[Men of Inked 01.0 - 03.0] Boxed Set

by Chelle Bliss

  Now it kind of made sense to me. I had seen him before—he was the guy Michael fought in NYC.

  “Don’t you two hate each other?” I asked.

  “Nah, we went for beers after the match in NYC,” Torrez said as he shook Michael’s hand. “It’s good to see you, man.”

  “Just remember Mia’s mine, Torrez. I’d hate to embarrass you by kicking your ass in public again.” Michael grinned, holding back a laugh.

  “Wait, I don’t think I ever said I was yours,” I said.

  “Possession, remember,” he said as he wrapped his arms around me. “You’re mine.”

  I bit my lip. I was proud to be called his…he was a man with the iron fists and a warm heart. Michael Gallo could call me anything he wanted, as long as he spent his nights in my bed.

  27

  Mia

  Liberating. That was how it felt knowing I didn’t have to work in the ER anymore. I walked in and quit, not wanting to spend another day working there. Michael’s family had found donors and used their own money to have me be the clinic physician on a full-time basis.

  I could finally do what I loved. Help people without the nightmares and sleepless nights.

  Michael spent his mornings working out and then coming into the clinic before heading to Inked. He gave himself wholeheartedly to making the clinic a success. They were officially starting the remodel next week and, Michael would oversee the project first hand.

  Taking a sip of coffee, I looked over the chart for my first patient of the day. Female, unemployed, general check-up—an easy way to start. Grabbing the chart and tucking it under my arm, I walked toward the room. I felt stress free for the first time in a long time.

  Closing the door, I set the chart on the counter and turned toward the exam table. My heart stopped and I froze in my tracks.

  “Hey, Mia,” Tammy sneered.

  “How in the hell did you get in here?” I said loud enough that I hoped someone would hear, especially Michael. Fuck, I really didn’t need her crazy ass here. “What do you want, Tammy?” I asked, glaring at her.

  “I came to make peace with you. I wanted to apologize for my behavior,” she said, hopping off the exam table.

  I held my hand up, stopping her. “It’s in the past, Tammy. Whatever happened is between you and Michael. Leave me out of it.”

  “You two aren’t together, then?” She cocked her eyebrow and grinned.

  “We are together. We’re happy. I think you should go before he finds you here and calls the police.”

  “He’s here?” she asked, and looked at the door with excitement in her eyes.

  Fuck. That wasn’t the response I’d hoped for when I told her that Michael was here. “He’s going to be really pissed if he sees you, Tammy. You better go, for all of our sakes.”

  “Maybe I can apologize to him too.” She smiled.

  Clearly she was still delusional.

  “Tammy, you need to leave,” I spoke louder than before, hoping to draw the attention of Michael or Cammie.

  I was getting pissed. My hands were balled at my side. I never wanted to hit a person as much as I wanted to smack the shit out of her.

  “Not until I can see Michael.” Sitting back down, she crossed her legs with that Snickers bar smile she wore so well.

  “Fine,” I said. Turning my head toward the door and keeping my eyes on her, I yelled, “Michael!” I turned back toward her and we waited, staring at each other.

  The door opened and I heard Michael say, “What’s up?”

  “We have a visitor.” I pointed to Tammy without look at him, and held my hands up.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” he said, stepping in front of me, cutting off my view.

  “I…I,” she stuttered. “I wanted to see you.”

  “You’ve seen me and you’re violating the restraining order, Tammy. I will have you arrested for coming here.” Every muscle in his body tensed as he stood between us.

  He trusted her less than I did, but then again, he knew her better.

  She slithered off the table and touched his cheek.

  He recoiled, taking a step back, almost knocking me over. “Get out,” he said, pointing at the door.

  “Come on, Michael. We were so good together.” She slid her arm around his neck.

  She was totally insane. Was I invisible to her?

  I bit my lip, trying not to say something to aggravate the situation.

  Peeling her off him, he said through gritted teeth, “Are you shitting me right now with this shit?”

