After shopping, they’d checked into their hotel and he’d insisted she take a nap. Which, seeing as he’d joined her, she hadn’t put up too much of a fuss about. They’d just had dinner and she’d figured they’d be heading back to the hotel room, when he’d told her they had to make one more stop.
“This is why we’re here.”
He pulled up in front of a small row of shops. There was a convenience store on one side and on the other side was a Chinese take-out. Ahead of them was a white building with the words Ink Inc written on the front.
“Umm, well, I don’t think you’re hungry and I’m certain you didn’t drive this far to get something from the convenience store so I’m guessing you’re getting a tattoo?”
“Good guess, little darling.”
“Really? You’re getting a tattoo? Oh my God! Am I getting one?” She bounced around on her seat.
He raised his eyebrows. “Do you want one?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” They always looked so pretty and cool. Ooh, what would she get? What was Clint getting?
“What are you getting, Daddy?” she asked, slipping into Little space in her excitement. “Can I pick? Please let me pick! Please!”
“And what would you pick?” he asked suspiciously.
“Hmm.” She thought about that for a moment. “A horse.”
“Okay, that’s not so bad.”
“With a rainbow mane. And wings. And stardust. And it has to be white, of course.”
“So in other words a unicorn,” he said dryly.
“You’d look great with a unicorn on your back, Daddy,” she told him. “So can we lock it in?”
“No. We cannot lock it in.”
“Well, it doesn’t have to be on your back, but I thought that was where it would fit best since it needs to be quite big. I suppose it could go on your butt.”
“Did you just imply that I have a big butt?” he asked with mock-sternness.
“It’s a manly big butt, Daddy. All firm and stuff. Not saggy or anything. Which is impressive given how old you are.”
“How old I am?” he growled. “Little girl, are you asking for a spanking?”
“I don’t think anyone ever asks for a spanking, Daddy,” she informed him.
“You’d be surprised.”
“Are you sure you want to get a tattoo? What about when you get all wrinkly? Then you’ll have a wrinkly unicorn on your butt.” She sighed. “But don’t worry, I’ll still love you.”
“Oh, you will?”
“Of course, Daddy. I’m not just with you for your unwrinkly unicorn butt.”
“Glad to hear it. Wouldn’t want to think that once I have a wrinkly butt, you’d leave me.”
“I’ll always love your wrinkly butt, Daddy.”
“Good Lord,” he muttered.
“Ooh, I just had a great idea.” She clapped her hands excitedly.
“I can’t wait to hear it,” he replied dryly.
“The unicorn can be on one cheek and facing your butt crack and if it has its head down it will look like it’s about to horn you.”
“H-horn me?” he said in a strangled voice.
“Yeah, horn you. Like boning you, only with its horn up your—”
He placed his hand over her mouth. “Did you take your smarty-pants pills this morning?”
She shook her head, looking at him with wide eyes.
“Brat.” He removed his hand and she burst into laughter. “I am not getting a unicorn tattoo nor am I getting anything on my ass.”
“So what are you getting?” she asked once her giggles died off.
“You’ll just have to wait to find out. Come on, I’m going to be late for my appointment.”
He undid his belt then reached over and did hers.
“Appointment? So you chose to come to this place?”
“Hmm. Apparently, it’s got the best reputation in the state.”
“It does?” It didn’t look like a place with a good reputation. But then she shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
Clint climbed out of his truck then walked around to lift her out. Taking hold of her hand, he led her into the parlor. The inside was clean and tidy, but worn. There were photos and drawings of different tattoos up on the wall and she tried to walk over to look at them, but Clint kept a firm hold on her hand.
“Stay with me, little girl,” he warned.
“Hello! Sorry, I was out back making coffee,” a cheerful voice said. A petite woman with dark-blonde hair that was pulled up in a ponytail walked in. She wore a pink sweater with the tattoo parlor’s logo on the front. Diamantes had been added around the logo in a circle.
That was cute.
“You must be Duke’s next appointment. He’ll be out in a minute. Would you like some coffee?”
