why did you tell Riggs that you kissed Vinn? You know how that makes me look?”
“Don’t be so dramatic. I covered you well. I told him it was my fault. Besides, did you see Anna downstairs? They’re gonna talk. That's a good thing, right?”
“It’s good that you’re setting your sights away from this place. Not with Vinn,” he adds quickly. “A doctor or whatever it is you want.”
“My mum doesn’t think so,” I mumble. “Shouldn’t all mums want their kids to find a good husband?”
“I guess,” he mutters. “I don’t know.”
“I don’t want to get married and still be a fucking virgin,” I groan, dropping onto my bed.
Chains backs towards the door. “I don’t need to discuss shit like that with you.”
I smirk. I love it when I make the guys uncomfortable. Dropping the odd period comment or mentioning the V word sends them into an embarrassed frenzy. “Maybe Vinn can help with that part?” I’m teasing, and I regret it a second later when Chains’ face is in mine.
“You fuckin’ promised to steer clear of him, Leia,” he growls. “I’ll slit his throat if he lays one finger on you, I swear!”
“Back the fuck off,” I hiss. Who the hell does he think he is, growling in my face like a rabid dog? “I was kidding.”
His face softens slightly in relief. “Well, don’t joke about stuff like that.”
“Leia, are you in here . . . ” Jade stops in my doorway and her eyes dart between me and Chains, who’s still very close to me. “Hi.”
“Hey, come in.” I smile and Chains moves away.
Once he’s gone, I let out a breath. “Christ, that man is hot,” she whispers, fanning her face with her hand.
“I kissed him,” I blurt out and her eyes widen. “I lunged at him and planted a full-on kiss on his mouth. “And now I can’t get it out of my head.”
“Wow,” she mutters. “You lucky bitch.”
“Is it lucky? Now I’m torturing myself with fantasies of us together, which can never happen, by the way, and he’s carrying on like it meant nothing, which it probably didn’t to a man like him. I mean, look at him.”
“Shit, Leia, take a breath. You’re acting crazy. Did he say anything after the kiss?”
“Not much. Just that we should keep it quiet.”
Jade fans herself again. “A secret fling. That is so hot.”
“Can you stop,” I moan. “I can’t think of him like that. Remember my life plan and how it doesn’t involve bikers, especially ones who are ten years older than me?”
“Forget that. Age is just a number, baby, and Chains is gorgeous. You totally should fantasize about him. In fact, it’s weird if you don’t. Hey, he could be the virginity guy.” She gasps and I laugh.
I’ve been talking more and more about losing my V card recently. I never meant to stay a virgin. It’s not like I’m waiting for ‘the one’ or for marriage. I just don’t get the opportunity to have a relationship with a man, not with my brother and the rest of the Kings around.
“No!” I say firmly. “Forget any plan involving Chains.”
“Oh, come on, he’s perfect. A man who doesn’t have relationships but is experienced. I bet he’s had sex with loads of virgins.”
I screw my face up. “That doesn’t make me want to sleep with him,” I say.
“It should. It makes me want to sleep with him.” She giggles. “Star thinks you should auction yourself off online,” she says. I laugh at the ludicrous suggestion. “No, seriously. We looked it up on Google and women have done it before. One girl made a million!”
“I am not prostituting myself.” I laugh.
“It’s a win-win situation. You get rid of your V card and some lucky bastard pays you money for the privilege.”
“I can’t believe we’re even discussing this. Can you imagine what Riggs would do if he could hear us now?”
“Can you imagine what he’d do if he discovered that you kissed two hot men in one night an
d both of them are forbidden fruits?” she asks, laughing. I groan. It’d push him over the edge.
CHAINS
“Finally, Riggs. We were beginning to think there were problems amongst the Kings,” drawls Vinn. We’re sitting in the back room of the Romanos’ restaurant for our business meeting arranged by Enzo. This is the first time they’ve seen Riggs in a few weeks because of all the shit he’s had going off with Anna.
“My VP and my enforcer are more than capable of dealing with business,” says Riggs.
“I don’t doubt it, but why deal with the monkeys when it’s the ringmaster we made the deal with?”
I exchange a look with Cree that says I want to smash this ass’s face in. Cree smirks, showing me he feels the same. “Now now, Vinn, let’s not upset my monkeys. They might get a little wild,” says Riggs.
