Page 57 of Ruin

I couldn’t remember the last day where I wasn’t doing something for the businesses or family. There was still so much to do.

“The funeral’s organised, right? Already has been for a long time. Business stuff can wait until after the funeral. Babe, you need this. Let me take care of you.”

“How?”

He chuckled. “By telling Ryo to run things while we rest in the bedroom. It’s all for you, of course.”

Grinning, I lifted my head. “Of course.”

“What do you say?”

How could I say no since Josh was right? I could use the time without family and business.

The door opened, and Ryo stuck his head in. “I agree with Ruin,” he stated.

Snorting, I rolled my eyes. “I knew you would.” Taking Josh’s hand, I started towards the door. “All right, I’ll take some time, but if anything comes up….”

“I will contact you,” Ryo replied.

“Yes.” I looked at Josh. “Also, can we go and see my mother and Mimi?”

He smiled. “Yeah, Taro.”

Taro.I did love hearing him say my name.

* * *

Mother had been sleepingwhen I checked on her, but she was in good hands with our aunt. She was my mother’s sister, after all. When we arrived at Mimi’s room, the man I had half noticed before comforting her outside Father’s room opened the door. He wore a Hawks MC patch. Seeing it reassured me my sister was in good company. Josh wouldn’t have had one of his brothers be here for her without knowing there was something between them.

Though I had thought Mimi was still getting over Josh, so who was this man to her?

“Hey,” he whispered with a chin lift.

“Cowboy, this is Taro, Mimi’s brother. We’re stoppin’ in to check on her,” Josh explained.

“Nice to meet you officially, but Mimi’s havin’ a rest right now,” Cowboy said to me before his gaze dropped to our clasped hands. I tried to pull mine away, but Josh held strong.

Wasn’t he worried about what his friend would think?

I wanted to look at him, to know what he was thinking, but I didn’t. Instead, I replied, “You also. Though, I would like to know how you’ve become close to my sister.”

His face flushed. It was strangely endearing coming from a biker, especially when he stammered, “W-Well… um, you see….”

Josh chuckled. “Cowboy’s from Ballarat. They’ve been gettin’ close before Mimi came here.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her.”

“Good. Because I would hate to kill a brother to Ruin,” I told him.

Cowboy chuckled, until he looked at both of our straight faces. “Wait, you actually mean that.”

Josh sighed. “He does.” He pulled our hands up and kissed the back of mine. “But I’ll keep him under control.”

It was my turn for my cheeks to burn. Josh really didn’t care how he acted in front of a brother, even when it was so out of character for him and would shock people who knew him. I heard Cowboy choke on his own saliva, but I couldn’t look away from the man beside me.

He really didn’t care.

It surprised me to the point of warmth, the sensation attacking my head, heart, and soul in all the good, mushy ways.

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