Chapter Five #2
She smiled at him and blinked quickly for a moment, then sniffed.
“Thanks. Means a lot that you like it.” She blew out a harsh breath.
“Okay, so that’d be a go if you don’t like this concept.
” She smoothed another piece of paper, patting the edges until they were flat.
“This has everything you wanted, but it’s taking up more real estate on your body. ”
The original sketch had been pulled apart and put together again.
On the shoulder element, the US Army seal was prominent, with the number of years served highlighted, the last numeral crumbling like it had been burned or blown-up.
All of that was on a framed oval set on top of the USA flag in gray and black.
On his chest the tattoo would connect via the flag background, and either side of the segment was a sword, both double-edged, one pointed up and one pointed down.
The heart had been pushed to the center of the space but still showed marks of where it had been stabbed.
Each star looked like it was part of the heart itself.
When he was quiet, Riley flipped another piece of paper on top. Before she could explain what was clearly a more simplified version of the art she’d created, he’d yanked it away, staring at what was going to be his next tattoo.
“I love it. Tell me about the swords.”
“Point up means readiness, strength, and willingness for battle, while point down means peace has been achieved. The men lost are suspended between the two status markers. Since you mentioned how much you dwelled on the deaths, they’re literally tattooed on your pierced heart.
” She paused and studied the sketch. “Kept the Army info, used artist discretion on the number of years you served, and tied it all together with the flag.” She reached over and tugged the other sketch out of his hand.
“The only difference between that and this is we could begin on the background if you wanted to extend to the other side for another spotlight piece.” She placed it over the top, and he saw it was transparent, so he could identify where it would hook into the larger sketch.
“I love that too.” He stared at her. “When can we start?”
“Bike coming onto the lot, probably prospect. There’s a car parked across the way. Maybe your appointment? Want me to go see?” Rocker stood from where he’d been leaning next to Denver. “I’ll drag the prospect in after I check on the civilian.”
“Oh, um. Maybe don’t scare him?” Riley rolled her eyes and laughed softly. “He’s a good customer.”
“What? I’m nice.” Rocker wagged his finger between them. “Maybe explain to your lady that I’m one of the good guys, Dan?”
He was gone before Dan could correct him, and that saved him having to decide if he wanted to correct him or not.
The prospect was a good dude, and he came inside and saw the problem, taking initiative on documentation before starting on the cleanup all without having to be asked. Denver was still entirely focused on the laptop when Rocker came back into the room, followed closely by a tall, good-looking guy.
Riley smiled and greeted the guy while gathering the sketches she and Dan had been discussing.
She’d looked at Dan as she handed them over.
“Study them again, and make sure it’s all what you want, Dan.
We can pull it apart and put it back together as many times as you need.
” Riley reached out and covered his hand with hers. “I can’t wait to start on you.”
“I can’t wait, either.” He took a step backwards, then turned to the counter in front of the register where he spread out his tattoo sketch again.
Staring down at it, he marveled at the way she’d drawn all the different pieces together until every bit of the art made sense.
He liked the placement of the tattoo elements too.
The less personal ones on his shoulder, the more important sections on his heart.
“She’s good.” Rocker stopped next to Dan and looked at the sketch. “You’re gonna love that. Is that why you were out here yesterday?”
Dan nodded. “Was supposed to have a tattoo, but we got a little sidetracked with the attempted rape and robbery that was going on.” He glanced over at the prospect. “I like him. Sees what’s needed and just steps up. I’ve noticed him during a couple of meetings where he’s gone above and beyond.”
“Same.” Rocker raised his voice. “Hey, prospect, who’s your sponsor?”
“Mad Dawg.” The man never stopped scrubbing. He’d nearly gotten all the paint off already.
Note to self to ask Riley about colors again.
“No surprise then. What’s your name, pross?”
“Martini.”
“Oh shit, I remember you from Ella’s thing. You weren’t looking for a patch then, were you?”
“I wasn’t, not until I saw how much like a family RMMC is. Now I want it.” He grinned crookedly.
“No doubt.” Dan heard the tattoo gun start, and he glanced over to see the customer had removed his shirt. Riley perched on her rolling stool, hands gloved as she began to work. Dan gathered up his sketches and placed them in Riley’s portfolio again for safekeeping.
“Thanks, babe,” she said distractedly, and he grinned.
“Welcome, baby,” he told her and saw Rocker’s smile. “You. Shut up.” Pulling in a breath, he turned around. “Riley, what color do you want the front door?”
“Crocus yellow. That way I can do tea green accents.” She answered without missing a beat. The guy in her chair grimaced and frowned.
“Solid.” He spoke to Martini. “You get that?” Dan fished out his wallet, opened it, and pulled a few bills out. “Pick some up and come on back, unless Mad Dawg’s got you assigned on anything else?”
“Nope. I’m yours for the day. Shouldn’t take long. The paint store is just down the road.” Martini accepted the money and slipped it in his pocket. “Back soon.” He paused to tidy up his materials, then headed out.
“Babe, can you put on some music? I’ve got a couple of playlists saved on the tablet. Either one will work.”
“Sure.”
He studied the tablet for a moment and what looked like a printer, then reached over and tapped an oblivious Denver on the shoulder. “Is this a point-of-sale setup?”
Denver stared at him and blinked, glanced back at the laptop in front of him, then shook himself and turned to where Dan stood. “Yeah, looks like the tablet is used as a payment capture, while the printer is secondary.”
“Is there a playlist?”
Denver tapped the middle of the device, then along one long edge. The screen minimized, and he touched an icon Dan had never seen before. Soft music began playing from speakers he hadn’t even noticed. Denver dragged a fingertip across the top of the tablet, and the credit card screen was back.
“Thanks.”
“Yup.” Denver stared at the client in Riley’s chair. “Who’s the dude?”
“Customer. Had an appointment.”
“Have you looked at the rest of her appointments to verify they aren’t Heartless Horde?”
“Nope. We’d just gotten here when you guys rolled up.
Riley and I didn’t have a chance to go through anything.
There’ll be plenty of time when this guy’s gone.
” Dan didn’t care if the guy in the chair heard him.
I’m going to be here long after the guy pays up and runs away with his fucking tattoo that my Riley put on him with her hands.
Fuck yeah.
***
Riley
She was aware of the men inside her shop, but the awareness wasn’t invasive.
More a soothing presence that she thought had a lot to do with Dan being nearby.
He was the only thing she was distinctly tracking.
The client wasn’t a chatty guy, which was perfectly fine with her.
Thank God his tattoo was super easy, a few hard outlines and a handful of shades.
Well within the two hours she’d budgeted for his appointment, she was taping gauze on the tattoo and giving him aftercare information.
She watched with surprise and pleasure as Dan rang him up on the register, charging her normal rate per hour, and handled the payment side as well. Once the guy was out the door, she laughed and told Dan, “That was kinda awesome. Have you used a POS like this before?”
“Yeah, about thirty minutes ago, when I decided I needed to test drive it. I paid for half my tattoo already.” He preened, and she grinned.