“No thanks,” Clint said.
“Sure? I have pumpkin spice creamer to go in it.”
“Ooh, that sounds yummy,” Charlie said, bouncing on her feet. “I’ll have some.”
“No, she won’t,” Clint replied, giving Charlie a stern look. “You drink caffeine now and you’ll never sleep, little darling.”
She blushed slightly, wondering what the other woman thought of his name for her. But then, there was no reason she’d ever suspect anything. Although there was a glint of something in her eyes. Curiosity?
“I could make some decaf,” the woman offered.
“I wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble,” Charlie said. “I’m not sure how long we’ll be here anyway.”
“You are Duke’s next appointment, right?” The woman looked down at her computer screen. “Clint?”
“Yes, and this is my wife, Charlotte.”
“Call me Charlie,” she offered.
“I’m Sunny.”
“Wow, cute name,” Charlie told her.
Sunny grinned. “Thanks. It’s nice to meet you both. You’re booked in for an hour. Plenty of time to drink coffee. And I have whipped cream for on top.”
“Sunny, is my next appointment here?” A dark-haired, frowning man walked towards them. He had a confident stride. He was obviously a man who was used to getting his own way. His eyes were hard, but they seemed to soften as he took in Sunny, who gave him a big grin.
Wow. If Charlie was wearing a hat, she’d take it off to her. This man was kind of intimidating. Mind you, some people thought that way about Clint. To Charlie, he was just a big teddy bear with a bit of a growl.
“Yep, they’re here.” She turned to Clint and Charlie. “This is Duke. He owns this place. You’re in great hands with him.”
Duke grunted. “They don’t need to be sold on me, babe. They’re here, aren’t they?”
“Never hurts. Sometimes people take one look at you and run.”
Duke eyed Clint up. “He doesn’t look like the running sort.”
Clint smiled. It wasn’t a friendly smile. Charlie stiffened. Uh-oh.
“Duke, huh? So you’re the guy who locked my little sister in a closet.”
Oh hell. Oh hell. She’d heard of Duke. Now this trip made sense. Only why was Clint doing this now? Especially with her here. Wait. He wouldn’t do anything with her here. Was he just having this guy on?
Duke reached out and drew Sunny slightly behind him. “Hey! What are you doing? I’m holding coffee!”
“You shouldn’t be drinking coffee this late. You’ll be awake half the night.” Duke snatched the coffee from her hands, putting it on the desk then looked down at the computer screen. “The booking just says Clint, but I’m guessing your last name is Jensen.”
“Yep,” Clint replied.
“I’ve warned Sunny against taking one name bookings.” He gave Sunny a firm look.
“And what happens if some famous musician who only uses one name tries to book, huh? They might get all snarky and storm off if I insist that they give me a last name. Then you’d miss out on being the artist who tattooed their butt.”
“I don’t want to tattoo their butt.”
&
nbsp; “That’s disappointing.”
“So, are you here for a tattoo or to have a go at me?” Duke asked.
“Can’t I do both?”
Duke raised his eyebrows. “Well, if you were, I’d think you were stupid or cocky. You don’t seem either. But looks can be deceiving.”
“Duke didn’t lock your sister up in a closet,” Sunny said.
“He didn’t?” Clint asked. “Do you even know who my sister is? Or what happened?”
“Umm, no, but Duke wouldn’t do that. Well, not unless she mowed his lawn without his permission. He gets grumpy about that.”
“Pretty sure Eden didn’t mow his lawn,” Charlie said. “I don’t think she’d even know one end of a lawnmower from the other.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. I love mowing lawns. I have a pink lawnmower with diamantes on it.”
“Wow, that’s so cool,” Charlie told her.
Clint sighed. “Somehow, I don’t think I’m going to be able to have a go at you now.”
Duke shook his head. “Sunny, how many coffees have you had?”
“Umm.” She started to use her fingers to count.
Duke looked to Clint with a resigned expression. “Why don’t you come on back? We can discuss what tattoo you want. And your sister. She sent you?”
