Out of Control (next generation)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

RYO

My gaze narrowed down on my phone when it vibrated again. I always had it on silent because my job was to be seen, not heard, unless my boss, Taro-sama Takahashi, needed me. On the streets, my employer was also known as Wolf, which was what I preferred to use too.

Though, when it came to my job with Wolf, he believed I wasn’t needed as much as I had been since he’d cut back on business.

But I could work for Wolf for the rest of my life if I wished.

Not many knew of how I’d come to work for him. Our families had run in the same circles back in Japan, and we’d been lifelong friends, not that our fathers knew. It was best to keep any friendship away from their prying eyes, so they didn’t have anything to hold over us.

Which came in handy when I turned eighteen and my family sold me to the Takahashi family. Wolf’s father ordered me to become Wolf’s personal guard. His life before mine was always rule number one.

Still, I loved my job as his personal guard and assistant.

Wolf had given me a purpose in life and freedom in ways I never would have had with my own family.

Which was why he would always have my loyalty.

Picking up my bowl, I finished my soup for lunch and scowled at my phone again when it vibrated once more.

It had been doing that all morning for the sixth day in a row, and I knew who was to blame for it.

Sighing, I put the dish down and grabbed my phone. I may as well get this over with.

Link:

Morning, beautiful.

Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. No one had dared call me beautiful.

Link:

A new day and a new round of messages for the man I’m gonna marry.

Link:

Maybe today you’ll tell me what I’ve done for you to ignore me?

Link:

I’ll buy you flowers, chocolates, a car, a house. Just tell me.

Ever since the meeting Wolf had with this man where my boss decided to relinquish a large percentage of his seedier businesses to become a silent partner with Link Graham, the man had been nothing but annoying.

Well, to me mainly.

I had thought he was attractive, covered in all that ink and without-a-care attitude.

Until he’d somehow gotten my number and decided to hound me.

Link:

Dinner? Tonight? Pretty please.

Link:

I’ll make it worth your while.

I wasn’t sure why he’d taken such an interest in me, but I’d already been told that he had many bed partners that could help him with that itch he wanted scratched.

Link:

Just take a chance on me, and I bet you’ll forgive me for whatever I did as you fall for me.

Link:

You’ve ignored me for nearly a week, but I see you reading my messages. You like me a little bit at least. Let’s have that “little bit” grow into something bigger.

Link:

Did I tell you how hot you looked standing guard that night? H.O.T!!!!

This man was going to drive me insane. I needed to shut this down, since I would not be seeing him outside of any business-related deals. I worked for Wolf. I did not mix business with pleasure.

Besides, Link would grow bored eventually and go back to one of his conquests.

Ryo:

Please cease the messages. They are unwanted. I refuse all invites. Please find another to annoy.

There, that was clear to understand. Surely, he would do as I asked.

Link:

BABY! Hello, my snookums. I miss your stern face, and I only got to see it the once. I need more manhandling, please.

He was an idiot.

I knew he was speaking of when I thought there was danger coming toward the private room we’d been in at the restaurant, but it had only been Ruin showing up at the meeting. I’d pulled both Link and Wolf behind me.

In other words, I’d been doing my job.

Link:

What are you doing right now?

Ryo:

Ignoring you again. Goodbye.

I stood from the table and took my bowl to the sink. My phone vibrated. I cursed under my breath and gripped the counter.

“How was lunch?” Wolf asked as he and his lover, Ruin, entered.

“Pleasant enough.” I faced them and nodded to the guard that I would take over. He disappeared elsewhere. “Tell me once more. Did you or did you not give Link my phone number?”

That stupid device vibrated again, and we all stared at it.

Wolf smirked. “I did not.”

A couple of kitchenhands fluttered into the kitchen and got busy making them lunch as they sat at the table.

“You know, I could really get used to being spoilt,” Ruin commented as he watched them.

I deadpanned, “Nice to know.” Usually, I liked Ruin. He had made my friend happy and was able to show my boss that work wasn’t everything in life. However, I’d already been riled, and I wanted answers.

“If not you, then who?” I asked.

There was another vibration, and Wolf went to pick it up.

“Touch it, Wolf, and I’ll move in the rest of your family.” I could only speak to him in such a way since we were longtime friends. Plus, he ignored my tone all the time, anyway.

Wolf paused, glared, then sat back from my mobile. “Is it so bad that he’s contacting you?”

“Yes.”

“I saw the way you both looked at each other. The way you protected him when you thought there was danger—”

“I am danger,” Ruin put in.

Wolf reached over and patted his hand. “Yes, pet, very dangerous.”

He winked.

“I was just doing my job,” I informed him again.

Wolf studied me. It was never good when he did, and his next words would prove that. “What did you find out about Link that has poisoned your attraction?”

Wolf and I spent too much time together.

“Nothing.”

Ruin coughed into his hand, “Liar.”

I scowled at him, but he was too busy watching the food being placed on the table.

“Thank you. Leave us,” Wolf ordered. The kitchen staff bowed and fled.

There went my phone again.

I ground my teeth together when my phone screen lit up once more.

“If you don’t tell me, I will ask Link what it could possibly be,” Wolf warned.

“Do you want me to quit?”

We stared each other down. Wolf’s lips twitched. He knew I was bluffing. I would never leave my position.

