Rake's Redemption (Wind Dragons MC #4)(68)

Rake stands and stares at the empty place Cara just vacated. He turns to look at me.

“You know she looks just like you, right? I can’t say no to her. Anything she wants I’ll give her with just a flash of those big brown eyes.”

“You probably shouldn’t let her know that,” I say in a dry tone. I stand up and take his hand in mine. “I can read to her if you want.”

Rake looks down at me, those green eyes calculating. “You know I love her like my own, right?”

I swallow hard. “Rake, I—”

“I don’t care,” he says simply. “I don’t care how long it’s been, or that it’s not my blood in her veins. It’s your blood and that’s more than enough for me. You’re mine, and she’s mine.”

“Did you just tell me that you love my daughter before you’ve even told me that you love me?” I ask, smiling up at him, my eyes filled with delight.

“Some things don’t need to be said,” he says, using his hand to grip my nape and pull me closer to him. “Go by actions instead. But if you want the words, then of course I f*ckin’ love you, Bailey. I never stopped loving you. You always had a piece of me. Always.”

“And you, me,” I whisper, resting my palms on his chest. “Always.”

We stare into each other’s eyes, so many things passing between us in the silence.

This man, he’s mine.

I know his soul.

I see it.

It recognizes my own.

It doesn’t matter what happened when we were apart, or who we were. Everything is inconsequential. A love like ours was never meant to end in the first place. We’re like a magnetic force: we will always be drawn back together.

Because to me, that’s what true love is.





TWENTY-NINE




One month later

WHY is Faye standing there with an MC cut on and no bra?” I whisper as I walk into the clubhouse.

Lana shrugs, her eyes wide. “I have no idea, but how come she has one? Shouldn’t we all have one?”

Vinnie walks in and comes to a standstill. “Faye, what the f*ck?”

Faye walks toward us and grins. “I’m going to surprise Dex. It’s our anniversary.”

Vinnie doesn’t look impressed. “Why do we all have to see it though? You know you have a private house, right?”

Faye wiggles her eyebrows. “I heard you’re having a party here tonight. I want to have a little fun before I get fat and start waddling around again. Is that so much to ask, Vinnie?”

Vinnie stares at her for a moment, then pulls out his phone and walks off, presumably calling Sin.

“I want one,” Lana tells Faye. “Why don’t we all have these?”

Faye shrugs, looking down at the kick-ass cut. “They got it made for me after the whole Wild Men fiasco. I think all the women should have one too. I’ll talk to Sin about it.”

“Is he going to care you’re standing here in jeans and a cut and nothing else?” I ask, pursing my lips to stop the giggle trying to escape.

“My nipples are covered, what’s the big deal?” she asks, rolling her eyes. “So Vinnie is having a huge party, and the men don’t want us here. Which is why I’m here. I want to see what’s going on.”

“They don’t want us here?” Lana asks, scowling. “Does Anna know anything?”

“I don’t know. You should call her and let her know though. I went on a snack run. Chips and dip, wine, champagne, and juice for me,” she says, nodding her head toward the kitchen. “I made a huge bowl of punch too.”

“I had no idea it was going to be this kind of night when I arrived,” I say, glancing at Lana. “Did you?”

“Nope,” she says, grinning. “But let’s go with the flow. Do you have a sitter for Cara?”

“You can drop her at mine if you like,” Faye offers, letting go of the cut and flashing more boob than appropriate. “Clover will love the company.”

“Cara’s with Tia and Rhett. I’ll just message and let her know I’ll be home late.” I pause. “And probably drunk.”

Faye grabs my shoulder. “That’s the spirit. I don’t know what slutty festivities Vinnie wants to get up to, but I’m intrigued.” She looks to Lana. “If you want to put on another show I’ll look away, I swear.”

Lana’s face turns bright red. “I will kill you.”

Faye laughs in return, and blows her a kiss. “I’ll be sober. So my job will be remembering everything everyone does and talking about it in detail tomorrow morning.” She pauses. “While cooking the greasiest breakfast ever.”

She looks Lana and me up and down. “You might want to change into something . . . less.”

Lana rolls her eyes. “I’m staying only for a little. I need to get some words down tonight. I’ll call Anna now though.” She walks away with her phone in her hand.

Faye grabs my wrist and leads me into the kitchen. “Can you taste this for me?”

She pours a cup of a yellow punch and hands it to me. I bring the cup to my lips and take a mouthful.

Then almost spit it out.

“This is pretty much straight vodka!” I tell her, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. “What did you do, add yellow food coloring? There’s no juice taste whatsoever.”