Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
After our morning delight, we met Ace in his shop. The man was covered in all kinds of artistic ink, even up the sides of his neck and into his hair. There were instruments and ink laid out neatly on a table beside the lounge chair, along with a few sketches he’d made in anticipation of our arrival.
“Wylde said this was a rush job,” he said to Cyrus with a grin. “You expecting trouble?”
Cyrus shrugged. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
I rolled my eyes. “My brother is on his way. Cyrus thought it best to get this done before he tries to take me back to Florida.”
“Should I be concerned? ‘Cause I have no desire to be collateral damage if he doesn’t accept his sister being old lady to this asshole.”
Cyrus took a threatening step toward Ace, but I twined my fingers through his. “My brother only wants me happy, Ace. He’s not going to hurt anyone if I’m happy.”
The man glanced from me to Cyrus. “Just out of curiosity, who’s your brother? Anyone I know?”
“Donovan Muse,” I said with a smile.
Ace actually took a couple steps back. “Wait. Donovan Muse. The Donovan Muse. Blade. From Salvation’s Bane.”
I frowned. “That a problem?”
“Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me? His name’s Blade, for Christ’s sake! I wasn’t there, but I heard a guy tell the story of how he got his road name. I have no desire to be the one to give his sister a property tattoo without his knowledge.”
“You can be afraid of a man who’s not here, or a man who is. Me.” Cyrus had a thunderous look on his face. Like he was ready to do murder. It was as alarming as it was charming, in a crazy kind of way. Cyrus saw this as the last barrier keeping me from him. All he had to do was make it happen and I was his.
“I’m afraid of that girl’s brother. Ain’t too proud to admit it. Isn’t she his baby sister? Cause she don’t look old enough to be anything but. She even legal?”
“I’m eighteen.” I glanced at Cyrus, unsure of the protocol. “Do you need my driver’s license?”
“No. Don’t need your license.” Ace grumbled, scrubbing his hand down his face. “I’m not sure about this, Cyrus. Blade know you’re with his sister?”
“He will. When he gets here and sees her ink. Now. You gonna do this the easy way or the hard way?”
Ace and Cyrus stared at each other a long time before Ace backed down. “Fine, you bastard. But this is all on you. I’m not taking responsibility for any of it.”
“Good.”
We started going over designs and I chose one he’d designed with a colorful hummingbird holding a red heart dangling from a thread. Above it in elegant script were the words, “Property of” and below it woven into the branch the bird was perched on “Cyrus.”
“It’s so lovely,” I said, my fingers lightly grazing the design. “But I have a question before we begin.”
“Ask anything you like. I want you sure and confident of everything before we start.”
“I’m close to seven weeks pregnant. It’s safe to do this. Right?”
I looked at Cyrus, who looked startled, then to Ace who was shaking his head with a look of utter relief on his face.
“Thank fuckin’ God! No. It’s not exactly dangerous, especially here, but I’m sure the Surgeon General recommends against it.” He gave Cyrus a triumphant look.
“I’ll get Stitches’ opinion. I don’t want to put the baby at risk, but I really want this done.”
“I’ll do whatever you think is best, Cyrus. You’ve earned my trust.” It surprised me how true those words were. I did trust Cyrus to make decisions like this for me. I knew that, if there was any danger and he chose to go ahead with this, the benefits of having his ink on me outweighed the risks. And it would have to be a huge gap.
He fired off a text to Stitches. It wasn’t long before he got a reply. He must not have liked what he read because his scowl deepened. “Mother fuck. Can nothing go right today?” His complaint was muttered as he scrubbed a hand behind his neck. “I need an alternative, Ace.”
“What about henna? It’s not permanent and would have to be touched up at least once a week until we can get her inked. There won’t be much color other than a reddish brown, but it could mark her until it’s safe.”
Cyrus looked at me. “What do you think?”
“I’ll do whatever you want me to, Cyrus. I know you won’t lead me wrong.”
He shot off another text, looking a little more settled after my words. Seconds later, he got a reply.
“Stitches says the henna is safe. I’ll have to talk to Sting and Brick about it. See what they recommend since we can’t get you inked properly. I’ll present this as our alternative.”