Page 31 of Sly (Dragon Riders MC 5)
“There’s more where that came from, too. Got two bottles secured for the table. Drink up,” Joanna said.
I picked up my glass of wine and chugged it back until every drop was gone. And as I set it down, Simone promptly filled my glass again. I reached for a French fry that had long since grown cold and chewed on it. Though, my appetite had practically faded away.
Replaced with a worry I couldn't bear to stomach.
“They’re going to be okay,” Hannah said.
Hope nodded. “And if you really want to be with Sly, you’re going to have to get used to this kind of pressure.”
I sighed. “Are they always in life or death situations?”
Joanna snickered. “According to them? Not usually.”
Hannah shrugged. “But they are in a great bit of danger a lot more than I’d like them to be.”
Hope shook her head. “You know this shit is gonna die down once Skeleton and that awful crew of theirs is off the streets.”
Simone nodded. “That’s very true. Once Skeleton is out of here, I’m sure things will settle back down for the guys.”
I shrugged. “Why get into it in the first place, though? I’m sure they aren’t exactly squeaky clean when it comes to what they do as a crew.”
The table fell silent and I felt all eyes on me as Joanna drew in a deep breath.
“As the crew’s official attorney, I can neither confirm nor deny your statements. However, what you need to understand about these guys is that they have three rules they live by. And only three.”
I blinked. “Well, what are they?”
Hannah cleared her throat. “Always protect family.”
Hope smiled. “Always protect children.”
Joanna looked me straight in my eyes. “And never, under any circumstance, hurt women.”
It clicked over in my brain. “They’re going after Skeleton because they were plucking women from here. In town.”
Simone took my hand. “They’re good men. Do they straddle the line sometimes? Yes. But there’s a reason why our police departments willingly accept their help sometimes in exchange for—”
Joanna interjected. “Thaaaaat’s enough of that.”
I giggled softly. “I take it I’m not quite family yet?”
Hannah pushed my wine closer to me. “Play your cards right, and you will be.”
Hope reached for a chicken wing. “Your brother, too, once we can get things sorted out.”
I liked the idea of having them as my family. Especially if it put me at Sly’s side.
There was a silver lining, though, and that was the fact that the guys would soon be aware about my brother’s actual status. I was relieved that I no longer had to carry around that massive secret any longer, especially since emotions were now involved. I wasn’t sure if that would reflect poorly on me or not—you know, keeping that secret—but the girls seemed to enjoy having me around. Maybe the guys might come around, too.
Eventually.
“Is there anyone you should call regarding your brother?” Joanna asked.
Her voice pulled me from my trance. “What?”
Simone leaned back. “Does he have a partner or something? Someone to check in with while he’s undercover?”
I blinked. “Actually, I wouldn't know.”
Hannah furrowed her brow. “Why not? Aren’t you living with him?”
I swallowed hard. “Yeah. I am.”
Joanna held her arm out. “All right, all right. I think we’ve had enough excitement for one night. How about we get all of this to go, get some ice cream from the grocery store, and head back to my place? We can put on a movie, get into some comfy clothes, maybe watch some action films?”
Hope’s eyes lit up. “Oh! Oh! A Magic Mike marathon. Simone still hasn’t seen the movies.”
Joanna giggled. “Magic Mike, it is. You in, Tara?”
All eyes were on me as my mind ran away from me. How in the world could I live with my own brother and not know if there was someone to contact in an emergency? Had I been so up my own ass with my own problems that I hadn’t considered how much I was ignoring him in the process?
I’m such a shit sister.
“Earth to Tara. You there?” Hope asked.
I cleared my throat. “Sorry. I, uh… raincheck?”
Joanna scoffed. “Oh, come on. You’re the one that really needs this distraction. Come over and have some fun.”
Hannah reached for the wine bottle. “We can even take this with us.”
Simone pointed. “With the cork in it.”
“Psssh. I’m driving,” Joanna said, “you guys are fine.”
My eyes watered. “How could I not know something like that?”
Hannah paused. “Something like what?”
Simone’s face fell flat. “Who to contact in case her brother went missing.”
Hannah sighed. “Oh.”
Joanna tucked some hair behind my ear. “The guys are going to find him. Trust me on that.”
A tear slipped down my cheek. “What if they don’t find him in time, though?”
Simone asked me a question that caught me off-guard. “Do you want to be with Sly? For real?”
My head whipped over toward the sound of her voice. “Yes. I really do. I care about him a lot.”