  “No, I’m just stating the truth.” She looked at him with a frown, and hurt in her eyes.

  I’m not an angry person, but this bitch needed to be taught a lesson. Tammy wasn’t and never would be a threat to our happiness, but to throw shit in my face was too much for me to take.

  “You wouldn’t know the truth if it slapped you in the face. Go, Tammy. I don’t hit women, never have and always said I never would, but you’re getting real close to getting knocked on your ass,” Michael said calmly.

  “You know I like it when you’re rough with me, Michael,” she said, moving closer to him with a sly smile. “The harder, the better, like old times.”

  “Okay, I’ve had enough,” I interrupted. I placed myself between her and Michael. He. Was. Mine. If anyone were to knock her on her ass, it would be me.

  “I wasn’t talking to you, whore. I sucked his cock way before you came along. Sloppy seconds aren’t fun, are they?” She smirked.

  “Calm down, Mia,” Michael whispered in my ear, grabbing my arm.

  Motherfucker. My body shook from anger.

  “Yeah, Mia. Know your place. I’m sure you don’t bring him to his knees like I did. You don’t have him smacking your ass as you come on his cock. His body was made for me, and I gave him everything he ever wanted,” she said, stepping closer to me.

  “You need to shut your damn mouth,” I seethed, with clenched hands, wanting to punch her in the face.

  “Ladies,” Michael said, pushing us apart.

  “What’s going on in here?” Cammie asked as she looked in the room.

  “Call the cops, Cammie. Tammy is violating a court order,” Michael replied as he held us apart.

  Tammy stood there with her hands on her hips, like she was proving her point. Did she not hear a word he’d spoken?

  “I’m fine, Michael. You can let me go,” I said.

  Michael nodded, releasing his hold on me.

  On the inside, my belly was burning and my hands were itching to smack her. I judged Michael and called him a barbarian for fighting, but in this moment, it clicked.

  “You listen like a good bitch, don’t you?” she asked.

  I looked at Michael, and he winced. “He. Is. Mine, Tammy,” I said, separating each word to drive the point home.

  “He may marry a girl like you, but he’ll always come to me for all the dirty things you don’t give him. You’re plain and boring and probably a rotten lay. He’ll always be mine.”

  I closed my eyes, trying to control my rage. My heart pounded feverishly in my chest, my skin grew hot, and I could hear the blood flowing through my ears.

  Michael turned to her, crossing his arms in front of his chest, as he squared his shoulder. “Shut the fuck up, Tammy. Mia’s my girl, not you.”

  “She stole you from me,” Tammy said, sounding wounded.

  “I did not,” I said, stepping around him as he gripped my arm.

  “You fucking did,” she yelled before smacking me in the face.

  Everything else in the room disappeared except her and me. I lunged at her, my palm connecting to her face with a crack. “He’s mine,” I said as I landed a smack with my other hand. My hands throbbed as we tumbled backward, her body slamming against the tile floor.

  “Fuck,” Michael yelled as his strong arms gripped my torso, trying to pull me off, but I had my legs wrapped around her body. “Stop, Mia,” Michael roared, trying to untangle me.

 
; Blood trickled from her mouth as she lay there crying.

  I blinked. I did this to her. I went apeshit and hit her…twice.

  I released my legs and leaned over her body, resting my weight on my arms. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I don’t know what happened.”

  “It’s okay, baby girl,” he said, lifting me up and cradling me in his arms.

  “No, it’s not. I just snapped.” I didn’t know I had that in me. I’d never been pushed to that point in my life.

  “She deserved it, Mia,” he said, kissing my forehead as he walked out of the room, leaving Tammy on the floor in tears.

  “She just wouldn’t shut her damn mouth.” I looked at her face through the open door; bloodied and tear filled. A wave of guilt rolled over me.

  “You hit pretty fucking good for a girl,” Michael said, chuckling.

  “Shut up, before I pop you one too,” I said, reaching for his lips.

