Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
ELLA
I loved working weekends at The Ink Yard. It was the only time my family allowed me any freedom. My dad was friends with the tattoo studio owner and knew Sean would keep an eye on me. My dad didn’t bother me as long as I was under supervision, whether at work or school.
I sat on the bench by the bay window overlooking Main Street, a sketchpad on my lap. Even as a child, creating art soothed my nerves. Despite the drama at home, I lost myself in my art. My mother could paint. She was the only other person in my family with the talent.
From a young age, she encouraged me to pursue an art career. But my father, who controlled every aspect of my life, wanted me to be a good Mafia princess and play my part. One day, he would arrange my marriage, which wasn’t uncommon for people like us. So, until then, I was enjoying the little freedom he gave me.
I hated my home.
Sometimes, I also hated my dad and brothers. They were the reason no one talked to me at school. The reason I never had a friend or boyfriend.
Every day, I replayed the night my mother died in perfect color. I could hear her screams and the grunts of those disgusting men. My house was a constant reminder that my mother was brutally assaulted and murdered. And my father wasn’t there to help her. Neither were my brothers.
But I heard and saw everything.
I could usually clear my head by sketching new tattoo designs. Despite my fingers gliding across the page, it was not coming as quickly today. They did the same familiar dance, but I struggled to find my rhythm. I traced over the outline of a red serpent slithering around the letter A, making soft but intentional strokes.
What am I even drawing?
I knew why I chose an A. Aiden Wellington had been on my mind for weeks. After years of being invisible, I had the attention of two hot billionaires. It was all because Aiden gave me a chance.
Sonny let go of his family’s hatred for Aiden, but I didn’t care why he was doing it. I wanted to be desired by them, even if it was only temporary.
I’d take whatever I could get.
It was slow this time of day at The Ink Yard. We only had three more scheduled appointments until closing. Saturdays were usually packed, but it was five days before Thanksgiving. People hurried around town to prepare for the holiday.
Someone cleared their throat.
I looked to my left and found Sean O’Connell. He was the owner of The Ink Yard and the coolest boss ever.
With a frown, Sean scanned the empty waiting room and closed the distance between us. “I could use your help with a new client’s request. He wants a character from Fullmetal Alchemist . Manga isn’t my thing.”
“It’s mine.” I tucked the charcoal pencil into my sketchbook and set it beside me. “What does the client have in mind?”
Sean shrugged. “I don’t know. He sent a pic in an email if you want to look at it before he arrives. He’s coming in around six to talk about the design. Can you handle it for me?”
“Sure.”
I slid off the ledge, tucked the book under my arm, and followed Sean to the front desk.
He clicked a few buttons on the mouse, his eyes on the computer monitor. “What do you think?”
I studied the image of Edward Elric on the screen and nodded. “I can do it. Not a problem.”
“Thanks, Ella.” He hopped up from the chair and walked toward the back room. “You’re a lifesaver. I have to run some errands. I’ll be gone for a while.”
“Go ahead. I can the studio while you’re gone.”
After Sean left, I sat at the desk and sketched my version of Edward Elric. He was blond, arrogant, and stubborn—like two hot billionaires I knew. As I drew the character, I thought of Aiden and Sonny. Where Ed had golden eyes, Sonny and Aiden had the prettiest shades of blue. They were both determined and would do anything to get what they wanted. And when they put me between them during lunch, I liked the attention.
I was happy the client asked for one of my favorite manga characters. I loved the show. Most of my tattoos were from my favorite anime and manga.
The bell over the front door dinged. It was only four o’clock. Two more hours until the manga guy was scheduled to arrive.
Looking up from the computer, I was shocked to see Aiden. Dressed in ripped jeans and a black band T-shirt, he stood in the entryway with his muscled, tattooed arms on display. This was the first time I’d gotten a good look at his ink. He had tons of it in black and some color, taking up most of his arms.
Aiden was the perfect canvas.
I tried to contain my smile and failed. It was impossible not to with Aiden. The first time he spoke to me was also the first day I had smiled since my mother’s death.
“What brings you to the South Side?” I grabbed my sketchbook and approached him. “People like you don’t usually wander to this part of town.”
“Well, I’m not like the people around here.” He stared at my lips like he wanted to devour me. “You should see where I grew up. The South Side is paradise in comparison.”
