Page 101 of Ruin

“Well, you see, your sister wanted to see where her brother was living and meet his man for the first time.”

Rayne skipped up the steps and wrapped her arms around my waist. I dropped Taro’s hand to curl mine around her shoulder. “Hey, sis.”

“Hey, fool.” She grinned up at me, then moved her gaze to Taro while Dad and Mum got their luggage out and waited for Nary.

“This is Taro. Taro, meet my pain sister, Rayne.”

Rayne tipped her chin up. “Hey.”

“Hi, Rayne, it’s good to meet you.”

“Are you sure you’re into my brother? ’Cause I can take you off his hands and live here myself.”

Taro sputtered out a laugh while I shoved my sister. “Traitor.”

She shrugged, giggling. “What? This place rocks. I’m gonna spend all my school holidays here.”

I shot Taro a look. “See what you’ve done inviting them?”

He tried to contain his laughter, but it slipped out anyway. “I do.”

“Hello,” Mum said, stopping in front of us. “I’m Malinda, Josh’s mother.”

“I’m Nary, his sister. Saxon said you’ve met him. Same as Dad. But this is Ayra.” Nary rubbed at her daughter’s back as she held her on her hip.

Taro smiled warmly. “I have met the men. But it’s good to meet the rest of Josh’s family.”

Mum elbowed me in the ribs. “You picked well. He’s very good-looking.”

“He can hear you, so don’t go giving him a big head.”

“Thank you,” Taro said when Mum glanced at him. “Mimi said she’s running behind but will be here soon.” Ryo was also running late since he stayed over at Link’s the previous night. Those two were fucking like rabbits, but every time I pestered Ryo about how things were, he told me it wasn’t anything serious. I called bullshit.

“Great.” Nary smiled. “No doubt Mimi will bring Cowboy. Those two are attached at the hip lately.”

“She is,” Taro said. He was happy his sister had found someone who doted on her.

“Can we get inside? I could use a drink from drivin’ here and listenin’ to Rayne’s playlist,” Dad said as he shook Taro’s hand. Vicious stepped up and took Taro’s hand in greeting as well.

Rayne rolled her eyes. “You’ve just got no taste, Dad.”

Dad snorted. “Married your mum, didn’t I?” Rayne shut her mouth quickly.

“Of course, my house is yours.” We made it through the front door to where Katon stood. Katon bowed, and the women giggled, not used to being served or someone who’d bow to them. “This is Katon. If you need anything, please let him know.”

“It’s a pleasure,” Katon said, straightening. “If you leave your bags, I’ll take them to your rooms, and after some refreshments, I’ll come to collect you to show you around.”

“You rock, old dude,” Rayne said. Katon blushed and smiled at her.

“We’ll grab a drink in the library,” Taro said. He nodded to Katon and patted his shoulder before leading the group to the library.

I stepped up to Dad. “How’s Talon?” I hadn’t seen him since I went home in a rush that last time after I found out our prez had been shot and was hanging on to his life in hospital. The fucker who shot him died, of course, but it’d scared everyone to the core. Hawks wouldn’t be the same without Talon in it.

“He’s good. Back at work like nothin’ happened.”

“Thank fuck.” Even though I’d felt relief when the doctors told everyone he’d pull through, it was as if more lifted off my chest hearing how well he was doing. It could also have a lot to do with how close I’d grown up with the family, with Coyote being his son.

Dad’s hand landed on my shoulder. “How’s things?”

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