  I felt the smirk on his face as he laughed. “My, my, how you’ve changed since that night in the bar. What did you call me? Barbaric?”

  “Yeah, well. She clearly didn’t understand the English language. I didn’t have any other choice, and she hit me first so I’m claiming self-preservation and defense.” He was right, but there was no way in hell I’d admit it.

  “So, I’m yours, if I heard you right?” he asked.

  I sighed and cradled his face in my hands. “Possession, remember?”

  “I could never forget. I love you, Mia.” His eyes grew wide. He was shocked at his own words.

  My heart stopped. I didn’t know how badly I wanted to hear that phrase until it slipped from his lips. My insides warmed and felt gooey. I loved Michael, but I would have never been the first to say it. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at him.

  “Gonna leave me hanging here, doc?”

  I smiled against his mouth. “Just this once…I won’t. I love you too, Michael.”

  He crushed his mouth to mine, and we claimed each other, branding one another with a passionate kiss.

  28

  Michael

  Two months later

  Mia wrapped her arms around me as I looked around the room, admiring the remodeled clinic. “You did an amazing thing here, Michael,” she said, resting her head on my back, smashing her breasts into me. Damn, she felt good.

  “We, Mia. We did an amazing job.” I rubbed her arm and thought about how much life had changed in three months.

  I couldn’t imagine a day without her. She made me happier than anything else in my life. I quit fighting and trying to climb the ranks. For her, I’d do anything.

  My time was spent between the shop, the clinic, and Mia. There wasn’t time to fight without sacrificing my time with Mia.

  Did I turn into a pussy? Not a bit. I could kick any motherfucker’s ass if given the chance.

  I had a greater purpose in life—one that mattered and made a difference. I loved seeing the sparkle in Mia’s eyes every day. She wasn’t stressed and no longer had nightmares as often as she did before quitting her job. She made a difference to the people in the community, and I felt like I played a role in making her dream become a reality.

  “Is everyone here?” I asked, turning around.

  “If you mean your family, yeah, they’re all here. There’s a big crowd outside waiting for us to cut the ribbon and open up this bad boy.” She laughed. It was infectious.

  “I have something for you first,” I said, reaching for an envelope I’d left on a waiting room chair.

  She grabbed it. Looking up at me she asked, “What is it?” as she tore it open.

  “Read it,” I said, tapping the folded paper.

  She slowly opened the paper; her eyes flickered to me and back to the paper. “Michael,” she said, covering her mouth.

  “I couldn’t think of a better owner than you, Mia.” I brushed the small tear that trickled down her cheek.

  Tears of joy had never made me feel so kickass. Some of the money came from donations and the rest from my family, and I filled the gap personally. We knew that Mia was the perfect person to be the rightful owner of the building, giving her security that the clinic would always be there.

  “I can’t believe this, but how?” she said, her eyes moving across the paper as she gripped it with two hands.

  “Doesn’t matter, Mia. It’s yours now.” I grabbed her chin and kissed her.

  She jumped in my arms, kissing my lips before kissing my face. I laughed, letting her plant soft kisses on my skin.

  “I’m speechless. I don’t know how to repay you for all this,” she said, waving her hands toward the room.

  “I can think of a few ways,” I said, squeezing her ass as I laughed.

  “I’m sure you will.” She rubbed her nose against mine, giggling.

  “Let’s do this, then. No reason to wait any longer.” I released her, letting her body slide down mine until her feet hit the floor.

  “Ready,” she said, wiping her lips and eyes.

  We opened the door, stepping outside to a group of about thirty people, including patients, local media, and my family. Mia’s smile was radiant as she waved to the patients that she recognized in the crowd.

  “This is so exciting,” Ma said, grabbing my face and planting a sloppy kiss on my cheek. “And you, my sweet girl,” she said, turning to Mia, “thank you for allowing me to be a part of this.”

  My ma loved Mia as much as I did.

