Arrow's Hell (Wind Dragons MC #2)(17)

“I’ll make you something,” Lana says softly, and gestures for him to take a seat. Rake sits next to me and gently bumps his shoulder against mine.

“You still angry about the other night?” he asks me in a gentle tone.

“You mean when you got Arrow to pick me up and drag me out of the club like I was fourteen?”

He nods, and shrugs sheepishly. “I worry about you.”

I sigh, the anger leaving me. “I know you do, Adam, but how about some freedom? I’ve been without you for years now, and it’s kind of hard playing my old role now.”

“Old role?” he asks.

I nod. “Baby sister to dominant bossy man.”

He’s quiet for a few seconds. “I’ll try to loosen the reins.”

“I’d appreciate that,” I reply in an extremely dry tone. “Don’t get me wrong, I really want you to pay attention to me and for us to spend time together, but maybe ease up on the controlling part?”

He nods and clears his throat, looking down at his hands on the table. “I can try. But it’s hard, Anna—I just got you back. I didn’t want you to go, you know that, right? But I know I’ve changed and . . .”

“And what?” I ask quietly.

“And I don’t want you to leave because you feel like you can’t handle who I am,” he admits, still staring down at his hands. “And at the same time I want to protect you more than anyone. You’re always my baby sister, Anna. Always.”

I swallow hard, not expecting him to be so honest. I speak softly so only he can hear. “I love you, Adam, no matter what. I won’t run. I would never turn my back on you. Never. I miss how we used to be. I know we’ve both changed, but I want you to be yourself around me. I miss how close we used to be, and I want us to get that back.”

He glances up at me, looking a little surprised. “That’s really how you feel?”

I nod. “It is.”

He rubs the back of his neck and bites out a curse. “I didn’t want you to hate the club, Anna. I was f*ckin’ scared, if I’m being honest. I didn’t want you to see us like Mom’s boyfriends, useless thugs.”

“I’d never think that of you, Rake,” I reply honestly. “I’m proud of you, you know that, right?”

I can see my words matter to him by the way he beams at me.

“You’re the only person whose opinion I care about, Anna, so it means a lot to hear you say that. I always wanted to set a good example for you, and I know I haven’t done that,” he says, looking sheepish. “But you turned out amazing, so I’m taking credit for that anyway.”

We both laugh at that, lightening the moment.

“Would the two of you like to come over for dinner tomorrow night?” he asks, raising his voice so Lana can hear. “The women are cooking.”

Of course they are.

“We’d love to come,” Lana replies, shooting me a smirk.

We would?

“Actually—”

“We don’t have anything going on, Anna, don’t worry,” she adds, eyes alight with mischief.

“Traitor,” I mouth to her, and she laughs. A dinner where all the club women cook and I’ll probably have to watch Arrow with one of them? No, thank you very much.

I turn to my brother. “Lana wants to know about spanking.”

Lana’s eyes turn to slits, and her face returns to tomato red.

“Spanking?” Rake asks, sounding strained and looking anywhere but at me.

“Yes,” I say. “I heard you like spanking women, so maybe you could explain the pros and cons to it. What are the benefits?”

He stands. “I’ll pick up breakfast on the way home.”

He walks toward the door.

I burst out laughing. “Rake, stay. I’ll shut up, I promise.”

He shakes his head and bolts for the door. “I’ll take a rain check; see you later!”

I sigh, grin still wide on my face.

Lana, on the other hand, isn’t so amused. “I hate you.”

“You love me.”

She covers her face with her hands. “He’s going to tell Tracker, isn’t he?”

That’s what she’s worried about?

“Screw Tracker.” I glance at her. “And not literally either. Besides, he looks the type to give a good spanking himself.”

“And Arrow doesn’t?” she asks, raising a dark, perfectly arched brow.

Okay, maybe all the bikers do.

“I was waiting to see if you’d bring Arrow up.”

She tightens her lips. “Normally I wouldn’t, but turnabout is fair play and you’ve been giving me shit about Tracker.”

Her words are true.

“I don’t think there’s any chance of Arrow and me happening, so there’s nothing to say really,” I reply on a sigh. I don’t know why I was upset over it. He was a criminal and a biker. I had enough crazy in my life; I didn’t need to invite more in. I should be happy nothing was going to happen.

“How do you feel about dating someone in an MC?” I ask.

She tilts her head to the side. “I don’t know. I guess I’ve only ever seen the nice side of the guys. I’ve never even seen them do anything crazy or violent. I know they have another side, but it’s kind of hot that they’re badasses.”