by Nicola Jane
“He was an innocent kid.” I begin to cry. “Why would you do that?”
“I’ve been patient. I’ve played your game and through everything, the courts, the police interviews, I’ve respected that you needed space. Now I see that you’ve taken our break apart as a chance to fuck anything that shows you a scrap of attention. Your time is up.” He turns to me and I’m aware that it’s so he can block my view of Riggs. “Do you really think the judge was on your side? I play golf with him every week. I’ve been in control of this from the beginning.” He grips my chin between his index finger and thumb and squeezes. “You were silly to get distracted by him. So, your choices are . . . come home or I’m gonna start picking off people one by one. Everyone you care about. Everyone you love. Our little break ends in less than a month. That’s how long you have to get back to where you belong. You fuck the biker and I’ll kill him first while you watch.” He stands gracefully, a look of calm on his face, and fastens the buttons on his designer jacket. He smirks at Riggs. “You’re not a very good guard dog. I could have slit her throat and you let her come to me.”
Riggs laughs and nods to where his hand rests in his jacket pocket. “You think I didn’t have a gun on you the whole time? That’s the last time you speak to her alone, so say your goodbyes. There’s a war going on, Reggie, and I’m gonna win it.”
“I’ll enjoy killing your sister. She’s first on my list,” grins Reggie. “A virgin, from what I hear. I’ll film every man who fucks her before I slit her throat and send her back to you in pieces.”
“STOP!” I yell, standing between the two. “Just stop.”
“I’ve already taken what you love, Reggie. I’m already winning,” grins Riggs and I glare at him. Am I just a game? A way to piss off Reggie?
Malia bounds out of the room, unaware of the tension. She reaches up to Reggie and he kisses her on the head before handing her to me. He then leans in and kisses me on the cheek. “Tick-tock, baby. Time is running out,” he whispers, and then he’s gone.
Chapter Ten
Riggs
We drive back to Anna’s in silence. Malia chatters away to her doll in the back of my car. She doesn’t have a clue about all the hostility and danger surrounding her. I come to a stop and Anna gets out, slamming the car door, and then gets Malia from the car seat and slams that door too. I grip the steering wheel and take a deep breath.
Inside, Anna continues to stomp about. Malia goes out into the garden to play on her trampoline. I stand awkwardly in the kitchen, watching Anna wash dishes. I wince each time she slams a plate onto the drainer, surprised that it doesn’t shatter. “I’m gonna need to put the club on lockdown,” I eventually say.
“I don’t know what that means, Riggs. I don’t understand your world!”
“It means that we keep all the families safe at the club for a while. Until we have a solution to Reggie’s threats. No one can go out and no one can come in without my approval.”
“Wow, power trip,” she mutters. “Off ya go then. Lock down your little club.”
I bite my inner cheek, trying to keep myself calm. I’m getting tired of her attitude and her digs at my club. “You’re not getting me, darlin’,” I growl. “That includes you.”
Anna drops the plate she’s washing into the sink and then grips the worktop. I watch the water run from her hands and down the cupboard door. “No. That’s not happening.”
“Anna, don’t be—” I begin.
“No. I want you to leave. Take your guard dog from outside my house too.”
I stare at her as she goes back to the dishes. “What if he comes for you?”
“Then I’ll deal with it like I always have.”
“You’re being selfish,” I mutter, and she turns to me with outrage. “He’s threatened everyone around you. He’s already killed somebody. He won’t stop until you go back to him,” I shout.
“You’re wrong. He was fine until I dated. I just won’t date. I’ll go and talk to him.” She hangs her head and bursts into tears. I fold my arms across my chest to stop myself from going to her. It’s against everything in me, but I watch silently while she cries.
“You’re kidding yourself. He’ll punish you by hurting those you love. I’m offering you protection. I’m not asking for you to share my bed or to be my ol’ lady. You won’t owe me anything. I just want to help you.”
