Page 105 of Shattered

“How many times did we show him when we helped him with his date? He’s hopeless.”

I know they’re having a laugh. These guys don’t have a mean bone between the two of them.

“Teach me; it’ll save you all time,” Lila laughs.

“That works,” I say. “I’ll do your hair, and you tie my ties. Though it doesn’t seem like a fair trade.”

The house is filled with activity. Coolers of food are stacked by the back door for the reception, which will be held in the courtyard. The moment Turner lays eyes on me, he smiles. This is my first time in his house since I inquired about his club. Now, so much has changed.

“Lila, can I borrow Asher for a moment? The women are getting ready in the guest rooms,” he says.

“As long as you return him in the same condition he’s in now,” she says.

It’s been a running joke that everyone here wants to beat the crap out of me like they used to. While the other men head out to the yard where everyone gathers, I’m left alone in the kitchen with Turner.

“I have something to show you,” Turner says.

While I don’t question him too much, when he heads for the door to the club, Koa, I stiffen in place.

“No stairs, man, I’m not taking any chances.”

“Just get your stubborn ass over here.”

This guy really knows how to piss people off. But once he opens the door with a little silver key and I get a glimpse of what’s behind it, all the anger washes away.

“Well?”

I’m at a loss for words. It’s a stair lift, just like the one we put in at home. And the thing wasn’t fucking cheap, either.

“You’re serious?” is all I can say.

He nods. When he pulls the key out of the lock and relocks it, he offers it to me. “Welcome in.”

I take the key from him, lost for words.

“There’s a room down there with your name on it for you and Lila.”

“Thank you, Turner. For everything. Why do I feel like I’ve been adopted into this weird family?”

“Because you have. We’re a disaster, but we’re a family.”

He’s right. This is so much more of a family than the one I was born into. I have a mom and dad out there somewhere, but they feel irrelevant. They didn’t want me.

Here, at Koa, I’m not only wanted but almost feel needed. I feel like one of them.

“I saw your new sign at the shop,” Turner says.

“You like?”

“I think it’s perfect.”

It is. And Lila’s come a long way in the last few months. She’s almost ready to start on client skin, and she’s done a few more on me, as well as one on almost every single one of her friends. She may be filling his chair, but she’ll never replace him. She’ll bring new life into the shop.

The shop we decided to rename “Bane’s Tattoo.”

Lila

I’ve been appointed the makeup artist for the wedding, and Juliet does the hair. I’m pretty good with makeup, though I don’t wear much on a daily basis. It reminds me of when Macy first came to Alton, and I helped her find some makeup to cover the bruises on her face.

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