Chapter Twenty-Six
Bailey
Working through my files wasn’t the most pleasant way to spend a Saturday, but with Keston at the tattoo shop, I figured I might as well get a jump on the week ahead so I could concentrate on finding us a new apartment.
For perhaps the fifth time that afternoon, I checked comps in the area of my father’s house.
Prices had only gone up, and I chewed the inside of my cheek almost raw, paced my office, and downed two cups of coffee before picking up the phone.
“Madison?”
“Hi, Bailey. You just caught me. I’m on my way to a showing. Did you and Keston like any of the apartments in the listings I sent you?”
“We’re still going through them. I’ll make this quick. I’m going to put my father’s house on the market. Can you do the listing?”
“Hold on a sec, my car is here… Yeah, I can. It’s outside my normal area, but I don’t see why not. What’s your asking?”
“I’m thinking five hundred? Maybe five fifty?”
“When you mentioned it, of course I did a comp run. Let’s do six fifty, and we’ll see where it goes. Listen, I gotta run, but I’ll reach out later, okay? I’ve got a few more great places for you and Keston to check out. I’ll email you.”
“Sounds good. Talk soon.”
That was the easy part. It was the second call I had to make that made me wish I kept a bottle in my desk.
“Hello, Jennifer.”
“Bailey? To what do I owe the honor of a call?”
I squeezed my eyes shut. It wasn’t that I hated giving her what she wanted. Dammit. Yes, it was. I was being petty as shit. But Keston and Dr. Sharpe were both right. There was no reason to hold on to a house when the memories of my father would always live in my heart.
“I’m going to put the house up for sale.”
As executor of my father’s estate, I was the person to initiate the sale, but since Jennifer was half-owner, she also had rights.
“Thank God you’re finally listening to me. How much?”
“Six fifty.”
“What?” Her shriek nearly took out my eardrum. “That’s not enough. Any apartment where I’m looking to move is much more expensive than that.”
“It’s what the real estate agent and I feel is appropriate, considering it’s not updated. If there are multiple offers, the amount could go higher.”
“It better,” she responded.
I couldn’t resist a dig. “I’m sure one of your friends would be happy to help you if you needed money. Or a place to live.” She didn’t answer me, so I gave her the facts. “It’ll most likely start being showed next week, so I suggest you clean it up to make it look its best.”
“I’ll hire someone,” she said airily, as if she were queen of the castle.
“Fine. I’ll deduct the cost from your portion. I’ll let you know when the first showing is so you won’t be there.”
“Bailey, wait. I was so glad to see you’re doing so well.”
“You were?”
My lips twitched because I knew what was coming. Maybe the fact that I hadn’t hung up on her immediately allowed her to think I cared. As usual, she didn’t disappoint.
“Oh, yes. Your secretary told me how busy you are. Obviously, you must be making enough to live in a fancy apartment in the city, or you’d join a big firm and make even more money.”
“Was there something you wanted? Because I really do have to go.”
“Wait. Bailey, please. I think you should consider giving me a greater portion of the money we get for the house. After all, you have a high-paying job. I-I have nothing. I’m an older woman, with no man to take care of her. Please.”
My head hurt, most likely caused by my eyes rolling so hard in my head from her bullshit. I drew in a deep breath, calming myself.
“Then may I suggest you get a job? The will states fifty-fifty, and that’s all I’m prepared to do. Once we receive an offer, I’ll let you know. I have to go.” There was no need to continue the conversation. Anything further would be more of her whining and crying.
“Bailey, you selfish—”
I didn’t get to hear the rest of her loving comments because I ended the call.
My heart pounded, and coupled with my headache, I had little desire to keep working.
My phone showed five o’clock, and that was my signal to close my files and go meet my incredibly gorgeous, hot, and sexy man for dinner.
How quickly had my life changed since meeting Keston. From zero to one hundred with a single kiss. Because from that first time when he touched me at his shop, I was his.
I entered Inktastic and waved to Jodi, who was cleaning her table and chair, and wandered to stand behind Keston, who was busy working on the shoulder of a big older man.
He didn’t notice I was there, and it was fascinating to watch him work.
While I had no desire to have someone stick needles in my skin, I could appreciate the artistry and talent it took to create and execute the designs.
Keston finished and straightened up, rolling his shoulders. “That’s it, Mike. Lemme get you a mirror so you can see.”
I spotted the hand mirror on his tray and handed it to him.
“Here.”
Keston jerked around, a smile on his face. “How long have you been standing there?” He took the mirror from me.
“Long enough to see how talented you are. And I’m not just saying that because you’re my boyfriend.” I winked. “And you have a great ass,” I murmured.