“I don’t need help. Before you came along, I was doing fine. You turning up today was your way of showing off to Reggie. Using me to wave the red flag and begin your stupid fucking war. I saw the glee in your eyes when you told him you’d won by taking what he loved. I’m not a damn trophy to be used against each other.”
Anger rips through me. “That’s not what I was doing,” I growl, getting in her face. “I came to support you. Reggie already knew about us and you’re kidding yourself if you think that he didn’t. He watches you, he tracks your movements, and he knows who you see and who you fuck before you even do. I went today to show him that I was behind you one hundred percent. I wanted him to see that I’m not scared and that I’ll be there with you. You said you wanted to do this differently from all the times you left him before. This is different. This is a clear message that you are done with him.”
“Just go,” she cries. “Get out. Look after your club. I’ll be fine here.”
“What’s your next big plan, Anna? Move house again? Rip Malia away from her friends, her school, people who could become closer to you both? I can help you. I can free you from Reggie forever. Let me help,” I plead.
Anna’s cell rings and we both glance at the screen as it vibrates across the worktop. It’s Eva. “Hi,” mutters Anna, turning away from me slightly. She listens for a minute before gasping. “Right, well, Riggs is here with his car. We can come and get you.” She waits again and then sighs. “Okay, I’ll set up the spare room.” She disconnects the call and then looks at me with her eyes full of worry. “Eva was mugged on her way home from work,” she mutters. “Cree is with her at the hospital. He’s bringing her here.”
“And so it fucking begins,” I growl and storm out of the house. I need air and a cigarette, so I wait out front for Cree to arrive.
Cree rushes around to the passenger side and opens the door. He takes Eva by the hand and she slowly gets out of the car. I hiss at the sight of her. She looks like she got in a fight with a boxer. Cree’s face is filled with fury, and as I follow them up the path to Anna’s house, he looks back at me with an expression that screams murder. Anna meets us at the door and bursts into tears. She takes Eva from Cree and leads her over to the couch. “Outside,” mutters Cree and I follow him back out. “Did you see that bastard today?”
I nod. “Yeah. A few threats were thrown. He told Anna he’d be picking everyone off until she goes back to him.”
“Right, so we’re going on lockdown right away?” he asks.
“Yeah. Anna doesn’t want to. She’s gonna stay here or run maybe.” I shrug. “I don’t really know, but either way, she doesn’t want to come to the club.”
Cree glares at me and the vein in his forehead pulsates with anger. “Are you shitting me? This war started because of her.” He growls and then storms back into the house.
“Oh, shit,” I mumble, hot on his tail.
Anna looks up when the front door smacks back with force and hits the wall. “Pack your shit up. We’re leaving in ten minutes,” he orders.
“To go where?” asks Anna.
“Somewhere safe. Move.”
“I’m not going to the club. I’ve already told Ri—” she begins but is interrupted as Cree grabs her upper arm and hauls her towards the stairs.
I sigh. “Come on, man, don’t do that,” I mutter in a warning tone. I don’t like the way he’s holding her.
“You realize this is all your fault?” Cree hisses at Anna. “You came into our bar and that made us a target. We don’t have a choice but to go to war with your fucking husband thanks to you because stepping down would make
us look weak. You should have stayed on your own side of the tracks. But now you’re here, we have to protect you.” He pulls her to where Eva is sitting. “Look at her. This is what will keep happening if you ignore it. Now, get your shit together and come with us to the club or I will personally dump your ass back where it belongs.” Cree turns to me. “I’m taking Eva to get some things and collect her mom. I’ll see you both back at the club.”
Eva takes Anna by the hand. “They can help you. For once in your life, accept the help.”
Lockdown is not received well, the least happy being Leia. I show Anna and Malia to their room while Leia is on my ass bitching about college. “Why exactly is this guy a threat to us anyway? We came to an arrangement with him years ago. It’s been peace ever since,” she whines.
Anna’s guilty expression tugs at my heart. “Fuck, Leia. Get out of my face. We’re on lockdown. End fucking of.”