“Nope, she doesn’t know I’m here. Funny enough, she told me that you were a good guy.”
“Yeah?” Duke asked. “She could be mistaken.”
“Could be,” Clint agreed.
“Took you long enough to come find me.”
“I wasn’t given all the details of her trip to Reaper’s until recently.”
“Well, it wasn’t a closet and I wasn’t the person who locked her up inside it.”
“Someone actually locked her up?” Sunny gasped.
Both men looked at the girls as though they’d forgotten they were there.
“Sunny, can you look after Clint’s woman while we go out back and work out his tattoo?” Duke said. “I’m guessing you might have some things in common.”
“Wow,” Sunny said. “I feel like there’s a story behind all this.”
“Yeah, I only know part of it. Make me one of those pumpkin spice coffees with whipped cream and I’ll tell you what I know.”
“Girl, you are on.”
* * *
Ten minutes later, Charlie took a big sip of coffee. “Yum, that’s delicious.”
“Isn’t it? It’s good with cinnamon too. Or sprinkles.” Sunny blushed slightly. “If you like sprinkles.”
“Who doesn’t like sprinkles?” Charlie countered with a grin.
Sunny smiled back, relaxing. “I can’t believe that Eden was brave enough to go into Reaper’s on her own. I couldn’t. Millie did. She came searching for Spike after she heard this asshole wanted to kill him. But Millie is really brave. I’m a wimp.”
Charlie had already told Sunny what she knew about the story of Eden’s trip to Reaper’s to find her friend, although Charlie was pretty sure that she didn’t know all the details.
“Me too,” Charlie agreed. “I think Eden kept certain parts of what happened a secret from Clint because she knew he’d lose his shit. He’s a bear when someone he loves is threatened.”
“Do you think we should have left them alone?” Sunny worried.
Charlie waved her hand. “Clint would never have brought me if he was truly mad. My guess is that he just wanted to come feel you guys out. Eden told me that Zeke was fostered with the leader of the gang?”
“Reyes? Oh, I didn’t know he was in a foster home as a kid. And it’s not a gang, it’s a motorcycle club,” Sunny told her. “Even I’ve got a motorcycle. It’s pink.”
“Wow, that’s awesome. I don’t think Clint would let me have one.” She pouted. The big meanie would probably say it was too dangerous.
Sunny sighed. “Duke doesn’t like it either.”
“He doesn’t? Wait, did you buy it yourself?”
“Ahh, no,” Sunny said with a strange look. “It was a gift from a friend.”
Wow. That was a pretty big gift. But she got the feeling that Sunny didn’t want to explain any further so she changed the subject.
“I wonder what sort of tattoo Clint’s getting.”
“We could go peek,” Sunny whispered.
“Awesome idea. Let’s just finish these coffees first.”
“So where do you live, Charlie?” Sunny asked as Charlie tried to suck up the last bit of creamy coffee.
“Sanctuary Ranch. It’s a few hours’ drive away.”
Sunny frowned. “Sanctuary Ranch. Oh, wait! I’ve heard of it. My friend Millie who I was just talking about, her therapist lives there. Umm, what’s his name?”
“Archer?” Charlie asked.
“That’s it. Do you know him well?”
“Archer is a great guy,” Charlie said.
“Charlie, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“It’s just Duke said we might have stuff in common. And Millie has said some things about Sanctuary Ranch.”
Charlie stiffened.
“She said that there were a number of Littles who lived on Sanctuary, are you a Little?”
“Umm, yeah.”
Sunny grinned cheerfully. “Me too.”
“Really?” Charlie said with relief. “That’s fantastic.”
“Yep. Come on, Charlie. Let’s go snooping. I’m great at sneaking around, the guys will never even notice us.”
* * *
Clint heard them before he saw them.
There was a mirror attached to the wall in front of him and he could see them in it, giggling and whispering to each other as they peered around the door while Duke worked on the tattoo on his chest.
“Do the two of you want to come in?” Duke asked.
