I tried to call him on Friday and he cancelled my call, but I agree to try anyway. I check my watch, and I have five minutes left of my break, so I dial Chains’ number. After the fourth ring, he answers. It surprises me and I choke on my words.
“You okay, Leia?” he asks, his voice full of concern.
“Are you okay? Riggs called me. He said something happened in Manchester and now you’re not answering his calls.”
“Right,” he mutters. “I’ll call him. Things good with you?” he asks.
No, actually, I’m pregnant with your baby and I have no idea what to do because I just started a trainee job at the hospital as a nurse. The shifts are killing me and I can’t stop feeling sick. But how’s life with you? “Yeah, all good on my end. Call him—he’s worried.” I disconnect the call and pinch the bridge of my nose. My life is a mess.
A week passes. I’ve done my first full week as a nurse and I’m exhausted. I had my pregnancy confirmed by the doctor. Five weeks. Five bloody weeks. I don’t know if I’m still in shock or if I’m in denial. All I know is every time I think about it, a wave of sickness hits me and I get all anxious and dizzy.
I arrive at Gia’s dad’s restaurant. We agreed to Friday night dinner now that I can’t drink. She’s already sat at a table waiting for me and I smile as I approach. “Finally. I’m starving,” she says, hugging me.
“Sorry. I had the third degree off my mum.” Frankie senses that something is wrong and keeps pestering me to talk. She’s always been good at finding stuff out from me, but this is too huge.
“I take it you didn’t tell her?”
I shake my head and fill my glass with water from a jug on the table. “I’m not ready for them all to know. I can’t stand the fuss and the accusations that’ll follow.”
“You said no one knows about you and Chains, so lie. Tell them it was a one night stand.”
“And when exactly would that have happened? They know where I am all the time.”
“They didn’t know that night,” she says and shrugs.
“Because Chains was the one who was supposed to be watching me.” I laugh.
“My beautiful wife to be,” says Vinn as he approaches. Gia rolls her eyes, but I smile. He’s only teasing, but I like that he tries to make me feel special. As he glides towards our table, the heads of women all around us turn to watch him. He’s mesmerizing. “How is my baby?” he asks. I gasp and Gia almost chokes on her water. “Is Diesel protecting you?” he adds. I let out a sigh when I realize he means the puppy he gave me.
I smile awkwardly. “Yes. He growls whenever a man comes near me. Did you teach him that?” I ask. It’s true. If any of the guys come too close, he snarls at them.
“I’d like to think so, but sadly no. Maybe he just knows how precious you are.”
“Stop, you’re making me nauseous,” mutters Gia.
“Did Gia tell you her good news?” asks Vinn brightly, ignoring his stroppy sister.
I look at Gia and she’s scowling. “No,” I say.
“She’s meeting the man that my father thinks is a good match for her,” he says proudly and my eyes widen. Gia had spoken about an arranged marriage, but I didn’t think it’d happen for some time. “He’s from a good family.”
“That’s great,” I say, faking a smile. “Will your father find you a wife also?” I add.
“Oh, Vinn gets a say in who he marries,” snaps Gia bitterly.
“So do you,” he mutters. “My wife was chosen many years ago,” he adds, giving Gia a warning glance. “She’s arriving from Italy soon.” My smile this time is genuine. Vinn will make a good husband. He’s thoughtful and kind. Whoever she is will be lucky to marry this god.
Once he’s gone, I turn my attention back to Gia. “Fuck, G.”
“I bet he’ll be a fat, balding little fuck with a small dick,” she hisses.
I can’t help the laugh that slips out. “Let’s pray for an Adonis then, with rippling biceps and a huge cock that hangs like a horse,” I say, holding my hands in prayer position. It gets a smile from Gia.
The next morning at breakfast, Riggs is staring hard at me. “What?” I ask.
“I heard you throwing up this morning. Now you look fine. Did you eat something bad?”
My first proper morning sickness hit me hard and I spent a good hour over the toilet. “Maybe.” I shrug. “Did you get hold of Chains?”
“Yeah. I’m sending some of the guys to Manchester to look over the club there. Things ain’t good.”
“Is Chains safe if they're looking for him?” I ask.
“No, but he can look after himself. Mum said something’s on your mind.”
I slam my fork down. “Christ, can’t I eat breakfast in peace? I’m fine, okay. I’m fine.”
“You don’t sound fine,” he pushes.
“I want to move out,” I blurt out. It wasn’t the way I intended to bring it up, but now I have.
“Why?” he asks.
“Because I do. I’m twenty. I want to do what other girls my age do.”
“No,” he says firmly. “You’re not moving out.”
“I am,” I argue. “You can’t stop me.”
“Watch me.” He gets up and leaves the room. Mum comes in and I glare at her.
“Why did you tell Riggs there’s stuff on my mind? I told you I’m good.”
“You’re not good. Something’s wrong,” Mum says.
“Yes, I want to move out. I told him and he said I can’t. How can he stop me? I’m an adult.”
My mum eyes me for a few silent minutes. “Is it that boy you were seeing before? Ryan?” she asks.
“No.” I sigh. I haven’t heard a thing from him since he left on the day of my party.
“Because if he’s got you into some kind of trouble, then tell me and I’ll sort it,” she continues.
“Trouble?” I repeat with a laugh. “Ryan was straighter than a poker stick. That was half the problem.”
“So, he isn't the father?” she asks. I freeze and stare at her open-mouthed. “It’s just you’re a James and we have this look about us when we’re pregnant. I saw it a few weeks ago, but I couldn’t be sure, but now, well, now it’s all over your face.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” I whisper.
She sighs. “I haven’t told your brother. I haven’t told anyone. Talk to me, baby girl.”
CHAINS
I chuck some money on the table and grab Raven’s hand. “Thanks,” I call to the waitress as we head out.
“Where to next?” asks Raven.
“Let’s see where the road takes us,” I mutter. We’ve been moving since we left Manchester. I don’t stay in one place for more than two days because Riggs tipped me off that Cobra was out looking for me. He insisted I come back to the club for protection and I had to convince him I was good and in love with Raven, that I want to show her the bloody damn world.