Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Mick
T he main street of the Gold Coast is alive with throngs of tourists and laid-back locals. It’s an affront to the senses after the peaceful two nights we spent in our sleepy hideaway. But solitude is poison to my wife, which is odd given she studied archaeology.
Jake was reluctant to give me an entire week off, but after what happened to Jules at the nightclub, he could see we needed this break.
Jules grabs my hand. “Let’s get matching tattoos.”
What?
She gives me no time to respond, dragging me into a tattoo parlour, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips. “It’ll be fun.”
“You hate needles.”
“This is different.”
I’m not convinced. Jules hyperventilates when she gets a blood test, but I follow her inside. The shop is airy with colourful designs lining the walls. The guy behind the counter smiles. He’s a work of art, with every inch of exposed flesh, except his face, covered in an intricate pattern. Jules trips in her rush to greet him but dusts herself off before I can reach her.
Her gaze roams all over the man. “We want tattoos.”
He brushes the ink on his arms. “Then you’ve come to the right place. My name’s Connor and this is my shop. Have you got something in mind?”
“Yes.”
Jules hasn’t mentioned this before. “You do?”
She points to the tattoo on my arm, the one that cost me a small fortune to hide Leadbetter’s mark. I admit, I became a little addicted, ending up with an entire sleeve.
Connor inspects it, oohing and ahhing. “This is good. The artist was very talented.” He stops where the phoenix print camouflages the gang marking, his brow furrowing before he backs away. A discerning eye can identify the symbol, and it appears Connor has one.
Will I ever be able to leave my undercover days behind me? The parlour seems legit. But if the owner recognises the emblem, then he’s had exposure to the seedier side of life.
Jules slides her fingers along my forearm, oblivious to the sudden tension. “I love the swirling pattern up Mick’s arm, but it’s too much ink for me. I thought maybe I could get an infinity sign with our wedding date.”
“And you’d like me to have one too?” I ask.
Jules removes her hand. “Only if you want.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder, giving the appearance she doesn’t care, but it’s obviously important to her.
What’s another tatt? My mother will have a fit. She hates the ink. It stops two inches above my wrist, so it’s concealed when I wear long-sleeved shirts. If she knew I had more on my chest, she’d most likely get a case of the vapours. But it’s not her body. It’s mine. And if Jules wants me to have one, then I see it as a positive sign for our marriage. “Why don’t you check out some other designs to make certain this is definitely what you want? ”
“Sure. But I don’t think I’ll change my mind.” She picks up a catalogue and plops onto the bright yellow couch.
I gesture to Connor, and we move further into the shop.
The purple curtain swishes open, and a young woman with an eyebrow ring and a stunning rose design up one arm flounces out. “Hey, boss. I’m just finishing up with Penny.”
“Excellent. Looks like we might have two more clients shortly.”
She gives me a once-over, her gaze immediately drawn to my sleeve. “Nice.” She frowns at my other arm. “You should even it up.”
I shake my head. “No, thanks. I’ve finished inking my body. Except for the tattoo my wife wants me to get.” I turn to Connor. “Do you have time?”
He nods. “As long as the design isn’t too large, you’re in luck. We have a free spot this afternoon.”
The woman disappears behind the curtain.
I point to my forearm. “I take it you saw what I think you saw?”
His jaw tightens, and he regards me for a few seconds, probably wondering whether he should lie. “Yeah.”
“Do I need to be worried about where you’ve seen it before?”
“Nope. Absolutely not.” He shakes his head. “We had some trouble a couple of years ago with two guys who came in. Demanded tatts, then tried to leave without paying. When I challenged them, they showed me the ink and told me to think carefully about messing with anyone who sported that symbol.” His throat works like he hasn’t had a drink all day and his hands clench by his sides. “Whoever covered yours up did an excellent job.”
“Yeah. They did. And it means I’m no threat to you.”
“I figured as much. It just threw me for a bit.”
I nod at Connor, and he nods back. We’re good. Thank Christ, Jules is oblivious. She knows nothing about Leadbetter or how dangerous my undercover stint was, and I want it to stay that way.
Connor says he can do our tattoos in two hours, so we head off for lunch. The delay allows me to withdraw cash, because even though he seems legit, I’m not taking any chances of us being traced. It also means Jules has a chance to change her mind before she goes ahead with something that’s not easily undone.
We’re given an outside table with a view of the ocean. The sun blazes midway in the sky, but it’s got nothing on the vibrancy of my wife’s expression. This trip was the best decision ever. Better than any counselling. Which reminds me, we need to book in for another session. Or do we? We seem to be making good progress on our own.
The server arrives with the menus and recites the specials of the day. Fresh barramundi with chips and salad sounds like a winner. “Can I get you some drinks?”
“I’ll have a glass of the sparkling wine, please,” says Jules.
“The Heineken Zero for me, thanks.”
Jules crosses her arms and gives me a pout to rival Riley at her best. “We’re on holiday, Mick. Surely, a light beer won’t hurt you.”
“I’d rather not.”
Her voice wavers. “So you think I shouldn’t?”
“Of course not.” Although, it’s a relief to see she’s been limiting herself to two glasses each day. “I don’t enjoy the taste anymore.”
