“No, really. What is it?”
“It’s stupid.”
“Nothing is stupid unless you label it as such. Did I do something wrong?”
His eyes connected with mine and I watched an intensity that shivered me to my core bubble behind them.
“You’re beautiful when you focus,” he said.
My gut turned over as I nodded my head. I led him out of my cubicle and back into the waiting room, where he paid and tipped me very well. I gave him his receipt and he stuck it into his wallet, his movements jagged and tender. It would be a few weeks before we could touch that tattoo again, but it would be beautiful once it was done.
Beautiful, like the man it was attached to.
“See you around noon?” Notch asked.
He opened up my shop door and I nodded.
“See you then. If you just come in and go through that door, my office is the last door on the left,” I said.
“Then, I’ll come find you,” he said with a smirk.
And after that, he walked out into the night. Disappearing from my shop with the promise of a return I was looking forward to.
This isn’t good, Maya.
I stood there for a few seconds, trying to collect myself. What the fuck had just happened? Did I really just flirt with a customer? Did I really just touch him the way I had? Fucking hell, I hoped he didn’t spread that around. That could be the downfall of my reputation. One I’d worked hard for in this area in order to keep myself afloat. I sighed as I went back into the tattooing cubicle I kept for myself, and cleaned everything down. The routine was the same every night. I started with the leather chair and the countertops. I cleaned up the needles and the ink. I even sprayed down the walls to sterilize them before mopping the floor to clean up any remnants left behind.
Then, it was time to organize the waiting room.
I rearranged chairs so they weren’t cockeyed and in the middle of the floor. And as I closed my shop down, I couldn't get my mind off Notch. Underneath that rugged demeanor was a playful, sweet man. One who wanted to remember the lengths he went to in order to save lives. Most people would have called that mood cocky. Tattooing evidence of a life being saved, like an underground Superman. But I knew what kind of mindset came with that. Remembering the living also came with the added sin of also remembering the dead.
And I was sure those tattoos did both for Notch, too.
A remembrance of the living and a reminder to always do better in terms of those he had lost.
I turned off the lights and locked up, then made my way back down the hallway. I entered through the door that dead-ended into a wall, swinging it open and waiting for it to close. I locked it tight, then started for the stairs in the corner. I took them up to the only entry door of my studio apartment, letting it fall open of its own accord. The space itself wasn’t more than a thousand square feet. Nothing was blocked off except for the toilet and the sink. Not even the shower, which was in the corner. A clawfoot tub with a shower spout hanging from the ceiling and a curtain that wrapped all the way around.
One bed. One couch. One bookcase. One shower. One toilet.
One person. And it needs to stay that way.
I sighed as I peeled my clothes off, relegating myself to a shower. Because I needed one. A cold one.
One that would make sleeping a bit easier tonight with thoughts of Notch dancing around in my head.
7
Notch
“I’m worried about him, Notch,” Ella said.
“He’s okay, El. I promise,” I said.
“But it’s looking a little bruised around the wound. Is that normal?”
“He had lead penetrate his skin. Yes, a bit of bruising is normal.”
“Let’s tone down the harsh talk with my girl. ‘Kay?” Texas asked.
“Then, take off your shirt so I can get out of here,” I said.
Ella shooed Keva off to her room as Texas sat down in the kitchen. Off came his shirt, and there was the gauze. Freshly-changed, probably from Ella poking around at it. I pulled the gauze back and tried to keep my face as stable as possible, but holy fuck. The guy was really bruised. I mean, Texas was ripped on his arm. And this bullet tore through some serious muscle tissue.
But the bruising spanned out an entire inch from his wound. All the way around.
“See what I mean?” Ella asked.
“She’s just worried about me. Honey?” Texas asked.
“No, I’m not leaving,” she said.
“You really need to,” I murmured.
Texas looked back and shot me a look that told me to can it. Which I was happy to do.
Yet another reason not to get attached to women. They’re annoying as fuck.
Texas calmly got Ella out of the kitchen and I started running a few tests. Well, not formal tests. Just poking around at the bruising and asking Texas how much pain he was in. The wound wasn’t oozing. He didn’t seem to be in an existential amount of pain. The stitches were almost ready for removal, honestly.
“We need to keep an eye on that bruising. But as long as it doesn’t get any worse, I’m not too concerned about it,” I said.
“So, it’s bad. Like Ella said?” Texas asked.
“It’s a little more than I expect, yes, but not by much. There’s no infection and you aren’t in any more pain than I figured you would be in. The stitches are almost ready to come out. So, as long as things don’t swell or start to stink, it’s just your body reacting to having a hole in it.”
He chuckled as I smoothed the gauze back against his skin.
“And let Ella know she’s doing a hell of a job keeping it clean. Whatever she’s doing, let her keep doing it,” I said.
“I heard that!” Ella exclaimed.
“Thanks a lot,” Texas murmured.
I grinned. “Not my fault you fell in love.”
“Yeah, yeah. Well, it’ll happen to you one day when you least expect it.”
“Not a chance. You guys call me ‘Notch’ for a reason.”
