I smirked. “I was going to tell you later. But since you’re here... which, by the way, why are you here?”
“The club’s down the road. Was walkin’ to my car when I saw you.”
I nodded. “Not far from home at all.”
He grinned. “No, it ain’t. Now tell me what’s goin’ on.”
“Link’s taking over the gun and drug trade. The Takahashi family will become silent partners, only taking 10 percent.”
His brows dipped. “Why? This ain’t because of me or anythin’?”
“No… well, in a way, yes.” He went to say something, but I covered his mouth with my hand. His grip on my waist tightened as he glared. I smiled. “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time. I never liked how Dad brought this trade into the family. It caused nothing but trouble. This will keep you safe, but also me and my family. It’s best for everyone. Talon assured me Link would be the best to work with, so I reached out, and he’s keen to sign the agreement.”
He pulled my hand away after kissing it. “Talon knows?”
“Yes, I went to him for advice.”
Josh snorted. “Of course he’d help if it meant gettin’ the shit away from us. But are you sure, completely sure, this is what you want? What about the money it makes for the family?”
“Even without the guns and drugs, our family are billionaires with our other legal companies.”
Josh’s eyes widened. “Billionaires?”
I laughed. “Yes, pet, you’re dating a rich man.”
“You know I don’t care about any of that.”
I ran my hands up his chest. “I do. It’s what drew me more to you.”
A knock sounded on the door, and Ryo’s voice called, “Your dinner is getting cold, Wolf.”
“Coming,” I said. “Are you okay now?”
“Fuck yes, but I’m stayin’ for dinner.”
Warmth spread through me. “All right.” Together, we walked back into the room. Josh, of course, placed his hand on my arse on the way. Link thought it was hilarious, especially when he pointed out the hickey while Ryo rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched.
As we sat, Josh suddenly asked Link, “You gay?”
“Nah, mate. Just bi.”
Josh grunted. “Know you know this guy’s mine.” He thumbed my way while I slapped a hand to my forehead. “But Ryo’s up for grabs.”
The room quieted. I glanced to Ryo and found him blushing and glaring at the ground.
“That so?” Link said.
“Yep.”
“Thanks for the information.”
Josh gave him a chin lift, and I pulled him in close when Link went to speak to the waiter who’d just entered. “How did you know Ryo was into men?”
“Caught them eye fuckin’ each other when we came back in. Thought I’d help Ryo out. Then we’d get more time together.”
Shaking my head, I laughed and kissed his shoulder. Yes, Josh definitely made me happy, and I wanted him for the rest of my life. I would make it happen; I just didn’t know when.
All I knew was I completely loved him.
He was it. My future.
Epilogue
Ruin
Taro stood at my side at the front door while we waited for my family to arrive. They’d texted not long ago saying they were near. Only Taro couldn’t seem to stay still. He shifted from one foot to another.
“What’s goin’ on?” I asked, taking his hand in mine.
He looked at me, biting his bottom lip. “We’ve been together for four months.”
Confusion swamped me. “And?”
He grabbed the front of my tee and tugged me into him. “And I love you…. There, I said it, and I’m not taking it back.” He shook a little. “You make me happy, you idiot, and I want you here forever.” His chest rose and fell rapidly while my body reacted to his words. My heart swelled, my cock thickened, and my gut tingled in that special way only Taro could bring out.
Cupping his cheeks, I grinned at him. “Fuckin’ love you too, Taro Takahashi, and I was gonna stay here forever whether you liked it or not. My life has only gotten better with you in it.”
To my surprise, his eyes glistened, which touched my heart where it skipped a beat. He sucked in a shuddering breath and nodded. “All right then.”
Grinning, I told him, “Maybe next time you tell me you love me, you can do it when we aren’t about to have visitors so I can fuck you.”
A smile grew on his lips. “All right,” he whispered.
I watched as I traced my thumb over his bottom lip. “Still, I love that you told me.”
“Okay,” he said softly.
“Now kiss me to seal that confession in.” His grin widened as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and planted one on me. I gripped his arse and brought him in as close as we could be without melting into each other. Though at times I wished I could.
When we heard a car rolling down the drive, we broke apart, but I snuck back in for a final kiss just as we heard, “Holy shit, this place is the bomb.”
“Rayne,” Mum snapped.
“Rayne,” Dad clipped, only lighter than normal.
Pulling the door all the way open, I took Taro’s hand, and we stepped out on the front landing. I squeezed Taro’s hand. “Just remember you invited them here.” Though the invite had been through me since he hadn’t met Mum as yet because he couldn’t make it home when I went there a few months ago.
Taro chuckled. “I will.”
Another car rolled down the drive. One I recognised. “You invited Nary and Vicious?” I called down to Mum, who blushed.
“Well, you see, your sister wanted to see where her brother was living and meet his man for the first time.”
Rayne skipped up the steps and wrapped her arms around my waist. I dropped Taro’s hand to curl mine around her shoulder. “Hey, sis.”
“Hey, fool.” She grinned up at me, then moved her gaze to Taro while Dad and Mum got their luggage out and waited for Nary.
“This is Taro. Taro, meet my pain sister, Rayne.”
Rayne tipped her chin up. “Hey.”
“Hi, Rayne, it’s good to meet you.”
“Are you sure you’re into my brother? ’Cause I can take you off his hands and live here myself.”
Taro sputtered out a laugh while I shoved my sister. “Traitor.”
She shrugged, giggling. “What? This place rocks. I’m gonna spend all my school holidays here.”
I shot Taro a look. “See what you’ve done inviting them?”
He tried to contain his laughter, but it slipped out anyway. “I do.”
“Hello,” Mum said, stopping in front of us. “I’m Malinda, Josh’s mother.”
“I’m Nary, his sister. Saxon said you’ve met him. Same as Dad. But this is Ayra.” Nary rubbed at her daughter’s back as she held her on her hip.
Taro smiled warmly. “I have met the men. But it’s good to meet the rest of Josh’s family.”
Mum elbowed me in the ribs. “You picked well. He’s very good-looking.”