Muttering, he cast his eyes to the ceiling. Red crept up his cheeks, and he faced his client again, who was busy on his phone. “Mike. Take a look and let me know what you think.”
The big man squinted and cocked his head left and right. “Perfect. Exactly what I wanted.”
“Great. I’ll go get your aftercare set up.” Keston left us to gather some items together.
The rest of Mike’s arm was covered with other colorful tattoos, but one caught my eye and I stepped forward to peer closer. What I saw sent me reeling, and I pointed to his arm.
“How-how did you know him?”
Mike glanced at his biceps. “Bruce? He was a cop friend. A good man. Helped us on the pile.” He flexed and sighed. “I told Keston here that when I heard he died, I wanted to do something to honor him.” He ran his fingers over the tattoo. “Too many, gone way too soon.”
“What is it? You’re white.” Standing beside me, Keston moved in closer. “Whoa, wait a second. Is that—”
“My dad.” Tears stung my eyes. “Yeah.”
Mike’s jaw dropped. “You’re his boy? He always talked about you. How he was proud you did so good in school and that you wanted to be a lawyer.”
“I am.” I couldn’t take my eyes off the tattoo. Seeing his shield number and date of death sent a rush of love and longing through me. But not pain. No more.
Keston rubbed his face, his wide eyes expressing how overwhelmed he was. “I had no idea that was your father when I did the ink. I remember thinking it was a cool way to pay tribute to a friend. I see so many people, I totally forgot. I’m sorry.”
“Hey.” I put my hand on his shoulder. “Don’t apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong. I wouldn’t have expected you to connect the two.”
“Forget about me.” Keston’s arm slid around my waist. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” Warm and secure for the first time in my life, I leaned into him. “I think I am. And I can never forget about you. You’re like my own tattoo, only permanently inked across my heart.” Keston squeezed me hard.
As Keston treated the tattoo, Mike said, “He’s a hero. Worked nonstop when the towers fell and for weeks after. I know he lost buddies as well.” Once Mike was wrapped up and had put his sweater and jacket on, he stuck out his hand. “Nice to meetcha.”
“Same here. Take care of yourself.”
We clasped hands, and after Mike paid, Keston steered me into his office. “Sit for a few while I clean and close up, and then we’ll go home.”
Jodi had finished up and stopped to say good-bye. “Good to see you again. And again.” Her eyes danced, and she closed the space between us to speak quietly. “I know Keston hates when I talk about his private life, but I just wanted you to know I think you’ve been great for him.”
“Thank you. I agree.”
Brows together, Keston strode into the office. “Jodi?”
She wiggled her fingers. “Just sayin’ good night. Byeeee.” Swinging her purse, she left, and I snickered.
“She’s cute.”
He took me by the elbow and pulled me close. “So’re you. Ready to go?”
“Yeah. I’m hungry.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “Me too.”
A throb of desire hit me. “I am so happy right now.”
“Yeah? Something happen?”
Before I could answer, the door opened, and Ambrose came running in. “Oh good, you’re here. Bailey, please help Lucas. You’re the only one he trusts. His Legal Aid lawyer is just tellin’ him to plead guilty. Exactly like the other one.”
Keston dropped his arm from around my shoulder. “Didn’t Bailey already say no?”
Ignoring Keston, Ambrose continued to entreat me with pleading eyes. “Please, Bailey. He’s been screwed once. You know the cops wanna get him.”
Dammit. “If I do this and I find out he wasn’t wrongfully arrested, are you going to stop hounding me then? I’m not gonna lie.”
“Okay. He’s in Central Booking. You know where that is?”
I sighed. “Yeah. I’ll go and let you know what happens.” Keston shifted and huffed by my side, clearly unhappy. “I’m sorry. I can’t say how long it’ll be. Hopefully I’ll be home soon.”
“Not your fault. I knew you wouldn’t say no.”
“I’d better call a car. I’ll text you.” I kissed him and left.
The ride to Central Booking wasn’t long, and I was shown into a conference room to wait for them to bring Lucas in. When they did, he smirked and his eyes lit up.
“Ambrose came through. I knew he would.”
“First of all, I’m not representing you or here as your attorney. This is a consultation only. Understand?”
“Yeah, yeah, sure. This is what happened. Me ’n my old lady Tiffany was havin’ a fight when that bitch across the hall called the cops.”
“What was the fight about?”
His gaze flicked side to side. “Ain’t important.”
I remained silent.
He huffed and glared. “Okay, I brought some shit to her place, but I wasn’t gonna leave it there. I was gonna move it.”
Unreal. “And the gun?”
“Listen. The kid was asleep.”