Chantal Fernando (4 page)

FIVE

Faye

T
HE
next day, it seems Irish took my advice and told Tina the truth about her ex-boyfriend, because I can hear the yelling the second I walk into the clubhouse.

Did he bring her here to tell her, hoping he'd have backup? I find them outside, Tina throwing things at him, her face red in fury. I sit down and open my can of soda, ready to watch the show. She's probably going to be mad at me too, and at everyone, because we all went along with Irish's story. She has a right to be mad. She probably feels alone right now, like no one is on her side. We all went against her.

It's not as black and white as that though. She's Irish's old lady, and he decides how to handle her, not us. We support him no matter what. I've known Irish longer than I've known Tina; he's family. And while women stick together, it's not really my place to get involved in this shit. I usually step in when the men need to hear something, like when Vinnie was being stupid when Shayla was pregnant, but for the most part I really do try to keep my mouth shut.
Try
being the key word. It's hard when everyone comes to me for advice.

“You lying bastard! I can't believe you made me think that I saved the day, that our plan worked!” she yells, pointing at him. “When really you just killed him to solve the problem!”

I cringe. Why doesn't she scream that just a little louder, so everyone can hear? I'm sure the police who sometimes drive past the clubhouse would love to hear it. Irish spots me and flashes a look that's clearly asking for help. With a sigh, I put my drink down and walk over to them, just as Tina turns her back to Irish, her shoulders shaking as she starts to cry.

“Let me try and talk to her,” I tell him. He nods, but doesn't move from his spot, just watches her helplessly. “Irish, give us a few minutes.”

He reluctantly takes a few steps back, but apparently that's all the room he's going to give us. I touch her shoulder, pushing aside her beautiful curly red hair. “Come on, let's have some girl talk.”

I wait for her to throw it in my face, the fact that I knew and didn't tell her. Why would she want to talk with me right now? But she doesn't, so I guess she must be a better person than me. I lead her to the kids' swings and get her to sit on one while I take the other.

“Men underestimate us as women,” I start with, swinging slowly. “Irish wanted to protect you. Yes, he lied. Yes, you have a right to be angry. But at the end of the day, you have a man who is willing to murder someone for you, cover it up, then lie about it so you don't have to feel any guilt, so your hands remain clean while his only get dirtier. I'm not saying what he did was right—he probably should have just let him rot in prison. But that's not what happened, and in his mind, he probably thought he was doing what's safest for you in the long run. Darren can't hurt you anymore. He can't threaten you. He can't stalk you. And now you can heal. I know it seems like what he did was selfish, killing him when you didn't want that to happen, but he honestly did what he thought was the right thing to protect you. Do you know how many women would give anything to have that type of devotion? Look at the bigger picture here, Tina.” I stand up, offering her a small smile. “And I'm sorry that I had to lie and go along with it, but right now why don't you surprise Irish and show him that you are the right woman for him? And that this burden isn't too big to bear, because you're strong enough, aren't you, Tina?”

She listens to my words but says nothing, so I don't know if I've reached her or not. Hey, I tried. I walk back inside, touching Irish's arm as I pass.

When I turn back and see them hugging, I smile.

“Well, this is slightly awkward,” I say when I spot Talon in the clubhouse kitchen, wearing a WDMC cut. “Rocking our colors now, hey?”

I can't remember the last time I've seen a man in the clubhouse who wasn't like family to me. It's not every day you see a new face around here, unless the men are bringing in their women.

Are Talon and Ranger going to respect me on sight? Or are we going to have to prove to one another who we are, show one another where we stand? I know they won't disrespect me openly, because Dex would rip their hearts out, but that doesn't mean they'll automatically respect me either. Coming into this MC doesn't automatically come with close bonds and ties—you need to make them and then work to keep them. There's a reason the Wild Men aren't like us; it takes a certain type of person to thrive in this environment, and you need to be here for the right reasons.

Talon glances down at his cut and grins. “What, you don't think it suits me?”

“I haven't decided yet,” I say, tapping my index finger on my cheek. I decide to change the subject. “Any updates on the mole?”

His expression darkens, his jaw going tight. “Oh, I'll get the bastard. He can't hide forever. It's only a matter of time until he pays for everything he's done.”

“Ahhh the quest for vengeance. Always enlightening.”

“It's never boring, that's for sure,” he fires back.

“Is your old club going to want to kill you?”

“They can try, but no. Slice understands.”

“That badass, are you?”

“Yep,” he replies, grinning. “I know them. They don't have it in them to come after me, Faye. Without me and Ranger, their MC is just an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.”

I burst out laughing at that. “Holy crap, the new guy has jokes.”

“The new guy? Is that how I'll be referred to from now on?” he asks, studying me.

“Nah, Talon is a nice name. It would be a shame to waste it. It means claw, right?”

He nods and murmurs, “Yeah. A little creepy that you know that.”

I shrug. “I'm creepy for other reasons, but not that one. I have babies. I look up names and meanings. No big deal.”

He pauses, then laughs. “Fuck, you say the most random shit.”

“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.”