Page 7 of The Art of Deception

It doesn’t get easier even a year later.

It’s still hard as hell to face their picture, but I do it every night without fail before I go to sleep.

I do it to show them I’m so fucking sorry.

The warmth of salty liquid slowly slides down my cheek as my chest squeezes so tight it’s hard to breathe. I put on a brave face for everyone, I have to. I’m the boss at work, and I’m basically Levi’s caregiver. If I fall apart, everything crumbles. So, I stay strong until I get into bed and stare at this damn picture everynight. I miss them so much it physically aches every cell in my damn body, knowing that this home my parents built, this sanctuary for Levi, this shrine to my parents and sister, is at jeopardy. All because my parents mortgaged this place to help me get Hope & Faith Ink off the ground. When they died, that mortgage fell on me to repay. So, losing the shop isn’t just a matter of losing my job, it could be the deciding factor in losing my home—the place where Levi and I grew up, the place that holds the memories of our family together.

Losing Hope & Faith Ink means I could loseeverything.

Sniffling, the emotion rises inside of me, but instead of letting it swallow me whole, I push it down and place the picture on the side table, then slide back into bed, pulling the sheets over me. I turn off the light, sending my room into darkness with just the soft hue of the moonlight, trying to break through the curtain as silver light shadows my room.

Taking a deep breath, I listen once more for Levi.

There’s nothing.

Maybe it will be a good night.

So, I close my eyes. Instantly, images of Xander invade my head. My thighs tighten as I inhale sharply. His strong arm, as I tattoo it, plays like a slideshow in my mind. I bite down on my bottom lip.

He’s so fucking gorgeous, he’s incomparable.

Whoisthis guy?

Will I ever see him again?

The Next Day

It’s the dead zone just before lunch—the time to clean and get ready for the after-lunch rush. I’m sweeping while Jana messes about with the piercing display, and Gigi is cleaning. Hogtie is finishing up a back piece while Skins stacks the supply closet.The buzz of the lone tattoo machine makes me grin as rock music plays quietly in the background. I sway my hips as the broom moves over the immaculate tiled floor.

If there’s one thing I make sure about this place, it’s that the health standards and cleanliness are always up to code. Nothing is dodgy about Hope & Faith Ink.

I sashay past Jana, making her chuckle at me.

“You know, you should have been a stripper. It’s not too late to change careers. Maybe we should install a pole?”

I scoff, rolling my eyes. “Please, no one could afford my moves.”

“I’d pay for your show, Tomi,” Gareth replies. He’s a repeat client having his back done by Hogtie.

“Thank you, Gareth, but this bootie isn’t going on show. Not for no one. Besides, I don’t want to give up tattooing if I don’t have to.”

Skin sticks his head out of the supply closet. “None of us do, chick, but …” he pauses, “… what’s happening with the shop and this Scott Enterprises bullshit?”

I groan and continue sweeping. “They say we have to vacate the premises ’cause the other asshole in this equation, Jacob, our landlord, crumbled and sold me out. So, Scott Enterprises has purchased the property, and we have to be out because they’re demolishing it to make way for a newwhizz-bangmegacomplex.” I roll my eyes. “There’s going to be all kinds of retailers located in the megacomplex. We can rent a shop from them, but it’s almosttriplewhat I pay now—”

“That’s bullshit!” Jana practically yells in interruption, slamming her hands down on the glass cabinet, making me anxious it might break.

“Tell me about it…” I shake my head. “I can’t afford that. The emails Alex-asshole-Scott has been sending are far too involved and over-the-top. I tried to talk to Jacob when it happened, tolet us stay here as a favor to my dad, even maybe ask Scott Enterprises to build their shit around us, but he wouldn’t hear of it. I told him this place was sentimental to us and my family, but it didn’t work. Money speaks, I guess.” I sigh, then continue, “I also tried to knock Alex Scott down in price for a spot in the new megacomplex, but nothing.”

I shrug. “He won’t budge. He said, rules are rules, and if he breaks them for one tenant, then he has to do it for everyone.” My eyes narrow as my muscles tighten with my sheer hatred for Alex Scott. “He’s a real piece of work. He’s even dodging my calls. I’ve tried his office numerous times, but his ditsy receptionist says he’ll call me back. He never does.”

I just don’t know how the hell to go into battle when I can’t reach the man I’m meant to battle with. I’m not equipped for this, but fuck if I’m not going to fight it with every damn thing I have in me.

“I heard Alex Scott is only the second-in-charge. He’s not even the top dog at Scott Enterprises,” Jana snidely mocks, making us all chuckle.

“Figures. He’s probably throwing his weight around to impress the boss, and in doing so, pissing all us little guys off in the meantime. As I’ve said… total asshole!”

Suddenly, the door dings, and we all turn to Xander, who is stalking in. He’s hot as sin in his tell-tale ripped jeans and a black tank top. My thighs clench as I continue to act casual while sweeping the floor and watching him from the side of my eyes as he strides up to me.

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