Wrapped in Chains - Nicola Jane Page 0,50
love with him, he’s so kind.
“I don’t need anything, Vinn.”
“I want to give you the world. I have property. You can move in whenever you need to. I’ll have it decorated to your tastes with all the top of the range baby equipment,” he says.
I place my hand on his and smile gratefully. “Vinn, you are so amazing. You’ll be an amazing husband one day. But I have all I need for now. Thank you so much for the offer.”
“Is the father stepping up?” he grits out.
I shrug. “With money, but it’s not money I want.” I sigh. “I want him to step up and look after me and his child. Tell the world that we’re his.” I shake my head. It’s the most I’ve told anyone. “But he’s scared.”
“Of what?”
“Losing everything. If he stepped up, he’d lose everything else around him.”
“You’re worth it,” says Vinn, kissing my hand. “I’d give up everything to have you. He’s crazy for not seeing that.”
Chains’ eyes burn into us from across the bar. “Why does the heart always want what’s not good for it?” I ask.
Vinn grins. “Because your heart is stupid. It knows nothing,” he jokes and I smile. He stands and straightens his jacket. “When Chains finally admits his feelings, nothing will stop him from getting to you. He’ll get there eventually,” he whispers. I stare after him in shock as he walks away. I know Gia wouldn’t have told him the truth.
CHAINS
Three days into lockdown and I feel like I’m in hell. Everywhere I look, Leia is there. Frankie and Raven convinced her that she didn’t need to hide her pregnancy, so she’s since lost the baggy jumpers. Now, I’m not only taunted by seeing her everywhere, but I get to stare at the evidence of my baby growing inside of her.
Raven strokes her fingers down my arm and it breaks my daydream. “The longer you sleep in my room, the more you convince everyone that we’re together.”
“That a problem?” I grunt.
“Yes. It’s cock blocking me. It’s upsetting Leia. Nothing good is coming from it.”
“I said I’d look after you and that’s what I’m doing. If Cree gets a sniff of us not being together, he’ll be on my ass about Leia.”
“I’m surrounded by gorgeous men who might want to help look after me. They won’t look in my direction with you around,” she says. “I have the perfect excuse to play damsel in distress.”
“Like Vinn?” I quip and she smiles wider.
“Just like Vinn. He’s going to give me a job, a chance at making a career for myself.” Vinn helps women who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. He owns hostels and pays for college tuition. The guy’s a hero and I fuckin’ hate it.
I roll my eyes. “He’s such a fuckin’ saint,” I say sarcastically and Raven giggles, causing a few heads to turn our way.
“Leia said the father got a bit heavy when she last spoke to him,” says Raven. I stare at Leia, who’s tickling Ziggy over on the couch. He’s laughing and thrashing about and I want to tell her to watch so he doesn’t kick out and hurt her. “Except he isn’t the father, is he,” she continues. I glance at her. “Because you are.”
“Keep your voice down.” I sigh. I don’t have the energy to deny it.
“You’re such an ass,” she hisses, hitting me lightly around the head. “That girl is so in love with you and you’re treating her like shit.”
“Riggs will slit my damn throat,” I whisper.
“Don’t be such a pussy. Claim your woman and tell him to fuck off.”
“It ain’t that easy,” I mutter.
“Vinn offered her a house and protection. She could take that and you’d never see her again.”
“It wouldn’t happen,” I say firmly.
“Or worse than that, she could stay here and bring that baby up whilst you watch on from afar.”
“Look, I don’t know what I’m gonna do, but I’ll sort it somehow.”
“I can help you,” she says excitedly. She sits up straighter like she’s just come up with a master plan. “I’ll get you back together.”
“It’s not getting back together that’s the issue. If I wanted Leia, I could get her,” I say confidently and Raven scoffs. “It’s everything else I’m worried about. Like him, for a start,” I say, pointing towards Riggs.
“Again, pussy,” she states. “Man up. No woman likes a man who’s scared of her brother,” she says.
“I’m not scared. I’m the fuckin’ enforcer. But I respect him, and breaking that was a shit move and he’ll