“Spoke to Talon. Know he’s already given you the go-ahead. Somethin’ I should have said back at the house.”
I’d drawn my brows down. “Said what at the house?”
“Should have told you that no matter who you like, you’ve got our support. Not just the Hawks, but us as your family.”
“Dad, I knew you guys wouldn’t think less of me because of this.”
He’d grunted. “If anyone does say shit, fuck ’em.”
Smiling, I’d nodded.
He’d knocked his boot against mine. “You also gotta know, I’m not a fan of this Wolf guy’s life. The business he deals in. Only because it could bring danger to you.”
“Dad—”
His hand had shot up, silencing me. “But,” he added, “I know you can take care of yourself. You seriously goin’ back to Melbourne tomorrow?”
“I need to. Told you how I left after that shit happened. I shouldn’t have, even when he wanted me to. Taro’s gotta understand I ain’t backin’ away from this. His life.”
Dad had grunted again. “I get it, son. It’ll be crap to see you go, but know we love you.”
My throat had thickened. I’d nodded as I swallowed down the lump of emotions. Even thinking of it now as I lay in bed had me thanking anyone who’d listen from above for my family. It hadn’t been smooth sailing, but the shit we’d been through made us come out stronger in the end.
Since I was keen to get on the road and back to Taro, I climbed out of bed and headed for the joined bathroom for a quick shower. I dressed in my usual jeans, long-sleeve Henley, and vest before I slipped into socks and boots. Just when I opened my door to hunt down coffee and food, my phone chimed.
Pulling it free from my back pocket, I saw the name displayed and screwed up my face. Why would Ryo be texting me? My gut dropped, and I quickly opened the message.
Ryo: I didn’t get to speak to you alone before you left, but I am sure Mimi has informed you that Taro didn’t mean to push you away.
A smile tugged my lips up. It was good to see Taro had friends like Ryo who worried about him.
Me: Figured. Shouldn’t have left no matter what he said. I’m coming back today without Mimi so he doesn’t worry about her. I’ve got his back. I started down the hall towards the kitchen.
Ryo: Good. He’s been in a sour mood. Doesn’t help we found out his uncle is staging a coup at the meeting today.
Anger churned.
Me: WTF, why? I thought he was the more decent one.
Ryo: He’s never been decent. The main reason is the power it would bring him. He thinks it’s time to do something about it since Taro doesn’t seem himself after you left.
Fuck texting, I pressed his number and lifted my phone to my ear.
“Ruin,” Ryo answered.
“What’s Taro gonna do about it?”
“Nothing.”
I stopped. “What do you mean nothin’?”
“Right now, he’s second-guessing things because he’s worried about you.”
“What do you mean?”
“We understand where the Hawks MC stands with illegal activity. He doesn’t want to cause any problems for you and your family. He’s thinking of allowing his uncle to take charge.”
“Fuck that,” I clipped, stopping in the doorway to the kitchen and glaring at the floor. “He can’t do that, Ryo. I spoke to Talon. He’s supportive of us, and if shit happens, we’ll deal with it when the time comes.”
Ryo sighed. “I can only tell him this, but I’m not sure he will believe me. He is looking to step out of those types of dealings down the track, but for now, it will be in his life. I have never seen him torn before.”
“Don’t let him do anythin’. If the meetin’ starts, stall it until I get there. I’ll make sure he understands things.”
“I’ll do what I can,” he answered. “Thank you, Ruin. You’re good for him.”
“And he’s good for me. See you soon,” I stated, and ended the call. I lifted my gaze and found the kitchen occupied with Talon, Killer, and Blue.
“What’s goin’ on?” Talon asked.
“Gotta get to Melbourne. Wolf’s uncle is staging a coup at the meeting today to take over running the family. Wolf’s not gonna do shit because he’s worried about me and how Hawks will deal with their businesses.” I grabbed a muffin, took a bite, and turned to head outside.
“Hold up,” Talon called. I faced him and waited, quickly eating the rest of the muffin to have something in my gut before I left. Talon shared a look with Blue and Killer before taking his phone out to do something with it.
Talon lifted his head, and Blue asked, “We ridin’ out?”
“Yep,” Talon replied.
“Wait, what?” I asked.
“In-house dramas we can help you deal with. If Wolf’s family thinks they can fuck with him, they’re wrong. We’ll show our support by comin’ with you and standin’ at his back. Even if it was other shit goin’ down with the businesses, we’d help where we could. You guys aren’t alone, Ruin. We’ve got you.”
Christ. My chest expanded as the damn fluffy emotions filled my heart.
“You don’t have to,” I offered.
“Brother, you’re family. Prez said you’re claimin’ Wolf, then he’s a part of Hawks also,” Blue said.
Killer grunted and lifted his chin my way, also agreeing.
They started forward, moving by me with a grip to the shoulder. More emotion swirled inside me as I followed after them. We stopped at our rides to check them over. I didn’t need petrol or anything, and the others didn’t indicate they did either.
A door opened, and Dad stepped out, decked out in his ride gear. He held a bag at his side. He shot me a grin. “We’ll pick Vicious up on the way to the highway,” he told me.
My throat thickened. This was what family was about. Comradery. “You sure you’re up for a ride, old man?”
Dad shot me the finger. “Just try and keep up, Ruin.” He dropped the bag and opened it. Guns galore filled the space. “Take one. We’re goin’ in armed since we don’t know if words will get this uncle to back down.”
Grinning, I pulled my gun free. “Already got mine. Didn’t even think about the rest of you.”
“Aww. Stoke, your boy’s so worried about his man that he forgot about his brothers,” Blue teased with a wink. It was my turn to shoot the middle finger. The brothers chuckled, only to sober when we were all ready to ride out.
I’m coming, Taro.
And there was no way I’d leave his side again. We would deal with everything there was together and see where the future went.
Shock raced through me when we reached Melbourne and the Caroline Springs charter pulled in behind our group. My damn chest was packed to the brim with those cute feelings. I’d always been proud to call myself a member of the Hawks MC, but never more so than then. Their support for me and Taro floored me.
The gates opened to the family estate as soon as we pulled up to them, and I wondered if Ryo had been keeping an eye out. Must have, or else I doubted they would have allowed twenty bikers with rumbling Harleys through.