Page 37 of Ruin

Ruin

We’d been there about an hour. Mimi looked like she was having fun with the women since she hadn’t come to seek me out, staying with them the whole time—even when others had switched tables and mingled.

I hadn’t moved from the brothers’ table, though, because Wolf was still sitting over with Low, and now Dodge, speaking with them.

Every time I saw him since that night on the balcony, I got flustered, having dreamt about him ever since. He had really gotten into my head, and I didn’t know what to do about that. I didn’t know how to act, besides being a fool whenever I saw him in the house, where I quickly ducked into another room to avoid him.

Once, and with the worst possible timing, Katon saw me just after I’d army rolled into a room he was exiting. I’d knocked the poor guy over. Fortunately, I’d caught him before he’d done any damage, but hearing Wolf and Ryo approaching, I’d panicked and covered Katon’s mouth.

I’d apologised for my actions, and thankfully, from his smile, he’d thought it was funny, but I felt like the biggest idiot. Quickly, I’d realised I had to stop dodging Wolf and deal with whatever this was between us. It had been the next morning that Wolf caught Mimi and me in the kitchen and invited himself to the pub.

“Another round?” Dive asked as he stood.

“I’m good, brother. Gonna ride back.”

“I’ll take one,” Knife said, and Beast signed he wasn’t going to have one since he’d be driving. Dive tipped his chin up and went off to the bar where Fang was serving. Billy pulled out a chair beside me, flipped it backwards, and sat down.

“You know,” he started, “that Wolf guy can’t keep his eyes off you.”

My face burned. I had a feeling of being watched but hearing it from someone else confirmed it. There was also the fact that every time I glanced over there, Wolf was already looking my way.

“You’re seein’ things,” I told him stupidly.

Knife snorted. “Brother, I’ve noticed it as well.”

I shrugged. “Then you’re both crazy.”

Beast rose a brow at me. “Not crazy,” he signed.

“He a problem for you?” Billy asked.

“No,” I muttered. Even though he was because I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

“You know it’s cool if you like dick,” Knife said.

I choked on my own saliva. “What the fuck, man?”

His hands went out. “What?” He smirked.

“Fuck off.” I glared.

“Ruin,” Billy said. “You won’t have a problem with any brother if you’re thinkin’ about somethin’ with him. We know his background. We know he runs drugs and guns. As long as none of it brushes off on Hawks, you can take a chance.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I clipped, “Nothin’ to take a chance on.”

“I used to be like that,” Knife said.

“What?” I stupidly asked.

“In denial. But, brother, the gazing hasn’t been just comin’ from him. Don’t deny yourself when, in the end, it could work out for the better. Know it did for me.”

Beast leaned in and kissed the back of Knife’s neck, causing Knife to grin at the big guy.

I was swimming in so much denial I could choke on it, but the thought of dragging myself out of it and doing something about my attraction, or whatever the fuck it was, scared the fuck out of me more than anything.

“Word of warnin’ though,” Knife said. “Don’t try wax.”

Laughter burst out of me. “What?”

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