“And you’re okay with it?” she asks.
He shrugs. “I already told her no but looks like she’s made her mind up if she’s talking to you about it.”
“Her boss was weird. He fancied Anna and was constantly asking her out,” she says.
“Leia, don’t say it like it's so hard to believe. I was attractive back then,” I say jokingly but with a hint of seriousness.
“That’s not what I meant. You’re very attractive,” she snaps. “Isn’t she, Riggs?” He nods and heads for the door. “Don’t you care that another man wanted your wife even though she was pregnant at the time?” snaps Leia. “Imagine how he’ll be now she isn’t pregnant!”
“Christ, Leia, it’s too early for this shit. Get off my back. If Anna wants to work, then who am I to stop her?”
He leaves the room and Leia stares wide-eyed at me. “Are you guys splitting up?”
I shrug because right now, I don’t know.
Chapter Two
ANNA
“As you can see, not much has changed,” says Darren with a smile. It’s been a week since I told Riggs about my job, and today is my first day. “The rest of the team are meeting for drinks at lunch. Join us. It’ll be great for you to meet everyone.”
“I have to get back,” I say.
“One won’t hurt,” he says, patting my arm. I find myself agreeing.
I throw myself into cleaning the offices that Darren has been contracted out to deep clean. It feels good to concentrate on something other than the kids. Don’t get me wrong, I love them all so much, including Ziggy, but with Riggs’ lack of attention, I’m finding that they depend on me way more than him and I’m drained. So much so, I’d rather clean for someone than be at home. Ziggy and Malia are both in school during the day anyway and Riggs agreed to do the drop-off each morning if I’d do the pick-up. Between him, Frankie, and Esther, the kids will be just fine.
After my shift, I head for the bar that Darren told me about. It’ll be nice to see some of my co-workers again and meet new faces. All of my friends are involved with the club, which is great, but sometimes I crave normal talk that doesn’t involve gossip about club girls or which member came back covered in blood.
I spot Darren with a group of people. He introduces me to Maisey, Ella, and Cammie, who all seem lovely. One drink turns into two and then three, and when I eventually check the time, it’s four o’ clock. “Fuck, I have to go,” I say, pulling out my phone.
I have three missed calls from Riggs. I’m surprised he even noticed I was gone. I’m about to call him back when the door opens and Blade saunters in. He smirks when he sees me. “Tut tut, you’re in trouble,” he sing-songs.
“I didn’t see the time,” I say. “I was just about to come home. Are the kids okay?”
“Yeah, fine. Esther picked Ziggy and Malia up and Willow’s with Frankie. No harm done, although I don’t think Riggs sees it like that.”
Dread fills me. I know Riggs would never hurt me, but my past haunts me and it’s hard to shake the fight or flight response when I know I’m about to face another argument.
Riggs is in his office, but I see him look over at me through the office window as I walk into the club. I head straight to Malia and Ziggy and give them each a kiss. “Sorry, Esther,” I say. “I lost track of time.”
“It’s fine. When you didn’t come home after lunch, I figured you’d gotten side-tracked.”
I take Willow from Frankie. “Thanks, Frankie. Has she been okay?”
“Absolutely fine,” says Frankie with a smile. “Take no notice of Riggs. I love having Willow.”
“You planning on coming and apologising to me?” snaps Riggs from the doorway of his office.
“Apologise for what?” I ask, handing Willow back to Frankie. “Did you even bother to check in on Willow today?”
“Of course, I did, but I’m working too, yah know.”
“I’m gonna take a shower,” I say, turning to Frankie. “Are you okay with her for ten more minutes?”
“Of course, take your time.”
I head for the stairs, but Riggs snatches my arm in his hand and I suck in a surprised breath. He releases me and we both stare at the spot where he grabbed me. “You can’t just disappear like that,” he says, trying to sound calmer than he is.
“I didn’t disappear,” I retort, rushing up the stairs with him hot on my ass.
“I tracked your phone. You were in a bar all afternoon,”
“Then you knew I hadn’t disappeared,” I snap. I head into the bathroom and turn on the shower. Riggs stands in the doorway, watching as I get undressed. “I went for a drink to meet the others. I lost track of time.”
“You can’t just go to the bar and forget you have kids,” he mutters.
I glare at him. “I’d never forget about the kids. I love them all so much. It was a few drinks with my new co-workers and there are loads of adults in this place to help out with childcare, not to mention that you’re Willow’s dad and you’ve been here all day.”
“This is how it starts,” he snaps. “A harmless drink here and there, and before you know it, you’re out all the time, drunk all the time, and I’m raising the kids on my own.”
I place my hands on my hips. He doesn’t look at my naked body like he used to and he certainly doesn’t react how he once did. “When will you stop punishing me for Michelle’s mistakes?” I demand to know. “She left Ziggy because she was an addict. I’m not! I’d never leave the kids. You checked out on me and the kids long ago. Just because you’re still around, doesn’t mean you’re here.”
“You can’t just walk out on the kids when you
