by Lila Rose
“I don’t know, Ruin.”
“Come on, Mimi. You’ll have fun, and it’ll take your mind off things.”
“But I don’t know anyone in the Caroline Springs charter.”
“You’ll love them as much as you do the Ballarat charter. I promise.”
I heard Mimi sigh. “Fine. But you have to stick to my side.”
“Like glue. So, I can text them back and tell them we’ll be there?”
“Yes. God, you’re like an excited little puppy.”
Ruin laughed. “I’ve been here nearly three weeks and haven’t seen the brothers yet. Course I’m excited.”
Stepping around the door, I asked, “Where are we going?”
Mimi smiled, while Ruin froze, gazing down at his phone in the middle of a text. A slight blush touched his cheeks, and I wanted to brush my fingers over it.
“Ruin’s taking me to the Hawks bar tonight,” Mimi explained.
“Am I invited?” I queried.
Ryo made a noise in the back of his throat. I glanced there to see his eyes were on Ruin’s. I looked back to the biker and found his chest rising and falling quickly. His eyes wider than usual.
“I… I’m not sure. I can’t invite you. Ruin?” Mimi said, a small smile playing on her lips. Was my sister helping me unconsciously, or did she suspect something and this was her approval? I hoped for the second, as I worried if anything did happen, Mimi would be upset. If that had been the case, I wouldn’t try for anything.
Ruin finished the text, pocketed the phone, and looked up. “Not sure it’d be your kinda place.”
Did he not know that any place he would be was the right place?
“I’m sure it will be fine.”
He swung his gaze to Mimi, seeking help, but she just smiled. His eyes narrowed. “Yeah, all right, if you want to. Ryo, you can come also, but we ain’t taking the guards. I’ll have Mimi’s back, as will my brothers.”
“Thank you for the invite,” Ryo answered.
Ruin grunted.
“What time are we leaving?”
“I’m takin’ my ride, and at six.”
“I’ll be ready. Ryo—”
“Already cancelling, Wolf.”
“Excellent.” Moving over to the coffee maker, which happened to be by Ruin, I asked, “Would anyone like a coffee?”
“I will make it,” Ryo offered. When I glared, he turned his back, but I saw his shoulders shaking.
“I’m good, thanks,” Mimi said.
When I stopped at Ruin’s side, he seemed tenser than before. “Ruin?” I said softly.
“Sure,” he replied.
“Milk and one sugar?”
His attention snapped to me. “How’d you know?”
I had overheard the cooks mentioning his coffee preference. I shrugged. “A guess.” I reached around him to grab the sugar canister and took in a deep breath. He always smelled delicious. I bit my bottom lip and met his gaze. When he swallowed thickly, I smiled and finished making the coffees.
In the background, Mimi spoke to Ryo, but I was too focused on the man next to me. Ruin shifted, and I was sure he adjusted himself in his jeans, but when I looked, he was leaning back against the counter.
“For you,” I said, handing him his coffee.
His hand shook a little when he reached for it, until he clenched his teeth and glared down at the mug as if it offended him. “Thanks,” he mumbled.
Turning with my mug in hand, I asked, “Are you sure you won’t mind me coming?”
He choked and spat coffee out. Puzzled, I cocked my head to the side and thought over my words, then started laughing.
“You have a dirty mind, Ruin,” I commented.
His face was red as he pounded his chest.
“Are you all right?” Mimi asked.
Ruin nodded. For the first time, I wondered what his real name was. I doubted his parents had named him Ruin.
“Fine,” Ruin coughed out. He glared out the corner of his eye at me. “And I wasn’t thinking that.”
“Really? Then what were you thinking?” I teased.
“Nothing, I just took it down the wrong way.” I snorted. He groaned and quickly added, “The coffee.”
“Sure,” I drew out and glanced over to see Mimi and Ryo watching us. Both had smiles on their faces.
Ruin must have also noticed, because he quickly straightened and announced, “Gonna hit the gym. You up for it, Mimi?”
“Sure,” Mimi said, climbing off her stool.
