Chapter 29
Twenty-Nine
VIOLET
“We can get going on this first thing tomorrow,” Cliff, the head of construction, says with a nod. I’m standing in my new tattoo studio with Cliff and MaryBeth, the decorator, and we’ve just finished touring through the space. “Mr. Cabrera wants it done ASAP.”
I’m still shocked that Mateo insisted on all state-of-the-art equipment that MaryBeth has planned, although it shouldn’t surprise me at all. I’ll have tables that fold into chairs. I’ll have stuff that I’ve only ever dreamed of at trade shows.
This studio is going to be everything I’ve ever wanted but never dared hope for, and it’s all thanks to a man that claims he’s the bad guy.
“I want half walls between stations,” I inform them. “But it would be cool if we could have folding glass windows to pull closed in case the client wants to speak privately or play music. Things like that.”
“I think that’s an awesome idea,” MaryBeth says, nodding. “In fact, they could be garage doors that come down to the half wall, and it would make it look so edgy and industrial. Thoughts on that?”
I purse my lips and tap my finger to them. “Well, we’re going to work with a lot of women, and all of the artists here will be women. So, let’s do those accordion-style windows and make it look clean and modern with just a touch of edge?”
MaryBeth smiles, writing notes on her iPad. “I know exactly what you mean. It’ll be gorgeous, functional, and cool.”
I’m totally nerding out over everything happening today.
We spend hours going over every single inch of the space.
Cliff takes measurements, MaryBeth takes photos, and once Cliff leaves, MaryBeth and I spend time looking at paint swatches and browsing online for lighting, flooring, and everything in between.
I walk her to the door, and she shakes my hand with a kind smile.
“This is going to be amazing,” she says. “And I’ll definitely be one of your customers. I’ll be in touch tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
She leaves, and I sigh in happiness, then turn back and look at the empty space. I can already picture what it’ll be like in here, and I can’t wait.
It’s early evening by the time I check my phone. I’ve missed a couple texts from Mateo.
Mateo: Let me know if you need anything, Savage.
Mateo: Are you still at the studio? I won’t be home until late.
I bite my lip and tap out a response.
Me: Hey! Just finished with Cliff and MaryBeth. Don’t worry about being late, I’ll see you when you get home. We can have ice cream.
Was that weird? Do Mafia kings have ice cream on a random evening?
I shrug and glance to the front door and see that Bobby—missing one ear—and Lucky are still standing guard. Bobby told me he lost his ear after the incident in the restaurant because of his own fault, but I think it’s because of me, and that makes me feel horrible.
Admittedly, I’m still a little keyed up after what happened. I’m pissed that someone thought they could put their hands on me. And, as always, I’m anxious to find my sister.
I don’t want to go home and sit in an empty penthouse, and after talking about tattoo stuff all day, I really want some fresh ink.
So, I call Archie.
He’s been my tattoo artist since I moved to Vegas. We used to work together until he moved to a new location not too far from here, and we always stayed in touch. He’s an excellent artist.
Okay, and there were a few times that we hooked up, but it was just sex. An itch to scratch. And it was more than a year ago.
The phone rings twice before he answers.
“Hey, Lettie. You okay?”
I grin. Archie’s a good one. “I’m great, thanks. Hey, I want a new piece, and I know it’s last minute, but I want it now.”
He chuckles. “Typical of you.”
“I know. I’m spontaneous.”
“Well, lucky for you I have time this evening. How far away are you?”
“Maybe fifteen minutes.”
“Come on over, I’ll get ready. Where do you want it?”
“My back. I can sketch it out real quick. It shouldn’t take long.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you soon.”
He hangs up, and I walk over to my guards. “I need to go to High Roller Tattoo. I have an appointment.”
“You bet,” Bobby says. I lock up the studio and walk through Carson’s resort, each of the guys flanking me as we make our way to the private parking lot we use. “I’ll let the boss know.”
I lift an eyebrow.
