“You have no idea. Where’s Ranger?”
“Around here somewhere. Why?”
“I want to welcome him to the family.”
“Hopefully it’s a nicer way than you’re welcoming me,” he says, arching a brow.
“This is me playing nice,” I say, batting my eyelashes. “This is us bonding, Talon.”
“Bonding? I feel like there should be alcohol involved.”
“Why, do you want to get me drunk?” I ask, focusing my gaze on him. “Do you think clouding my judgment is going to make me like you more?”
“Do you not like me now?”
“I don’t not not like you,” I reply, threading my fingers together. “I don’t really know you.”
“Everyone else loves me.”
“Bold comment considering I can name a few who don’t just off the top of my head.”
“Yet the vote was unanimous.”
“Which intrigues me,” I admit. I’m so surprised about Arrow’s and Rake’s votes. Talon must really be a badass if they want him here, when they used to all but hate him.
“I’ve never met anyone like you before,” Talon says, narrowing his eyes a little. “So light and yet so dark at the same time.”
“I’m a Gemini,” I say, shrugging my shoulders, like that explains everything. “I have two sides. One everyone likes; and the other . . . not so much.”
Talon nods, pushing off the counter, stepping toward me. “I don’t know you Faye, but all the people I care about do, and they fuckin’ adore you. You don’t need to test me. I will prove my loyalty to the Wind Dragons.”
He kisses me on the top of my head, then walks out, leaving me a little stunned.
Maybe Talon and I will get along after all.
It’s afternoon when Arrow finds me outside, while I’m practicing throwing knives into a target, with “Don’t Let Me Down” by the Chainsmokers playing in the background. I like to hone my skills and make sure I can still handle each weapon. Even though I’m a mother now, I’m still me, and I still like to know how to defend myself. In fact, after having kids, I’m more determined than ever, because the day may come when it’s solely up to me to protect them.
“Don’t fuckin’ stab me,” Arrow says in warning, coming to stand next to me. I glance to my right to look at him. His beard is even longer than usual, his brown eyes pinned on the target board.
I hand him a knife, and he takes it.
“What’s up, Arrow?”
He throws the knife, right in the bull’s-eye, before he replies. “I want to do something nice for Anna, you know? Something—”
“Romantic?” I cut in, smiling wide. “You big cutie, Arrow! Who knew you had it in you?” I pause, then add, “Certainly not me.”
He groans and puts his hand out, palm up, silently asking for another knife. I pick one up from the ground, where I have them buried in the grass in a line, and hand it over, handle first.
“Not exactly the romantic type,” he grumbles, then throws the knife. “I need help coming up with an idea.”
“Why don’t you cook her dinner?” I suggest, racking my mind. “With candles. Or take her away, on like a cruise or something? Oh, and buy her something. We like presents.”
“That simple, huh?” he says, crossing his arms over his chest and studying me. “Dinner, candles, look into a vacation and a present.”
I nod. “I can come shopping with you, if you like.”
He rubs the back of his neck and sighs. “Yeah, all right. Sounds good.”
“Okay. See, an old man can learn new tricks.”
“I’m not old,” he growls, looking grumpy, just like someone his age would.
“You’re pretty old,” I say slowly, wrinkling my nose.
“Don’t tell anyone about this.”
“I won’t,” I say, rolling my eyes. “And what’s the big deal anyway? Anna’s a lucky woman to have a man who wants to spoil her a little, especially while being far out of the honeymoon stage.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbles, but I just smile. Arrow is a very private person, and he doesn’t like people knowing shit about him. I’ve known the mercurial man next to me for so long, and for some reason, I just get him. We could stand like this for hours, in silence, throwing knives, and I’d be okay with it. The silence between us is more than the loud conversation between others. It’s filled with friendship, love, and acceptance, with a bond that can only form from being to hell and back with someone.
“Do you ever think about her?”
“Who?” he asks, even though I’m sure he knows who I’m referring to.
“Mary.”
He takes a few moments to reply. “Yeah.”
“Me too,” I say, my voice tinged with sadness.
And now we have two ex–Wild Men under our roof.
I guess you never know what will happen next.
“I better get to work,” I say, wiping my hands on my jeans. “The feds want my help with a case.”
“I don’t know why you want to help them,” Arrow grumbles, shaking his head.
I grin and place my hand on his shoulder. “Need more contacts, so next time you go to jail I can get you out sooner.”
His lip twitches.
I say ’bye and make my exit.
None of the men like me working for the feds, but I’ve always been a woman with a plan. The more connections I make, the more power I get, the more I’ll be able to protect my family. My ambition—it’s for everyone.