A tick started at Wolf’s temple. He breathed deeply through his nose, which seemed to help him compose himself. “Mimi disappeared. I have been looking for her. She needs to come home.”
“When a woman becomes a part of the club, they’re protected.”
His upper lip rose. “She shouldn’t have left in the first place.”
“Why did she leave?” Griz asked. We wouldn’t even bring her into this if she’d been treated badly in the first place.
“It is not what you’re thinking,” he said roughly.
“Then tell us, and we’ll see if we bring Mimi out he—” Talon’s words were cut off.
“Taro?” I tensed at the word sounding from behind me, ready to step in front of Mimi, but Talon held up his hand, halting me.
Wolf’s whole body became taut at seeing his sister, his gaze shifting behind us. “Mimi.” The single word was barely a whisper.
“What are you doing here?” Mimi stepped between Talon and Blue, her hands positioned protectively around herself.
“Finding you.”
“I’m not coming back.” Defiance lifted her words.
“Mimi—”
“No, Taro. I told them I refuse. I know it brings shame to the family, but I won’t do it.”
Wolf glanced around at us, obviously hesitant to speak in front of us, and I couldn’t blame the guy. Obviously, it was a family issue.
“I have control over the family now, Mimi.”
A small gasp escaped her as she cupped her throat. “Father?”
The clenching of Wolf’s jaw was the only tell he gave, letting us know he didn’t want to be discussing anything right now. “I would rather speak with you in private.”
Mimi inhaled, the sound ragged, and she nodded.
“Come with me then.” Wolf’s gaze and tone softened.
“Ruin, you go with them,” Talon ordered.
With pleasure. I’d have her back, even if she was pissed at me for not taking up her offer for another hook-up.
Wolf’s gaze hardened when he speared Talon with it. “She is family. She does not need a guard dog with her when with me.”
“She’s also been Hawks for six months. She’s family to us, and she left your family for a reason. I won’t have her goin’ on her own.”
“Mimi.” Wolf’s single word was clipped.
Mimi turned to Talon. “It’s okay, Mr Marcus. I’m sorry I brought this trouble to your doorstep, but I will be safe with my brother.” It did sound like she trusted her brother, but there was still a situation with her family.
Talon shook his head. “Mimi, girl, you’ve been here for a while. You know how this works. You walked into this compound and became a part of Hawks. No matter where you’re goin’ or what type of situation it is, we’ll have your back. Take Ruin. He can stand away while you talk. But I’d feel better with a brother there.”
Before Mimi could say anything, Wolf did. “Thank you for protecting her. Ruin is allowed to accompany us.”
“Ruin?” Talon called.
“I’ll follow behind,” I said.
“Keep us posted.” Talon hit me with a solid look, making his expectations clear.
“You got it, Prez,” I replied and patted Coyote on the back before I moved off to my ride.
Chapter One
Ruin
The situation was fucked.
I’d do anything for Mimi because she was a sweet woman. The problem was she just wasn’t mine, and it made me feel like a heartless jackass since she’d made it clear she wanted me for more than just the one-night stand.
While we had our personal shit to deal with, I hoped it didn’t mess with her other crap we were heading into. I followed Mimi and her brother as they drove to a nearby diner that was always open in the early hours. Once parked, I slipped off my ride and went inside after them.
Sitting a couple of booths away from them, I rested back and waited for the server to come and take my order. I needed a damn strong coffee to keep me going, and the day was just getting started. I hoped, with being far enough away but still in earshot, it would give Wolf a sense of comfort that I wasn’t listening in, which I totally was.
“As I was saying in the car, Mimi, Father is on his deathbed. He wishes to see you, and you’re telling me you do not want to come home?”
She winced and shook her head. “No, Taro.”
“Mimi, I would not have come if I didn’t believe I could take care of you.”
“I know, brother, but you know what our uncles are like.”
“They are not in charge. I am. They will listen to whatever I say. I will make sure of it.”
“Taro, I trust you, I do. Leaving you has been the hardest decision in my life, but I knew you were strong, not like me. Women in our family aren’t respected. We’re ordered.”
“I will change this.”
She gave him a sad smile. “I hope you can, but it has been this way for decades.”
The waitress approached them, and they asked for coffee. When she stopped at my table, I ordered two extra hot, double-strength coffees.
“Under my ruling, it will. Please, Mimi, come home with me this final time. I know you will regret this if you don’t see him one last time.”
“Taro….”
“Please. I will protect you. You could even bring him along for extra security.” He thumbed over his shoulder my way.
Her nose screwed up as she shook her head. Mimi drew in a deep breath. “Are you certain the uncles can’t force this marriage on me?”
What the fuck?
“They won’t. I will not allow it.”
“My intended was fifty, Taro. Fifty to my nineteen years. Father was going to give me away to an old man for an alliance. Why would I want to see him?”
That was so messed up, I didn’t even know what to think about it. Her father, the man who was supposed to take care of her, wanted her to marry an old fucker. I had a shit dad who beat my mum, but then Declan Stoke came into our lives, became my dad, and he was a man who loved with every fibre of his body. I goddamn looked up to him in many ways. He wouldn’t stand for this shit if it was happening to anyone he knew. I wasn’t going to either.
If Mimi was heading home, I’d go along for the ride and make sure no one screwed her over, since I didn’t completely trust her brother. I’d feel better for having her back.
“Do it for you,” Wolf said. “Tell Father exactly what you think. Be there for Mother. She will need you.”
“She is the one who told me to run in the first place. If Father found out, he would have killed her.”
“I wouldn’t have allowed it. I have control over the family, the faction. I have my own people within the gang, ones who will only follow me, ones who I trust with my life and the lives of those I love. It will never be that way again. You and Mother will be taken care of. Things have changed. Trust me, Mimi, everything is better.”
It had better be.
I gave a smile to the waitress when she dropped off my drinks before I pulled my phone out, placing it on the booth.
“Thank you,” Mimi said to the waitress before she left and then looked back to her brother. “All right, Taro. I’ll come back, but I will not stay long.”