“And one day, your bedpost will be whittled down and the only woman you’ll have at your side is the one who wants to help you fix it.”
“Or buy me a new one,” I said, chuckling.
“Well, when you do fall in love, I’ll be right there to tell you ‘told ya so.’”
I snickered as I headed out of the kitchen. I walked out the front door and closed it behind me, but something caused me to look back. I peeked through the kitchen window and saw Keva rushing into the kitchen. She launched herself into Texas’ arms, and he swung her around as if there was nothing bothering him. Ella was all smiles as she went in for a kiss. A long kiss that made me uncomfortable to stare at.
So, I turned on my heels and made my way for my bike. I needed to get away from this safehouse for a little bit. I needed to clear my head before my lunchtime tattoo brainstorming appointment with the lovely Maya.
I didn’t even get my foot slung over the bike before Stone called church.
I sighed as I waited on my bike. Because I knew Texas would be coming out any minute to beckon me back in. Just a moment’s peace was all I needed. He stepped out onto the porch, his head nodding in my general direction. Waving me to come back in. And as Ella slipped her hand into his, tugging Texas back into the safehouse, my heart lurched against my chest.
For some reason, it was almost painful to watch.
I got off my bike and sighed. So long as this church meeting didn’t run long, I didn’t give a shit. Motorcycles rumbled in the distance, signaling the Celtic Riders coming to try and help us. I rolled my eyes as the idea of it all. We shouldn't have asked for help until we had a plan in place. Because it felt more like Asher was running this damn show than any of us. I didn’t trust them. Not Asher, not his wife, and not the Celtic Riders. Hell, I’d just come to feel as if I didn’t have to look over my shoulder and keep peering at Freya.
And that was mostly for Bronx’s piece of mind.
“Glad we caught ya before you left,” S
tone said flatly.
“Well, don’t bank on it. I got another tat appointment at noon. So, let’s make this quick,” I said.
“I think digging our asses out of this hole is more important than a tattoo,” Texas said.
“Says the man I’m getting the tattoo for,” I said flatly.
“You’re still doing that?” Bronx asked.
“Yep. Got you and Stone on my shoulder blades,” I said.
Everyone fell silent as the Celtic Riders arrived, coming through the door.
“That my men I hear?” Asher asked.
“Yep. The gang’s all here. Let’s get down to business,” Stone said.
“Please tell me someone’s got a damn plan,” I said.
“I had the Celtic Riders following the Chinese around. I figured since they’re looking out for us, they won’t look twice at some tourists riding bikes around San Diego,” Stone said.
“You guys figure out anything?” Asher asked.
“We did,” one of the men said.
“From what we can see, the Chinese are moving their headquarters,” another said.
“Wait, you figured out where they’re hiding out?” Bronx asked.
Asher paused. “You guys don’t know?”
Holy fuck, we were making ourselves look more idiotic by the second.
“Where are they stationed and where are they moving?” Stone asked.
The guys looked over at Asher before continuing. Something I didn’t like. This was our show, and they were here to help us. Asher wasn’t running this thing, Stone was.
The action apparently didn’t sit well with Texas, either, with how tense he became after it happened.
“They’re clear on the other side of San Diego. It’s not really a headquarters, but it’s where they’re set up in the area. They’ve been hauling out boxes of shit. Chairs. Desks. Loading it up into a massive van. We’ve watched them take three van loads of stuff now to the eastern part of town. Away from the ocean,” one of the men said.
“And out toward the desert,” I said.
“Exactly,” another man said.
I didn’t know their names, and I didn’t care to know them.
“Any ideas as to why they’re moving?” Stone asked.
The man shrugged. “My guess is they’re either moving to a bigger space or moving somewhere else because they feel they’ve been compromised.”
“The latter is almost always true,” Bronx said.
“But it’s possible it’s the former?” Stone asked.
I furrowed my brow. “Why? What are you thinking?”
“Shit,” Texas murmured.
“Yeah,” Asher said.
“Someone want to fill us in?” Bronx asked.
“Reinforcements,” everyone said.
Holy fuck. We were about to deal with more of these asswipes.
“Okay, okay. Look, we don’t know that’s true. Right? It’s just speculation?” I asked.
“Right,” one of the men said.
“So, that means we need to end this shit before they get here. That way, we stand a chance at keeping the numbers even,” I stated.
“Sounds easier said than done,” Stone grumbled.
“Well, unless we’re all ready to take on the hoard of Chinese men about to descend on us, we kind of have to make it a reality,” I bit back.
“Easy on the attitude there,” Texas said.
“Look, we can get ourselves out of this. But floating ideas without settling on something isn’t going to work. We’ve ruled out killing the detective. Got it. But we’ve got other plans,” I said.
“Like what?” Bronx asked.
“For starters, research. We don’t want to go into this blind. We approach this as if we have a client to protect. Only, the client is really our own asses,” I said.
Stone paused. “He’s got a point.”