“See you both tonight,” I said.
Ruin nodded. “Yeah.”
It would be a sight watching Ruin work out, but I’d already had my fill of him, and I didn’t want to fluster him more than necessary, or else he would revoke his offer for me to go to the bar. Something I was looking forward to. Though, if I was honest, I was a little nervous walking into a bar run by bikers who hardly knew me, but they probably knew of my family name and businesses. Still, I wouldn’t miss seeing Ruin in his own element. It could show me more about the man than I already knew.
Once they were gone, after a quick hug from Mimi, Ryo turned to me. “Are you certain you want to walk into a Hawks bar?”
“No doubt they would have more information on me and the family’s dealings by now.”
“No doubt, and from what I have learned, they’re a clean club. Refuse to deal in anything illegal. I have heard the only trouble they get into is when it involves someone they care about.”
“Then I guess we’ll see how they react to me going.”
“Wolf, our family runs drugs and weapons.”
“You’re not surprising me in this. I do know.”
“I know you know, but their club is large and all over Australia. We do not want any trouble with them.”
“Talon already knows we don’t want trouble, else I wouldn’t have given up my own men when they went out on their own and messed with their club.”
Ryo sighed. “I thought the Hawks would only be in our lives for a short time, but I see how wrong I was.”
“They took care of Mimi, and she wants to return there once this is done here. As long as she has them in her life, then I will also.”
“Will they accept you though?”
“Only time will tell. I’ll have a meeting with Talon once she goes back and make sure he understands what it will entail, having a Takahashi family member in their lives.”
“That it comes with putting up with random visits from the head of house?”
“Yes. I will not lose my sister again.”
“And this has nothing to do with a certain biker? That he’ll be back there with her?”
Glancing away, I said, “Not at all.”
“With respect, Taro-sama, but you are full of shit.”
Snorting, I commented, “You’re lucky we have been lifelong friends, Ryo.”
“I know this. Let’s eat and get some work done.”
Yes, because the sooner the day sped by, the better. It would mean more time around Ruin.
Chapter Nine
Wolf
The drive took over an hour to get to the bar, but I didn’t care since it gave me time to speak with Mimi. When I asked why she didn’t go with Ruin, she informed me she wasn’t allowed on the back of Ruin’s bike because she wasn’t his “old lady.” Mimi went on to explain they were what the bikers called their girlfriends or intended wives.
“Taro,” Mimi said. I didn’t want to look away from Ruin on his ride. He wore a long-sleeve Henley, a club vest, and leather pants.
Leather pants.
The view was nicely seared into my mind because they hugged his arse sweetly.
“Hmm?” I answered as Ryo turned the car into a street, following Ruin.
“You like Ruin, don’t you?”
Turning in my seat, I told her, “He… appeals to me.”
Ryo snorted. I ignored him.
“I just wanted you to know it’s okay with me if you do. But Ruin has become a friend. You need to be caref
ul with him.”
“Careful in what way?”
“He’s never been into guys.”
“I know.”
“He’s fighting this.”
My heart expanded in my chest. “Are you saying you see something from him towards me?”
I had thought I’d seen signs, but having reassurance from another party wouldn’t hurt. I didn’t want to push further if I was wrong and the “interest” was all in my head.
“I’m pretty sure I am.”
I could not contain my smile as I faced forward and caught Ruin pulling into a parking area in front of a crowded bar. “Then I’ll be careful with him.”
Mimi’s hand rested on my shoulder. “Good luck.”
“Thank you, and Mimi?”
“Yes?”
“It’s good to have you here.” In Melbourne, back with me.
“Love you,” she whispered before climbing out of the car as Ryo parked.
“Are you ready?” Ryo asked.
I watched Mimi approach Ruin as he climbed off his bike and removed his helmet. His smile was broad, happy. I liked seeing it.
I wasn’t ready and could not believe my nerves had risen once more over walking into a bar the Hawks owned. Usually, I didn’t care where I went or what people thought, but this time it mattered to me… because of him.