“I met your sister,” says Vinn, taking a sip of his bourbon. “Lovely girl.”
“Girl is right. Nineteen,” says Riggs stiffly. “Now, are we here to talk business or about the kiss between you and my younger sister?”
“She told you?” He smirks.
“There are no secrets in my club.”
“How would you feel about me taking her out on a date?”
I rise to my feet, unable to control my anger. Riggs shakes his head at me and I take a deep calming breath. “I don’t think that would be wise, Vinn. Let’s not mix business and pleasure. My sister is off limits to my men and my business associates.”
“Pity. Making strong ties between the mafia and the club could prove fruitful for all involved,” says Vinn.
“Leia ain’t a business deal,” I growl. “We’re not gonna sell her to you.”
“I didn’t mention buying her,” Vinn says with a smile. “I was merely saying that—”
“If you want to mix family ties, let’s discuss your sister,” I suggest, and Vinn’s face darkens. He doesn’t like that idea.
“My sister is not up for discussion,” cuts in Riggs. “Now, you said you had business to discuss. I’m short on time, so let’s get on.”
Vinn smiles with amusement and nods his head. “I have a shipment coming, but I need high security and eyes on the police at all times.”
“What kind of shipment?” asks Riggs.
“Women and children,” says Vinn.
Riggs shakes his head. “No. We don’t traffic humans.”
“I’m not asking you to. It’s all set. I just need manpower,” he says.
“You’re not bringing them into my docks. Guns and drugs was the deal.”
“Vinn, tell them the details.” Enzo sighs impatiently. “Stop playing games.”
Vinn pauses. “They’re not safe where they live now. We’re bringing them here for a better life.”
“I’m not an idiot. That lie works for them but not me. My club won’t be part of a people trafficking ring. I’ve seen what happens to those women,” says Riggs bluntly.
“You’re wrong. I have a hostel for them to live in. A factory they will work in for cash in hand. Childcare available to them. I’m not a monster, Riggs.”
“It’s true, Riggs,” says Enzo. “We’re helping. It’s a one-off for the families in Italy.”
“How many men do you need?” Riggs sighs. He doesn’t want to be a part of this, it’s obvious.
“Ten,” says Vinn, and Riggs nods in agreement. They shake hands. “And if you change your mind about your sister,” adds Vinn.
“I won’t,” says Riggs, coldly.
We get outside and I grumble, “He’s an ass. What the fuck is he on thinkin’ he can date Leia?”
“Maybe if you’d been watching her more closely, he wouldn’t be sniffing around her,” snaps Riggs. “Now he’s had a fuckin’ taste, he might not let go!”
“Pres, I took my eyes off her for a few minutes. She’s gonna do that kind of shit if you don’t let her off the leash you have her on. She’s bored and pissed that she’s not living life like a nineteen-year-old should be,” I say. I’m pushing my luck and the pulse in Riggs’ forehead ticks angrily.
“I got my ex pregnant when she was seventeen. I don’t want my sister to end up like that.”
I sigh. “Leia’s got her head screwed on right. She wouldn’t end up pregnant.”
“What happened with you and Anna earlier?” asks Cree, changing the subject.
“She’s laying the law down,” mutters Riggs. “Said I can see the kid when it's born, but she's not sure about me and her anymore.”
“Fuck,” says Cree. “When I saw her at the club, I assumed she’d be back in your bed and life would go on.”
“Me too, brother. Seems she’s hurt or some bullshit. Women are so over-sensitive,” says Riggs.
“You did dump her when she told you about the kid though,” I point out and Riggs glares at me.
“Are you tryin’ to piss me the fuck off,” he growls. “Go babysit Leia. I don’t wanna see your face for a few hours.”
I’m not sure why I have to babysit Leia when she’s only meeting her friends in The Windsor. It’s the watering hole for the Kings Reapers and no one would dare harm her in there, but Riggs wasn’t about to discuss it with the mood he’s been in all day. I linger near her table, but I don’t like her friends and listening to the way they talk pisses me off, so I join Gears and Blade.
“Is it hard?” asks Gears with a smirk. I wait for him to elaborate. “Being around Leia.”
“What ya talkin’ about?”
