Arrow's Hell

by Chantal Fernando

  * * *

  Tomorrow comes sooner than I would have hoped. Lana is still asleep when I wake up to take a shower but then realize that I don’t have any clothes here. I know I should have left some, but to be honest, I didn’t ever plan on crashing here. With a towel wrapped around me, I peek my head outside, hoping to see Rake. Of course, my luck isn’t that good, and instead of finding my brother I find Arrow.

  “Where’s Rake?” I ask him, the ends of my damp hair dripping down my back.

  “Why?” he asks, tilting his head and staring at my body. At least what he could see of it.

  “I need to borrow something to wear,” I explain, pointing to my towel-clad body.

  Arrow stands, and it’s then I realize he’s wearing nothing except a pair of shorts, sitting low on his lean hips. I blink slowly as I take him in, ripped abs, broad shoulders, muscular arms and pecs that I wouldn’t mind sinking my teeth into. Don’t get me started on that beard again. It’s fucking sexy.

  “You done?” he asks in a low tone I’ve never heard him use before.

  I clear my throat. “I need clothes.”

  “I got that,” he says, scratching his chest lazily. “I was waiting for you to finish eye-fucking me.”

  “I wasn’t—”

  He walks away. Rude.

  So rude.

  But then he comes back, holding a white T-shirt and a pair of shorts.

  “Thank you,” I say softly, taking the items from his hand. His fingers touch mine, and something passes between us. I know he feels it too, because he pulls his hand back like it’s on fire.

  “I mean it, Arrow,” I rasp. “Thank you, for last night with Jacob.”

  He bobs his head. “Don’t thank me, Anna. Rake isn’t the only one who wanted to kill him.”

  “But you didn’t,” I say. “And thanks for not saying anything or making it a big deal.”

  He sighs. “Your brother knows what happened, but I told him you didn’t want to talk about it and that I handled it.”

  Which is why I appreciated it so much.

  “I owe you one.”

  “You don’t owe me anything, Anna,” he says quietly.

  I swallow. “Okay then. Maybe we could—”

  He cuts me off. What was I going to say anyway? Maybe we could hang out sometime?

  Christ.

  “Don’t open the door in your towel again, Anna,” he rasps. “Some of the men might take it as an invitation.”

  “But not you?” I ask, unable to stop myself.

  “Trust me, darlin’, you don’t want my brand of fucked-up,” he says before he walks away. I stare at his retreating back until he’s out of sight.

  He thinks he’s fucked-up?

  Well, who isn’t?

  I close and lock the door and dress in the T-shirt and shorts. I put on last night’s bra but go without panties, then head to the kitchen in search of food. There’s a bald guy in the kitchen—Vinnie, I remember his name is.

  “Hey, Vinnie,” I say, taking the milk out of the fridge.

  “Hey,” he replies, and slides over the box of cereal in front of him. “Hungry?”

  “Starving,” I reply, grabbing a bowl and spoon and sitting down opposite him. I tip out the cereal, smother it in milk, then scoop up a huge mouthful.

  “When’s the last time you ate?” he asks with a grin.

  “Very funny,” I reply with an eye roll.

  Two women walk into the kitchen wearing nothing but makeup piled on their faces. Vinnie looks at my expression and laughs.

  “They can take the time to put on more makeup than any woman should be wearing, but they can’t put on clothes?”

  He laughs harder.

  “I’m serious! This is why I don’t like coming here.”

  Poor Lana will walk out and get the shock of her life.

  “Rake wanted me to stay naked,” one of them says to me. She speaks in a fake baby voice that makes me cringe. Why do women do that? It’s not cute.

  “Well, then you better do exactly as he says,” I tell her in a sarcastic tone.

  “Oh, we do,” the other one replies, either ignoring or misunderstanding my condescending tone.

  “Plus we know how amazing we look, so why not show it off?”

  I’m all for women feeling comfortable in their skins, no matter what shape or size, but walking around naked in a house filled with people? I don’t know what to say.

