by Nicola Jane
“She sounds great,” I say, adding a smile.
“We tried for the baby. Once I got my degree, she was going to stay home and raise the baby and I was going to work and support us. We were so excited.” He falls silent and I gently run my fingers over his. “August twenty-eighth was going to be the day our life together really began. No longer a two but a three.”
“What happened to Sara?” I ask.
“I was at the hospital. I’d been wanting to train in theatre on heart surgery and one of the top surgeons invited me in. I didn’t have my phone with me. Sara was hit by a forty-tonne lorry. I didn’t know until that evening when I got home and two police officers came to the door. She died at the hospital on the theatre table in the room next to me.”
“Oh, Ryan,” I gasp, covering my mouth. My eyes fill with tears. “I’m so sorry.”
“They tried to save the baby.” He pulls out his wallet and opens it to show me a small photo of a tiny baby, not yet fully formed. “She didn’t make it either.”
“You never told me.”
“I was trying to move on. You reminded me of her with your laugh and you have this light round you. I thought it was a sign. But then I realised that the real sign was when Frankie told me you were pregnant. You didn’t plan the baby. I knew you wouldn’t want it, and when you said the father was off the scene, well, I just knew that Sara sent you to me.”
“Really?” I say sceptically. “You don’t think that was just coincidence?”
“Don’t you see? I can still be a father. I can love this baby just like my own and you can get on with your life.”
“But Ryan, I want my baby. It was a shock at first, but I always wanted him.”
“Him!” he snaps. “It’s her. And in just a few weeks’ time, we’ll find out because it doesn’t matter what you say, I know this is a sign.”
He stands angrily. I take a breath and nod. “Just hear me out,” I say. He lowers into his seat. “You said before that once you have the baby, I’ll be joining Sara.” He nods. “Sara died, Ryan. You’re going to kill me?” He doesn’t reply and I try to contain my panic. “Wouldn’t it make more sense to raise this baby together?”
“I was willing to do that and you threw it back in my face,” he snaps.
“I know, but I wasn’t thinking straight. I didn’t know about Sara. Now I know, I see that what you offered was so amazing and kind. I’d love to raise my child with you. You’ll be the perfect father.”
I can see he’s thinking over my words. “I couldn’t trust you not to take her back to that stupid gang of yours.”
I shake my head. “I wouldn’t. You’ve lost enough.”
“Maybe it could work,” he mutters. “I only ever wanted to have a family.”
“Exactly. A baby needs both parents. Also, maybe we should talk about letting her grow inside of me for as long as possible, because we both know that taking her before she’s ready might kill her.”
He stands again. “August twenty-eighth, Leia. That’s going to be Matilda’s birthday.”
“But I’ll be six months. That’s still four months too early.”
“I’m a doctor. I know how to care for her.” He snatches up the glass of wine and drinks it down.
CHAINS
“It’s flirting whatever way you look at it,” says Blade. I smirk at his dilemma. “Oh shit, here she comes again.”
I smile at Gia. I don’t get his problem. She’s gorgeous. “Blade,” she smiles. “Can you drive me home?”
“Don’t you have a guy for that sort of thing?” I ask.
“Yeah, but he doesn’t ride a bike.”
“I can’t. I’m waiting around here in case we get a lead on Leia,” says Blade. “Blu might be free.”
She scowls at the mention of Blu. “I’d rather walk.”
I wait for her to walk away before I turn to Blade. “Tell me again why you’re not hitting her up, man, because she is fine.”
“I respect Vinn way too much, man. I can’t do that to him.” His expression morphs into one of instant regret. “Shit, sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that.”
I shake my head and laugh it off. “Forget it.”
“Riggs said anything about what happens when we get Leia back?” asks Blade.
“Yeah. He wants my patch.”
“Fuck,” mutters Blade. “I’m sorry, man. I don’t get his problem. Leia’s an adult and if I had a sister, I’d want to know she was taken care of. I’d choose one of my brothers over an outsider any day.”
“Thanks,” I mutter. “Maybe you can take it to a vote?” I joke.
