“I’ll enjoy killing your sister. She’s first on my list,” grins Reggie. “A virgin, from what I hear. I’ll film every man who fucks her before I slit her throat and send her back to you in pieces.”
“STOP!” I yell, standing between the two. “Just stop.”
“I’ve already taken what you love, Reggie. I’m already winning,” grins Riggs and I glare at him. Am I just a game? A way to piss off Reggie?
Malia bounds out of the room, unaware of the tension. She reaches up to Reggie and he kisses her on the head before handing her to me. He then leans in and kisses me on the cheek. “Tick-tock, baby. Time is running out,” he whispers, and then he’s gone.
Chapter Ten
Riggs
We drive back to Anna’s in silence. Malia chatters away to her doll in the back of my car. She doesn’t have a clue about all the hostility and danger surrounding her. I come to a stop and Anna gets out, slamming the car door, and then gets Malia from the car seat and slams that door too. I grip the steering wheel and take a deep breath.
Inside, Anna continues to stomp about. Malia goes out into the garden to play on her trampoline. I stand awkwardly in the kitchen, watching Anna wash dishes. I wince each time she slams a plate onto the drainer, surprised that it doesn’t shatter. “I’m gonna need to put the club on lockdown,” I eventually say.
“I don’t know what that means, Riggs. I don’t understand your world!”
“It means that we keep all the families safe at the club for a while. Until we have a solution to Reggie’s threats. No one can go out and no one can come in without my approval.”
“Wow, power trip,” she mutters. “Off ya go then. Lock down your little club.”
I bite my inner cheek, trying to keep myself calm. I’m getting tired of her attitude and her digs at my club. “You’re not getting me, darlin’,” I growl. “That includes you.”
Anna drops the plate she’s washing into the sink and then grips the worktop. I watch the water run from her hands and down the cupboard door. “No. That’s not happening.”
“Anna, don’t be—” I begin.
“No. I want you to leave. Take your guard dog from outside my house too.”
I stare at her as she goes back to the dishes. “What if he comes for you?”
“Then I’ll deal with it like I always have.”
“You’re being selfish,” I mutter, and she turns to me with outrage. “He’s threatened everyone around you. He’s already killed somebody. He won’t stop until you go back to him,” I shout.
“You’re wrong. He was fine until I dated. I just won’t date. I’ll go and talk to him.” She hangs her head and bursts into tears. I fold my arms across my chest to stop myself from going to her. It’s against everything in me, but I watch silently while she cries.
“You’re kidding yourself. He’ll punish you by hurting those you love. I’m offering you protection. I’m not asking for you to share my bed or to be my ol’ lady. You won’t owe me anything. I just want to help you.”
“I don’t need help. Before you came along, I was doing fine. You turning up today was your way of showing off to Reggie. Using me to wave the red flag and begin your stupid fucking war. I saw the glee in your eyes when you told him you’d won by taking what he loved. I’m not a damn trophy to be used against each other.”
Anger rips through me. “That’s not what I was doing,” I growl, getting in her face. “I came to support you. Reggie already knew about us and you’re kidding yourself if you think that he didn’t. He watches you, he tracks your movements, and he knows who you see and who you fuck before you even do. I went today to show him that I was behind you one hundred percent. I wanted him to see that I’m not scared and that I’ll be there with you. You said you wanted to do this differently from all the times you left him before. This is different. This is a clear message that you are done with him.”
“Just go,” she cries. “Get out. Look after your club. I’ll be fine here.”
“What’s your next big plan, Anna? Move house again? Rip Malia away from her friends, her school, people who could become closer to you both? I can help you. I can free you from Reggie forever. Let me help,” I plead.
Anna’s cell rings and we both glance at the screen as it vibrates across the worktop. It’s Eva. “Hi,” mutters Anna, turning away from me slightly. She listens for a minute before gasping. “Right, well, Riggs is here with his car. We can come and get you.” She waits again and then sighs. “Okay, I’ll set up the spare room.” She disconnects the call and then looks at me with her eyes full of worry. “Eva was mugged on her way home from work,” she mutters. “Cree is with her at the hospital. He’s bringing her here.”
“And so it fucking begins,” I growl and storm out of the house. I need air and a cigarette, so I wait out front for Cree to arrive.
Cree rushes around to the passenger side and opens the door. He takes Eva by the hand and she slowly gets out of the car. I hiss at the sight of her. She looks like she got in a fight with a boxer. Cree’s face is filled with fury, and as I follow them up the path to Anna’s house, he looks back at me with an expression that screams murder. Anna meets us at the door and bursts into tears. She takes Eva from