“Yes,” I said, and got out of the car. When I closed my door, a little too roughly, Ruin’s gaze lifted my way. I caught him quickly scan over my body. A small smirk played on his lips, and a slight shake of his head followed.
I might have gone a little overboard wearing a suit, with my long white jacket over it. Ruin’s reaction was worth it, however. He had been getting his bike out of the garage when I got into the car, his bug-eyed double take doing wonders for my ego.
Ryo met me at the front of the car, and we walked to Ruin and Mimi. “You guys aren’t armed, right?”
I winced. “Well….”
Ruin groaned. “Please put them in the damn car. Nothin’ will happen to anyone since you’re walkin’ in with me.”
“Wolf is protected at all times, no matter where we are or with who,” Ryo said curtly.
I placed my hand on Ryo’s arm. He looked at me. “I’m sure it will be fine, for tonight.”
“I don’t—”
“Ryo,” I warned.
Ryo shot his gaze to Ruin and glared, only Ruin didn’t see it. Instead, his gaze was down on my hand on Ryo’s arm. Interesting. When I removed it, he seemed to blink out of his daze and said, “You got my word we’ll keep him safe.”
“Fine,” Ryo snapped as he turned and started for the car.
“Ryo,” I called and took the gun from my holster at my hip, holding it out. Ryo stomped back for it, grumbling under his breath. When he had it in hand, he knew to wait while I removed the gun on my right ankle, the dagger on my left, and the others on each wrist.
“Fucking hell,” Ruin muttered while Mimi giggled.
We waited in silence while Ryo secured our weapons. As soon as he was back, Ruin started for the door with Mimi at his side. I didn’t mind being behind him at all, as I got to see him move in those pants.
When he opened the door, the music hit us, yet it wasn’t loud enough to drive someone crazy if all they wanted to do was talk. Stepping in, the atmosphere was calm, the place set out neatly. Ruin moved over towards the right side of the bar, where many other bikers stood with some women.
“Ruin” was yelled. Many approached, back slaps the standard greeting between the men. I didn’t miss the uncertain and sometimes hostile gazes Ryo and I got. Thankfully, Mimi was spared from them, especially when she was the first introduced.
“And this is her brother, Wolf, and their friend Ryo,” Ruin explained. I wouldn’t have exactly downplayed it that way, but maybe he thought it would be safer.
“Aren’t you the boss of the Takahashi family?” a man with a baseball cap on questioned.
I nodded. “Yes.”
Another man, this one bigger than the others, moved his hands in clear sign language. Ruin replied in the same way and said aloud, “They’re here to have a good night.”
Ruin knew sign language. I didn’t let on that I also did, but it was good to know.
The big man grunted.
“There’ll be no trouble from us,” I told them. The men still looked wary, and I couldn’t say I blamed them.
“Mimi, Wolf, Ryo, this here is Pick”—he wore the baseball cap—“Billy”—he was blond—“Beast”—the big man who signed—“Knife”—a man with darker hair—“Dive”—large man with steel eyes—“and Handle”—who had facial hair and tattoos. Actually, a lot of them did. “I’ll introduce you to the others hangin’ around soon.”
“Precious,” Pick called. “Get your sweet arse over here.”
A stunning red-haired woman who had been talking to a blonde rolled her eyes, said one last thing, and then made her way over. What surprised me was that Billy curled her into his side, yet Pick smiled down at her like she was his world.
Pick took her hand and used his other to gesture to my sister. “Baby, this is Mimi. Mimi, our woman, Josie.”
Our woman?
Our woman?
Ryo and I glanced at each other with our brows raised.
“Hey, Mimi.” Josie smiled.
“Hi, nice to meet you. I’m… um, living at the compound in Ballarat, so I’ve heard about you from Zara, your sister.”
Josie smiled. “How is she?”
“Good, the last time I saw her. I, ah, don’t mingle too much.”
Josie smiled softly. “I can understand that. Do you want to come meet some of the other old ladies?”
Mimi glanced at us and then back. “Sure?”
