I point a finger at him, then drop it. There’s no point arguing with him. “Tell Blade we’re leaving now.”
Rake nods and leaves the room.
I stare at Arrow’s back. I can’t just leave him like this. I know he doesn’t want me to see Talon but it’s something that I want to do, and he can’t be controlling my every move. I walk over to him and touch his shoulder. “I’ll be back, okay? Nothing has changed, Arrow.”
He turns his head and smiles sadly. “I love you, Anna,” he says. “Just remember that. Don’t let that fucker mess with your head.”
Did Arrow think that I am going to change my mind? That suddenly I am going to hate him for what happened with my father? Because I’m not. I meant what I said, and forgiveness is forgiveness. I wasn’t bringing up what happened again unless one of us wanted to talk about it, never in anger or using it as a weapon against him. I’d never do that to him.
“I love you too, Arrow, and I know you love me,” I whisper, kissing him on his cheek. “He’s my stepbrother, and he wants to talk. It has nothing to do with how I feel about you; my feelings for you won’t change. I know today is a hard day for you, so I want you to have your space. If you want me to come to the cemetery with you later, let me know. Or if you want to go alone, or with Faye, that’s okay too. If you need me, just call me, okay?”
I run my hand down his back, then leave the clubhouse without another word.
* * *
For the first time ever, Talon is without his usual smirk. He sits there, in the exact same seat he occupied last time, looking a little unsure. I pull the chair out next to him, the sound of it scraping the floor making him glance up.
“Hey,” he says, pulling the chair out a little more for me to sit.
“Hey,” I say, sitting down. “Did you order something to eat?”
“No,” he says, shaking his head. “I was waiting for you.”
We both order a burger and some fries, then stare at each other as soon as the waitress leaves.
When our meals come, he opens his mouth to say something but then shakes his head and eats a fry instead.
“You and Rake ever going to talk?” I ask.
Talon smiles sadly. “I doubt it. He doesn’t feel any connection to me. I’m surprised he let you come.”
I point outside. “There’s a prospect keeping an eye on me from the car. And what do you mean ‘let me come’? I am my own woman, you know.”
Talon laughs then, a deep, musical sound. “You’re precious cargo, that’s why.”
“I love him,” I add slowly.
“Rake?”
“Well, of course I love Rake, but I meant Arrow.”
His lips tighten. “He killed our—”
“He killed your father. And if he knew, he wouldn’t have done it,” I add.
“You’re defending a murderer? Who killed someone of your own blood?” he asks, brows furrowing.
“He did it because your men killed Mary, someone who was important to him. Besides, are you telling me you haven’t killed anyone?”
He shakes his head no.
“Beaten anyone? Threatened anyone?”
“Of course I’ve done those things, I’m not innocent, but I’ve never taken a life,” he says.
“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 fuckin’ 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.”