“We research all the guys we know are working with Cheng. Working with this group. We piece it all together, and maybe there’s a weak link. Or maybe we can get in good with one of their family members or find a way to persuade someone on the inside. You know groups like that always have a few members forced into it because of their family legacy. Who don’t really want to be there,” I said.
“That’s a damn fine idea, if you ask me,” Asher said.
“Yeah, well. No one asked you,” I said.
“Notch,” Stone said gruffly.
I growled as I stared down our president. He eyed me until I backed off, then I nodded my apologies to Asher. I sighed as everyone went back and forth for a little bit, debating on whether or not to take my route.
“Okay, here’s what we’ll do,” Stone said.
“We’re all ears,” Asher said.
Damn straight, you are.
“Notch, you and the Celtic Riders are going to keep doing research. Bronx, help him with that venture. Texas is going to help me back here to keep this place fortified in case anything else happens, and Asher?” Stone asked.
“Yep?” he asked.
“Can you keep an eye on the Chinese? Keep us informed of their timeline?”
“I can do that. I’ll head out now,” he said.
At least he took direction easily enough.
“We need someone on the inside. At the very least, a family member that can help us wiggle our way in. It’s our only hope at taking this down before it escalates, and we can’t let the Chinese get control of this area. This is our town. Our families. Our turf. Always,” Stone said.
“Hell yeah,” Asher said, grinning.
“It’s not our turf any longer, but at one point in time? It was. You have our full support,” one of Asher’s men said.
“Good to know,” Texas said.
“Notch, you said you had somewhere to be?” Stone asked.
“Not for another half hour. Why?” I asked.
“Consider this the only time you get to leave this post. After this, it needs to be business related, or you stay here. We need all the numbers we can get right now. And we don’t need people off gallivanting and pulling other people into this mess we’re in.”
I grinned. “You’re scared I’m gonna bring home a woman I love, just like you guys did.”
They all fell silent and Asher chuckled.
“Funny how that works sometimes,” he said.
“You don’t have to worry about me on that point. You know this,” I said.
“Yeah, well. Just keep it in the back of your mind,” Texas said.
“One last personal trip, and then it’s all business. You have my word,” I said.
“All right. And with that, church is dismissed,” Stone said.
Finally. I could get my ass to my tattoo appointment.
And hopefully get my dick wet before I was put back under house arrest.
8
Maya
“Maya, please. Just hear me out,” Harry said.
I rolled my eyes as I walked around behind my register.
“Harry, there’s nothing to hear out. Okay? You’re the one that did all this to your life in the first place. Not me. I was perfectly fine until you popped up on San Diego’s radar over a year ago. I was perfectly fine and away from danger until you brought it to my doorstep,” I said.
“Maya, all I want to do is—”
I held up my hand. “The less I know, the better. That’s how it always worked with Dad, right?”
He eyed me carefully and I scoffed.
“You’re an idiot if you don’t think I know what you do for a living. What you did after Dad died. You’re dumber than I thought, and if you want to protect me? I’ll need someone smarter than you to do it,” I said.
Harry gritted his teeth. “Just let me help you.”
“You’re the one who needs help, brother. Not me. Now, get out before I call the police and report an unwanted trespasser.”
My eyes scanned over my brother and I grew very worried for him. Which meant I grew worried for myself. He looked disheveled. Tir
ed. There were bags underneath his eyes, and he looked as if he had aged twenty years. This was the second time he’d come around since his initial visit. And both times, he looked worse than the last. His tie was crooked. One of his leather shoes was unlaced. His suit coat was buttoned unevenly and his hair looked like it hadn’t seen a comb in days.
“You bring more trouble onto my doorstep whenever you show up. So, if you really want to help? The best thing you can do is stay away,” I said.
He nodded silently, then left my shop. And when I was convinced he wasn’t double-backing, my fingers flew across my keyboard. I pulled up my security system, checking the dates of the last time they were updated. Shit. It was over two years ago, which meant there were probably several patches since then. I logged into my account on their website and began the painstaking process of slowly downloading two years’ worth of patchwork material.
Then, I opened up a new tab to schedule an emergency appointment.
Take a second and breathe.
I slowly drew in a deep breath, settling my heart rate.
Think about how this looks.
My mother’s voice emanated off the corners of my mind. She was always the one who kept me grounded. Rooted. She taught me how to hide my facial expressions and control my emotions. Especially in this lifestyle. And with Harry refusing to tell me the type of trouble he’d gotten himself into, I needed to make sure everything around me was up to date. Just in case someone came for me.
Like they did for my parents.
I navigated away from the emergency visit and scheduled a normal appointment. I was due for a security system upgrade anyway. All the equipment for a quarter of the price. The contract was wonderful, though pricey. Thank fuck, I could write it off as a business expense. I scheduled an appointment for two weeks’ out on their calendar, then submitted my information.
Scheduling an emergency appointment to upgrade my system just after Harry stopped in to see me was suspicious, at best.
The bell over the door rang out and I tensed. I just knew it was Harry. I knew it was him, who had come back to strong-arm me into something. But when I looked up, I saw someone that made me smile.
Notch: The Lost Boys MC #4 Page 5