Page 97 of Ruin

Link smirked, his gaze briefly shifting over me to Ryo and back again. On the inside, I was cheering that he looked at my friend. I wanted him to notice Ryo. Upon seeing Link in person, Ryo had reacted in a way I’d never seen from him before… by tripping.

Keep looking at my friend. He needs your attention. Fuck the business. He’s worthy of your time.

I couldn’t say or do anything, unsure what type of look he gave—if he had been checking Ryo out or sizing him up. The man was difficult to read.

“I’d like to accept the deal, but I want to confirm all rights for the businesses will be in my hands.”

“Everything, yes.”

Link nodded. “It’s a fuckin’ large amount of money. Are you sure you want to give it up for some person?”

“You obviously haven’t met the right person to be willing to do such a thing for. Though, it’s also for my family. You do understand the attention this will bring upon you? Our family has always dealt with rivals wanting to take our business.”

Link grinned. “You don’t need to worry about that. Most are too scared to deal with me. My reputation speaks for itself.” I had heard he killed without any remorse, and he was also intimidating to others because the number of men he had on his payroll was vast.

Hmm, maybe Ryo should look elsewhere for someone.I wouldn’t want Ryo to be caught in any trouble being associated with Link. Then again, Ryo would call me stupid for underestimating him.

Voices rose outside the door. Ryo gripped my hand, pulled me from my seat, and planted me in front of the table while he then reached over and yanked Link out of his seat, pulling him to stand beside me. Ryo took up position in front of us, gun raised, pointed at the door.

Link’s eyes glowed with humour. “Did he just manhandle me to protect me?”

I grinned, my own gun in hand, ready to see what was going on outside the door. “He did.”

“Huh,” Link grunted and stared at the back of Ryo.

“Sir, you can’t go in there” we all heard.

“Like fuck” was snarled by a voice I recognised. “Move.”

Ryo relaxed, as did I, and both of us put our weapons away. Link looked from one to another and back again before he asked, “What’s going on?”

Ryo snorted. “You’ll see.” He moved to the door and opened it just as Josh pushed the waiter to the side and stepped through. “It’s all right,” Ryo told the waiter.

“You,” Josh snarled, pointing at Link. “I don’t give a fuck if this is some business meetin’ I’m fuckin’ up. You do not touch him.” His finger shot to me. “He’s mine.”

My heart danced around in my chest, as did my stomach. Any other time I would be pissed, but since Link was Link, I didn’t care.

Link turned to me. “You’re fuckin’ a Hawks member?” He laughed. “Shit, this is epic. No wonder he stormed in here, ready to kill me. Those fuckers are possessive.”

The fight deflated out of Josh, and confusion dipped his brows. “You know Hawks?”

Sighing, I went to Josh and curled an arm around his waist. “Josh, this is Link. He’s Travis’s old business partner.”

Josh huffed. “No shit.”

Link held out his hand. “No shit. Whose son are you?”

Josh shook his hand and replied, “Stoke’s.”

Link nodded. “Met him at Travis and Vi’s wedding. Think highly of the Hawks.”

Josh grinned. “Good to hear.” He rubbed at the back of his neck. “Ah, sorry about before.”

“Nah, man, I get it. Not sure how you thought I was coming onto your man, though.”

Heat hit Josh’s cheeks. “Saw you two at the bar. My mind started overreacting.”

Link snorted. “Heard it happens a lot with you guys when it comes to your better halves.”

---