Chapter 34
THIRTY-FOUR
Sophia asked me to help her with the groceries, so Xander went to work without me this morning.
Having to take the subway, I arrive an hour later.
As I step into the tattoo studio, I see that Xander is still alone, and he is standing behind the register before he comes over to pull me into a hug. “Hey, pumpkin,” he greets, kissing the top of my head.
I push my palms against his chest, slightly loosening his grip. Looking up at him, I can’t help but frown. “Pumpkin? Because I’m round?” I ask, my voice laced with a hint of insecurity.
Xander bends down and meets my eyes, pulling me closer by my ass and gently squeezing it. He whispers in my ear, “I love every inch of you and the way you take every inch of me,” before he sucks in my earlobe, lightly nibbling on it.
It sends shivers down my spine, raising goose bumps on my skin.
“Then why, pumpkin?” My voice comes out as a hushed exhale.
He leans back again, his hand on my chin, guiding my gaze to meet his intense gray eyes.
“Because you’re my favorite cream pie,” he says, voice gravelly, causing my eyes to widen in surprise.
Before I can react, he pulls me into a passionate kiss, making my heart flutter.
His other hand slips between my legs, cupping me.
The sensation leaves me feeling lightheaded.
“I can’t wait to fill this up again,” he murmurs against my lips.
I gulp, and he smirks at my reaction. After a quick peck on my lips, he releases me and takes a step back.
“My next client should be here in a few. I am going to get the stencils ready.”
He walks to the back and leaves me standing there, dumbfounded. “O-okay,” I whisper with a stutter, hearing him snicker softly.
It’s late afternoon when Joshua and Clay enter the studio, both in their police uniforms. Cindy was right. They look like candy on a stick.
“Hey.” I smile at them from behind the register, where I am doodling in my sketchbook to kill some time while Xander is tattooing.
“Hey, kitten,” Clay greets, reaching over the register to grip my hoodie and pull me as far as he can, stealing a quick kiss.
Joshua, meanwhile, has rounded the register and is standing beside me, turning me so he can lean down and kiss me much longer.
“Did you have fun last night?” he asks, and I blush.
“Oh, so much fun.” Clay snickers.
“I missed you,” Joshua whispers, ignoring Clay and pecking my nose.
“I missed you too,” I say breathily, slipping my hand into his and squeezing.
“You know, there would be no reason to miss anybody if we all got on the same page,” Clay suggests.
“Clay,” Joshua hisses out between clenched teeth.
“What? I’m just saying the bed is big enough, and as long as you keep your hands on her, I can’t see any problem with spending some time with all four of us.” Clay shrugs.
“Can we discuss this at home, please,” Joshua suggests, pulling me into a side hug and kissing my temple. “It’s not that I am against it, I just… I don’t know.”
“You don’t know because you haven’t tried it. I won’t touch your dick, man.” Clay snickers.
“Love, shut it.” Xander’s voice comes from the back.
“Sorry, babe,” he shouts to the back, his eyes wide when they look at me. “Oh, I am going to regret that,” he whispers to me, making me huff a laugh.
“What are you doing here?” I ask them. “Not that I am complaining.”
“We brought you guys something to eat,” Clay explains, pulling out subs from a plastic bag. “And we need to talk.”
I freeze.
What did I do?
“Fuck you, Clay,” Joshua scolds, pulling me into a real hug now, stroking my hair. “You know how her pretty head works.”
“Shit, I’m sorry.” Clay winces when I turn to look at him, cheek still pressed to Joshua’s chest. “I wanted to ask you if you would like to spend some time with me tomorrow.”
I look up at Joshua, then back at Clay, letting out a breath. “Just you and me?”
“Yes, just two best friends visiting the gun range to learn how to shoot.” He smiles at me, and I scrunch up my nose. “Nope, kitten, there is no way around this. You need to know how to handle a gun.”
“I am not going to carry one around,” I argue, stepping back from Joshua and crossing my arms over my chest.
“That’s fine, but I still want you to know how they work. Like you know there are guns in Sophia’s and our sides of the house, and they are worth nothing in a dangerous situation if you don’t know how to use them. You are more likely to hurt yourself than the target.”
“I wasn’t planning on using them ever.” I huff.
“Oh, so when one of the Del Moros would visit you at night, you won’t take out the gun in the drawer next to the door?” he challenges, raising an eyebrow at me.
“About that. Yesterday, I discovered some clues that Del Moro could be part of the Metro Milanesi,” I say, feeling guilty for only mentioning this now, but hey, they were the ones distracting me.
“What does that mean? You discovered clues? Why would a cop be part of a gang?” Joshua frowns at me.
“He has a gang tattoo,” I state.
“What kind of gang tattoo?” Clay questions me, his brow furrowing.
“He has a cross on his wrist, the sign of the Metro Milanesi,” I relay, pointing to my wrist.
“Not everyone with a cross tattoo is a gangster, kitten. Some are just religious. Ask Xander how many crosses he tattoos every year.” Clay shrugs, dismissing me.
“Too fucking many,” Xander grumbles from the back.
“I mean, yes, that could be true, but I don’t think we should dismiss it.”
“True, we will look into that. Maybe we’ll find out something about the gang tattoo and find a reference to compare,” Joshua reassures me.
“Just another reason to know how to handle a gun if the guy who threatens you is a cop with gang connections.” Clay looks at me intently, and by the glint in his eyes, he knows he’s won.
“Fine,” I relent, turning to Joshua. “Can’t you show me how?” I pout at him.
“Hey!” Clay pouts now too, seemingly offended.
Joshua snickers. “I would, but he is the better choice. I don’t like to say it, but he is very good with a gun and self-defense.”
“Are we talking about the same guy who still has some of the shiner left that a robber gave him with a gun from only feet away?” I raise my eyebrows and hear Xander chuckle.
“I never said he was smart on top of it.” Joshua smiles.
“You two are fucking awful best friends,” Clay mutters, crossing his arms over his chest.
I round the register and stand before Clay, pulling him down to me by the collar of his uniform. “I would love for you to teach me how to handle a big weapon,” I whisper.
“Fuck,” he breathes out, closing the distance between us and kissing me.