I closed the door in the room, and Taro walked off towards the balcony, pulling the door open with harsh movements. He stomped over to the railing and gripped the wrought iron as I stepped out after him. His head dropped, chin near his chest, and I witnessed his shoulders shifting up and down quickly with his fast breaths.
“Taro,” I uttered, resting my hands to his waist.
“I hated him,” he said softly.
“I know.”
“I hated him with every fibre of me.”
I shifted closer, moulding my front to his back. “I know.”
“He was a cruel man. A horrid, vile piece of shit.”
I hummed under my breath; he needed to get this out.
“I wished I had killed him years ago.” He sucked in a ragged breath. “I hated him.”
“Babe,” I said gently, tucking his hair behind his ear and kissing his neck.
“Fuck,” he groaned, the word full of pain. “I hated him, so why do I care?”
Sliding my arms around his waist, I told him, “Because you’re a better man than he ever was.”
I quickly moved to his side when he bent over, the pain too much. His forehead hit his hands on the railing. A strangled noise caught in his throat. I cupped the back of his neck, letting him know I wasn’t going anywhere. His body shook, but he was silent through the tears he allowed to fall.
Clenching my jaw, I rubbed at my stinging eyes. I hated seeing him in pain. Hated he was going through this over a man who didn’t deserve his anguish. All I could do was be there for him. Like I knew he would for me.
The connection between us grew every second, minute, hour, and day. It all drew me to one conclusion: I wanted to keep him.
Even after a few days of having him as mine, I didn’t want to see a day without him.
He was mine.
Chapter Fifteen
Wolf
It wasn’t protocol, but I no longer cared what my uncles thought. So Ruin walked beside me into the meeting that consisted of close cousins who oversaw the guns and drugs trade for me, and my two uncles. All men, of course.
Even if they hated Ruin was there, he would stay. I needed him close. He was my air in that moment and probably many more to come.
“What is the meaning of this?” Jiro demanded as he stood, his sons at his back. “He should not be in here.”
I didn’t reply until I was at the head of the table. “I don’t have to explain my ways to you, Jiro,” I told him. I stayed standing, eyeing the others around me. My cousins, who had moved to Australia because my aunts had wanted a better life for them, didn’t waver from my gaze. It was only my uncles who refused to keep my eyes. “As most of you would have heard already, my father passed early this morning. The funeral will take place in three days. I hope you will give the respect to my mother, sister, and me to take those days to mourn his loss.”
They didn’t need to know, but I had already grieved, so wouldn’t need more time. I refused to let any more hurt take hold of me over that man. But my mother would need it. She would want peace until the time came for the funeral without any family dramas arising.
“Kick him out, and I won’t cause any trouble,” Jiro snarled, crossing his arms over his chest.
“No,” I stated. “I am tired of you trying to give me orders, Jiro. This is your last warning.”
Jiro laughed. “My last warning?”
“That is what I said.”
“Jiro.” Akio stood. “Now is not the time. Our brother just passed. Have some respect.”
“Respect?” Jiro spat. “The family head should have some respect and not dishonour us by bringing his whore into a family meeting.”
Josh chuckled beside me as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Jiro’s gaze snapped to him. “Get out. Get the fuck out, now.”
Josh laughed once again. “You ever think you’re against men who like men because deep down you do?”
Shit. If I didn’t think Jiro would kill Josh for those words, I would have laughed, but I feared for Josh’s life. I placed a hand on Josh’s shoulder, but Jiro pulled a gun before I could say anything.
“No one disrespects me, especially not scum like you.”
Josh quickly flicked his arm out, his own gun raised and pointed at Jiro. “I’m gettin’ tired of you, old man.”
“You cannot shoot me,” Jiro said with a smirk.
“He can, if I give him permission to,” I added. “But for now, I want everyone to behave. Father just passed; did you have no respect for him?” I demanded.
Jiro ground his teeth together and lowered his weapon. “Your time to rule is coming to an end.”
“That a threat?” Josh snarled, clicking off the safety.
I moved my hand down to Josh’s arm and squeezed, but he either ignored it or didn’t feel it beneath the anger I saw burning in his eyes.
“You better rethink everythin’, old man, because it seems you’re forgettin’ your place and who backs Wolf. Not only does he have his men, but now he has the Hawks MC, and we don’t let anyone fuck with us.”
My heart gave a hard thunk in my chest. Josh offered his brothers as protection, and I knew he would call them if he thought I wasn’t safe. Emotions tightened inside me.
But didn’t the fool know I would do the same for him? I would protect him with anything and everything I had. Even from my own family. The Hawks MC was a clean club; my family wasn’t. Did he understand that? Did he know that being at my side could make him dirty by association? It was something I needed to make sure he understood.
But then, if I did, would I lose him?
Was it a risk I could take?
The thought of losing him shot fear to my chest and burned.
Jiro spat to the side and then strode from the room, his sons following. It showed he had respected my father enough to not continue this right then. I dropped my hold on Josh and looked to Uncle Akio, who moved around his chair and pushed it in. He dipped his head. “I am sorry for your loss, Wolf.”
“Thank you.”
He left without another word, his only son following after him. My other cousins stayed until I released them with a remark of speaking about business later. The room quieted until Josh turned to me, a stormy expression on his face. “I hate your uncle.”
A warm smile lifted my lips. Reaching out, I slid my hand to the side of his neck. “Thank you for looking out for me. He’s not very liked by many.”
“Good. He’s a dick, and I’ll always have your back.”
Would he though?
While he understood my family dealt with illegal businesses, I wasn’t sure if he really comprehended how much trouble that brought to the Takahashi family. There were many out there who wanted the trade we had and would do anything to get it, meaning my life was always at risk. It was why Ryo didn’t leave my side unless asked, and I already knew he would be standing outside those doors. He would have heard everything and run in if something happened. I could defend myself easily against the family, but the other people interested in the business would bring many to take me out.
It had happened before, and no doubt it would happen again. I didn’t like the thought of Josh being in the middle of my mess when he could get caught up in the crossfire and be harmed.