Blade pushes off the bar. “That’s it!” he says. “We’ll take it to a vote. He can’t take your patch if the brothers decide against it.”
“I was joking, Blade. If you take this to the table, you’re putting your own neck on the block. Riggs’ll hate you for it.”
“I’m doing this,” he says firmly. “I know the other brothers feel the same as me. You deserved the ass kicking, but not losing your patch.”
Vinn enters the bar holding up his phone. “I have a location. Let’s go.”
We’re all squashed in the back of two vans—Kings in one, Vinn’s men in the other. I shift uncomfortably. My ribs scream in protest as we’re thrown against each other. “You think this might be overkill?” asks Lake. “All these men for one nerdy little fucker?”
“You saying the president’s sister ain’t worth it?” I ask.
He holds his hands up. “Sorry I spoke,” he mutters. What Blade said is playing on my mind and it’s putting me in a pissy mood. If the rest of the brothers choose to vote me out, it’ll sting way more than just Riggs wanting me gone.
The van stops and seconds later the back doors are flung open. We get out onto a dark country lane. Trees line the road and there’s an eerie silence.
“I can see the headlines now.” Blade looks around. “Biker gang slaughtered on quiet country lane by the mafia,” he says quietly.
I roll my eyes. “Don’t be dramatic. We can take those Italian fuckers any day.”
Vinn approaches with Leia’s dog, Diesel, at his side. “The house is a short walk that way,” he says, pointing north.
“How do ya know he’s there?” asks Blade.
“Because I’m the fuckin’ mafia!” snaps Vinn. Riggs hits Blade upside the head and marches in front with us following.
It’s only ten in the evening, but the house is cloaked in darkness. I’m losing hope that she’ll be here.
We stop at the gates and Riggs turns to us. “Cree, Vinn, Lake, Brick, Blade, and I will go in first. We’ll sweep the house. The rest of you stay out front and wait for my command. If anyone runs out, put a bullet in them. Vinn’s guys will cover the back of the house.”
“I’m the enforcer, I’m coming in!” I snap.
“Not a chance,” says Riggs coldly. “Wait outside or I’ll stick a bullet in you myself.”
“Then do it!” I snarl. “Leia will want me. I’m coming in.”
Riggs pulls his gun and everyone takes a step back. He pushes it against my forehead and I stare into his cold eyes. “Do it!” I hiss.
Vinn pushes us apart. “Get in the fuckin’ house or I’ll kill you both!” he growls.
LEIA
I regret giving Ryan the wine. I lay stiffly beside him in his bedroom. He’s chained me to him and his soft snores taunt me. Thankfully, he didn’t lay a finger on me, but that's not to say he’s not going to if he wakes up. The baby kicks and I gently rub my stomach. “It’s okay,” I whisper. “I’ll think of something.”
I shift slightly to try and get comfortable, but Ryan rolls onto his side and throws his arm around my waist. I shudder. How did I ever let this man touch me before?
I hear a creak from outside the bedroom and lift my head from the pillow. There’s another creak and I hold my breath. What if we’re being burgled and this twisted scenario takes a turn for the worst? I nudge Ryan and he mumbles words into my back, but hi
s snores carry on. I can’t even run away with this stupid chain on.
Everything goes quiet again and I settle back down. I close my eyes and then a piercing scream scares the crap outta me. Me and Ryan both sit up. “Mum?” he yells, diving out of bed. The chain between us pulls tight. “Fuck,” he mutters and begins fumbling around for the key. The bedroom door opens with a bang and the light turns on, blinding us both for a second. I hear the click of a gun and automatically close my eyes and cover my head with a pillow.
“Don’t move, motherfucker.” I know that voice. I peak from under the pillow and Riggs winks at me. Relief floods me, then hell breaks loose. Vinn rushes in with Diesel followed by Chains. Vinn grabs Ryan and forces him to his knees while Diesel growls protectively by Vinn’s side. Chains takes the key from Ryan's hand and unlocks the cuff at my ankle.
“Don’t hurt him,” I find myself saying and all eyes fall to me. “It’s not his fault. He isn’t well.”
