“I want to kick you.”
Chuckling, I said, “No need to get violent.”
Her other hand also gripped my arm as she stepped closer. “It would be scary knowing you have this new feeling inside you—”
“Mimi,” I warned. What was she, psychic?
“But life is about challenges and acceptance. Live your life, Ruin, in any way you want it. I took a chance and ran when I had to, and it was the best choice I made because it brought me to a new family. A daunting one to begin with, but one that holds so much love no matter who you are. Taro’s a good guy. Take your chance… when you’re ready.”
Glaring, I looked away from her. “I don’t know why you’re telling me all this shit for.”
Mimi hummed under her breath. “You stubborn, pain-in-the-arse dick.”
I was. I really was.
Snorting, I asked, “You comin’ on to me, babe?”
It was her turn to glare as she shook her head and stepped back. “I wish my brother luck with you.”
I was the one who needed luck when it came to her brother, but I didn’t say that. Instead, I said, “Night, sweetheart.”
“Night, pest,” she said, smiling as she closed the door.
I didn’t like that Mimi could read something between Wolf and me. Not when I… wasn’t ready to accept anything, because the fucking thought of change scared me. I liked my life as it was. I liked who I was, and now, it was as if I didn’t know myself.
Chapter Eight
Wolf
The other night, Ruin’s dismissal at Ryo’s birthday when we’d stood with Elise at the bar annoyed me. He always ran whenever I got close. He hadn’t even complimented my change in hair colour.
There was something about Ruin that appealed to me. It was beside the fact he was stunningly gorgeous. I had never been attracted to the tattooed hooligan type, who didn’t like the letter G on the end of words or wouldn’t wear a suit if his life depended on it.
As soon as I had seen him back in Ballarat standing off to the side from his biker brothers, listening, waiting, it had been hard to concentrate on the matter, and all because he had taken my breath away. His beauty was like no other.
I’d wanted to know him, taste him, and use his name by ruining him in the best way.
Luck had been on my side when the club’s president ordered Ruin to watch over Mimi. I had been offended at first—that Talon would think I would do anything to my sister. I was nothing like my father. But I caved quickly when I knew I wanted more time gazing at the wonder before me.
I sounded like a perverted stalker, but it was what Ruin did to me. I couldn’t stop myself from teasing him, hoping to get a rise, and when I did, his eyes came to life.
I was sure I saw something in them each time, as if he enjoyed my attention. Except for that unfortunate slip-up in the kitchen when I couldn’t resist any longer and had to have my hands and lips on him.
His look of disgust still angered me, but the confusion I also saw puzzled me.
I wanted to piece the puzzle together and see what the picture revealed when our time together finished.
He would leave to go home, and I would be stuck here in charge of the family.
I couldn’t help but think of that night once more. The way he had stormed onto the balcony to stop Elise, much like a scorned lover. When I saw him like that, I had hardened over it and was glad he took notice. I wanted to take him into my arms, have his mouth on mine while I ground my hardness into him.
I definitely was a man with a crush.
Could I win him over?
I didn’t know. Even when I thought I saw interest, I wasn’t sure he would dive into something with me. His grumpiness covered his shyness when it came to our interaction. Did I risk pushing him when all we could have was the time we had together now?
“Ryo, plans for the day?” I asked as we made our way towards the kitchen, having missed breakfast. My friend wasn’t only the head of security and my personal bodyguard, but he had taken on the role of my assistant as well. To be honest, I would be lost without him.
“Besides the mountain of paperwork and requests from family members?”
“Yes, besides that.”
“Your uncle’s meeting is at 2:00 p.m. The Ito family head has called again and wishes to meet with you. Sensei has moved your training to 6:00 p.m.”
Another full day. Another day I wouldn’t see Ruin, and already it had been a few since the party. It surprised me how much I missed seeing him, teasing him.
“Any updates on Father?”
“His heart has weakened even more. They’re saying any day now.”
If he was any other man but the cold, cruel one I had been brought up by, I would have felt something when I heard those words, but I didn’t. Maybe I would when he did pass, but I doubted it. Although, any pain would be for my mother and her losing the one she loved.
Voices drew my attention down the hall. Botan and Nobu stood outside the kitchen, so I knew who was inside, and my heart fluttered. Ruin. I liked the thought of seeing him so much, I smiled. However, after nodding to the guards, I paused and listened to their conversation.
“I don’t know, Ruin.”
“Come on, Mimi. You’ll have fun, and it’ll take your mind off things.”
“But I don’t know anyone in the Caroline Springs charter.”
“You’ll love them as much as you do the Ballarat charter. I promise.”
I heard Mimi sigh. “Fine. But you have to stick to my side.”
“Like glue. So, I can text them back and tell them we’ll be there?”
“Yes. God, you’re like an excited little puppy.”
Ruin laughed. “I’ve been here nearly three weeks and haven’t seen the brothers yet. Course I’m excited.”
Stepping around the door, I asked, “Where are we going?”
Mimi smiled, while Ruin froze, gazing down at his phone in the middle of a text. A slight blush touched his cheeks, and I wanted to brush my fingers over it.
“Ruin’s taking me to the Hawks bar tonight,” Mimi explained.
“Am I invited?” I queried.
Ryo made a noise in the back of his throat. I glanced there to see his eyes were on Ruin’s. I looked back to the biker and found his chest rising and falling quickly. His eyes wider than usual.
“I… I’m not sure. I can’t invite you. Ruin?” Mimi said, a small smile playing on her lips. Was my sister helping me unconsciously, or did she suspect something and this was her approval? I hoped for the second, as I worried if anything did happen, Mimi would be upset. If that had been the case, I wouldn’t try for anything.
Ruin finished the text, pocketed the phone, and looked up. “Not sure it’d be your kinda place.”
Did he not know that any place he would be was the right place?
“I’m sure it will be fine.”
He swung his gaze to Mimi, seeking help, but she just smiled. His eyes narrowed. “Yeah, all right, if you want to. Ryo, you can come also, but we ain’t taking the guards. I’ll have Mimi’s back, as will my brothers.”
“Thank you for the invite,” Ryo answered.
Ruin grunted.
“What time are we leaving?”