  “I can actually feel my IQ dropping, just being in their presence,” I mutter to Vinnie, who chuckles. Was one of these women with Arrow? Maybe she was the one he was with last night. I dig my nails into my palms.

  Don’t let it get to you. He isn’t yours.

  Tell my stupid heart that.

  Speaking of the devil, Arrow walks in, now freshly showered and dressed in jeans and a tight black T-shirt, molded to his impressive physique.

  “Arrow!” the brunette squeals, walking over to him and rubbing her breasts against his chest. He glances at me for a sec, then turns to her, his hand going to her shoulder.

  I look down into my cereal, grab the spoon, and shovel in a few more mouthfuls, wanting to get the hell out of here as soon as possible. My day gets even worse when Allie walks in, her nose in the air like always.

  “Anna,” she purrs. “Still here, I see. What a fuckin’ shame.”

  “I can see why you would see it that way,” I reply, playing on her known weakness of insecurity. “Since I’m so close with Tracker and all.”

  She gives me a dirty look and flips her hair over her shoulder. “Like he’d even look in your direction.”

  I sigh exaggeratedly. “You’d be surprised.”

  “Anna,” Arrow says, his voice filled with warning.

  What? She started it.

  I chance a look at him. He’s now standing away from the brunette, watching me. I glance around the room.

  “Well, this has been interesting,” I say as I stand up, walk to the sink, and wash my bowl and spoon.

  “Because of you, Tracker had to leave me last night. Next time can you just do as you’re told so my man doesn’t have to babysit you?” Allie sneers.

  “Actually, Tracker volunteered to go with us, so stop running your mouth, Allie,” Arrow adds, then looks to me. “You want a ride home?”

  “We’ll take a cab,” I tell him. I turn around just before I walk out of the room. “Oh, and Allie . . . go fuck yourself.”

  * * *

  Lana wakes up and takes a quick shower while I go in search of Rake. I knock on his door, hoping that he’s alone.

  “Yeah?” he calls out.

  “It’s me!”

  “Come in, Anna,” he says, so I turn the doorknob and enter his room.

  “Please tell me you’re alone,” I say with my eyes closed.

  He laughs and throws a pillow at me, which hits me in the face. “Think I’d invite you inside if I wasn’t?”

  I open my eyes, pick up the pillow from the floor, and throw it back at him. “I never know with you.”

  I sit down on his bed. “Did Arrow tell you what happened last night?”

  “He told me. What I want to know is why you didn’t.”

  “I didn’t want to make a big deal over it. You taught him a lesson back then, Rake. You beat the shit out of him, and Arrow decked him last night. While I hated to do it, I’m glad you made me file that report on him, because I didn’t want him to do the same to another woman.”

  “I’m glad Arrow handled it,” Rake replies. “My brothers will always take care of you if I’m not there.”

  “I know,” I say. “I’m glad Arrow was there too.”

  “Next time you’re going out like that, give me a heads-up.”

  “Going out like what?” I ask, watching him as he puts his hands behind his head.

  “Dressed up like . . . that.”

  I bite my lip to stop my grin. “Dressed like what, Rake?”

  “Christ, Anna,” he growls. “All the men in that place w
ere watching you. We were lucky we made it out of there with only one guy getting hit.”

  My lip twitches. “Aren’t you happy I came back home?”

  His eyes soften at that. I’d said it as a joke, but I could see he didn’t take it that way. “I’m beyond happy, Anna; trust me on that.”

  He puts his palm over his heart. “Everything feels right, you know? I was unsettled when you were gone.”

  And this is why I love my brother.

  I clear my throat. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  I look away, staring at his door. “What happened to Bailey?”

  He’s silent.

  I look back at him to see a weird expression on his face. “That was years ago, Anna.”

  “I know,” I say. “I was just wondering.”

  “I don’t know where she is,” he says. “After high school finished we went our separate ways.”

  “Did you love anyone after her?” I ask him.

  “I’ve loved a lot of women, Anna,” he says with a cheeky grin.

  I roll my eyes. “Not like that. I mean love.”

  He shakes his head. “Why all the questions?”

