“Actually,” says Riggs and she stops. “I need a favour. We need a favour,” he corrects, glancing at me. “Raven will need medical care. Bandage changes and stuff.”
Leia glares at me and I shrug awkwardly just as Frankie wheels Raven back into the main room. Leia nods. “Whatever.” Then she rushes off towards her room.
“Did you bring Ryan here?” asks Frankie. “He’s the baby’s father, so he could be a target too.”
“Leia’s pregnant?” asks Raven, and Frankie smiles wide, nodding.
Raven stares at me. “Interesting.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” says Anna. “They aren’t on good terms right now.”
I’m relieved to hear it. The last thing I need is that shit here rubbing my face in it. “We’ve made you a room down here,” says Riggs to me and he leads me through to a back room that is usually full of junk. “It’ll be easier for Raven.” I nod and pat his shoulder. I’m grateful that he thought about that.
Chapter Fourteen
Leia
Being back at the club with Chains is my worst nightmare. But just as I thought it couldn’t possibly get any worse, here I am, changing bandages on his ol’ lady. It’s made worse by the fact that I actually like Raven. She’s sweet and kind and funny and beautiful. Damn, I can’t find one fault on the woman. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.
I tap lightly on the door in case she’s sleeping. Her pain meds knock her out. The door opens and Chains’ smile drops. He’s wet, water drips from his hair, and he has a towel draped around his hips. The guy is sex on a stick—a stick I’m not allowed to touch despite wanting it so bad. “Bandages?” I mutter, holding up a pack.
He opens the door wider and I step inside. Raven smiles and pushes herself to sit. “I read the book you gave me. It was so good, I stayed up into the night reading,” she says.
“Much to my annoyance,” grumbles Chains. I try to ignore him as he moves around the room, rubbing his wet hair on a towel and gathering clothes. I carefully unwrap the bandage covering the wound on Raven’s head.
“Everyone needs an Edward in their life.” I sigh wistfully.
“Tell me about it,” says Raven. “The way he cares for Bella is so . . . ” She finishes with a sigh and I laugh.
“Christ. He’s not real, so of course, he’s going to be fan-fuckin-tastic,” grumbles Chains. He disappears into their en-suite bathroom.
“He wasn’t happy I had the light on most of the night,” she whispers and I force a small smile. “Anna mentioned you’re having a baby?” I nod, thinking of good ways to kill Anna. “Congratulations. That’s amazing. You always wear such baggy clothing, I couldn’t tell.”
“I hate all the questions and the judgy stares,” I mutter.
“How far gone are you?”
“Almost five months,” I reply.
“Show me. I love seeing baby bumps. I find the whole thing fascinating,” says Raven. I glance back at the closed bathroom door before slightly lifting my jumper to show my neat little bump. Raven gently places her hand there. It’s the first time anyone’s touched my bump because I always keep it hidden, and for the first time ever, I feel proud of it. “Lose the jumper. Your bump is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” She smiles.
The bathroom door opens and Chains steps out. I drop the jumper back in place, open the new bandage, and begin to wrap it around her head. “Chains, you have to see this,” says Raven eagerly. She lifts my jumper. My hands are busy, but my eyes must convey panic because Raven smiles gently. “Leia, stop being ashamed. Chains won’t judge you and neither will I. Look, Chains, Leia has the cutest bump I’ve ever seen.” Chains’ eyes burn into my stomach. “Anna said you’re not on speaking terms with the father,” continues Raven, oblivious to my discomfort.
I fasten the bandage. “No” is all I say because I don’t want to go into detail. I pack up my mess and step out of Raven’s reach. My jumper falls back into place. “I’ll be back with your meds shortly,” I say and then I leave, letting out the breath I’d been holding as soon as I step out of the room.
I’m in the kitchen measuring out Raven’s meds when Chains comes in. “Show me again,” he mutters. I shake my head and continue to count out the pills. “Show me again,” he repeats more forcefully. I ignore him. If someone comes in, they’d question it, and I can’t take the risk. “Leia, show me!” he yells and I jump in fright.
The kitchen door opens and Vinn saunters in looking calm and relaxed. I smile. It’s nice to see him and he looks pleased to see me too. Diesel is at his heels and I scowl playfully. “Traitor,” I say.
“How’s my favourite girl doing?” he grins, ignoring Chains.
“Good. You?”
Vinn kisses both my cheeks. “We have so much to discuss,” he says. It’s the first time I’ve seen Vinn since my pregnancy became common knowledge. “Finish what you’re doing and come and find me.”
“She was talking with me,” snaps Chains.
Vinn glances at him like he’s only just noticed he’s in the room. “I’ll be here for a few hours. No rush, Leia.” He leaves again with Diesel at his side.
“I’m sick of seeing men fall at your feet,” he growls and I laugh. They’re hardly lining up to take on a pregnant young woman. He tugs the hem of my jumper so that I’m facing him. I stare into his eyes as he lifts my jumper. His large hands go either side of my bump and I bite the inside of my cheek to reign in my emotions. “I can’t pretend this is nothing to do with me,” he whispers. “It’s killing me.”
“I have to take these meds to Raven,” I mutter. His hands fall back to his sides and he nods.
“All of this could have been handled differently,” I add. “But now, it’s too late.”
I enter Raven’s room to find Vinn seated in the rocking chair. “Oh, sorry,” I say.
“It’s fine,” says Vinn. “Riggs asked me to come and talk to Raven about her options once she’s feeling better.” Vinn owns businesses, so it makes sense, but I find it strange that Chains would want Raven to work. I give Raven her different meds. “Are you ready to talk?” he adds. I nod and he follows me from the room.
We find a quiet corner in the club bar. “Gia’s worried about you,” he begins.
“She doesn’t need to be. I’m fine.”
“Should I have the father killed?” he asks seriously, and I almost spit out my drink of water. He hands me a napkin and I wipe my mouth. “It was a joke,” he says dryly. “What do you need? I can get you anything you want.” I smile at his offer. Why couldn’t I fall in 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.”