Chapter 21 Victoria
Victoria
The sun is shining brightly today and as usual it spikes my happiness.
Though I’m sat in the shade while I feed River.
I stretch my legs out on the lounger and relish in the warmth, taking advantage of it before fall truly sets in.
I think if Ford can find himself a good woman, it will give him a positive reason to focus.
If it doesn’t work out, he has the club and his brothers to fall back on.
“I was wondering but I’m starting to see what Luca sees in you.”
Glancing up, Annabel has appeared from nowhere. Luca would remind me I have to be aware of my surroundings at all times, I guess I should start listening.
“Oh?”
She’s caught me off guard. Why would she be wondering anything about us.
“I heard you talking in the kitchen with one of the bikers earlier. You have a way about you.”
I grace her by looking up at her and keeping my eyes on hers. I live my life not concerning myself in other people’s business. I take people on face value until they prove themselves unworthy of my kindness, or if the club tells me they’re not our friend.
But looking at her now, I see an unbalanced personality shimmering around her like a second skin.
“It fascinates me why you wonder about Luca and me at all.”
Her shrug is small. “It’s natural to wonder about people you’re not used to being around.”
She has a point but why go out of her way to express her wonderment to me. Not that I’m going to show the building irritation she’s causing me.
“I visit new places, meet new people, all the time. I don’t wonder about their lives and relationships. It seems like an invasion of privacy.”
I don’t hide the bite in my tone. I watch on as she sits her tiny ass on the end of my lounger. I get that everyone’s different. Some people are more confident than others. But Annabel’s audacity is brushing me the wrong way.
Maybe if I ignore her, she’ll go away. I’m not that lucky because she goes on to say, “You haven’t asked if you should be worried about me.”
Laughter erupts from me. I can’t help it, but it annoys her so I’m all for it.
I tell her honestly, “It never occurred to me to ask because out of the things I worry about, you’re not, nor will you ever be, one of them.”
Taking the bottle from River’s mouth, I place it under my arm and stand with River safely in my arms. Annabel stays on her ass and leans back on her hands, jutting her chest out like it’s impressive or something.
“I don’t care what game you’re playing because games are irrelevant when you’re the only one playing.
” River starts to play up and I sway to soothe him.
“The things Luca has done for me, what I would do for him, nothing and no one can come between us. You could walk around naked, and I still wouldn’t worry about him around you.
So play your pathetic game and you’ll find out what we do to people like you. ”
“What would Luca think about his loving wife making such threats?”
I grin. “Oh, honey, it would make him hard, and I’d be in for one hell of a night… if you know what I mean.”
She stays outside while I make my way up to my room.
If my dad was still around, he’d tell me that I’m secure in my marriage and just to ignore her which was my original plan.
My grandpa would tell me to make the fly disappear.
Fuck, I miss them so much. I can no longer call them and talk with them when I want.
It’s true what I told Annabel. I don’t have it in me to worry about something I know will never happen, especially when I’m dealing with such sadness, sometimes I believe it’s going to swallow me whole.
Luca’s pacing our room while on the phone. I lay River down on his playmat and fall on the bed.
“They were already on my kill list for taking pops at us, now I just want them rotting in the ground.”
It’s hard not to listen when his is the only voice in the room. I’m not surprised another club is looking to edge its way into the city. It’s a big place and there’s plenty of cash to be made. It was only a matter of time before this happened, and Luca had to defend his territory.
“Dad said the same thing. Why the fuck do either of you think I can’t handle this with my own chapter?”
I can’t hear what Leo’s saying on the other end, but I can guess. Luca laughs coldly and ends the call.
“Everything okay?” I ask him.
“Yeah.” He stops and stares at me. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, I just had a lovely conversation with our guest. She’s not well, Luc, and though I’m not worried about her like I told her, I am concerned. There’s darkness in her but there’s also danger. She’s putting me on edge.”
“You ain’t got anything to worry about, babe. She’s nothing.”
“Thinking like that is how she’ll cause the most trouble. Whatever you have King doing with her, tell him to amp it up. She wants you and I reckon she’ll do anything to get you.”
“Well, I’m two clicks away from putting a bullet in her head, so if you have any ideas, I’m all ears.”
“Leave it with me. I’ll see what I can do.”
He pulls me against him and slams his lips on mine.
It’s not only the way Luca loves me that makes me not worry about him straying or looking elsewhere.
It’s in his touch, in his kisses. I believe a person can’t hide their true selves when around the right person and there are no shadows around Luca to hide shit from me.
“I’ve gotta head out. I shouldn’t be too long.”
“Okay. I was thinking I might take River to baby pool time later this afternoon.”
“It’s a good idea. I’ll send the prospect with you.”
I don’t argue. A part of being an old lady is to pick one’s battles. I’d much prefer to head out without a chaperone, but if Luc feels me and our son need one, then we’ll have one.
With one last kiss, Luca grabs his phone and keys and leaves. River has fallen asleep and while it’s quiet, I call Amelia.
She’s the only friend I have in the city, and the only one I know in the richer circles in society.
“Hey, Victoria. I only have a few minutes. How are you?”
“Hey, I’m good. I won’t keep you long. I need a favor.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Do you know the Mayor’s daughter? Annabel.”
A short laugh fills the line and then she tells me, “I know who she is. We went to the same school, though she was below me. But I’ve been to a few charity events and dinners with my dad and seen her around. Why? How is she on your radar?”
“She’s not really, I’ve been hearing about her and thought you might know her and could tell me the truth.”
“All I can tell you is she’s a royal spoiled brat. She doesn’t understand the concept that she’s not centre of the universe. Whenever she’s told no, she gets daddy to pull strings. If I were you, Victoria, I’d stay away from her. She’s the complete opposite of you.”
“Thanks. Sorry to bother you.”
“No worries. We should meet up again soon, I had a great time at dinner the other night.”
“I did, too. I’ll text you and we’ll arrange something.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
I hang up and sit on the bed. All Amelia has done has confirm what I already suspected about Annabel.
Though I’m not worried about Luca betraying me, I am worried what lengths she will go to. She’s already proven that she doesn’t care if I’m around or not. She’s not hiding her intentions like a normal person does.