Page 32 of Ruin

“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.

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