“Not our problem,” snaps Riggs. “End him,” he adds, looking at Vinn. Vinn holds his gun to Ryan’s head as I scramble from the bed and grip Riggs’ kutte.
“Please, listen for once. I’ll get him help. He’s grieving and lost, but we can help him.” I can see Riggs wavering. “He doesn’t need to die. I’m fine. The baby is fine.” Riggs looks to Vinn, who shrugs. “Killing isn’t always the answer,” I add. “And I have to take some responsibility for everything, I messed him around so much, I made everything worse.”
Riggs sighs heavily. “Fine. Get him up and out of my face before I change my mind.” Vinn shoves Ryan towards one of his men and they take him out the room. Riggs holds me before him and assesses me with his eyes. “You scared the shit outta me.”
“You didn’t kill Chains,” I say, smiling back at Chains, who looks bruised and battered.
“Yet,” they both say together. I roll my eyes.
Chapter Nineteen
Leia
Mum fusses the second I get through the door. Between sobs, she takes me upstairs to shower and change. When I’ve dressed and get back to my room, Gia, Anna, Raven, and Eva have joined Mum. “I didn’t know you all cared so much.” I smile as I’m wrapped in hugs.
“We’re so pleased you’re okay,” says Gia. “We were out of our minds with worry. What the hell happened?”
I fill them in on Ryan’s house of horrors. Mum sobs harder. “That’s madness,” she mutters.
“He isn’t well,” I say in his defence.
“Blade took him to a secure unit to be assessed,” adds Anna. “And his mum is back in the care home. Chains is footing the bill for that.”
I smile weakly. “Chains is still around. Is that a good sign?” I ask.
The girls glance at each other and I brace myself for the bad news. “Riggs is taking his patch,” says Anna.
“No!” I snap. “The club’s all he’s got.”
“I’ve tried talking to him. He doesn’t want to hear it,” says Anna. “We’re still sorting things out ourselves, so I can’t push him as much as I’d like to on the subject.”
I squeeze her hand gently. I’m pleased she’s here and that my niece is safe. Maybe now she and Riggs will sort things out for good. After all, they have a living, breathing connection now.
I stomp down to Riggs’ office, where I find him and Cree laughing about something and drinking bourbon. “Just cos you’ve had a rough few days doesn’t mean you can come here without knocking,” says Riggs with a grin.
“You’re taking his patch?” I snap.
Riggs’ face hardens. “I can’t trust him, Leia.”
I feel Chains approach me from behind. Riggs’ face confirms it. I feel his arms wrap around my waist and he buries his face into my neck. Riggs stands. “Are you kidding me?” he growls.
“Baby, I missed you,” Chains mutters into my hair. I close my eyes, enjoying the feel of being safe in his strong arms. “I’ll never leave your side again.”
“Right in front of my face?” yells Riggs.
“Do you want me to hide it again? Make your mind up,” mutters Chains.
“You’re pushing your luck,” growls Riggs.
“I’m claiming what's mine!” says Chains. He gently pulls me to stand behind him. “I took your beatings. Fuck, I don’t know if I’ll ever walk straight again, but it’s done now. The only way you’ll ever get me away from her is to kill me.”
Riggs marches forward and pushes his gun to my head. “We’ve been here before. This time there’s no Vinn to stop me,” he growls.
I whimper and Chains squeezes my hand in reassurance. He pushes his head onto the muzzle of the gun. “Then why are we still talking about it?” he hisses.
“Please,” I whisper, tears falling down my face. “Riggs, I love him.”
“I wanted what was best for you, Leia. Years protecting you from assholes like him,” Riggs spits out.
“And look what happened. I met a psychopath who wanted to cut my baby out early to replace one he lost. You know Chains. You know he’s good. He’ll take care of me.”
“I’ve seen him treat women like shit,” snaps Riggs. “Remember, brother?” He glares at Chains and pushes the gun harder into his forehead. “The sex parties, the fuckin’ any skank that came near you. You tell me you love her but where the fuck have you been these last few months? Claiming other women as your own while leaving her here, alone!”
