Liam
Page 8
She scanned the landscape. “Not possible.”
“It is so possible.”
She turned to him, tilting her chin up. “You’ll have to prove that to me, mister.”
“You’re on, lady.”
They ate in silence, occasionally glancing over at each other. When Velvet was through, she tucked the trash in the pack. The wind picked up, and she untied the jacket from her waist, slipping it over her head.
Liam squinted up at the ridge of gray clouds blowing across the sky. “We should head back. Wouldn’t want to get caught out here if the bottom falls out of those clouds. These dry gullies carry all the water down the canyon.”
She nodded and stood, brushing off her pants. “You’re right. I’m glad we got as much time as we did. I think I got some fantastic shots. I can’t wait to print and frame them.”
“I’d love to see them.”
“I’ll give you copies.”
By the time they made it back to the bike, the wind had really picked up. Liam got them quickly to the interstate, and they skirted around the storm. Large dark swaths of rain trailed to the ground from the clouds on the horizon.
When they arrived in Grand Junction, Liam parked at Brothers Ink.
“You want to see our shop?” he asked. “I’d like you to meet my brothers.”
“Sure,” she replied, knowing she’d have to pretend she’d never been in the place before. She looked different than she did back then, with her dark hair and colored contacts, but she still worried Jameson would somehow recognize her as the teenage girl whose mother had shaken him down for a thousand dollar payoff.
They walked hand in hand into the shop.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A muscular man stood at the counter, talking with a customer when they walked in. Velvet assumed he must be one of Liam’s brothers.
“I put a copy of the care instructions we went over in the bag with the cleanser. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to call us.”
The woman took the bag. “I will. And thanks again. I love the tattoo.”
He grinned at her, flashing beautiful white teeth. “You’re welcome, Tina. I’m glad you’re happy with it.”
After the woman exited the front door, Liam’s hand landed on Velvet’s back, guiding her forward. “Velvet, this is my older brother, Maxwell. Max, this is Velvet Jones.”
Max extended his hand, but his question was for Liam. “This the woman you met in LA?”
“Yes, she is.” Liam smiled down at her.
“Well, you certainly made an impression on my brother, Ms. Jones.”
“Please, call me Velvet.”
“Velvet. I wasn’t at the expo, but I heard you had quite a following, lines down the aisle, Liam said.”
She let out a soft laugh. “We did sell a lot of calendars.”
“Welcome to town. Liam says you’re working over at House of Ink. So, are you an artist as well as a model?”
“I…uh, know the owner. I was sort of between jobs, and he needed some help running the shop. But, no, I’m not a tattoo artist. I’ve always admired those who are; I think it takes a lot of skill to do it well.”
“Yes, well, not sure how much skill there is over at House of—“
“Max.” Liam cut him off with a warning.
“Anyway, welcome to our humble shop, m’lady.” Maxwell took a deep bow, and Velvet curtsied in return.
“Kind sir.”
“And that’s my little brother, Rory.” Liam lifted his chin toward another man bent over the customer sitting in his chair. He had long dark hair and a short beard around his mouth. He glanced up and gave her a smile.
“Hey, lady.”
She returned his grin, and he went back to inking his customer.
Max leaned on the counter, his hands clasped. “So what have you two been up to?”
Liam hooked his arm around her and pulled her close. “Took a ride up to see the wild horses.”
“Book Cliff?” Max’s brows rose. “What did you think of it?”
She smiled brightly at him. “It was amazing. One came right up by us, then let us follow behind him for a while. I got some great shots.”
“I’d love to see them,” Max said.
She dug in her bag and took out her camera. The three of them leaned in.
“Those are fantastic,” Maxwell agreed.
“Here’s my favorite.” She found the close-up of the stallion’s profile. It was staring off, the wind blowing through its mane. She turned the screen to let them both see it.
Liam studied the shot and met her eyes. “It kind of reminds me of you…wild and beautiful.”
“That would make an awesome tattoo,” Max suggested.
She gazed down at the shot. “It would, wouldn’t it?”
“Let me do it. Put that on you,” Liam murmured.
Her eyes flashed up, and her mouth parted. She’d dreamed of Liam inking her skin again, ever since the day he’d first worked on her.
Max lifted his chin at Liam. “If you want it done, Liam’s the man for that kind of work. His realism is amazing. It would look phenomenal in black and gray shading.”
And just like that she knew she had to have him tattoo this on her. “Will you do it?”
His eyes moved from her to Max and back. “You sure about this? I don’t want you to let Max talk you into it.”
“I’m sure. Can you do it today? Now?”
His brows rose. “Now?”
“I mean, if you have time. If you want to do it.”
Max answered for him with a big grin. “Oh, sweetheart if he didn’t have time, which he does since he took the day off to spend with you, he would make the time. I’m sure he’d like nothing more than to lay ink on your skin. Hell, he’s probably fantasized about it.”
She couldn’t keep the smile off her face. She cocked a brow at Liam, the thought thrilling her. “Is that true?”