  Mia’s cheeks flushed. “Thanks, Mrs. G. I couldn’t have done it without you.” Mia hugged my ma, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

  “Come on, ladies. Let’s cut this ribbon and get the party started,” I said, ready to let everyone in to see the amazing work we’d done in the last two months.

  My parents, Mia, and I all stood in front of the red ribbon, with the largest pair of scissors I’d ever seen in my life being held up by Anthony and Izzy. Suzy stood next to Joseph, holding him by the arm as he leaned on his cane. The only person missing was my brother, Thomas.

  Flashes from the crowd blinded me as Mia fidgeted at my side. I squeezed her hand, hoping to calm her.

  My father held his hands up, motioning for quiet. He turned to Mia and nodded.

  “I’d like to thank you all for coming,” she said. “The Gallo family has been kind enough to help give the clinic a new life. They helped raise funds to renovate and bring the facility up to date. We’re proud to offer the community the best medical care possible.” Her voice was strong as she spoke.

  She was meant for this, meant to be in the spotlight.

  “Without their generosity, none of this would be possible. We will have a full-time on-staff doctor, a nurse, and a receptionist, along with the volunteer physicians that will work in the clinic to meet the needs of all patients. Thank you for coming today and making this moment even more special.” With a beaming smile, she looked at me and winked.

  Fuck, I loved her.

  The crowd clapped and cheered as we held up the scissors before cutting the ribbon. Flashes illuminated around us as I grabbed her, kissing her as the people in the crowd cheered louder.

  “Come on, doc. Show the people around,” I said.

  She smiled at me before turning her attention back to the people. “Come on, everybody, I can’t wait to show you all the changes.”

  The people entered the clinic with the same shocked expression. Their mouths hung open; their eyes looked around as they turned their head, taking in every inch.

  Mia showed people round the new exam rooms as I stayed in the waiting room. I watched her walk in and out of the rooms with small groups of people that hung on her every word.

  “Is my baby in love?” my mother asked, standing at my side.

  I jumped, grabbing my chest. “Ma, you about gave me a heart attack.”

  She laughed before resting her head on my bicep. “I see the way you look at her, Michael. You wouldn’t do all this if you weren’t in love with Mia.”

  Heat crept up my chest to my fac
e. “I do love her, Ma.”

  “Well then,” she said, clearing her throat, “someone better give me a damn grandchild already. I know I taught you boys about birth control, but for the love of God, you or Joseph better make it happen, and I mean quick.”

  “I’ve been practicing.” I smirked as I looked down at her beautiful smile.

  “You’ve had enough time for that—you’re getting older. Don’t wait too long, Michael.”

  “Ma, Joe and Suzy have been together longer, and they live together. Put a little pressure on them first, will ya?” I turned, getting a glimpse of Mia before looking back to my mother.

  “Oh, don’t worry about that, I am.” She laughed. “They’re practicing too—plenty, from what I hear from your sister. Is Mia coming to the party at the house after this?”

  My family was filled with gossips. Nothing stayed a secret for very long.

  I swear, sometimes my ma used any excuse to have a party. She loved to cook and have everyone over to talk. She hated how quiet the house had become since we moved out. “Yeah, she’s coming. You didn’t invite too many people, did you?”

  “Baby, do I ever invite too many people?” She smiled at me, but it was a bullshit smile.

  Sighing, I said, “Always.” I kissed the top of her head.

  Her body shook against my arm with her silent laughter. “Never you mind that. I’m going to head home and start getting things ready with your father. Gather the troops when everyone is gone and come over. Don’t dilly-dally.” She patted my stomach and walked toward my father. He nodded at her and shook the hand of the man he’d been talking with, before they walked to the door hand in hand.

  “You did real well, Mikey,” Izzy said as she crept up next to me.

  “Does everyone feel the need to sneak up on me today?” I crossed my arms over my chest, but didn’t turn to face her.

  “Cranky ass, aren’t ya? I didn’t sneak up anywhere. If you weren’t so hypnotized by Mia you would’ve heard me.”