“We all have a past,” I argue. I make a mental note to bring up the sex parties with Chains another time.
“Some more than others,” snaps Riggs.
“It’s in my past. Just like yours,” says Chains. “When we were in the Forces, we all did that shit, not just me. And as for the last few months, I was trying to do the right thing and move on. I didn’t know about the baby.”
“She’s my sister,” says Riggs, and it comes out sounding pained. “My little sister.”
“I know,” mutters Chains. “And I’ll love her and protect her forever. I promise.”
Blade steps into the office. “I’m bringing it to church,” he says and Riggs glares at him. “Taking his patch is wrong and the brothers should have a say on it.” Then he leaves and we hear him calling the brothers to church.
“Motherfucker,” snarls Riggs, putting the gun back in his waistband. “He’s lost his god damn mind.”
Chains
“Calling church like he’s the fuckin’ president. What the hell is this bullshit about?” mutters Riggs, heading for church. I follow on with Cree.
The guys fill the room, but I remain by the door. “Thanks for coming,” begins Blade, and Riggs sniggers.
“Thanks for coming,” Riggs mocks. “That’s how you’re kicking this off?”
Blades coughs nervously. “I might be outta line,” he begins and Riggs laughs louder. “But I wanna do what's right.” He glances around the room and his eyes land on me. “Chains fucked up.”
“Oh, hell no,” growls Riggs. “We ain’t discussing this.”
“We are,” says Blade. “And you can either stay and take your vote or you can walk outta here and lose your right to vote. But we’re voting on this—it’s club business.” Riggs sits down heavily in his chair. “Riggs wants to take his patch, but I don’t think he should make that decision without consulting us all. He’s too close to the reason. We all know that Chains wants to claim Leia. He’s doing the right thing now and standing by her, and by the looks of things, she wants that too. I think he deserves to have the chance to put shit right around here. He’s a good enforcer and that's never been in doubt,” says Blade.
“Fuck, get on with it,” groans Riggs.
“All those who want Chains to lose his Kings Reapers patch, say I.”
“I,” snaps Riggs.
The rest of the guys stay quiet and hope builds in my chest. “Anyone else?” asks Cree. The room remains silent. Cree shrugs and Riggs scowls, picking up the gavel and tossing it towards Blade.
“Well, you wanna close the damn meeting seeing as you cal
led it?” he snaps.
“We’re done here,” mutters Cree to the rest of the men. “Get outta here.” They begin to file out of the room. “Not you, Chains.” As the men pass, they shake my hand and pat me on the shoulder. It means the world that they voted for me to stay.
Once the room is clear, I sit at the opposite end of the table facing Riggs. “We gotta sort this,” says Cree.
“Riggs,” I begin.
“Don’t sit there and tell me how you’re sorry. I might actually rip your throat open,” snaps Riggs.
“In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never let you down. I’ve never given you a reason not to trust me until now. Leia was never gonna stay single forever. You know I’ll lay my life on the line to protect her. I love her. So, no, I won’t sit here and apologise for something I couldn’t stop. When you met Anna and Cree was telling you to forget about her, I was behind you all the way. Cos I knew that look you had in your eye, that determination you had to make her yours, and that's exactly how I feel about Leia. I’m sorry that you think I’m not good enough for her, but you’re wrong.” I stand to leave.
“I don’t think that,” mutters Riggs and I stop. “Don’t fuckin’ hurt her, Chains. I swear, if she cries one more tear over your ass, I’ll slaughter you no matter what the fuckin’ club votes.” I nod once and leave the room feeling secretly victorious.
I take the stairs two at a time. Leia is lying on her bed with her back to me. I carefully lower onto the bed behind her, pressing my nose into her hair and inhaling the scent of her strawberry shampoo. I’ve missed her smell. I lift her shirt over her head. “They voted me to stay.” I smile, and as I nudge her legs apart, I place light kisses along her collarbone and down to her breast.
“I never doubted them for a second,” she whispers, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“I missed you,” I mumble. “Did Ryan . . . ” I pause, not wanting to say the words.
“No,” she whispers. “He didn’t hurt me at all.”
