Page 38 of Rox

“I have a place in mind,” Duncan says before walking away. I don’t know where he went, but I feel like I can breathe for the first time since this appointment started. I smile at Mark before I turn to change the needle to begin shading.

“Is he always that chipper?” Mark asks.

“No, this is new. He’s gotten happier and happier each day I have been here. I don’t know why.” I smile, shaking my head at the thought.

“Maybe he likes you. You seem to have an aura that draws people in.” I know he means it as a compliment, but something about it makes the hair rise on the back of my neck. I’ve never been one to take compliments well. Even ones said with good intentions. This isn’t any different. Add in the fact that I’m working on him, my hands touching him, and his soft smile. I know I’m taking it wrong. Not wanting to come off completely rude because he wasn’t nasty to me, I smile at him softly before I reply.

“Thank you, but the only people I need to draw in are my boyfriend and my family,” I say as I focus on my work.

This uncertain feeling with a man isn’t new. When you grow up the way I did, you guard yourself. However, this complex reaction is new. He only said Duncan may have a crush on me, which fuck, I hope not, and that I have a good aura. Where is the danger in that statement? I’ve been around worse and never reacted this way. It’s gotta be because of everything going on. Right? Or maybe I should only tattoo women after this. I mean, they talk less and usually fall asleep when getting work done.

I can’t deal with this heart-to-heart crap with strangers.That’s literally what tattoo artists do, Roxie. They have heart-to-hearts with the people in their chairs. Besides, he isn’t doing that. He just stated how you come off as a good person. Jesus.

I am here to make art, but my inner turmoil is correct. Artists connect with their clients. And frankly, Mark didn’t do anything wrong. I’m just reacting to what’s happening in my life. Add in Duncan going from super dick to super nice in what seems like the blink of an eye. It’s confusing the hell out of me. I take a deep breath as I rinse out the needles.

“He’s a lucky guy. Listen, do you think Angel would be the only one to bring in people if you do a demo? I know the guy is super talented and has built his brand in the last ten years, but I also heard he doesn’t do much on the circuit. Could you get him out there?” Mark asks. He sounds genuine, but I’m also not the one to judge character right now, given my response not even ten minutes ago.

“His schedule is always so jammed-packed. As far as I know, he’s never done any type of demo before. When he was starting out, his focus was his art, and he never lost that focus. I don’t know for sure, but I really don’t think there’s much hope of it happening.” I give him an apologetic smile as I work on the rest of the shading in his piece.

For a few minutes I’m able to work in relative peace. Mark had only responded how it’s a shame if Angel wouldn’t be down for a demo, but he understands and left it at that. An odd response, but one I was thankful for as I didn’t want to continue with the conversation.

My peace didn’t last long, though.

Duncan’s mood seems to shift back to surly as he makes his way over to Mark and I. The way he drops in the chair tells me he didn’t get his way on doing this demo and taking it off site. I exchange a look with Mark, but no one says anything. Stanford walks in the shop and cuts a look to Duncan who then holds his head a bit higher as he gets up and follows Stanford to the back office.

“Wow, you were right. His emotions are all over the place.” I snort at Mark’s comment when the front door jingles again, only this time, I don’t look up from my shading. I am so close to being done. “Holy shit.” Mark lets out, and I’m now annoyed. I know who strutted into the shop.

“Angel is just here to annoy me. Catch your breath, big boy.” I smile at Mark as I try not to let my emotions rule how hard I press my hand into the flesh of his leg.

I pull back from Mark, set my gun down, and start removing my gloves, but I’m not able to get a word in as an overly cheerful voice beats me to it.

“Angel! Were your ears burning? We were just talking about you and your amazing hands…I mean talent.” Duncan sashays back to my table. Mark shifted himself to give his attention to Angel, and I don’t think I will get this tattoo done today.

Angel grunts in Duncan’s direction before rolling a stool over to inspect the work I am doing and the other ink Mark has all over his body.

“Nice to meet you, Angel. I am a big fan of your work,” Mark says, extending his hand. Angel looks at Mark’s hand without expression, then back at what I was doing.

“Angel, be nice.” I scolded him. He lets out a huff of air before relenting and taking the offered hand.

“Great, you met Mark,” Fucking Duncan. I can’t get a goddamn word in today. “Listen, I tried convincing Stanford to do a tattoo expo. I have a place in mind, and I was hoping you would help get us in some foot traffic. It would be a great place for our girl here to get some practice.” Duncan keeps speaking a mile a minute about everything. I look up and see Angel’s eyes glaze entirely over. He’s not listening to anything Duncan’s saying.

I kick Angel under the table, and his eyes snap to me as I wipe away the last of the ink and blood from the piece.

“Guys, give me and Angel a minute. Yeah?”

I pull Angel out the door and make our way to the side of the building. The same place we spoke the last time. “What the hell is going on? Why are you here?”

“You know why the fuck I’m here. It’s my day to be with you. At least I can play it off as I’m coming in to look at your work and the work the others are doing, and not a single one of them will fucking complain about it. What the hell are you doing trying to have this huge expo?”

“Excuse me, but I’m not trying to do shit. I was trying to get them to get off this idea, but then you happened to be the one that walked through the damn door, and now they’re going to push for it even harder.”

“Well, you can’t do it.”

“The fuck do you mean I can’t do it? Are you still sitting there, thinking I can’t do this job? Am I not talented enough for this?”

“Oh, my fucking god,” he throws his head back as he lets out a breath, “Did you forget that someone is after you? Someone tried to fucking kill you, Roxie. The last thing we need is to be at some huge expo with you surrounded by so many people. We’re doing everything we can to catch this person. That means keeping you safe in the meantime.”

Oh, shit.

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