Page 52 of Ruin

Afew nights later, a knock sounded on Taro’s door. He was still sound asleep, so I climbed out of bed to answer it. Ryo stood with a grim expression. “It’s time,” he said.

“Fuck,” I muttered. “I’ll wake him, and we’ll get Mimi.”

Ryo nodded and moved across the hall to lean and wait. I closed the door, turmoil fluttering inside me. I hated this for Taro and Mimi. Hated their dad was a motherfucker, but most of all that he was about to die and they would feel it.

I strode back to the bed, unsure just how much time their dad had. Crouching beside him, I gently shook his shoulder. “Taro?”

He groaned. “Later, tired.”

I couldn’t believe I was smiling at a time like this, but fuck, he was cute. “Babe, come on, it’s your dad.”

His eyes flew open. He sat bolt upright and flicked the sheet away. I moved aside when he climbed out. We both dressed quietly. I slipped my phone into my back pocket but also bent to take out my gun. I wouldn’t go unprotected in a vulnerable situation. Taro may have his guards, but I’d be sure to have his and Mimi’s back. Worry had me dipping my brows when Taro started for the door without me.

I reached out, taking his arm. “Hey.”

“I have to get to Mimi and Mother.”

I tugged him into a hug. “I know.Wewill. Here for you, Taro.”

He nodded against my chest, taking a deep breath. I dropped my hold and together we made our way out of the room to Mimi’s. I knocked before opening the door. Mimi sat up quickly, rubbing her eyes.

“Dad?” she whispered.

“Yeah, honey,” I said when Taro didn’t reply.

Once out of bed, she pulled on a sweater over her pyjamas. She met us at the door and took her brother’s hand. Together, they walked down the hall while Ryo and I followed.

I didn’t know where they needed me, but I would be here for them through it all. I’d do anything for either of them.

This fucking sucked.

The house was quiet, with the majority of the occupants still sleeping. The atmosphere sombre. We turned a corner and reached the guards standing outside the closed door to their father’s suite. A guard opened the door to the room. I stopped, as did Ryo.

Mimi and Taro looked back at me.

“I’ll be right here,” I told them both.

Mimi gave me a watery smile, and Taro nodded. The door closed, and I leaned against the far wall.

“They’ll be all right,” Ryo said.

“Yeah, eventually.” I glanced at Ryo before I shifted closer. He gave me a weird look, but I didn’t want anyone to overhear what I was about to say. “Look, what do you think of me inviting a brother here for Mimi? They’ve been gettin’ close, and I know she’s got feelin’s for him. Do you think that she’d want it, now?”

The thought had come to me as we walked down the hall, but I wasn’t sure if it was a selfish act or not. I wanted to be there for both of them, but Taro more. I felt like a complete cunt for thinking it. I didn’t want to brush Mimi aside since she meant a lot to me.

“Forget it,” I said, sure I was being an arsehole for even thinking it.

“I think she would need this boy’s support if they truly were getting close.”

Shit.

Now I didn’t know what to do.

“Should I call him? Find out first? I ain’t leavin’ Mimi to grieve on her own so I can take care of—” Ryo’s hand landed on my shoulder.

“It shows you care for them both. Mimi won’t hold any action you take against you. She understands what you and Taro have. She will also understand your wanting to take care of him. Call your friend. We will all be there for them when they need us.”

I nodded. “Yeah, all right, I’ll do it.” I moved off down the hall a little, with Botan following. I hadn’t even seen him rock up. Did the guy never sleep? Shaking my head, I pulled out my phone and looked through for Cowboy’s number. After pressing against his name, I held my phone to my ear.

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