After three years of walking the fine line between drinking and smoking to fit in and yet stay sober enough to protect myself, I’d be happy if I never saw another bottle of alcohol again. A lot of cops hit the booze. It’s an occupational hazard. I was in danger of heading in the same direction until I found out I had a daughter. Having a family changed my life in the best possible way.
We both have the fish, and Jules has a second glass of champagne. I also run some checks on the tattoo parlour. It appears to be reputable, with numerous high-profile clients leaving impressive reviews. We’ll be in expert hands.
Besides, it’s pointless trying to talk my wife out of getting inked now her mind is made up, and I don’t want to. There’s something cool about having matching tattoos. It spells forever in a way a ring can’t.
Jules elects to go first, not wanting to chicken out when I get mine done. She settles into the leather chair and holds out her left arm. I sit next to her. Connor cleans the area with rubbing alcohol before positioning the stencil on her wrist. He checks if she’s happy with the position and then transfers the design to her skin.
“Oh wow. It looks amazing.” Jules’ tone is full of awe as she inspects the transfer.
“Last chance.” Connor tilts his head. “You still want to proceed?”
Jules nods, her gaze fixed on the outline. I applied numbing cream on the area at lunch. It won’t prevent all the pain, but it should dull it enough to be tolerable. I give Connor the thumbs up.
He gets the tattoo gun ready.
Colour drains from Jules’ face. “I can’t watch.”
I squeeze her hand. “Keep your eyes on me.”
The machine buzzes, and Jules flinches. Connor stops.
Jules nibbles her bottom lip. “Sorry. I’m okay. I won’t move again.” Her grip on my hand is so fierce my fingers tingle, but I say nothing. She’s very brave for someone who faints at the sight of a needle. “It’s not too bad. Just feels like lots of …” She sucks in a shaky breath. “Nasty pinpricks.”
She remains quiet for the rest of the procedure, her face unnaturally pasty and her eyes glued to mine.
“Finished.” Connor drops the tattoo gun onto the table.
Jules swallows. “Is it good?”
I gesture towards her arm. “See for yourself. ”
She turns her head. “Oh my. It’s perfect.”
It is. He’s a skilled artist. The design is two inches long, and instead of black, Jules has opted to have it in red. The colour suits her.
Connor finishes up, wiping the tattoo with soap and a paper towel. “We’ll let that dry, and then I’ll wrap it.”
Jules sips some water, her gaze still fixed on the ink. “I can’t believe how good it looks.” She turns to me. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.” I brush my lips over hers. The moment is fleeting, but it’s genuine. “And I love you.”
Tears glisten in her eyes. She clasps the top of my T-shirt and pulls me closer. Her kiss is more carnal, her tongue sliding across mine. “I love you too.”
My heart thumps louder than the tattoo machine. This is the first time Jules has said those three precious words in over a year. I’d gladly ink my entire body to hear her repeat them over and over.
A clearing throat has Jules releasing my shirt. “Your turn, Mick.”
Unlike my wife, I passed on the numbing cream. It’s a macho act, and one I regret when the gun starts up. I’d forgotten how painful the tiny needle can be. But I keep a stoic expression. The adoration on my wife’s face and the reverberation of ‘I love you’ in my head double as the perfect anaesthetic.
Connor finishes the tattoo in no time and gives us instructions on how to care for what are essentially open wounds for the next few weeks. Jules excuses herself to go to the bathroom, and I wait for her outside.
I check my mobile, and my good mood deflates.
Melissa: Ashley got suspended for 2 days. I don’t know what to do.
Jesus. What am I going to do with that kid ?
Knowing my wife, she’ll be a while, so I dial Melissa’s number.
She picks up on the first ring. “Thanks for calling.”
“That’s okay. What happened?”
“He was caught smoking cigarettes in the toilets.”
I watch Jules through the window. She’s stopped to talk to Connor. Her smile is wide as she points to her tattoo. If I’d been killed and not Davo, she’d be the struggling single mum, not Melissa.
I take a deep breath. I’m in no position to help right now, but I need to sort Ashley out before he does something he can’t come back from. “I’ll have another talk with him when I return to Sydney.”
“Oh. You’re not home?” There’s a hitch to Melissa’s voice. I feel like an arse. Here I am enjoying a holiday, and she probably can’t afford one.
“No. Jules and I are up on the Gold Coast.”
She doesn’t respond straight away. I swap the phone to my other ear. The uncomfortable silence sets my nerves on edge for no apparent reason. Is she angry with me? Why would she be? I have my own family. She knows that.
“Sorry to bother you. Please call me when you’re back.” Melissa hangs up abruptly.
That was weird.
Jules steps out of the shop, her smile dropping as she glances at my mobile. “Is everything okay?”
I pocket the phone and slide my sunglasses on. “Yeah. Just Mum checking up on us.” My eye twitches at how easily the lie slips from my mouth.
Jules’ lips purse. “She’s not happy that we left Riley with Jake and Claire instead of her and your dad.”
I drape my right arm across her shoulders. “She’ll get over it.” The lie sticks at the back of my throat.
We meander to our hotel, neither of us in a hurry to end the day. Jules’ face is radiant with a rosy hue, in part due to the champagne at lunch and in part due to the intimacy of what we’ve shared. In some ways, today is a renewal of our vows, although the conversation with Melissa has sullied the sentiment. I never expected to become so involved in her life, but with Ashley acting out, I have no choice. The sooner I steer him onto the right track and put the past behind me, the better.