“Fine,” I mumble.
I have other things to worry about right now.
* * *
Faye sticks her head through my door as I’m finishing off my room. “Anna, let’s go out tonight. I heard the men were too.”
“Sounds good,” I tell her. No way I want to sit at home while Arrow is out at a strip club.
I see Faye grin mischievously, her gaze darting to Arrow before landing back on me. “You need to get laid, and I think tonight should be the night.”
My eyes widen.
The shit stirrer.
I smile innocently at both Arrow and Rake, playing along. “I know just what to wear.”
Rake scowls at Faye while Arrow stares me down, his eye starting to twitch a little.
Yeah, he doesn’t like that idea much.
“Faye, don’t say my sister’s name and ‘get laid’ in the same sentence ever again,” my brother groans.
Faye raises an eyebrow. “The things I could tell Anna. The things I’ve seen!”
Rake grabs her and covers her mouth with his hand. He looks up. “Arrow, meet you out front. Faye will take you to the clubhouse, Anna.”
He walks backward with her, probably going to give her a talking-to.
Arrow kisses my brow. “I’ll be in your bed tonight, Anna.”
“That spot might already be taken tonight, Mr. Arrowsmith,” I reply, a smug smile playing on my lips.
Arrow surprises me by grinning. “We both know that won’t be the case, darlin’.”
Cocky bastard.
A quick kiss on my mouth, and he’s gone.
FIFTEEN
FAYE walks back from the bar with two shots in her hand. Sin stands at the corner, watching his woman, a hungry look on his face. The two of them are an amazing couple, strong and so very in love. I’d spent a little time with their daughter this evening too, and Clover was a treat. She’s a bright, witty five-year-old and I could tell she was going to be an absolute stunner when she was older. She even told me how her uncle Arrow sneaked her strawberry candy.
I glance around Knox’s Tavern once, then look at Faye as she hands me a shot glass. This wasn’t exactly how I pictured the night going, but I just pretend our every move isn’t being scrutinized and try to enjoy the drinks.
“I love this song!” Faye calls out, doing an exaggerated grinding move that has me laughing. She drags me to the dance floor, and it’s not long before her man is there, grabbing her by the hips and looking like he wants to fuck her right here on the dance floor. I head back to the bar, feeling like a third wheel, and sit in front of Reid.
“When you getting your ass back to work?” he asks.
“Why?” I reply. “Do you miss me?”
He grins and pours me another shot. “I just don’t want to have to train anyone else.”
I roll my eyes. “You love me. Admit it, Reid Knox, badass MMA fighter. You luuurvvve me.”
He pulls the shot back. “On second thought, maybe you’ve had enough.”
I lean closer. “I have a question. What do you know about that Talon dude?”
Reid seems to know everything about everyone.
His eyebrows raise. “Talon?”
“Wild Men Talon,” I explain further.
Reid studies me for a few tense seconds. “I know that no one will be happy you’re asking about him.”
I shrug. “I’m curious. He wasn’t a bad guy—you know, kidnapping aside.”
Reid scrubs a hand down his face. “So happy you’re not my sister.”
I gape. “Why does everyone keep saying that?”
“Maybe because you’re a troublemaker,” he suggests.
I pout. “Where’s Ryan? He’s nicer.”
He chuckles at that. “It’s his wedding anniversary, so he’s out spoiling his wife. How’s Arrow?”
I narrow my eyes. “What about Arrow?”
He doesn’t reply, just gives me a How stupid do you think I am? look.
“Does everyone know?” I grumble.
“Everyone except Rake.”
Okay, that makes me feel like total shit. I don’t want everyone except Rake to know. Rake should be the first to know. Even though Arrow and I haven’t really made anything official and won’t until Rake knows, it still feels wrong, and I don’t like it. Arrow better talk to Rake tonight. Surely the strippers will have him in a more amicable mood. Arrow should buy him a lap dance or something.
“Nothing is going on . . . yet,” I evade.
“You better be back here tomorrow night,” Reid says, changing the subject, which I appreciated.
“I’ll be here,” I tell him. “I actually like working at this place.”
“Well, lucky me then,” he says with a smirk, then walks off to serve a customer. When someone wraps their arms around me from behind, I elbow them in the stomach out of instinct.
“Ouch,” Tracker says, lifting up his shirt and rubbing his hand over an impressive set of abs.
“Like that hurt,” I say. “You just want to show off your sexy abs.”
He smiles and puts his hand out. “It’s nice to be appreciated. Want to dance?”
I give him my hand. “Lead the way.”
We enter the dance floor and Tracker immediately pulls me into him. I raise my eyebrow at his apparent lack of boundaries, but he just flashes me a boyish grin and starts to dance.
“Where’s the old ball and chain?” I say into his ear so he can hear me.