Page 125 of Broken

“Phoenix. You need to take a moment.” There is a warning in Sumner’s voice. “I’ll sort Calli out.”

“You better fucking not let G hear you saying that.”

What does that mean?

Sumner heaves out a heavy sigh. “I mean, I’ll look after whatever it is she needs right now.” He doesn’t sound impressed.

Phoenix glares at Sumner. Everyone says how fun and easygoing Phoenix is. I’ve never seen that side of him. On the other hand, I have seen how he is with Lucky. They’re not over each other. This encounter seems bad.

“Katja, cancel my appointment for this afternoon. Something has come up.”

He doesn’t look at anyone else and walks out. There is a prolonged moment of stunned silence after he’s gone.

“Garrett will lose his shit over this.”

“Not now, ey, Shane.”

“Sorry,” he mutters.

“Apologies for the interruption,” Sumner tells Shane’s client. “Shane, why don’t you get finished up? Calli, let’s go in back for a moment.”

Sin is taking it all in and Katja is wide-eyed behind her. She tells me she’ll wait out here and I follow Sumner into the private tattooing room at the back. Another Garrett memory or two assaults my brain.

Sumner doesn’t close the door. He leans against the frame. “My mam used to say there was a touch of gypsy running through our family,” he says. “I guess all my wandering lends that some truth.”

“No offense, Sumner. What does this have to do with anything?”

“I don’t have to be a psychic to figure what’s happening with you and the boss. Even if mam thinks we’re touched,” he winks.

There is no point denying it. I could, but Sumner has figured us out.

“Those men the other night, they weren’t here to threaten Garrett or Phoenix. He told me one of them is related to Phoenix,” I add.

“Aye,” he nods. “That’s the truth. And no, there is no reason to be scared they’re out to harm either of ‘em. But they’re not good people.”

“Garrett is mixed up with them?”

“Lass, I wish I had the answers yer looking for. That’s the one thing they never discuss with us. It’s separate from this place. Now, I know yer concerned, but Garrett has these moments of working outside the shop. He always comes back unscathed and,” he lets out a small laugh. “As normal as Garrett can be. If anything, he’s more antsy to get that tattoo gun back in his hand.”

“I know I don’t have any right to ask about this.” I fidget with my sleeves.

“Nah,” he shakes his head. “I’ve seen how he looks at yer. He’s a man of few words, but like I said, nothing gets by this gypsy. Trust me, Calli, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“That is easier said than done, Sumner. But thank you.”

“Ah, it’s my pleasure. Anything else I can help yer with?”

“No. Wait. Is Lucky okay?”

“I’ve stopped trying to figure those two out. It’s best to let them work through it.”

“Ok, thanks.” I head for the door, but he stops me, resting his hand on my forearm.

“I’ve not known him long, but working so close and speaking with him more than a few times, I have a deeper understanding of Garrett.”

“That Irish psychic thing again?” I smile.

“Aye. He’s got his faults, as do the best of us, but on the whole, he’s a good man. He struggles to believe that about himself.”

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