“What the fuck, man?”
“Shit, wait.” He waved a hand in my direction, then placed it against his gut while he laughed some more. “Goddamn, the slut of the club fell for a guy.”
“Hey,” I clipped. “I wasn’t a slut.”
His laughter settled, and he raised a brow at me.
Grumbling under a breath, I sighed. “Fine, I was active in the bedroom.”
He snorted. “Active.” He shifted over to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. He shook me. “A guy?”
“Couldn’t believe it myself, but the fucker wormed his way under my skin and stayed there.”
Dropping his hand, he placed both on his hips, brows dipped. “Then what are you doin’ back here and not there gettin’ to know him?”
A “Fuck” slid out before I told him what else went down.
“Let me get this straight. His dad dies, a few days later, the house gets shot up by a rival gang. You guys deal with it, but he’s worried about it happening again, so he sends his family and you away?”
I nodded. “He’s under a lot of stress, not only from that but his fuckin’ family wantin’ shit their way or causin’ more trouble. It was his uncle who set that whole rival thing in motion, wantin’ to get rid of Taro.”
“Taro.” Coyote grinned. “Does he call you Ruin?”
Glaring, since he’d made me feel like a damn schoolboy with a crush, I clipped, “No. Josh.”
“Aww,” he teased.
“Fuck off.”
“Brother, were you not givin’ me and Channa crap before?”
I snorted out a laugh. “That’s different. I’m allowed. You really don’t care I’m with a dude?”
Coyote rolled his eyes. “Don’t ask somethin’ stupid. We were both brought up into a family that didn’t discriminate when it comes to matters of the damn heart.”
Nodding, I added, “Jesus, are we gettin’ sappy in our old age?”
Coyote laughed. “Guess we are. But anyway, back to business. What are you gonna do?”
“I don’t fuckin’ know. He wants time. Do I give it to him? Let him sort the family and business shit out or go back and support him? Help him?”
I already knew the answer before I even asked. Coyote raised a brow. “I gotta go talk to Talon, then see my family before I head out.”
Coyote grinned before he pulled me into a one-armed hug. “Happy for you, brother.”
“Thanks. You too.”
Who’d have guessed we’d each find the person made for us in a matter of months apart?
Talon hadn’t been in the common room when Coyote and I walked back out. I left Coyote with his old lady and walked down the hall to Talon’s office. As soon as I knocked, his gruff voice barked, “Enter.”
Opening the door, I stepped in and shut it behind me. “Hey, Prez.”
“Ruin, didn’t know you were headin’ back today.”
“Yeah, brought Mimi and Cowboy back. They’re in his room if you need to talk to him.”
He leaned back in his chair. “Thanks, but is there anythin’ new since our calls?”
“Yeah, somethin’ else happened.”
“Take a seat, brother.”
Nerves had my palms sweating as I sat opposite him at his desk. I rubbed them on my jeans. “Early this mornin’, a rival gang showed at the Takahashi place and shot out some windows to get Taro—Wolf’s attention. Wolf’s uncle planned it, as he doesn’t want Wolf to rule the house. It ended in a bloodbath, but Wolf got Mimi, Cowboy, and me out to protect us. He’s worried it’ll happen again.”
Talon leaned forward, elbows to the desk, chin to his hands. “Good of him to think of you lot. Helps Mimi is his sister. What aren’t you tellin’ me though?”
My throat thickened in fear. I swallowed. “I want to go back.”
His brows shot up. “Why?”
Heat hit my cheeks, and I cursed at my reaction. Talon wouldn’t care I was into a dude though. “There’s somethin’ between me and Wolf.”
“Somethin’?”
“He’s mine,” I stated and narrowed my eyes.
He hummed under his breath and sat back in his seat. “You and him together?”
“Sort of.” I shook my head. “Yes. Yes, we are. But… he doesn’t want to bring any trouble to the Hawks MC.”
“And there could be trouble?”
“If this mornin’ was anythin’ to go by, then yes.” He already knew about the uncle and how the family used to run things, how Taro was changing their ways.
“Brother,” Talon started as he stood and walked around the desk to sit on it in front of me. “I ain’t gonna push you to stop seein’ him. If he’s yours, then he’s yours. Whatever trouble comes, you know we can deal with it. We’ve got your back through it, and if you’re claimin’ Wolf, then we got his too. I mean, it’d be good if he stopped dealing in guns and drugs, but if he doesn’t, then we’ll just make sure the Hawks stays clean and work in the background of things, helpin’ out when we can. None of it will stop you from bein’ with him.”
“I could leave the club—”
“Shut the fuck up. That ain’t happenin’. Hawks blood runs through your veins. You’re family and always will be, no matter who you’re with. Get me?”
A weight lifted off my chest. “Yeah, I get you. Thanks, Prez.”
“All I ask is that you keep me updated on things. Call us if you need anythin’. You headin’ back today?”
“Gonna go see the family before they rock up here. Not sure how long it’ll take. Might head off today or tomorrow mornin’.”
Talon smiled. “You happy?”
I grinned. “Yeah, I fuckin’ am.”
“That’s all that matters. The rest we’ll deal with when it comes. Now, come on. I better get out there before my woman comes searchin’ for me and yells for doin’ bookwork on my day off.”
“Can’t have that.”
“Shit no.”
Christ, I was damn grateful for the club. Talon’s backing meant everything; it meant I could keep my family.
Chapter Eighteen
Ruin
At the door to my childhood home, I knocked once before opening it and stepping in, calling, “Mum? Dad?” I only ever used Dad when at home. Anywhere else, he was Stoke or brother out of respect.
“Josh?” Mum cried before she raced into the living room from the kitchen. Tears brimmed her eyes, and she pressed a hand to her mouth.
Smiling, I shook my head. I’d only been gone a month. It was like she hadn’t seen me in years. She stalked towards me, her arms opened wide just as Dad stepped into the living room from the bedroom hallway, rolling his eyes at Mum but grinning. Rayne followed him.
“Hey, Ma,” I muttered when we wrapped each other up in a hug. Her breath hiccupped, and her arms squeezed me tighter.
“Josh.” Rayne shoved Dad out of the way and ran at me. Mum pulled back in time for Rayne to barrel into me.