“I think it’s bullshit. If dad was here, he’d—”
“He’d put us on lockdown. Go and help Mom with the food,” I yell. She practically stamps her feet before stomping away. “Sorry about her,” I say. Anna smiles weakly. “She wants to become a nurse. She loves college.”
“Can I sleep with Ziggy tonight?” asks Malia. “Like a sleepover?”
I lift her up into my arms. “Ziggy’s room is right across from you and your mommy. Maybe you can lay together for a bedtime story and then go back to your own bed?” I walk across the landing to show her Ziggy’s bedroom. His toys are strewn across his floor and his bed is unmade. On this landing, there are only four bedrooms— Mine, Ziggy’s, and my mom’s, and then the spare room that Anna and Malia will sleep in. Plus, a bathroom at the end of the corridor.
Malia fidgets to get down, so I place her in Ziggy’s room and she immediately goes to his toys. I stand in the doorway to Anna’s room while she sorts through her bags looking for something. “I don’t know why you’re fighting this,” I eventually say. She stills but keeps her back to me. “I can take on Reggie. I can help if you just do what I say.”
“I’m sick of men telling me what to do,” she mutters.
“Anna,” I groan. “I’m not bossing you around. I’m trying to help. I know how to keep you safe from him. Running away won’t work forever. He always takes you back. Listen to me. Let me help.”
I leave Anna to think about that and I go in search of Eva and her mom. Eva was pretty bruised up, but she seems to always have this light about her that allows her to see the good in things. Back at Anna’s, she joked about needing a new purse anyway. I can see why Cree is drawn to her— she can be the light in his eternal darkness.
Cree wanted them on the same floor as him, and I find them standing by Cree’s bedroom door in what looks like a private discussion. Eva nods her head as Cree mutters into her ear. He struggles to talk to girls that he likes. It’s not something many people know, maybe just me and Chains, but even back in our Army days, he hated talking to women he took a fancy to. Looking at his well-built, tatted-up frame, you wouldn’t believe it, so most girls just think he’s being rude.
“I just came to check you were settling okay,” I say.
Cree keeps his face close to Eva. He’s pissed I’ve interrupted. Eva smiles politely and nods. “Thanks, Riggs. I really appreciate you taking us all in like this. Anna will too, she doesn’t know how to accept help.”
“I’ll keep working on her,” I say.
It’s early evening and I’m sitting at the bar when Chains joins me. We have one in the club but usually prefer to go to The Windsor. As that’s not possible right now, we have to make do with bottled beer. “I love it when we’re all together, but man, this place is busy. I think I’ll be spending a lot of time in my room.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “I don’t realize how many of us are out there until we go on lockdown. Leia is pissed. I haven’t seen her all afternoon,” I say.
“Neither have I,” he says quickly. “I don’t know where she is.” I frown. His behaviour only confirms my suspicions that he’s got a thing for her.
Anna enters the room with Eva and my heart skips a beat. Just seeing her makes me happy as fuck even though she’s pissed at me right now. “Any plans to claim that?” asks Chains with a smirk.
“Why?” I ask dryly. “If I don’t, are you hitting her up?”
“No,” he laughs. “But looking as hot as she does in them shorts, I’m guessing it won’t be long before one of the brothers does.”
I scowl in Anna’s direction and she looks over in time to catch it. Her step falters, but I don’t have a chance to go over and apologize because Michelle rushes over to me and wraps her arms around my neck. As part of the lockdown, I sent Blade to go and find her and bring her to the club. She’s still my responsibility, even if a lot of the guys around here think differently.
“I’m so happy to be here, Riggs. I can spend some real time with Ziggy,” she gushes, kissing my cheek. I untangle her from around my neck and see that Anna has turned her back to me. Great, now I need to explain this too.
Frankie saunters over, looking pissed. “What’s she doing here?” she asks.
“Don’t start, Mom.” I sigh. “You know why she’s here.”
“Don’t you think this will confuse Ziggy?” she asks. “You never could resist her and now she’ll be back in your bed!”