Sighing, I told him, “I’m not interested in a man who already has many partners. I would prefer to find someone who is looking for a serious relationship.”

Ruin asked around a bite of food, “How do you know he’s not serious?”

“I…. Well, he couldn’t be if he already has so many bed partners.”

“And how did you find that out?” Ruin asked after he swallowed.

Clenching my jaw, I looked away. “Someone told me.”

“Who?” Wolf demanded.

“Yeah, who the hell would say that and when?” Ruin asked. “I wouldn’t’ve given him your number if he wasn’t keen and…. Shit.”

“You,” I snarled.

“He did it for your own good,” Wolf said, sipping his drink.

“You knew?” I demanded.

Wolf rolled his eyes. “Calm down. We only did this because we saw the sexual tension between you both. I knew you wouldn’t have made a move on him. When Josh told me Link wanted your number, I told him to give it.”

“Maybe he just hasn’t found the right person to make an effort for,” Ruin suggested.

“Which is ridiculous at his age,” I said. He was nearly a decade older than me.

But still very fit and good-looking.

Not that it mattered.

“I would much prefer you tell me who spoke about Link like that. Do you think Link would appreciate being talked about by one of his people?” Wolf asked.

My gaze flared. No, he wouldn’t, just like Wolf wouldn’t, but Link and his employees weren’t my problem, since I wasn’t going to involve myself in his life.

“So, it was one of his people,” Wolf commented. “Was it that female guard you were talking to at the end of the night?”

Damn him.

“She did look pissed with the way Link was lookin’ at Ryo,” Ruin said before taking another bite.

Wolf dabbed at his mouth with his napkin. “I agree. What did she say, Ryo?”

“Wolf—”

“Ryo.”

“Taro-sama, I believe this doesn’t involve you.”

Ruin snorted while Wolf smirked as he leaned back in his seat. “You are my friend. It involves me.”

“This is a private matter. I—”

“It involves me,” Wolf stated.

Sighing, I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“Fine. Yes, it was the guard who said something, and I won’t be telling Link this information.

I won’t be a part of his life because I refuse to be just another someone in his bed.

I want to come first, and he won’t be able to give that to me. Can we please drop this?”

“What did she say exactly?” Wolf asked, and I knew the stubborn man would not let this drop until he knew.

“She informed me that he has two girlfriends and a few boyfriends already. Herself included. They all know of one another and are willing to share. She asked me if I wanted to join her and him in their bed. I declined. End of story. Now we’re leaving this alone. Correct?”

“Fine,” Wolf said and resumed eating after sharing a look with Ruin.

A look I did not like.

“Ruin—”

The inked biker suddenly stood. “Shit, I forgot to call my sister back. She’s gonna be pissed.” He bent, kissed Wolf, and added, “I’ll find you after, but then I gotta hit the compound.”

“All right, pet.”

I would never work out how anyone would be happy and get that dopey look in their eyes over a nickname of pet, yet there was proof right in front of me as Ruin melted and kissed Wolf again before leaving.

“Wolf, tell me he isn’t going off to call Link.”

“Okay,” he replied.

“Okay he isn’t, or okay you won’t tell me he is?”

He quirked a brow. “I’m confused.”

“I don’t believe you should be. If you can run numerous businesses, you know exactly what I said and meant. Do I need to go and find him to stop him?”

“Then I would be unguarded, and anything could happen to me.”

I narrowed my gaze at him. “You’re getting on my last nerve.”

He grinned. We stared at each other for a moment, all while Wolf ate. That was until my phone vibrated.

“It’s a call,” Wolf said after glancing down.

Walking over to the table, I saw the name on the screen. “I’ll be having a word with your lover.”

The call from Link ended, just to start up again. I ground my teeth together.

Wolf stood. “I’ll be in my office.”

I pocketed my phone and nodded, waiting for him to leave, knowing a guard outside of the kitchens would pick up my job if I wasn’t at Wolf’s side.

“Are you just going to ignore him?” Wolf asked.

“I’m good at ignoring many things.” Like how I want to murder you and Ruin.

Wolf’s phone shrilled. He pulled it out and answered, “Yes? … Correct. … I’ll make sure he’s available. … Yes.” He held it out to me. I glowered. If I didn’t take it, I would look like a sullen child.

Snatching it out of his hand, I placed it to my ear. “Ryo.”

“Go out to dinner with me and listen to my side, please.”

“I have plans,” I told Link while glaring at Wolf.

“Wolf told me you’re available. Don’t you think it’s a little unfair that you’ve judged me from what one person said? Give me half an hour, Ryo.”

Sighing, I dropped my head back and stared at the high ceiling. “Half an hour.”

“Yes! Same place we met. Six. See you there, snookums,” he said and hung up before I could tell him not to call me that.

I handed Wolf’s phone back to him, even though I wanted to throw it at the wall.

“You’ll be heading out later?” he asked, knowing full well I would be.

“It seems. Have I told you lately that I hate you?”

“First and foremost, you are my friend over your position here. I want to see you happy, and I believe that man can help toward it.”

“And if he doesn’t? If this is the worst choice?”

“If he hurts you, I’ll kill him.”

I believed those words. So, I was shocked that Wolf truly thought Link could be the one man for me. Well, he may be for me, but would I be the only one for him?