Sin studies him for a second before replying. “Fine.” He then looks to me. “Handle your woman. Yeah, this was Anna’s idea, but she went along with it.”
I bite my tongue and just nod, agreeing with his comment. “Yes, Prez.”
I walk to my bedroom, feeling tired, frustrated, but more than anything, relieved.
Bailey is okay.
My sister is okay.
The night could have gone in a completely different direction. If anything had happened to either of them, I don’t know what I would have done. I’d be in prison though; that’s for damn certain. I try to let Anna have her time with Talon—I know she sees him as extended family of some kind, even though I don’t get it. He’s not our blood, and he’s not a brother, so to me, he’s no one. And if he puts anyone I love in danger again, I will fuckin’ end him.
Everything with Bailey has been going well; it was only a matter of time before we hit a bump in the road, and in terms of bumps, I’d take it. They both came home safely. Bailey had Anna’s back, and even though their plan was stupid and selfish, they’re both safe. As much as I want to wrap Bailey in my arms and hold her, I need to let her know she fucked up.
I’ll just have to hold her when she’s fast asleep.
After I’ve made her understand that she can’t just do as she pleases anymore.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Bailey
I’VE figured out what my problem is,” Tia says, brushing her hair and looking at me through the mirror.
“You need to get laid?” I guess, sitting down on her bed and waiting for her to continue.
“Well, yeah,” she says, grinning. “But that’s not what I meant. I’ve realized that I think I’m the exception to every rule. For example, if a guy says he’s only looking for sex, nothing else, I’ll say I’m okay with it, and sometimes I am,” she adds, putting the brush down and turning on her chair to face me. “But sometimes really I expect more and I think that they’ll change their minds in the long run, when they won’t. I feel like I should always be the exception to their rules. Which is stupid, isn’t it? I just end up getting hurt in the end, over something that I could have easily avoided.”
“You should be the exception for the man you’re meant to be with,” I tell her, pondering her words. “And you will be. You’re amazing, you know that? Any man should be thanking his lucky stars to have someone like you.”
“I know,” she agrees, making me laugh. “I just need to stop self-sabotaging myself. Going after men I know are trouble, or who don’t want the things that I want.”
“Do you know what you want?” I ask her, completely serious. She’s always been so blasé about casual sex, acting like she wasn’t ready for more, but maybe she is now.
“I think I’m only just figuring it out,” she admits, flashing me a lopsided smile. “And when I do, I’m going to get it.”
I shake my head at her ruefully. “I feel sorry for the poor man already.”
“Me too,” she agrees, coming over to the bed and sitting down next to me. “Is Rake still angry at you over last night’s shenanigans?”
“Furious,” I reply glumly, puffing out a breath of air. “He’s madder at Anna though, and that makes me feel even worse for some reason. I never could bear to see those two fight.”
Growing up they were all each other had, and whenever they fought it made my chest hurt. Apparently that still hasn’t changed.
“They’ll make up,” Tia says with confidence. “Just let them sort it out between themselves. Some new drama will come along and this whole Wild Men escapade will be forgotten.”
I groan, covering my face with my hands. “I can only imagine what drama will be next.”
“At least you’re getting fucked well on the regular.” She pouts. “It could always be worse.”
Yes, yes it could.
* * *
I walk into a war zone.
Anna is yelling, her face bright red while Rake tries to talk to her.
He’s being ignored.
Arrow is standing in the corner of the room, arms crossed over his chest as he studies her, his face void of emotion.
I feel like slowly backing out of the room, but then Anna sees me.
“You won’t believe what he did!” she says, pointing to Arrow.