Wrapped in Chains - Nicola Jane Page 0,1
one of his brothers watch over me when I leave the club. Lake is my main bodyguard because he’s chill and doesn’t mind sitting around. He also respects my rules on friends. But Chains hates every second of it. “Perfect,” I say.
Eva is curled up on the couch with Ziggy, my nephew. I join them. “You look sad,” I point out and Eva half-smiles.
“I was just thinking about Riggs and Anna and how stubborn they both are,” she says and sighs. “I’m meeting with her for coffee soon, but it feels so odd that she isn’t here anymore. How’s your brother seem to you?” she asks.
I glance at Riggs’ office door and shrug. “He’s pretending to be fine. I haven’t seen him pick up a drink in two days, so that’s a good sign,” I point out. Since Anna announced her pregnancy to my brother, they’ve not been on speaking terms. He accused her of trapping him and she was horrified seeing as they’d already married. She packed up her stuff and walked out, moving into Eva’s old house. “Mum said they’ll sort it out. It’s not forever.”
“And in the meantime, Anna’s on her own with a child plus one on the way,” mutters Eva.
“Why don’t I come with you to see her. We could bring Ziggy because I’m sure he’s missing Malia.” I smile at my five-year-old nephew, who instantly looks brighter at the mention of his best friend’s name. “Let me go ask your dad first,” I add.
I stick my head around Riggs’ office door. “Hey,” I say with a smile. “I’m gonna take Ziggy out for a bit.”
Riggs barely looks up from his cell. “Where to?”
“To see Malia.” There’s no point in lying—Riggs is big on the truth.
“No,” he says firmly.
“I’m taking him, Riggs. Don’t be an ass. He’s missing his friend, and just because you and Anna are being stupid doesn’t mean the kids should suffer.”
“Leia, I said no.” He looks at me this time and I notice how tired he looks.
“Poor Anna,” I sigh. “She’s alone. No family. Just her and Malia hauled up in a house on their own. She must miss having us all around, and then to not have help when she's so sick all the time.” I shake my head sadly. I’m trying to appeal to his stubborn, cold heart.
“Sick?” he repeats.
“Yeah, the baby is taking its toll on her. Morning sickness constantly. Mum’s going to the doctor with her tomorrow about it. Didn’t she say?” I know full well that Mum didn’t tell Riggs about Anna. Anna doesn’t want him knowing anything unless he asks her straight and that's damn near impossible since he’s avoiding her like the plague.
“I like what you did there,” he mutters. “Dropping information to get a reaction.”
“Grow up, Riggs. If I wanted to do that, I’d have told you about the guy who’s sniffing around her since she got a new job.” He glares at me and I see him warring with himself.
“What new job? I send her money,” he growls.
“She isn’t touching your money. Said she’s doing this thing alone and she doesn’t need your guilt money.”
“It ain’t guilt money,” he snaps.
“Try telling her that. She’s scrubbing floors. Mum said she shouldn’t be doing that kind of manual labour when she’s so ill all of the time, but with two kids, Anna said she doesn’t have a choice.”
“Get out of here, Leia. I don’t want to hear this bullshit. Leave Ziggy here. It’s not good to confuse the kids.” I roll my eyes. There’s no way I’m leaving Ziggy here. “And take Chains with you.”
I smile at Eva. “He said we can’t take him, but I am, so get ready to run out of here.” I pick Ziggy up and head for the door. Eva is pulling out her car keys as she follows after us. Anna’s place isn’t far from the club, but it’ll get us out of here quicker.
“Shouldn’t Lake or someone be tailing you?” asks Eva.
“Yeah, he’s not around for a few days. Chains is meant to be covering for him, but he’s busy with a girl.”
Anna looks awful. She’s pale with dark circles under her eyes. She must have just gotten out of the bath because her hair is scraped back into a wet bun. “Ziggy,” she smiles, sweeping him up in her arms. “I missed you so much.” She covers his little face in kisses and he giggles, squirming to get away from her. “Malia is playing in the