He stared down into her face and confessed, “Maybe.”
Max let out a huff of a laugh. “Maybe? That’s a load of bullshit.”
“Okay,” Liam glared at Max, then back to her, “I’ll admit it. I have thought about what it would be like, yeah.”
Max chuckled and held his arm out. “Right this way, m’lady. His station is the first on the left.”
Velvet moved past Liam to his chair. The first thing she noticed was her calendar stuck up on his mirror. “You bought one!”
“Yeah, me and every other guy there that night.”
She frowned. “But I don’t remember seeing you in the line.”
“That’s because I got it for him.” Rory looked up from his client. “Liam wanted to meet you, but he was tied up watching our booth.”
Velvet nodded, gazing up at Liam. “If you had come through the line, I definitely would have remembered you.” In more ways than one. He would have stood out in the line just for his rugged good looks, but she would have recognized him. Perhaps it was best he hadn’t. If he had, she may have been so shocked she’d have given it all away.
Liam sat on the rolling stool next to her. He took the camera from her. “I’ll do a sketch.”
While he worked, she secretly ran her fingertips over the tattoo on the inside of her left arm. It was the one he had already given her so many years ago. As she did, her excitement to have him ink her again grew.
***
Jameson leaned back in his chair and looked at the man who sat across his desk. “We finished, Ryan?”
The man clicked off the recording. “I think I’ve got enough for the article. Thanks for your time.”
“Always happy to get coverage in Inked Up magazine. You guys have been really good to me. Helped my career immensely in the early days.”
“You deserve it. There’s just one more thing we need to decide on.”
“What’s that?”
“The cover shot. We could do a close up of you inking, or you at your desk, or—”
Jameson rolled his eyes. “You
know the place is called Brothers Ink for a reason. There are four of us. How about we get a shot of all of us?”
“I suppose that would work.” He stood. “I’ll get the photographer’s ideas. We want to come back for that end of the month. That work for you?”
“I’ll make it work, just let me know the date. Come on, I’ll walk you out.”
They descended the stairs and walked through the shop, pausing to watch as Liam laughed intimately with a woman as he showed her a sketch. She nodded excitedly, and he leaned in to give her a kiss. Her hands cupped his face, and she pressed her body to his. They broke the kiss and pressed foreheads together.
“That’s some crazy chemistry those two have got going.” Ryan turned to Jameson. “I think we’ve got our cover models.”
Jameson grinned. “I agree.”
“Cover models?” Liam asked, turning his attention from the woman.
“Liam, this is Ryan Kelly. He’s with Inked Up. They’re doing an article on the shop. We were just discussing what to put on the cover.”
They shook hands.
“And I recognize this lady,” Ryan said, smiling at Velvet. He shook her hand. “Velvet Jones. Nice to finally meet you.”
“You, too.”
“So you want us for the cover of Inked Up?” Liam asked, his eyes going between the reporter and Jameson.
“You two have crazy hot chemistry. I think we could get some amazing shots.”
Liam looked at Velvet. “Here’s that next modeling job you were waiting for, babe. You in?”
“Only if I get to do all the shots with you.”
“Done,” said Ryan.
“How much does this gig pay?” Liam asked.
“Three hundred for her. Nothing for you since your shop’s the subject of the article.”
“I’ll do it,” Velvet said.
Ryan pulled a business card out of his pocket and handed it to her. “Call me, and we’ll work out the details. We’re looking to shoot at the end of the month. That work for you?”
“Whenever you want. I’ll make sure I’m available.”
“Great. Nice to meet you, Ms. Jones.” He turned and shook Jameson’s hand. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Safe travels, Ryan. Good to see you again.”
***
When he’d left, Velvet turned to Liam, her mouth open. “They want us on the cover!”
“Told you things would turn around. Maybe the photographer they send will be interested in shooting another calendar.”
Her brows shot up. “That would be amazing.”
Jameson stuck out his hand. “We haven’t officially met. I’m Liam’s older brother, Jameson.”
“Nice to meet you. Of course with your reputation in the industry, I’ve heard so much about you.”
“I heard you were going to be in LA, but unfortunately I couldn’t make the expo. So, you’re in Grand Junction permanently now?”
“Well, I…” Her eyes shifted to Liam. “I’m not sure for how long, but I do like it here.”
“Well, it’s nice to have you in town.” He looked at Liam. “You going to let Liam do some work on you?”
“I am, yeah.” He held the sketch up. “Check out the photograph.”
Velvet held up the camera, and he leaned in. “Wow. Great shot. This from up at Book Cliff?”
Liam nodded. “We rode up there this morning.”
“It was amazing,” Velvet added.
“Well, I’ll let you get to it.” Jameson squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “Nice meeting you, Velvet.”
When he left, Liam looked at her. “Do you know where you want it?”
“Um…”
“I have the perfect spot. Right between your shoulder blades, between the scrollwork that runs down both sides.” He dipped his head. “I’ll be able to see it every time I take you from behind.”
