Ruin (Hawks MC Next Generation #2) - Lila Rose Page 0,3

my own people within the gang, ones who will only follow me, ones who I trust with my life and the lives of those I love. It will never be that way again. You and Mother will be taken care of. Things have changed. Trust me, Mimi, everything is better.”

It had better be.

I gave a smile to the waitress when she dropped off my drinks before I pulled my phone out, placing it on the booth.

“Thank you,” Mimi said to the waitress before she left and then looked back to her brother. “All right, Taro. I’ll come back, but I will not stay long.”

“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.