Page 13 of Love at First Ink

“Because you are my wife, Marisol, whether you like it or not. As my wife, you need to be by my side for events like these. People are going to start talking,” he said, lecturing her like she was an insubordinate child.

Why couldn’t this man get it through his head that they were done? Had been done for a while now, and nothing would change that fact. It was the one area of her life that she was pushing back on, and so far, she had both her father’s and her sister’s support.

“Let those people talk. If they are dumb enough to think I’m still with you after two years of separation, then I don’t know what to tell you. Have you forgotten that we are in the middle of getting a divorce? If you would just sign the damn papers, all of this would be over.”

A throaty laugh played through the car speakers, the laugh of a man who found no amusement in his situation but was determined to get the outcome he desired. “Yes, so you say.But, Marisol, we both know you can only stay away for so long.”

“Excuse me? I don’t know what you mean by that, but?—”

“I’ll talk to you later, Marisol. And I forgive you this one time,” Archie interrupted. The line went dead, and music from her playlist played quietly in the background.

What. The. Fuck?

Archie had always been an asshole, but never to this extreme. It had only truly started this last year, once he realized she was serious about leaving him. She had tried to find some decency in Archie, especially when everyone seemed to love him. What was she missing? Her mother was in her ear the entire time to make sure Marisol didn’t screw it up with Archie. She wanted them together. Even though her sister had met and dated him first.

The look of absolute horror and betrayal on Lola’s face when Archie said he was breaking up with her to date Marisol would forever be etched into her brain. She had hurt her sister in the past, but never to that level.

Granted, it worked out for Lola in the end because her sister ended up finding the love of her life, and now she and Javi had two kids together. But it didn’t erase all the terrible things Marisol did to her. Even if she was only going along with what her mother wanted, she still went along with her every time.

She didn’t have the capacity to deal with Archie or her problems with her sister today. She boxed up that conversation, mentally putting it on a shelf to deal with later at therapy. Right now, she needed to get home, get out of these damn shorts, and lather herself in this overpriced lotion.

And that was exactly what she did.

CHAPTER 7

Cisco

“Alright, I’m gonna stay up here and give you time to check the space out.” Ernesto leaned against the wall, positioning himself underneath the shop’s AC vent. Sweat rolled down his agent’s forehead at an alarming rate, but that was what Ernesto got for wearing a three-piece suit during a heat wave.

Cisco left Ernesto to fan himself as he walked through what was once an office building. There were remnants of clunky desks and ancient-looking computers littering some of the space. Besides the few remaining pieces of old technology, the property was vacant, giving Cisco a blank canvas to imagine what his shop could look like.

There were four distinct areas, plus a receptionist area. He could hire four new artists, all specializing in different areas. Line work, shading, color, and maybe cover-ups. A piercer would be nice to have as well.

The location for this shop was ideal, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and local shops. He may have to field a few drunks attempting to get tattoos, but what parlor didn’t deal with thatshit? It was a small price to pay for a location in the heart of the city.

As it was, the building was in good shape. He’d have to paint the walls to match his gothic aesthetic. Right now, they were a horrid beige color that made him want to claw his eyes out. Ernesto mentioned the building recently got new tile floors, but he would replace the tile with dark wood flooring. As far as projects went, it seemed straightforward and something that wouldn’t break the bank.

By the time Cisco made it back to the front, Ernesto had lost some of the redness to his cheeks and was no longer sweating buckets. His realtor smiled. “So, what do you think? Good property, no?”

“It’s a damn good property,” Cisco agreed. The floor-to-ceiling windows behind Ernesto looked out onto the busy street. It wasn’t even a weekend, and there were still crowds of people coming to and from the various businesses. A tattoo shop would thrive under these conditions. The asking price for this property was steep, but the evidence as to why was outside.

“If you are seriously considering this, then you’re gonna need to make an offer and fast.” Ernesto always told it as it was and didn’t sugarcoat anything. It was one of the reasons Cisco liked working with him so much. Another being Ernesto was a proud Mexican man who fought hard for his clients, especially the brown men who got passed up time and time again for their white counterparts. It was all a part of business, no matter how shitty it was.

“What are your thoughts about the place?” Cisco trusted Ernesto’s professional opinion.

Ernesto gestured at the window to the crowds walking by. “This is a prime location. It’s different from your other two, meaning you’re going to get a new clientele and probably asteady flow of them. The space is fantastic. With a few renos to put your stamp on it, you’ll have this place up and running in no time. If it were me, man, I’d put my hat in the ring for this one.”

It was a damn good location, and the space was perfect to take on a few new talented artists. Both Golden City Tattoo shops could run themselves at this point and have an established clientele. It would allow Cisco to spend more of his time at this location to get it on its feet and train his staff, at least until he found a shop manager. He had more primos who would be all too willing to take the position.

His decision was made. “Make an offer,” he told Ernesto.

The man’s lips curled up in a smile. “Good choice, man. We’ll put in asking price, all cash like normal?”

Cisco nodded. “I’m willing to go up in price if it becomes a bidding war.” For a location like this, he imagined he’d be paying a little more than the asking price, and he was willing to dish out the extra funds if necessary. It would be worth it if it secured this shop.

Although everything was happening quickly, and Ernesto was already walking to the door, this moment was not lost on him. Ten years ago, if someone would have told him he’d have two successful tattoo shops with a third on the way, and be part owner of a music venue, he wouldn’t have believed it.

Ten years ago, Cisco was in a much different place, both mentally and physically. A major event threatened to upend his entire life and take away his chance of a future. Even after everything came to light and he was free of the demons attempting to ruin his life, the damage was already done. It took him years to restore himself.

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