She blushed, glancing to see if his brothers had overheard.
Liam teased her. “Well, my, my… The brazen Velvet Jones can blush.”
“Shut. Up.”
He chuckled again. “So how about it?”
She nodded.
He patted his hand on the flat padded table. “Face down, baby girl.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Monday morning Velvet arrived at House of Ink an hour before opening time, unlocking the back door and heading toward the restroom. She paused when she heard voices coming from her brother’s office. He was still at the apartment, so who was here? She stood in the shadow of the hallway, listening at the crack in the door. Two men inside were talking. She could only see one of them, a bald man with an earring and tattoos running up his arm; the other man was out of sight. The one she could see had a laptop and was scrolling through social media sites, scanning information and jotting notes on a legal pad.
“This scheme of Vano’s is brilliant,” said the one out of sight.
“Yep.” The one jotting notes picked up a phone and dialed a number. “Is this Gerald Hempstead?” There was a pause. “I’m calling about your grandson, Thomas Hempstead. I'm the public defender from Grand Junction, Colorado. Your grandson is in jail. Yes, sir. He was involved in a car accident, and he’s been charged with a DUI offense. Well, sir, that means he’s been arrested on drunk driving charges. As you may or may not know he already has one DUI charge on his record. Yes, sir, I do. Well, the reason I’m calling is if… Yes, sir. Thomas gave me your number. Well, if he can get this bail paid by tomorrow he can be released. He’ll need $2400. Yes, sir, it is a lot of money. Let me let you talk to him.”
Velvet peeked around the doorframe and saw the bald man hold out the phone, his palm covering the mouthpiece. She couldn’t see who the person taking the receiver was, just the sleeve of a blue flannel shirt.
The bald man whispered to his co-conspirator, “Facebook says the boy calls him Poppy.”
“Got it.” The other man cleared his throat, and then in a young sounding voice whispered and sniffled, “Poppy? I was in a b-bad a-accident. I knocked my h-head really b-bad and it hurts. Can you p-please send the money so I can get out of here? O-okay. Thank you, Poppy. I love you.” The phone was passed back again with a whispered, “He bought it.”
“Mr. Hempstead? Yes, sir. The clerk’s office doesn’t take credit cards. No, sir. If you send a check, Thomas won’t be released until the check clears. No, it’s best to send cash. You can overnight it via FedEx to the address that I’m going to give you. Yes, sir, it’s the best way to get him released quickly. He seems to be quite upset. I’d hate to see him spend the weekend in lockup. I wouldn’t normally make a call like this, but I talked with your grandson, and he told me about being accepted to Yale University next fall. He seems like a good boy. Yes, sir. Here’s that address.”
Velvet listened to the bald man give a PO box. Soon the call ended, and the two chuckled.
“The old geezers fall for it every damn time.”
“Because of the way you scripted it. Good work, man.”
“Vano said you just have to target the right mark and do your research, Weasel. Make sure they’re seventy or older and have grandkids old enough to be getting into trouble. Make sure they’re good kids. Grandparents love their grandkids. They’ll help them. Works almost every time.”
“Like taking candy from a baby. What’s your total for the day?”
“Hmm. Looks like I’m just shy of ten-thousand, and that’s only my third call of the morning.”
“Awesome!”
“I’m gonna take a quick break.” A chair creaked, and Velvet darted down the hall into the women’s restroom. She closed the door silently and listened as footsteps passed by.
She pressed her back to the door and covered her mouth. Oh, my God, this was so much worse than she’d imagined. Vano was unscrupulous, yes, and he’d learned every con there was from their father, but this? Targeting the elderly? Playing on their feelings, causing them all this heartache and pain? This was just too much.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
But gypsies didn’t rat on each other.
When she was younger, she’d had no choice in how her family had used her in their cons, but things were different now. She knew better; perhaps she’d always known, even at the age of seven, that what her family did was wrong.
She bit her lip. Her brother could be stern and vicious in his dealings, and he wouldn’t hesitate to use whatever method he needed to in order to get her under his thumb and go along with whatever he was doing. That was the way their family was and had always been.
The men ruled the family, and whatever they said was law. Her mother had bowed in every way to their father until the day he died. It was only at his death that she took charge, and that only lasted until Vano took control when he turned twenty-one and could legally take over the finances.
The front door opened, and voices carried down the hall, jolting her from her thoughts. She pressed her ear to the door, then slowly cracked it open.
“You got anything to drink in this place?” a deep voice growled.
Velvet glanced at the clock by the bed. 11:00 PM. Her brother must have closed the shop early tonight. Hell, they hadn’t had any customers all afternoon, which was why he let her leave.
“There’s beer in the fridge. At least there better be. Velvet was supposed to pick some up.”
“She here?”
“Nah. Said she was goin’ out. She’s seein’ that guy from Brothers Ink.”
The top popped on a can of beer. “Your sister’s a real looker.”