“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.
“Ruin? Everything okay? Is it Mimi?” And that was all I needed to hear. This choice was the right one because he was worried about her.
“Brother, her dad got worse. Heard you two were close. Could be good you came.”
“On my way. Text me the address.”
“Will do,” I answered before he hung up. I quickly texted him and moved back to stand beside Ryo. I didn’t know how long we’d wait, but no matter how much time went by, I’d stay here for them.
A maid stopped in front of me with a tray. I took a coffee and muttered my thanks before she moved on. A couple of hours had gone by, enough for Ryo to send Botan to retrieve Cowboy from the front entrance. Footsteps approached. Cowboy followed Botan with a grim face. He wore jeans, cut, and jacket, and when he saw me, his chin lifted in greeting. I handed my mug to Ryo and approached. We hugged, slapping each other’s backs.
“Thanks for comin’, brother.”
“Anythin’ for Mimi,” he said, and when we pulled apart, I saw a red tinge to his cheeks.
I dropped a hand to his shoulder and nodded. “Good.”
His brows dipped. “I didn’t think you’d reach out after—”
“Cowboy, Mimi and I are friends. I was a dick back then, but she’s forgiven me. I hated that I didn’t see her underlying reasons to reach out to me; instead, I brushed her off. But you’ve been there for her. You deserve to be here for her now also.”
“I’m glad you called.”
“Glad to have you here, brother. Come take a spot on the wall. Want a coffee?” I asked just as a cry filled the area.
Fuck.
It had happened.
I moved over near Ryo. We shared a look but stayed quiet. Now wasn’t the time for anything but being there for the family. The door opened, and Mimi ran out, searching through the people standing around. I straightened, as did Cowboy. She saw me, but then her gaze locked on Cowboy. Her face crumbled just before she barrelled into Cowboy with a sob. He wrapped his arms around her, one at the back of her head, the other around her shoulders.
“Darlin’,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
Placing my hand on her back, I rubbed it up and down. “Always here for you, Mimi,” I said softly against her temple.
“T-Thank you, Ruin, a-and for bringing him here.”
A woman stepped up. “I shall escort you to Mimi’s suite.”
Cowboy nodded. But his eyes shot to the bedroom doorway. I looked and found Taro blankly staring out at nothing.
“Taro?” Mimi called.
He blinked. “Mother wants to be left alone for a while.”
“Is Aunty staying in with her?”
“Yes.” He cleared his throat. “Ryo, are things prepared?”
“Yes, Wolf.”
“All right.” He nodded. “I’ll need to speak with the other family members. Have a meeting organised as soon as possible.”
“Of course, Wolf.”
“Taro,” I called.
His gaze flicked over me and went back to Ryo.
No.
Fuck no.
I took the steps to stand in front of him and cupped the side of his neck. “All that shit can wait. Take a moment for yourself.”
He glared. “I don’t need a moment. I have waited for this day for a long time. I need to move on from it.”
“No,” I stated.
His hands hit my gut, and he pushed at me. “You do not get to tell me what to do,” he snarled.
“Cowboy, get Mimi to her room. If you two need anythin’, I’ll be a couple of doors down to the left. Ryo, set up a meetin’ in a few hours,” I ordered while holding Taro’s scowl. Cowboy guided Mimi down the hall and away from this shit.
I knew Taro was hurting. Even though he hated the man, he was hurting, and he needed time to deal with it.
“Ryo, if you move, I will fire you.” Taro stepped to the side of me. “You came here for Mimi. Be there for her. I do not need your assistance.”
I clenched my jaw. “I came here for Mimi, but now I’m also here for you. Don’t push me away, Taro. I get it. I know you’re hurtin’—”
He snorted. “You know nothing.”
“I fuckin’ do,” I snapped. His jaw clenched, nostrils flaring. We’d talked and goddamn talked a lot recently, getting to know one another. Even when he refused to admit he was hurting, I knew differently. It still did because he had a heart. He cared. He was a good person. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be making the changes within the family as he had. I took a breath. “Taro,” I whispered, tugging him into my arms.
His hands gripped at my tee, yet he remained stiff, even with his forehead pressed to my chest.
“Come with me,” I told him. I took his hand in mine and nodded to Ryo, who returned it before he went the other way. I led Taro back to his room. He didn’t say a word, and when I glanced at him, he stared down at our clasped hands.