Page 179 of Deadly Sweet

She smiles at the baby, waving at her before looking at me with a raised brow.

“Yes. But we don’t allow minors in here.”

“She’s just a baby? What’s she gonna do?”

“I’m sorry, sir, but she can’t be in here.”

“Listen, I really want to get a tattoo. We’re out having some bonding time. What’s the big deal?”

“You bring your baby to a tattoo shop for bonding time?” she asks, crossing her arms.

I narrow my eyes. “I see the judgment in your eyes. You don’t know me.”

“I know you might be crazy,” she mutters.

I don’t want to take the baby back. I took her so that she doesn’t wake anyone up, giving me time to slip out and slip back into the house before anyone knows I’m gone.

Sighing heavily, I take the baby out and hand her to the girl. She takes her with a shocked expression, eyes wide with fear.

“Sir, I’m going to call the cops if you–”

“No need.” I pull my badge out and show her.

She glares at it and huffs.

“Look, just play with the baby for a bit. She’s a good girl. It will be quick, I promise.”

She looks at Athena, who’s cooing up at her with her big blue eyes.That's my girl.

“Fine,” she mutters. “Tank!” she shouts. “Got a client for you.”

A beast of a guy comes out, and my face lights up. “T-man!” I shout. “It’s been a while.”

“Caleb?” He looks surprised but grins. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

How do I know this big, scary, tattooed man? Well, I put his dad in jail. And before you start thinking he should hate me for it, he doesn’t. I did that guy a favor, and we both know it.

I’ve seen the case photos of Tank when he was a teenager. All the bruises and broken bones.

“It’s good to see you. Fucking hell, you’ve grown. You've been eating your veggies, haven’t you, big guy?” I grin.

“Something like that,” he grunts. “Are you here for a tattoo?”

“Yup.”

He looks at the girl who’s totally entranced by my baby with a raised brow and then back to me.

“Come on back.”

An hour later, I have a smug as fuck smile on my face and new ink.

Tipping both Tank and the girl, the baby and I head back home.

“Where the fuck have you been?” Leroy snaps as soon as we step inside the house.

“We went out.” I shrug as he takes Athena from me. “Relax.”

“You just took the baby and didn’t tell any of us,” Walker growls.

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