Page 31 of Breaking the Limits

She raises her eyebrows. “Are you sure about that? You didn’t think anyone knew last time when you lied to Ace but Pierce knew. If that happens again and he finds the truth out from someone else then you might as well throw your relationship in the dumpster.”

****

Ace

I stopped on the way over to my family’s shop to grab some coffee. Normally, the stuff at home wakes me up just fine, but not today. As I pulled into the parking lot of the shop I notice Axell’s and a few of the other workers cars are already here. I’m not shocked to hear the sounds of the 80’s radio station blaring through the speakers inside the shop.

Once I’m inside I go in search of Axell. I find him in the back of the parts room, where we store all the parts we have on hand. The smell of metal and rubber hits your nose the instant you enter the room. Some of the fluorescent lights are flickering so I make a mental note to change them out later. I find Axell a few rows over taking inventory. “Good morning Ace.”

“Morning, you need help?” I offer.

He shakes his head. “Nope, I can finish later. Let’s head into my office and we can see about the schedule for this car’s modifications.”

I follow behind Axell. “So, this guy asked for me specifically?”

“Yep, he said you are the best and that he’d only pay for the best to do the work. I mean the list of modifications that he wants can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Axell explains.

I choke on my coffee at the amount of money he just mentioned. Hell, just ten thousand dollars would help the businesses out, but hundreds of thousands would have them set as well as kick start Jovi’s college fund. I was sure he’d get some scholarships but I’d be damned if he had to give up college due to the lack of finances. I know my brothers feel the same way. Axell slaps me on the back a few times trying to help clear my air way. Once I can finally take a deep breath again I tell him, “I’m in. I have appointments the next two days, but as soon as those are done I’ll schedule my tattoo appointments around the car.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want this to be in the way of your tattoo shop.”

I shake my head. “It’s not besides we both know we could definitely use that kind of money. Not to mention how much traffic that could bring into the shop once the word gets around. This could be huge for us.”

Axell nods his head while taking a seat behind the desk. I follow suit and take a seat in one of the chairs on the other side of the desk. “Your right but I don’t want you to have to compromise your name and tattoo shop for the sake of this one. It’s not worth that to me.”

“I won’t. Hell, most people want their appointments in the evening anyways. I just usually don’t tattoo at that time because of Kynlee but with her new lingerie campaign she’ll probably bemoving to evening shifts at Wild Wild Wes’ on top of having to do the publicity tour for the line. Plus, I’ve been thinking about adding another artist to the shop. Inkredible has been gaining a lot of popularity recently and I think I could use it. You know take one of the extra rooms and rent it out to an artist. It’d help cover the cost of the building.”

“You know I don’t think any of us say this enough but I’m so damn proud of you Ace. We all are. Mom and dad would be too. You’ve grown up so much recently. I’m glad I’ve got to see it,” Axell says, and the look of pride in his eyes leaves a burning sensation in mine. I nod my head and get up from the chair. “You know Bowie’s friend Roscoe is moving back and would probably be interested in coming into the shop, just to throw out a suggestion. Okay, so Mr. Jones should be here any minute to let us see the car and discuss everything he is hoping for.”

Axell and I fall into a conversation about sports when a knock on his door has us turning toward it. Rodney, one of our best employees is standing at the door. He’s a tall, burly man probably in his thirties’. “Boss, the fancy car is here.”

Axell tells Rodney thank you then looks at me, “Let’s do this.”

Once we step outside it’s hard to miss the tangerine orange of the Lexus SC 400. My mouth waters with envy for a moment. This was one of the best street racing cars. Excitement courses through my veins and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. The driver gets out of the car which causes me to come to an abrupt stop.

Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones. Of course! Enzo walks nonchalantly up to my brother and shakes his hand. The excitement has now turned into anger and I can hear the muffled conversation happening between Axell and Enzo, I see the piece of paper passed between them, but the ringing in my ears makes it impossible to decipher anything.

Axell turns around and motions toward me, no doubt he is about to make an unnecessary introduction. I step forward.

“Enzo.”

Enzo smirks at me and even though his eyes are hiding behind those sunglasses I know they are lit with amusement. I’m sure he finds this shit funny. “Ace, I’m so happy you were able to clear up time to meet this morning. When I had spoken to Axell yesterday he wasn’t sure.”

“Do the two of you know one another?” Axell asks, looking between us.

“Somewhat,” I answer simply. I hear the small stifled laugh escape from Enzo and I’d like nothing better than to knock the air right out of him. Instead, I try to take a deep calming breathe through my nose. I won’t cause problems for Axell or the shop. I will put my differences with Enzo aside for the time being. Axell hands me a piece of paper with the list of modifications. It’s extensive and can easily take up to six months, but I’ll get it done in three, the sooner the better. “More or less what I expected. I’ll get it done within three months.” I watch as Axell’s head whips around to face me. I know he knows that’s half the time it could take but I don’t care. I won’t sleep if that’s what it takes. “If you’ll excuse me,” I tell them both while I take the list and leave them to discuss whatever else they want. I need to get away from here because if I don’t then I might just beat Enzo’s annoying face in.

****

It’s been a very long day. I’m tired, hungry, and just really want to have Kynlee in my arms. I want to curl up on the couch with her and watch a movie. Breathe in her smell and let her body heat warm me back up. I need to press my lips to hers, to let our tongues mingle, to remind myself that I have her. Much to my disappointment when I get home Kynlee hasn’t made it home from work yet.

I order a pizza and hop in the shower. When I get out of the shower, I had expected Kynlee to be home but she is still a no show so I send her a text. Maybe she had to work late. Sitting on the couch, eating pizza, and watching a movie by myself was not what I had in mind. I check my phone again and see there’s still nothing from Kynlee. I make myself more comfortable while my eyes grow heavier.

Blaring music wakes me up. After rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I realize the blaring music is my phone. Looking at the screen I see it’s close to two in the morning. I almost expect it to be Kynlee who still isn’t home by the looks of it, but instead I see Farrah’s name on the screen. What the hell could she want at this time? Putting the phone to my ear I answer, “Hello.”

Chapter 21

Kynlee

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