“We all know how you feel about her, brother. There ain’t no secrets here,” says Blade.
“She’s Riggs’ little sister. Don’t be jerks. You don’t give Lake this amount of shit.”
“Lake doesn’t look at her like you do,” says Blade. “You know she’s a virgin, right?”
“Of course, I know. Everyone knows, and she doesn’t stop pointing it out.”
“Gears heard them talkin’. Her friends were tryin’ to get Leia to auction off her virginity online.”
My fists ball. I can’t show them any type of reaction or they’ll keep giving me shit about my feelings towards her again, so I shrug. “Then you’d better tell the Pres. He won’t want to find that shit out from some outsider.”
“We thought you might wanna bid,” Gears says and grins. “But in all seriousness, Riggs got a lot on right now. I’m passing it to you now you’re in charge of her.”
“I’m getting sick of hearing how Riggs has got a lot on,” I mutter. They exchange a look that says I’m outta line, and deep down I know I am, but Riggs needs to pull his shit together. “Pass it to Cree. He’s the VP, not me. Let him deal with it.”
Gear nods his head towards the door, Riggs and Cree are here. I grab my jacket. “Where ya goin’?” asks Gears.
“I gotta get outta here. Watch her. I’ll be back.”
Outside, I light a cigarette. I’ve been tryin’ to quit, but it ain’t that easy. As I inhale the badness, I relax a little. “Hey, you didn’t call.” I look to see Moon or Star or whatever the fuck Leia’s friend is called. “I figured you lost my number.”
“I didn’t lose nothin’, darlin’. I don’t call. I’m that guy,” I mutter.
“But it was good, wasn’t it,” she asks. “I thought we had a great time together.”
I nod in agreement. This chick is good in bed and her mouth doubles up as a vacuum. I get a semi just thinking about it. “You wanna get outta here for an hour,” I ask and she nods eagerly. Gears and Blade can babysit the club princess for an hour. “Where do you live?”
“Not far. I’ll direct you.” She smiles and we head for my bike.
Her house is a typical rich girl apartment overlooking the River Thames. How did Leia find this kind of friend? She isn’t like us. Inside the place is almost clinical. I’m afraid to sit down on the white couch in case I get oil on the damn thing. “Drink?” she asks politely.
I shake my head and fix her with a hard stare. “I didn’t come here to talk. Get naked.”
Her cheeks
flush pink. She likes being bossed around. She pulls the zip at the back of her dress and it pools to the floor around her feet. “Leave the heels,” I order. I assess her toned body. She works out and it shows. I like a girl with more natural curves, but I’m not fussy when I feel this frustrated. “Crawl to me,” I say and she chews on her lower lip before slowly dropping on all fours and crawling towards where I stand by the window. Having women do exactly what I tell her too used to turn me the hell on but Leia’s argumentative nature seems to have gotten under my skin and now I crave for this bitch to give me some of that sass.
I unfasten my jeans and push them down under my ass. I stare down at her, waiting for her to make a move. She reaches inside my boxers and releases my erect cock. When she wraps her hands around it, I close my eyes and lean my head back against the window. She sucks me in like a professional and I hiss. I need this release so bad, but I can’t get Leia outta my damn mind. Her lips against mine. The way she stares at me with those innocent green eyes. I growl as I come in this chick's mouth, filling her with my seed.
“Star, what the hell is going on,” yells a voice from the door. I was so lost, I didn’t hear this dude come in, but he’s staring at us like I just killed his puppy. Star gets to her feet, looking panicked.
“Colin?” She gasps.
“Who’s this,” he yells, pointing at me. I tuck my cock back into my boxers and zip up my jeans.
“What are you doing here,” she asks. “You ignored my calls. I thought you’d left me for good.”
I roll my eyes and make for the door. I don’t need their drama, but as I pass Colin, his fist connects with my jaw. It’s not hard and I almost laugh. Leia can hit harder than that. “That’s for fucking my girl!” he yells.
“Okay, bud. Let’s calm it down,” I say with a smirk. He goes to hit me again, but this time I see it coming and I grab his fist and twist his arm up his back, shoving him against the wall. “I let you have the first one, you just caught your girl sucking my cock, but let’s not get cocky and try for a second cos I’ll break your face.”
