The Unexpected First (The Unexpected Series Book 2)

Chapter Forty-Three

Ryan has been jumping me multiple times a day since we broke the seal, so to speak. It’s barely been a week but I’m dying to taste her again. I know she’s not ready for that. She’s been using me like her own personal fuck toy and my god am I here for it.

I’ve just finished with a client and walk them to the counter to take payment. I smirk when I see Ryan sitting on the couch on her phone. She’s still not ready to be on her own with photography. I know she misses it with how much she’s been photographing the artists here. I’m hoping my surprise for her will help her heal in that aspect too.

“It was great working with you, Taryn.” I smile at her, handing over the ointment she purchased and a sheet of aftercare instructions which I’ve already gone through in the workroom. I’ve found over the years having the printout helps. They tend to be so excited and looking at their new ink that they don’t pay attention to the instructions in the room.

“Thanks so much, Greyson. I’ll let you know when I’m ready for another!” She grins and waves to Ryan before leaving through the front door.

I saunter over to where Ryan is sitting and join her, pulling her feet onto my lap.

“Hey, gorgeous.” I gently massage her calves, “What do you think about—” before I can ask my question we’re cut off by the front door opening. I look over to see Bennett standing there, looking sheepish.

“Mind if I use your restroom? Afternoon coffee may have been a little too strong.” He chuckles.

“Yeah man, that’s fine.” I laugh.

“Uh, Benny. I love you but spray. Your shit stinks worse than a rotten egg mixed in gasoline,” Ryan calls after him which makes Bennett and I both laugh as he disappears into the back of the shop.

“So, Kitten, what do you think about —” The front door slams open again. This time, I jump to my feet and shield Ryan from a rabid-looking Shaun. He looks strung out on a bad supply of whatever he’s been selling.

“Shaun, what are you doing here?” I ask as calmly as possible while keeping Ryan out of sight behind me.

“I’m here for my shit,” he snarls at me.

“OK, how about you schedule a time outside of normal hours so that we don’t have any clients coming in and getting in the way of your things?” I keep my voice steady, but his demeanor has me ready to step in front of a bullet for my woman.

“How about I get what I came here for now.” Shaun’s tone is even more erratic than when he first walked through the door.

“What is it that you want?” My calmness wavers as he steps closer to us. I can tell the moment he realizes Ryan is behind me because his lips twitch into a dark grin.

“I want the cunt that cost me the biggest payday,” he growls.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I snap at him.

“You think it was a coincidence that Ing and Trav came after her as soon as you made a move? Who the fuck do you think told her that she was going to miss out if she didn’t act fast?” He snorts as though it should be obvious. “They were here the night you two fucked and made out right there in front of the window.” He motions at the large window behind us.

“What exactly was in it for you?” I arch a brow as I see Bennett slowly walking toward us.

“She was a fucking cash cow. If you would have stayed out of it and let her finish doing what she wanted, she would have given me her supplier so I didn’t have to go through her anymore.” The more he speaks, the more I feel Ryan’s rage building behind me.

I place my hand on her hip, trying to comfort her while keeping her out of his sight as best I can.

“Let’s ignore the fact that she’s the love of my life for a moment. You’re telling me that you sold a woman to a psychopath for more drugs?” I spew the words at him like venom.

“What of it?” His demeanor changes before my eyes. He’s offended that I find his actions appalling.

I’m barely holding myself back when I no longer feel Ryan under my touch. She’s maneuvered herself around me and is charging toward a strung-out Shaun.

“Ry, no!” I try to pull her back into my arms, but she leaps onto the coffee table, winding her arm back and punching with more force than I realized she had, landing the most graceful right hook to his eye that I’ve ever witnessed. He collapses onto the ground before he can react. I wrap my arms around her stomach and pull her back to me, lifting her off of the table and walking us back to the other side of the couch while Bennett calls in for backup.

“Baby, talk to me,” I urge Ryan once I get her to turn around and look me in the eyes.

“I’m fine. I’ll never understand it, but I’m fine.” She wraps herself around me for a brief moment before excusing herself to use the restroom.

“Backup will be here momentarily, but,” he pauses glancing back where Ryan disappeared to the bathroom. “He’s got no pulse.”

“What?” I look between Shaun’s lifeless body and Bennett.

“My guess is whatever he was on took him out either when she landed the punch or when he landed on the ground.” He pauses. “Either way, he’s gone. There’s more though. Apparently, our friend here paid a visit to Ingrid or Luna, whatever we’re calling her, about an hour before he arrived here. She was pronounced dead fifteen minutes ago.”

I collapse onto the couch, unsure how to process what he just said.

How the hell is Ryan going to handle this?

As if she’s hearing my thoughts, she appears behind Bennett. Her eyes barely meet mine, but as soon as our gazes lock, she knows. She rushes toward me and bursts into tears. I pull her into my lap, holding her tight.