  “Just something I’ve been wanting to ask you for a while,” I say, shrugging sheepishly.

  “It’s in the past, Anna,” he says, his voice barely a whisper. “Doesn’t matter anymore.”

  I thought it did, but I didn’t want to push any further.

  “Lana’s in the shower and we’re going to catch a cab home.”

  “I’m taking you both home,” he says, his tone final.

  “Bossy.”

  “I thought we could grab some lunch or something on the way,” he says.

  “Sushi?” I ask, perking up.

  “No,” he replies, laughing. “Definitely not. How about we grab some sushi for you, then go to another restaurant where I can get a decent meal.”

  I gasp. “Was that you compromising? I can’t believe it.”

  “Don’t get used to it, baby sis,” he says, picking up another pillow and throwing it at me—this time I catch it in my hand.

  “Mature, Rake!”

  I hear Lana call my name and I stand up.

  “Oh, shit,” I mutter. “The reason I came here in the first place was to get some clothes for Lana to borrow.”

  Poor thing must be waiting in a towel like I’d been doing earlier this morning. Rake gets out of bed and pulls out a T-shirt and boxer shorts. “Looks like we’re taking you to your house first to get dressed before we can go out for lunch.”

  “Or,” I say, “we can get drive-through and go to my apartment and stuff our faces.”

  “I like how you think, Anna.”

  “Glad you approve,” I say, taking the clothes and walking toward the door.

  “Thanks, bro.”

  “Anytime, sis.”

  FIVE

  WHEN I get a call from Summer a few days later, I’d forgotten that I’d given her my number in hopes of a job at the bar. She tells me to come in for a trial. I’m sitting in the kitchen with Lana, about to get ready to go, when she speaks.

  “Have you ever been spanked?”

  I choke on my piece of toast. Lana taps me on the back until I turn and look at her. “Why the hell would you ask me that?”

  She grins and pushes her glasses up on her nose. She’s a picture of innocence until she opens her mouth. “I was just reading a book.” She points to the trashy romance novel she’s left next to the toaster. “And I was curious.”

  I blink slowly a few times. “No, I can’t say I’ve ever been spanked. Why? Does it tickle your fancy?”

  Her face turns red, the heat creeping up from her neck. “I didn’t say that!”

  I start laughing. “Never mind Tracker, you should hook up with my brother instead! Apparently he’s into that stuff.”

  She punches me in the arm.

  “Ow!”

  “Shut up,” she mumbles.

  I try and keep a straight face. “I’ve heard it’s enjoyable though.”

  “What’s enjoyable?” my brother asks as he walks in.

  I look behind him. “How the hell did you get in?”

  He’s wearing all black, jeans and a T-shirt and his cut. He holds up a key. “I got a key made when you moved in.”

  I bite the inside of my cheek.

  “Five, four, three, two, one,” Lana mutters under her breath.

  “You’re psychotic, do you know that?” I yell. He has a key to my house? He needs to learn the word boundaries.

  He just grins at my outburst. “It’s just in case of emergencies.”

  “And what emergency is it today?” I ask, sitting back down and picking up my other piece of toast.

  Rake gives me a shy smile. “Breakfast?”

  Charming bastard.

  “I’ll make you something,” Lana says softly, and gestures for him to take a seat. Rake sits next to me and gently bumps his shoulder against mine.

  “You still angry about the other night?” he asks me in a gentle tone.

  “You mean when you got Arrow to pick me up and drag me out of the club like I was fourteen?”

  He nods, and shrugs sheepishly. “I worry about you.”

  I sigh, the anger leaving me. “I know you do, Adam, but how about some freedom? I’ve been without you for years now, and it’s kind of hard playing my old role now.”

  “Old role?” he asks.

  I nod. “Baby sister to dominant bossy man.”

  He’s quiet for a few seconds. “I’ll try to loosen the reins.”

  “I’d appreciate that,” I reply in an extremely dry tone. “Don’t get me wrong, I really want you to pay attention to me and for us to spend time together, but maybe ease up on the controlling part?”

