Page 37 of The Art of Deception

I chew on the side of my cheek. “Fine… but I still want to punch him right where it hurts.”

He chuckles. “Noted. C’mon, let’s get you another drink.”

Greta is watching over Levi at home while Xander and the rest of us sit around the shop laughing and having a great time. The shop might be closed for business, but for these last few moments, it’s still full of life.

I’ll need to come in to pack everything up before I’m evicted completely. But for now? Now we’re closed for clients, and it leaves a dramatic sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I may be laughing and having fun with my colleagues, but a piece of me has died today. Like a little piece of Mom and Dad went away all over again. I would never have had this shop if it weren’t for them. Now, I won’t have it at all, and when it’s gone, another piece of them goes right with it.

It’s getting late. I only had a couple of drinks, and that was hours ago. We’ve had pizza and soda since then, but I’m feeling like maybe we need to call it a night.

Thing is…

Once we leave, then it’s official.

This place is actually closed.

Silence falls on us as we all must think the same thing.

Skins glances up at the ink splash clock on the wall. We all follow his line of sight—it’s nearing ten o’clock. I need to message Greta. The woman is a saint. Staying with Levi while I work late. I have no idea what I’d do without her. Thank God, Levi loves her so much, and thank God my parents were wise enough to cater for Levi so well in their will.

“It’s time to call it, Tomi,” Skins mutters, his voice low and somber.

I stand. Everyone follows my lead as we all walk around to gather our things. I pick up my bag, and we all step as a team for the final time to the door of Hope & Faith Ink. They file out one by one, Xander walks out before me, leaving me the last one to exit. I take one last glance around the shop, a sense of dread flooding through my veins. I switch off the lights, sending my shop into darkness for the final time. I turn to the sign around to ‘closed’ and shut the door, locking it. Taking a deep breath, I place my hand on the door, just taking it in before closing my eyes with a heavy sigh.

I’ll be back.

I need to clean it out.

But this feels so damn final.

Although I might cry, I can hardly contain my fiery rage.

My shop’s going to be demolished, and it’s all because ofAlex Scott.

He’s faceless.

A man I’ve never met.

A man who has singlehandedly ruined my life.

The man who’s taken my livelihood away from me.

All I know is karma always finds its victim. I don’t know what or how, but I believe somehow, karma will be swift and vicious for Alex Scott. I have to believe that. I just hope I’ll be around to find out what the hell that karma will be.

Pulling my hand away from the door, I turn around to see my tattoo family staring at me.

“It’s been lit, Tom-Tom,” Skins cheers.

The corners of my lips turn upward.

“Yeah, Tomi, thank you for taking a chance on me.” Jana sniffles, wiping under her eye.

“I’m gonna miss this gang,” Gigi adds.

I glance at Hogtie, my manager, and a man of few words. “I fucking love ya, chick. If youeverneed anything, you call me.”

I race forward at the same time they all do, and we join together in a group hug. Arms go everywhere as Xander chuckles behind us. I relish in this moment—my tattoo family and me for the final time.

“Well, enough of this sappy shit. I have a bird to pick up at a bar,” Skins calls.

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