Arrow's Hell (Wind Dragons MC #2)(77)

“Yet,” I add.

He tightens his lips at that and says nothing. What is there to say?

“Are they going to let you see me again?” Talon asks, pushing his plate away.

“They don’t have a choice, and of course I want to see you again,” I say. “Maybe we could see each other once a month or something.”

He smiles widely, running a hand through his white-blond hair. “I’d like that.”

“Good,” I reply. “But I need you to understand that I love Arrow and I won’t ever leave him.”

“Anna,” he adds, jaw suddenly tight, “I won’t ever approve of you being with Arrow.”

“I wasn’t asking for your approval,” I say firmly. “You don’t have to like Arrow, but around me you won’t disrespect him.”

His lip twitches. “Noted.”

“So, tell me about you. Everything I’ve missed out on,” I say, lightening the mood.

“Well,” he starts. “I remember sliding down a tunnel, and then there was a light—”

He laughs when I pinch him.

He tells me a little about his childhood, but I feel like he’s leaving things out on purpose.

“I’m not very close with my mother,” he says. “I was close with my—with our dad though.”

I nod my head and smile sadly. “Hey, at least he was there for you.”

He frowns. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to . . .”

“It’s fine, Talon,” I say. “I’ve made my peace with anything to do with my dad. I honestly feel like he was your dad, not mine. Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Why did you keep contacting me?”

He sighs. “Honestly, Anna, I feel like you’re family. I want you in my life. It’s not guilt, although I do wish that Dad had been there for you. Okay, maybe there is a little guilt. I kind of feel like I took something that wasn’t meant for me. But that isn’t why I want to be in your life from now on.”

I nod, accepting his answer. “I think I understand. Maybe you could tell me some cool stories about him sometime.”

“I’d like that,” he says, looking hopeful.

A comfortable silence appears between us.

“Are you going to be president of the Wild Men one day?” I ask.

He nods, eyeing me closely. “I am. Is that going to be an issue?”

“Not if we don’t let it.”

“I don’t want to come between you and Rake. I know he’s been there for you your entire life while I’m only just entering your life.”

“Rake and I will be fine, we always are. You know, you both share something in common. He didn’t want me to be with Arrow either,” I admit to him.

“Really? Why?” Talon asks, frowning. “One of his own brothers? That should be a good thing, keeping you close.”

“He said he wanted better for me,” I tell him. “Maybe a man in a suit. A professional. Someone who comes home at six every night and doesn’t live dangerously.”

“But you didn’t want that?” he asks.

I lift my shoulders in a shrug. “I just want Arrow. I didn’t go looking for a biker. I didn’t go looking for anyone, really. I just saw him and I wanted him.”

“And so you took him,” he replies, lip twitching. “Trust me, Anna, you suit this lifestyle. You’re strong and tough but with a sweetness inside that no one will be able to destroy. Arrow should be on his f*ckin’ knees, grateful that he has someone like you.”

My mind flashes to Arrow on his knees, telling me how sorry he was.

“He’s not perfect, but he’s mine,” I reply. “He’s good to me.”

“He better be,” he grates, tone menacing.

“So, do you have a woman in your life?” I ask him, changing the subject. “Anyone I need to threaten?”

He chuckles. “No one special.”

I roll my eyes. “Is that code for just club whores?”

His expression turns innocent. “Where did you learn such a word Anna? I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m not sure how the Wind Dragons run their club, but—”

I smirk at him. “Save it, Talon.”

“I think we should get some dessert; how about you, sis?” he says, flashing me a boyish grin.

“I think you read my mind.”

We both share a smile.

*

When I get back to the clubhouse later that day, Arrow is waiting for me.

“Will you come to the cemetery with me?” he asks. “Everyone is going.”

“Of course I will,” I tell him. “Should we pick up some flowers on the way?”

He nods, a grateful expression on his face. “You know, Anna, when I think of Mary, all I feel is guilt. A good woman I didn’t do right by, a woman who died paying the price of this lifestyle. A woman I couldn’t even commit to.”

He sighs and takes my hand in his. “I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you, Anna. Never. I just want you to know that.”

I lift his hand to my lips and kiss his fingers. “I get you, Arrow, I know.”

I know that he doesn’t want me to worry about him being upset on the anniversary of Mary’s death. The truth is, I’m not. He has loved before me, and that’s okay, because I have him now and that’s all that matters to me.