  He nods and clears his throat, looking down at his hands on the table. “I can try. But it’s hard, Anna—I just got you back. I didn’t want you to go, you know that, right? But I know I’ve changed and . . .”

  “And what?” I ask quietly.

  “And I don’t want you to leave because you feel like you can’t handle who I am,” he admits, still staring down at his hands. “And at the same time I want to protect you more than anyone. You’re always my baby sister, Anna. Always.”

  I swallow hard, not expecting him to be so honest. I speak softly so only he can hear. “I love you, Adam, no matter what. I won’t run. I would never turn my back on you. Never. I miss how we used to be. I know we’ve both changed, but I want you to be yourself around me. I miss how close we used to be, and I want us to get that back.”

  He glances up at me, looking a little surprised. “That’s really how you feel?”

  I nod. “It is.”

  He rubs the back of his neck and bites out a curse. “I didn’t want you to hate the club, Anna. I was fuckin’ scared, if I’m being honest. I didn’t want you to see us like Mom’s boyfriends, useless thugs.”

  “I’d never think that of you, Rake,” I reply honestly. “I’m proud of you, you know that, right?”

  I can see my words matter to him by the way he beams at me.

  “You’re the only person whose opinion I care about, Anna, so it means a lot to hear you say that. I always wanted to set a good example for you, and I know I haven’t done that,” he says, looking sheepish. “But you turned out amazing, so I’m taking credit for that anyway.”

  We both laugh at that, lightening the moment.

  “Would the two of you like to come over for dinner tomorrow night?” he asks, raising his voice so Lana can hear. “The women are cooking.”

  Of course they are.

  “We’d love to come,” Lana replies, shooting me a smirk.

  We would?

  “Actually—”

  “We don’t have anything going on, Anna, don’t worry,” she adds, eyes alight with mischief.

  “Traitor,” I mouth to her, and she laughs. A dinner where all the club women cook and I’ll probably have to wat
ch Arrow with one of them? No, thank you very much.

  I turn to my brother. “Lana wants to know about spanking.”

  Lana’s eyes turn to slits, and her face returns to tomato red.

  “Spanking?” Rake asks, sounding strained and looking anywhere but at me.

  “Yes,” I say. “I heard you like spanking women, so maybe you could explain the pros and cons to it. What are the benefits?”

  He stands. “I’ll pick up breakfast on the way home.”

  He walks toward the door.

  I burst out laughing. “Rake, stay. I’ll shut up, I promise.”

  He shakes his head and bolts for the door. “I’ll take a rain check; see you later!”

  I sigh, grin still wide on my face.

  Lana, on the other hand, isn’t so amused. “I hate you.”

  “You love me.”

  She covers her face with her hands. “He’s going to tell Tracker, isn’t he?”

  That’s what she’s worried about?

  “Screw Tracker.” I glance at her. “And not literally either. Besides, he looks the type to give a good spanking himself.”

  “And Arrow doesn’t?” she asks, raising a dark, perfectly arched brow.

  Okay, maybe all the bikers do.

  “I was waiting to see if you’d bring Arrow up.”

  She tightens her lips. “Normally I wouldn’t, but turnabout is fair play and you’ve been giving me shit about Tracker.”

  Her words are true.

  “I don’t think there’s any chance of Arrow and me happening, so there’s nothing to say really,” I reply on a sigh. I don’t know why I was upset over it. He was a criminal and a biker. I had enough crazy in my life; I didn’t need to invite more in. I should be happy nothing was going to happen.

  “How do you feel about dating someone in an MC?” I ask.

  She tilts her head to the side. “I don’t know. I guess I’ve only ever seen the nice side of the guys. I’ve never even seen them do anything crazy or violent. I know they have another side, but it’s kind of hot that they’re badasses.”

  I giggle at that. “I guess I know my brother would never harm us, and these are his family. So they’re mine now. Rake will always have my back and never let anything happen to me. I’m just drawn to Arrow. I can’t even explain it.”

  She puts her hand on her hip. “At least Arrow is single. Tracker has a woman. There’s no chance there either, so you’re not alone.”