Wrapped in Chains - Nicola Jane Page 0,44

in my hair.

“Leia, please,” he whispers. “Is it mine?”

My eyes fill with tears. “No,” I whisper. I almost choke on the lie. Chains releases me and I stumble from the room, tears falling down my face as I rush for the bathroom.

CHAINS

I watch her run from me. Leia’s pregnant. My Leia. I shake my head, because she isn’t my Leia. I watch two police officers go into Raven’s room. I should be with her, but hearing the stuff she went through kills me. I should never have left her and I’ve vowed to never leave her again, but right now, I can’t breathe. I have to get out of here.

I rush down the stairs and break out into the fresh air, taking a deep breath and filling my lungs. I make my way to the Windsor. It’s just around the corner from the hospital and I can be back there quickly if Raven needs me.

Pinky places a glass down in front of me and hands me the bottle of whiskey. “You look like you need it.”

“You have no idea,” I mutter.

“Haven’t seen you for months. I heard what happened to your ol’ lady. How she doing?” she asks.

“Good. She’s getting better,” I mumble, filling my glass and knocking it back in one.

“I’ll be in the back room if you need me,” she says, and I know she’s going to call Riggs. I snatch the bottle and go sit at Riggs’ table, or his dad’s table. It’s always empty outta respect. The only man who ever sits here is Riggs, but it’s the furthest table away from everyone else and I need the quiet.

My eyes hurt, and when I try to look at my watch, the hands blur together. I have no fuckin’ idea what time it is. “Almost eight.” I look up as two Riggs approach me.

I smile. “Pres,” I say in greeting. “Join me.” I hold up the bottle and laugh when I see it’s empty.

“What’s up, brother?” he asks, taking a seat.

“Nothing. I am alllll good.” I grin. “Hey, Pinky, get me another bottle.”

Riggs shakes his head to Pinky and then turns back to me. “I went to see Raven before stopping by here,” he says. “She looks good, brother. Leia’s taking care of her.”

At the mention of Leia’s name, my smile fades. “I should get back to her,” I mumble, pushing myself to stand. I wobble and fall back into my chair.

“No need. She’s good. You need to talk to me, Chains?” he asks and I shake my head. “Cos you look like a man with the world on his shoulders.”

“I don’t love Raven,” I slur. “Least, not like that.”

“Okay.” He nods. “And that’s what’s bothering you?”

I shake my head. “When you went away, I—”

“Everything okay?” comes Cree’s voice. He fixes me with a hard stare that tells me he knew what I was about to say.

“Good timing, brother. Help me get him back to the club. He needs to sleep this off.”

They take an arm each and haul me to my feet. “I tried to stop loving her,” I mutter.

“Enough talk, brother. You know how I hate that shit,” says Cree, slapping me on the back. “Talk tomorrow, when you’re sober and we all have a clear head.”

Fuck, my head hurts. A wave of sickness washes over me and I dry heave. I open my eyes and I’m back in my old room at the club. I eventually stumble down to breakfast. I need something to soak up the shit tonne of alcohol I drank last night before getting back to Raven.

Frankie hugs me. “I missed you,” she says with a smile. I nod because I don’t trust myself to speak. “Sit down. I’ll get you some food,” she orders.

I rest my head on my arms on the table and close my eyes. “Feeling it?” asks Cree, taking a seat next to me. “What the fuck was that all about?” he whisper-hisses into my ear. “You almost got yourself killed last night.”

“Leia’s pregnant,” I say accusingly and Cree’s face softens.

“I know it’s hard, Chains, but it’s for the best. She’s moved on and so have you. Now we can all get back to normal.”

“It’s mine!” I snap.

Cree frowns. “No, it’s the nerd’s baby.”

I shake my head. I know it’s mine. “I’ve gotta tell Riggs,” I mumble.

“You gotta keep your mouth shut. I’m tryin’ to keep you alive. That baby is Ryan’s. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep quiet.”

“I looked in her eyes. I