“Ah, so that’s the real problem. You need to get a bigger supply into my docks and you can only do that if you bring me on board,” I say.
“No, Riggs. The minute he asked me, I rang you to arrange this meet.”
“Why is he suddenly trying to get one over on me?” I ask.
Marshall shrugs. “He never said. He rang me out the blue.”
“You can tell him to get his own supply. You ain’t using my docks.”
Once he’s gone, Cree takes a seat. “Strange, ain’t it,” he says, “that Reggie’s been quiet for a few months, and now all of a sudden, he’s trying to stir up shit. The same week you meet his wife!”
“Coincidence.” I shrug. “He’s been quiet because he was facing criminal charges for putting his wife in the hospital. That’s all done with now, so he’s back in the game.”
“So what do we do? Ignore that he’s trying to take our drug supply?”
I shake my head. “We could get another Marshall like that,” I say as I click my fingers. “I’m not worried. But we’ll keep a close eye on him just in case he tries to run on both sides of the track. We’ll need to call church and warn the brothers. Reggie might approach others who work for us.”
My mom calls my cell as I’m about to head back to the clubhouse for church. “Are you collecting Ziggy today?”
“I’ve called the brothers back for church. Can you do it?”
She pauses and then lowers her voice. “Actually, I met my friend for lunch and I’m having a nice time. Could you do it?”
“What friend?” I ask, confused by her secretive tone.
“Can you do it or not, Finn?” she asks.
“Jesus, are you with a man?” I gasp and Cree turns to look at me. ‘Mom’, I mouth, and he looks just as shocked as me. “Who the hell is it?”
“I wish I hadn’t called,” she mutters. “Forget it.”
“No,” I rush in before she can hang up on me. “I’ll get Ziggy. Enjoy your late lunch and don’t have unprotected sex. Who knows where he’s been if he’s as old as you,” I joke.
Cree heads back to the club and I detour to get Ziggy. I spot Anna in the playground and stand beside her. She fidgets nervously. “I hate visit nights too,” I say, and she glances at me. “I heard you tell Malia about seeing her dad tonight after school,” I admit. “Ziggy sees his mom every second Thursday.”
“Right,” she says. “He changed the day. It’s usually on Sundays.”
“You said before it was at a contact centre?” I ask.
She nods. “Not tonight, but usually.”
“Not tonight?” I ask. “Where are you meeting him tonight?”
“In a park. It’ll be busy. It always used to be busy when the weather was nice, and my friend’s coming too.”
A strange feeling passes through me and sits heavy in my stomach. If this was Leia, I’d never allow this visit to happen. If visiting is at a contact centre, then that shit’s for a reason, but I don’t know Anna well enough to make demands. Instead, I take her cell from her hand and input my number. I miss call my cell so that I also have hers, just in case. “If you need anything, call me.”
I hand her cell back and she smiles gratefully. “Thanks.”
Chapter Five
Anna
I’m six minutes late. Six minutes to Reggie is a long time. I rush through the park and spot him sitting on a wooden bench across from the play area. His men stand amongst the trees surrounding the park, protecting him. “Sorry, the traffic was terrible,” I say as we get closer.
“Daddy,” screams Malia, throwing herself into his arms. He catches her and smothers her in kisses.
“I missed you so much,” he grins. “You and mommy.” I shift uncomfortably. I hate it when he says things like that. “Sit down, I don’t bite,” he adds.
“Actually,” I mutter, pulling my Kindle from my bag, “I was gonna cop a spot under the trees and let you two have some time.”
“Actually,” he mimics, “you’ll sit down here.”
I glance back to where Eva is sitting across the park and then I take a seat. “Can I go on the slide?” asks Malia.
“Of course, baby. We’ll be right here,” says Reggie. Malia rushes off happily. Reggie rolls up the sleeves on his expensive shirt. It’s a deliberate act to unsettle me because it’s something he would do back when we were together, right before he hit me. I bite my inner cheek to stop myself from reacting. “You’re looking all smart there, Anna. Did you dress for me?”
I glance down at my grey pencil skirt. “I had to meet Malia’s teacher today. Nothing important, but I hate them judging me,” I lie. “Malia is doing really well at school.”
“I know how my daughter is doing in school. I wish you’d reconsider putting her into a private school. Pilgrims Way Primary School,” he shudders. “The name says it all.”
I force myself to remain calm. I knew this would happen. It isn’t a shock, so why is my heart racing? “Malia,” he shouts, and she rushes back. “Mommy tells me she saw your teacher today. Was it good news?”
Malia looks at me confused. “My teacher was sick today, mommy,” she says with concern.
“Good girl. Go back and play,” says Reggie calmly. My palms begin to sweat, and I rub them along my pencil skirt. I fix my eyes on Eva. She’ll call the cops if anything happens, but I’ve broken the court order by agreeing to see Reggie away from the contact centre, so I’m not sure if that means I’m unprotected legally.
