“I understand.”
I shot a quick text to my club president, Talon.
Me: Mimi’s heading back to Melbourne. Her dad’s on his deathbed. But shit at home don’t look good. She ran because the dick dad tried to marry her off to a fifty-year-old dude for an alliance.
Talon: Fucking hell. You going with?
Me: Was thinking it. For added security. She still seems worried about her uncles trying to control her.
Talon: Yeah, go. Since the shit here has calmed, you’ll have the time on your hands. If you run into any shit, have the brothers in Caroline Springs back you.
Me: You got it, boss.
Talon: Get back here and pack.
Me: On it.
When I finished my second coffee, and they looked like they’d had enough chit-chat for one night, I stood and went to the counter to pay for all the coffees. They were just getting out of the booth when I turned and waited for them at the front door.
I tipped my chin up and said, “Talon has me on her security, so I’ll be coming with you—”
“No!” Mimi snapped and glared up at me. She was cute when fiery. It was a damn shame I didn’t see her as my one. I wished to Christ I did. She was stunning. I hated that I’d hurt her when I was an arsehole by telling her I didn’t see us going further than that one night. I couldn’t lie to her though. I couldn’t have her thinking there was more between us.
I wanted what Stoke had with my mum.
What the prez had with his woman.
What Cody, my closest mate in the Hawks MC brotherhood, would soon have with bakery girl if he got his shit together.
I knew Mimi was pissed at me for the way I treated her, even though I’d been nice in the way I let her down. I wasn’t going to walk away from helping her when she needed it.
Eventually she’d get over whatever she felt for me. If she still did feel something more than hatred for me.
I mean… I was a catch, but I knew, no, I felt, I honestly wasn’t for Mimi. She had someone else waiting for her in the future.
Damn, I sound like a clairvoyant.
Raising my gaze to her brother, I lifted a brow, waiting to see if he had any objections. He nodded once. “I will allow this, for the club’s sake, since you all have taken care of Mimi for so long.”
“Thanks.”
“No, I won’t allow it. Ruin is…. He’s annoying and… a pig.”
“Harsh, babe, but true. I ain’t the cleanest person when it comes to bedrooms.” I grinned down at Mimi, who was still scowling, but I could feel Wolf’s gaze burning into me. What was this guy thinking?
“Mimi, if this is what Talon wants, then allow him to come for his sake. We do not need the motorcycle club worrying.” He knew I would have followed no matter because Talon had given me the go-ahead. It was good he knew not to mess with our club. Showed he was smart.
Mimi bit her bottom lip. She looked back to me. “Can’t it be anyone but you? I’d even take Griz, and he scares me.”
“Has he hurt you?” Wolf demanded.
When Mimi didn’t answer right away, Wolf took it as a yes. He went to grab for me, but I dodged to the left, only I didn’t see how fucking fast he was as he brought his leg up in a kick to the arm. I stumbled back into the wall, and his hand wrapped around my neck. I punched him in the gut. A noise escaped through his lips, but he didn’t drop his hold. I went for the kidney. He blocked it with his knee and punched me in the fucking side.
“Stop,” Mimi called. She pressed into her brother’s side, holding his arm where his hand was still wrapped around my neck. Only it wasn’t too tight, more holding me in place. “We…. Look, it was between Ruin and me, but it’s fine.” She stepped back with a small smile on her face. “Besides, I’m sure you’ve taught him a lesson.”
“Have I?” Wolf asked darkly as he leaned into me.
“Sure.” I smirked. If we weren’t in a diner, I would have given him shit back and kept this going to see who would come out on top.
He moved away, dropping his hand, then walked out the front door. Mimi grinned at me as she swept by, following her brother.
She enjoyed seeing me get roughed up by her brother, even though I gave my own back, but honestly, I didn’t give a shit. I deserved the beatdown for being a dickhead to her in the first place. Though, her brother had better not get an idea he could do it again. I’d have him on his back in seconds.
Jesus, I have to watch what I think, because that sounded sexual. I snorted internally at my choice of words. I supposed he was a good-looking guy, but fuck that, dudes just didn’t do it for me.
Stepping out the door, I met them at the car. “We’ll head back to the compound. Mimi and I can grab some shit, then we’ll hit the road. That is, if you’re not too tired, Wolf? Do you need a nap? That scuffle made you look ruffled. You need some beauty sleep?”
“It’s nice of you to think I’m beautiful, but I’ll be fine to drive.”
I jerked my head back. “I did not call you beautiful,” I insisted, incredulous.
“I think you did,” Mimi added, looking to be having far too much fun.
“I so fuckin’ didn’t.” Both smirked at me. “Christ, whatever. Let’s just get there and on the damn road.”
The sun was rising as I stalked off to my ride. Annoyance hissed through me, no doubt because of lack of sleep. At least the coffees I’d had would give me a nice buzz for a few hours, until I could get more in me.
I didn’t have a clue what would happen in Melbourne. I just had to make sure I’d be alert. Already, I didn’t like the sound of Mimi’s family. The brother seemed okay, since he tried to kick my arse for his sister’s honour, but I wasn’t trusting him yet.
Even though I was heading into shit on my own, I had brothers, close friends in the Caroline Springs charter. I’d have help in a matter of moments should I need it.
Just sucked Coyote couldn’t make the trip with me. But he had a store to run and a woman to claim. Other brothers would easily cover my shifts at the job site. I’d been working in construction since I turned eighteen and loved the hard work. Though, it’d be good to have some time off, since it’d been a while. But with no idea what my time off would involve, I couldn’t wait to see exactly what I was up against.
Chapter Two
Ruin
The ride took over an hour. When we pulled up to a huge gated property and saw what was behind it, I couldn’t believe my damn eyes. What type of fuckin’ gang did Wolf control? By protecting Mimi, had I jumped right into more shit for the Hawks MC?
I shook my head and followed them through the gate after it opened. The prez wouldn’t have allowed me to come in the first place if he didn’t already know what type of crap Wolf was involved in. I trusted that.
A whistle slipped from my lips when I took in the mansion in front of me. Two people waited near the door, but you had to climb a shit ton of steps to get to them. I got off my bike after parking next to Wolf’s car and removed my helmet. I didn’t love leaving my Harley out in the elements. I’d have to see if there was a free spot in the massive ten-door garage at the end of the house. They couldn’t have filled it with vehicles. Then again, as I took in more extravagant shit around me, I wouldn’t be surprised.