The Founders of Devil’s Creek called my city Beggars Bay because of the significant difference in wealth. If it were up to people like Aiden’s grandfather, he would demolish Beacon Bay and turn it into a private community of multi-million dollar homes.
I felt self-conscious when his eyes wandered up and down my bare arms, exposing my tats in a skimpy street art tank top.
“So, what brings you here?” My hands would not stop shaking, so I moved them to my hips, which only pushed out my chest. “Do you want more ink?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I came to see you.”
He smelled like cloves, charcoal, and clean linen, my new favorite scent combination.
Aiden glanced down at my cleavage and licked his lips. His eyes drifted to my newest tattoo a few inches above my nipple. I had ink starting on my upper arms, back, and thighs, down to my toes.
He was so tall he could see down my shirt. The first of the shamrocks wrapped around my left rib, twisted up my shoulder, and spread across my breast. It looked awesome when I wore a bikini.
“Remember when I said I’d show you mine?” Aiden smirked, sliding his finger beneath my tank top, inching the fabric down my shoulder to get a better look. “I want to see this one.”
I bit my lip. “I have a client coming in at six.”
He glanced at the clock on the wall. “We have plenty of time.”
I led him through the studio and into a private room, shutting the door behind us. “Make yourself at home.”
The room was a decent size, large enough to fit an InkBed, a comfy couch, an armchair, and a small bathroom with a toilet and sink. Sean hooked me up because of my dad. This was my favorite spot in Beacon Bay, the one place untainted by bad memories.
“Wow,” Aiden said. “This is all yours?”
“My art brings in a lot of business for Sean.” I waved my hand around the room. The walls were a deep shade of purple and decorated in my designs. Dozens of framed pictures from my clients’ tattoos rounded out the space. “This room is my reward.”
Aiden moved to the wall behind the couch and stared at my art. “These are good.” He turned to look at me. “You drew all of them?”
“Yeah.” I smiled, proud of myself for how much I accomplished. “All mine. I came to Sean with a giant portfolio and offered to work for free. It took me some time to adjust to the tattoo machine, but the needle is like a paintbrush once you get the hang of it.”
He scratched the corner of his jaw, staring at my clients’ pics. “I looked into getting an apprenticeship back in Haven. But it was too hard to get away from my house to commit to set hours.”
I lifted his arm and pointed at the dark take on Alice in Wonderland. “I noticed this one on your first day at Astor Prep. It’s sick. Did you draw it?”
He nodded. “If you like this one, you’ll love the one on my thigh.” Aiden sat on the InkBed and reached for his zipper. “It’s an extension of the Wonderland theme.”
Aiden pulled down his jeans to reveal black Gucci boxer briefs. He spreads his legs and… Holy fuck! His package was enormous. The underwear hugged him in all the right places, and I couldn’t force myself to look elsewhere.
Aiden pointed at the ink on his thigh and laughed. “Eyes down here, Cinders.”
Oh God .
My heart clambered in my chest like it wanted to make a run for it. A sheen of sweat spread across my neck and chest, and my cheeks were on fire.
“Um.” I swallowed down my nerves, unable to look at his face. Keeping my eyes on his work, I studied the dark scenery from Alice in Wonderland, which was just as twisted as the design on his forearm. “Is this supposed to be the Mad Hatter in the Tulgey Wood?”
“You know Wonderland, huh?”
“Of course. It’s my favorite book. My mom always read it to me when I was younger.” I lifted my head, finally gaining the courage to look at his face. “You should think about working here. Sean would love your designs.”
His fingers wove through his short blond curls. “No way Pops would let me work at a tattoo studio. He already has my future mapped out for me. I’m lucky I can go to RISD with Alex.”
I moved between his spread thighs. “I know what it’s like to have no control. My dad and brothers are so protective I can only go to work and school without a security detail.”
Aiden’s eyes narrowed on me. “Why do you need security?”
I sucked down the nerves creeping up my throat and swallowed. “Last year, my mother was killed in our home.”
“Oh, shit,” Aiden grunted. “I’m so sorry, Ella. I had no idea.” He hooked his arm around my back. “If you ever want to talk…”
I slid my hands up his chest. “I don’t want to talk. But I’m sure we can find a way to keep ourselves busy.”
“Hmmm…” He stared at my lips. “We had a deal. I showed you mine. Now it’s time to show me yours.”