Anna enters the room with Eva and my heart skips a beat. Just seeing her makes me happy as fuck even though she’s pissed at me right now. “Any plans to claim that?” asks Chains with a smirk.
“Why?” I ask dryly. “If I don’t, are you hitting her up?”
“No,” he laughs. “But looking as hot as she does in them shorts, I’m guessing it won’t be long before one of the brothers does.”
I scowl in Anna’s direction and she looks over in time to catch it. Her step falters, but I don’t have a chance to go over and apologize because Michelle rushes over to me and wraps her arms around my neck. As part of the lockdown, I sent Blade to go and find her and bring her to the club. She’s still my responsibility, even if a lot of the guys around here think differently.
“I’m so happy to be here, Riggs. I can spend some real time with Ziggy,” she gushes, kissing my cheek. I untangle her from around my neck and see that Anna has turned her back to me. Great, now I need to explain this too.
Frankie saunters over, looking pissed. “What’s she doing here?” she asks.
“Don’t start, Mom.” I sigh. “You know why she’s here.”
“Don’t you think this will confuse Ziggy?” she asks. “You never could resist her and now she’ll be back in your bed!”
“Good to see you too, Frankie,” says Michelle as she smiles sarcastically.
“Don’t speak to me. If I had my way, you’d be ten feet under the ground right now.”
Michelle rolls her eyes. “And don’t I know it. You tell me every chance you get. But I’m not, am I? I’m back where I belong.”
I see Anna glance over. She can hear every word. “Fuck. Stop the bitch session. Mom, she’s Ziggy’s mother. I can’t leave her out there when we’re going to war. Please try to be civil for Ziggy’s sake. Michelle, you’re only here temporarily. It’s for your own safety.” I turn my back to them all and drink the contents of my beer bottle. “Fucking women,” I mutter, wiping my mouth on the back of my hand.
I sink a few more beers before I eventually make my way over to Anna. “Can we talk?” I ask. She doesn’t bother to hide the look of annoyance on her face.
We go into my office. “I just wanted to apologize for earlier. When you came down and I was scowling, it was at something Chains said, not at you.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She sighs.
“And Michelle being here means nothing. I have to keep everyone safe. It’s what I do.”
“Right. You don’t need to explain yourself to me.” She folds her arms and stares at the ground.
“But I want to. I want you to know that I’m not what they say.”
“What do they say?” she asks.
“I have a reputation to keep. It’s the way this life is. But it’s important to me that you know it’s just a facade. The real me is who I am around you, how respectful I am to you.” Her eyes meet mine and I sigh. “I don’t want us to be awkward around each other. If you tell me you’re not interested, then I get it. I’ll back off.” I clench my jaw in anticipation of her answer.
“I don’t know how I feel, Riggs. I have so much going on right now . . . ” she trails off.
I nod in acceptance and add an awkward smile. “That’s fine then. I just had to put it out there so we both know where we stand.” I shuffle some papers on my desk. “It’s all good. Enjoy the rest of your night.”
She moves to the door and then hesitates. “I didn’t mean—”
“Anna, it’s fine. Honestly. Close the door on your way out,” I cut in. My pride is dented, and I need some time alone to lick my wounds. She nods and leaves. I flop into my chair and let out a slow breath. It’s been a while since I’ve put myself out there like that. After everything with Michelle, I haven’t wanted to.
Cree comes in without knocking. “You okay, Pres?”
I shrug nonchalantly. “You ever regretted saying something out loud cos you know you can’t take it back?” I ask. He nods. “Well, that’s how I’m feeling right now. I put myself out there and now I feel like an idiot cos the feelings aren’t reciprocated. I read it wrong.”
“You talkin’ ‘bout Anna? I’m pretty sure you didn’t read it wrong. I’ve seen the way she watches you.”
I shake my head. “No, she told me straight.”
“At least you know.”
“What happened between you and Eva earlier? It looked pretty intense?”
Cree smirks. “We’re not doing that,” he says. “We don’t do bitch talk. You don’t ask me about feelings and shit, and I don’t ask you. Now, shut the fuck up.”
I laugh. “Fair enough.”
Chapter Eleven
Anna
I toss and turn in bed. Riggs’ words play over in my head. Why did I play down my feelings? What am I so afraid of? I sigh. Malia sleeps soundly next to me, but I never sleep well in a new place. Getting out of bed carefully, I go to the bathroom.
On my way back to my bedroom, I hear Riggs’ voice and a woman giggling. They’re coming up the stairs and I glance quickly around for a place to hide. I’m between the bathroom and my bedroom, and there’s nowhere to go because all the rooms on this floor are occupied. I panic. Either way, he’ll see me, so I decide to act casual. It’s no big deal. Right. I’m almost at my door when he stumbles up the last step and laughs. He’s quickly followed by Bonnie. She takes his hand to help him up, but he pulls her towards him and tries to kiss her. He misses her mouth and then
