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.
“Hey, kid,” I said, holding her close. “How’s school?”
“Shit,” she mumbled.
“Rayne,” Mum snapped, wiping at her eyes.
“Rayne,” Dad clipped.
“You all swear all the time.” Rayne shifted to my side to put her arm around my waist, and I placed mine around her shoulders.
“We’re adults, sis,” I told her.
“Whatever,” she grumbled.
“Good to have you home, son,” Dad said before he hauled me into a one-armed hug and pat to the back.
“Good to be back.” It was, for now, but I wasn’t sticking around for long. It blew my damn mind I’d attached myself to someone so fast, but Dad was right. When you found your one, you just knew.
Damn Taro for making me leave.
“You all right?” Dad asked.
“Yeah, good. Talk to you later about it,” I told him, which earned me a chin lift.
“We’re heading to the compound soon for a family barbeque. You’re going, right?” Mum asked.
“Was just there, caught up with the brothers.” I smiled. I didn’t say I was heading back there though, because I wasn’t sure I would.
Mum studied me a moment. “How about a coffee?”
“That’d be good.” I led Rayne into the kitchen, and we took a seat at the table with Dad while Mum busied herself making drinks.
A honk sounded out the front, and Rayne perked up. “That’ll be Nary.” She bolted from the room, and we all heard the front door being thrown wide.
“What’s Nary comin’ for?” I asked.
Mum smiled. “She said she’d pick up Rayne for the barbeque since they missed out on her sleeping over at Nary’s when Ayra was sick.”
A foot to my shin had me cursing and glaring at Dad. “What’s up with this?” He waved at my face.
The chair screeched when I pushed back to rub my shin. “What the fuck you talkin’ about, old man? You losin’ your mind?”
Dad’s eyes narrowed as he shook his head. “Cut the crap. Somethin’ is goin’ on.”
“Maybe it had somethin’ to do with the shit I’d just come home from, ever think of that?”
He studied me, and it felt like he was looking into my damn soul. “That ain’t it.”
I snorted. “Yeah, okay,” I deadpanned.
“Honey, did something happen?” Mum asked.
Goddamn. They weren’t going to drop it.
“Look, all I can say is that Mimi’s family is fucked up. Even on his death bed, her dad treated her like shit for not marrying an old man for a business deal. Her uncle was gonna do the same to his daughters if Wolf didn’t—”
“There.” Dad pointed at me.
I pulled my brows down. “You been smokin’ somethin’? Did Killer and Ivy pop over, and you four had another toke party—”
“That was one time,” Mum snapped, setting a steamy coffee in front of me and Dad. She glared at