They’d already had a chat about what happened the night Eden came to Reaper’s bar. Eden and Zeke had both failed to mention a few things when they’d told him about it after it happened. It wasn’t until last week that Kent had slipped up and mentioned something. Then Clint had gone to Zeke and Eden for details.
Eden had told him to leave it alone. So had Zeke. They both argued that the Iron Shadows members had actually treated her well.
Still, they needed to know that no one fucked with Clint’s family. He wasn’t going to create trouble. Just a friendly warning.
He wouldn’t have brought Charlotte if it was anything more. And he had been wanting to get a tattoo recently.
So, two birds, one stone.
“Darn it,” Sunny said walking in with a pout. “We were trying to be sneaky.”
Duke snorted. “Little rebel, you’d make a terrible spy.”
“How come? I think I’d make a great spy,” Sunny said.
Clint raised his eyebrows. Zeke had told him he’d suspected a few of the Iron Shadows guys he’d met might be Daddy Doms. He’d guess that Sunny was definitely a Little. He also knew that Archer was counseling one of the member’s girlfriends. But he was close-mouthed about anything to do with her.
“Spies usually dress all in black for a start. And they don’t wear diamantes,” Duke told her.
“That’s it. I’m out. I’ll stick with biker babe,” Sunny said.
Clint had to grin. “Come here, little darling.”
Charlotte was standing at the side of the room, looking a bit uncertain as she watched Duke work on him. Clint held out his hand to her and she took it, stepping closer to him.
“You okay?”
“I don’t think I want a tattoo anymore,” she whispered. “Is it really painful?”
“I’m fine,” he reassured her. “You look a bit pale.”
Duke paused. “You okay? You need Sunny to take you back to the break room?”
Sunny stepped over to Charlotte and took her free hand. “I can make you a hot chocolate this time. I even have a secret stash of cookies.”
“You do, huh?” Duke growled. “Why haven’t I been given any of these c
ookies?”
“Well, Daddy, maybe if you said please,” Sunny teased.
Duke raised an eyebrow. Sunny led Charlotte out of the room with a giggle.
“Seems they’re getting on well,” Duke said as he finished up the tattoo. He then cleaned the area and placed a bandage over it.
“Uh-huh. Guess that means we should too.”
Duke stared him down. “The Iron Shadows don’t harm women.”
Clint stood. “Good to hear. Eden told me she was treated well. But, just a warning. If you ever touch anyone belonging to me then you can kiss your ability to bear children goodbye.”
Their gazes clashed. Clint tensed.
Then the tension eased out of Duke. “You’re protective of your own. I admire that.”
Clint nodded.
“You were the last client of the night. Interest you in a beer?”
“Sure, if you’re buying.”
* * *
Charlie looked up from her hot chocolate as Clint walked into the small breakroom, followed by Duke.
She felt a bit queasy from watching his chest being tattooed. She still didn’t know what he’d gotten because she’d been unable to look for long.
“Feeling okay, little darling?” he asked.
“I’ll just go help Duke tidy up,” Sunny said, jumping up with a smile.
Clint nodded. “We’re coming for a drink with you both.”
“Oh goody.” Sunny clapped her hands then ran off.
Charlie smiled. “I like her.”
“She seems like a sweetheart,” Clint agreed, sitting beside her. Reaching over, he lifted her onto his lap.
“You weren’t mean to Duke, were you?”
Clint raised his eyebrows. “Mean to him? Of course, I wasn’t mean to him. I just warned him, that if he or his friends ever hurt mine then he’d be in a world of pain. That’s all.”
“That’s all? You said that to the guy who was piercing your skin with a needle?”
“I waited until he was finished.”
“Whew. I was worried he might tattoo a big penis on you in retaliation.”
He chuckled. “Duke and I understand each other. It’s all fine. He was the one who suggested we go have a drink together.”
“You’re sure that’s a good idea? They’re not going to ambush you or anything, right? Because my karate skills are rusty.”
A Little Christmas Cheer Page 2