“Good to see you too, Frankie,” says Michelle as she smiles sarcastically.
“Don’t speak to me. If I had my way, you’d be ten feet under the ground right now.”
Michelle rolls her eyes. “And don’t I know it. You tell me every chance you get. But I’m not, am I? I’m back where I belong.”
I see Anna glance over. She can hear every word. “Fuck. Stop the bitch session. Mom, she’s Ziggy’s mother. I can’t leave her out there when we’re going to war. Please try to be civil for Ziggy’s sake. Michelle, you’re only here temporarily. It’s for your own safety.” I turn my back to them all and drink the contents of my beer bottle. “Fucking women,” I mutter, wiping my mouth on the back of my hand.
I sink a few more beers before I eventually make my way over to Anna. “Can we talk?” I ask. She doesn’t bother to hide the look of annoyance on her face.
We go into my office. “I just wanted to apologize for earlier. When you came down and I was scowling, it was at something Chains said, not at you.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She sighs.
“And Michelle being here means nothing. I have to keep everyone safe. It’s what I do.”
“Right. You don’t need to explain yourself to me.” She folds her arms and stares at the ground.
“But I want to. I want you to know that I’m not what they say.”
“What do they say?” she asks.
“I have a reputation to keep. It’s the way this life is. But it’s important to me that you know it’s just a facade. The real me is who I am around you, how respectful I am to you.” Her eyes meet mine and I sigh. “I don’t want us to be awkward around each other. If you tell me you’re not interested, then I get it. I’ll back off.” I clench my jaw in anticipation of her answer.
“I don’t know how I feel, Riggs. I have so much going on right now . . . ” she trails off.
I nod in acceptance and add an awkward smile. “That’s fine then. I just had to put it out there so we both know where we stand.” I shuffle some papers on my desk. “It’s all good. Enjoy the rest of your night.”
She moves to the door and then hesitates. “I didn’t mean—”
“Anna, it’s fine. Honestly. Close the door on your way out,” I cut in. My pride is dented, and I need some time alone to lick my wounds. She nods and leaves. I flop into my chair and let out a slow breath. It’s been a while since I’ve put myself out there like that. After everything with Michelle, I haven’t wanted to.
Cree comes in without knocking. “You okay, Pres?”
I shrug nonchalantly. “You ever regretted saying something out loud
cos you know you can’t take it back?” I ask. He nods. “Well, that’s how I’m feeling right now. I put myself out there and now I feel like an idiot cos the feelings aren’t reciprocated. I read it wrong.”
“You talkin’ ‘bout Anna? I’m pretty sure you didn’t read it wrong. I’ve seen the way she watches you.”
I shake my head. “No, she told me straight.”
“At least you know.”
“What happened between you and Eva earlier? It looked pretty intense?”
Cree smirks. “We’re not doing that,” he says. “We don’t do bitch talk. You don’t ask me about feelings and shit, and I don’t ask you. Now, shut the fuck up.”
I laugh. “Fair enough.”
Chapter Eleven
Anna
I toss and turn in bed. Riggs’ words play over in my head. Why did I play down my feelings? What am I so afraid of? I sigh. Malia sleeps soundly next to me, but I never sleep well in a new place. Getting out of bed carefully, I go to the bathroom.
On my way back to my bedroom, I hear Riggs’ voice and a woman giggling. They’re coming up the stairs and I glance quickly around for a place to hide. I’m between the bathroom and my bedroom, and there’s nowhere to go because all the rooms on this floor are occupied. I panic. Either way, he’ll see me, so I decide to act casual. It’s no big deal. Right. I’m almost at my door when he stumbles up the last step and laughs. He’s quickly followed by Bonnie. She takes his hand to help him up, but he pulls her towards him and tries to kiss her. He misses her mouth and then laughs again. “Come on, Pres, let’s get you to bed,” says Bonnie.
“Naked. I need skin,” he mumbles. He looks up and blinks a few times. “Anna?”