“We always notify him of our movements,” Bobby adds, and I nod, listening as he talks to Mateo. “Boss. We’re taking Miss Violet to a place called High Roller Tattoo for an appointment. I didn’t ask, sir. Of course.”
He passes the phone to me, and I grin. “Hey, nosy man.”
“I miss you. I haven’t seen you all day.”
I roll my lips inward and feel my cheeks heat. “Yeah? Back at you. You must be busy.”
“I am, but never too busy for you. What are you up to, Savage?”
“I want a new tattoo. Headed to my usual spot.”
“Good for you. I might have to leave town overnight. I’ll let you know if I do.” I hear the strain in his voice, and I frown as I press the phone tighter to my ear and climb into the back of the SUV.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Long day. Don’t worry about me, baby, I’ll call you later.”
“Okay. Talk to you soon.”
I hang up and pass Bobby his phone, then pick my own up and text my man. I didn’t like the sound of his voice.
Me: If you need me to skip this, I will. You sounded worried.
The dots dance on my screen as I wait for him to reply.
Mateo: You’re safe, Savage. Enjoy.
Me: Okay. x
The stress of Mateo’s business, and the strain I hear in his voice because of it, might just be something I have to get used to and remember not to take personally.
Bobby pulls up in front of the tattoo shop, and I wait the way I’ve been taught for both the guys to join me at the door before I climb out of the vehicle. They escort me inside, and Archie’s waiting by his table. He smiles at me, and then blinks at Bobby and Lucky.
“Is it a party?” Archie asks.
“They’re with me. They won’t get in the way.” I’m not sure how to explain to him that my new boyfriend is an organized crime boss, and because of that, I have to have guards with me at all times.
“You can come back in a couple hours,” he tells the guys, but they shake their heads and stand firm.
“It’s okay, I’ll explain later,” I tell him. “Now, let’s get started. I want a back piece, woven into the flowers . . .”
I show him where I want it, and then he passes me his iPad and I draw the image from memory. Archie watches over my shoulder, nodding.
“That’s badass.”
“I know.”
“What does it mean?”
“That’s private.”
He licks his lips. “Does it have anything to do with the fact that you have two bodyguards?”
“Sort of.”
He nods again and then sighs. “You were bound to get scooped up. Okay, I’ll print this out, and we’ll get you started.”
“Thanks.”
This studio is on the small side, with just three stations, and Archie’s the only one working tonight.
“Why’s it so dead in here tonight?” I call out to him. He’s in the back printing off the stencil.
“It’s a Wednesday night,” he says as he returns to me. Archie’s a good-looking guy. Tall, with muscles and plenty of ink.
Okay, more ink than bare skin at this point. He has gauges in both ears, his nose and eyebrow are pierced, and I know for a fact that he has a Jacob’s ladder on an impressive dick.
Not that I’m interested in that anymore.
“Okay, come stand in front of the mirror and show me what you’re thinking.”
I tug my T-shirt over my head and hold it against my chest as I unfasten my bra and let it fall down my arms. I never let the shirt go, not wanting to give Bobby and Lucky a show of my tits.
Pretty sure Mateo would kill them for that.
I pull my hair over my shoulder and turn so my back is facing the mirror and give Archie instructions.
“So, I want it woven into the flowers, as if it’s always been there. On the left side, close to where my heart would be. Yep, right there.”
Archie places the stencil and then backs away so I can examine it.
“Yeah, perfect. Then, I want the chain to loop through, over my spine, to the opposite hip.”
“Jesus, this is sexy.”
I give him a knowing grin. “I know.”
Archie instructs me to lie face down on the table, and I make sure there’s no boob showing before I cradle my head in my arms. As soon as his machine starts to hum, my body relaxes.
A lot of people can’t stand the pain of the needles, but it puts me in a zone that feels like bliss.
It’s a happy in-between place, where I can let go, my mind empties, and I can just be.
I’m not freaked out about my sister being gone, and I’m not worried about my job or bills or anything. I simply am.
“Take a breath,” Archie says, and I do, inhaling deeply, and then he begins.