“Mimi,” Ruin called. “You’re cool to stay here if you want to. Or you can come to the table over there with me.” He nodded to a table Knife and Beast had gone to.
“It’s okay. I’ll come over there soon.”
“Ryo” was all I said.
“I’ll get drinks,” he replied.
“Can my brother come with us?” Mimi quickly asked while Ryo walked off to the bar.
Josie glanced up at Pick, who looked to Ruin, and he gave a small nod. If I understood correctly, Pick was checking if I could be trusted around their women, and Ruin just told him I could be. I couldn’t decline the offer now, even when I wanted to sit with Ruin and hear things about him.
“Of course,” Josie said. “Coming?” she asked me.
If I said no, I guessed I would be frowned on by the bikers for ignoring their women. “I would like to.” I took Mimi’s hand in mine, and we followed Josie over to another table full of women. Even though I preferred men as lovers, I didn’t mind the company of women. It could come to my advantage of getting information on Ruin also.
“Who we got here, Josie-girl?” a woman with wild dark hair asked. Before Josie could say anything, she went on with “Ruin, get your cute butt here and give Low some sugar.”
A deep chuckle sounded behind me. Ruin moved around and hugged the woman named Low. “Where’s Dodge at?”
“In the back room giving Rommy another lecture.”
“What happened?”
“Tell you about it later.” She grinned. “Go greet the others while Josie introduces us to your people.”
His people. I liked hearing that.
“Bossy as ever,” Ruin teased.
She laughed and patted his cheek. “Of course.”
I watched as Ruin moved his way around and greeted every woman like they were his family. It made sense, since I heard the members of the club classed everyone as family.
Josie cleared her throat, and I looked back to see Low studying me when Josie said, “This is Mimi. She lives at the compound in Ballarat and is friends with Ruin, and this is her brother, Wolf. The gentleman at the bar is Ryo.” She glanced at me. “I hope I have that right.”
“You do,” I told her with a smile.
Low whi
stled. “Damn, boy, that hair, that body, and you have some sweet cheekbone structure going on. You must be popular with the ladies?”
My smile widened. “I cannot complain.” I had a feeling she was fishing to see if I preferred men.
“I bet,” she mumbled. “Come take a seat.”
A squeal echoed around the room. “Ruin!” A woman ran by us and launched herself at Ruin, who caught her easily. Distaste thickened my throat as I pulled up my top lip in a silent snarl. I didn’t like how he held her close. How he placed her on her feet and cupped her cheeks, beaming down at her.
“Fascinating,” I heard and looked back to see Low once again studying me. Mimi had already sat beside Josie while I stood there like an idiot staring at Ruin.
I didn’t comment back. Instead, I took the seat next to her and leaned back in the chair, acting calm when all I wanted to do was drag Ruin away from that woman. It would have been best to have picked a different seat. From this position, I had a good view of the people in the bar, including of the sweet look Ruin was giving the woman.
“Wolf,” Ryo said before placing a gin and tonic on the table.
“Thank you,” I replied, and quickly took up the drink for a long gulp while he went to Mimi to hand hers over.
Why did I want to come?
I sighed internally since I wanted to know more about Ruin and see him around his people.
“That’s Rommy,” Low said, and I lifted my gaze from the glass to see she was looking at me.
“Sorry?” I asked just when Ryo took the seat next to me.
Low pointed from Ryo and me, bluntly asking, “You two together?”
Ryo choked on his sip, shaking his head.
“No,” I replied. “Ryo is my assistant.”
Low’s brows rose. “An assistant who works this late and comes to bars with you?”
“Low, stop interrogating them,” Josie said.
“I think it’s fun,” Mimi commented.
I glared over at her. “Ryo is also my personal guard.”
“You must be important,” a blonde woman asked. “Sorry, my name’s Mena. I’m with Dive, and this is Della. She’s with Handle.”
“Nice to meet you all. I’m Wolf, and this is Mimi and Ryo. To answer your question, I run the Takahashi family. We have a lot of businesses.”