Page 23 of Royally Twisted

Lux held her hand up. “If you finish that, I will come over there and staple your lips shut.” She held the stapler up, making it click together.

“I’m not into that kind of shit, that’s Ember’s gig.” He pointed his free hand at the other man.

Ember raised his head, eyes narrowed. “You’re just jealous. Besides, how do you know if you’d like it or not if you ain’t tried it? Am I right?” He asked the room at large.

The woman lying on Lincoln’s table laughed. “I think you’re all nuts, but then again, I’m lying here getting a tattoo by my ex’s enemy so it’s all relative.

Silence fell on the entire room.

“Um, who is your ex?” Lincoln asked.

She turned her head, meeting his blue gaze. “Tommy Pelosi.”

The name didn’t mean shit to Tymber, but it had Lincoln freezing, his usual friendly gaze hardening. “What the fuck are you doing in my shop?”

“Tommy and I got divorced yesterday. I wanted to do something...for myself and this was something he forbid me to do.”

Lincoln pushed away from the table, running his hand down his face. “What? Get a tattoo, or get a tattoo from me? ‘Cause either one would put you in the shit house with him. Fucking Pelosi’s woman.”

“Man, you gonna be able to finish, or you need me to come in clutch?” Ember asked.

“Nah, I just finished. I was just getting ready to clean her up.” He took a deep breath.

Tymber looked at Ivy then at the woman. “Give me a minute?”

Ivy nodded.

“Here, let me take care of that,” he offered, holding his hand out for the solution bottle that they used to spray on a tattoo before wiping away the excess ink. Lincoln shook his head, holding the bottle tighter.

“I got it. Lux, this one’s on me. Can you print the aftercare instructions out for Mrs. Pelosi please?” His tone was neutral, the same one he used on clients he didn’t know.

Tymber and Ember stayed close, not because they didn’t trust Lincoln, but because he was their brother, maybe not in blood, but by choice. They’d been through war together. Lost other brothers in countries they didn’t belong, and stayed strong, stayed best friends. Whatever was going down, had gone down before they knew one another, wouldn’t change their dynamics.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. This...this was my taking back something he took from...never mind. Thank you for this.” She waved at her thigh.

The piece his friend had done was a work of art and had gone up almost to the woman’s panty line. If her ex ever sees it, it would mean he was up close and personal to her private parts.

“It’s a beautiful piece. Too bad you got it for revenge,” Lincoln said, getting up and walking away.

Lux came over to the woman. “Here you go. Now, let me explain to you about aftercare.”

Tymber looked to the back, then at Ivy. Shit, he didn’t want to leave Link in a fucked up state. They all had demons they fought. He knew more than anyone how screwed up things could get.

“I got this.” Ember stood up; his hands no longer covered in gloves. The man he’d been tattooing was shrugging into a T-shirt. “I’ll see you in about six to eight weeks for your next session, man. That tat is looking fucking bad ass.”

“You’re a genius, Ember.” He handed over some cash, walking out without looking back.

Lux held the door open for the woman and man, then she strode toward the back following Ember, leaving Tymber with Ivy.

“Well, that was quite the shitshow,” Tymber said, coming to stand between Ivy’s legs where she sat on the bed.

She looped her arms over his shoulders. “I liked seeing how you all were ready to jump in to back your friend.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in snug with his body, loving how she automatically wrapped those long legs of hers around his hips. “He’s my brother,” he said simply.

Ivy gave a little tug, bringing his head down to hers. “You’re sexy when you get all protective.” She nipped at his lips.

He groaned. “You’re sexy when you breathe.”

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