Page 43 of Joey

Ethan’s frown showed he wasn’t convinced, but Joey was glad they had asked Ani because it showed Ethan that Joey wasn’t making it up.

“Talking of Whitby, though. When did you say you had to go back?” Joey asked him.

Ethan shrugged. “Two weeks.”

The bell over the door rang, and Joey stepped in front of Ethan to shield him from whoever entered. It better not be a reporter.

“Hey, sorry. I wondered if you had any appointments?” the guy said.

Joey tilted his head, taking him in, but he didn’t appear to be reporter material, though that didn’t mean he wasn’t.

Ani took over, but Joey kept his gaze on him. “Welcome to Life in Ink. When were you looking at for an appointment?”

The guy glanced at Joey again and moved closer to the counter. “As soon as you have one, really.”

Ani clicked around on the computer a few times before answering. “Okay. It depends on what you want and how much time it’ll take to get it done, to be honest. We’re booked pretty solidly for the next few months, but we have smaller bites of time. What are you wanting done?”

The guy pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. Joey couldn’t see what was on it, but Ani’s eyebrows rose as she nodded. She glanced at Joey and held out the paper. “How long do you think?”

Joey took the paper and saw an intricate tribal design with a repeating pattern and words intertwined between them. “Where are you wanting it?”

“Upper arm.”

Joey glanced at him, taking his measure to figure out just how big a job it would be. “Maybe six hours in total, depending on how much of his arm he wants covered.” He handed it back to the guy and held out his hand. “Joey Reynolds.”

The guy cleared his throat. “Sorry. I came here because you were recommended. I didn’t expect to meet you, though. I expected to see someone else.”

“And you are?” Joey wanted his name.

“Grey. Grey Kennedy.”

Joey tightened his hold on the man’s hand. “Who recommended you?” he murmured.

Grey swallowed. “Elliott,” he whispered, his nostrils flaring. “He was my brother.”

Joey dropped his hand as he staggered back, Ethan’s hands on his spine the only thing stopping him from crashing into the wall. “Elliott’s brother?”

Grey nodded slowly. “Elliott found me a couple of years ago. He didn’t tell you?”

Joey shook his head. There were far too many secrets around this place for his liking. “Mother or father?”

Grey seemed to understand. “Elliott’s mother. Elliott found out she’d had an affair when he overheard them arguing one evening. She gave me up for adoption as soon as I was born. He told me he started searching for me the moment he knew. Once he found me, he helped out.” Grey shrugged a shoulder. “My mum didn’t have a lot of money, but we managed. Elliott insisted on helping.”

“Why didn’t he tell me,” Joey said more to himself.

Grey licked his lips. “He told me he didn’t want his status to mess with my life.” He looked at the floor, but not before Joey saw the shimmer of tears. “I wasn’t planning on coming here, but he said if anything happened to him to come. He said…” Grey paused and met Joey’s gaze. “He said to tell you he was sorry he hadn’t told you. It’s not that he didn’t trust you with what he found out. He didn’t trust his father.”

Joey raised his eyebrows. “Why?”

“He’s not the kind of man you tangle with.”

Joey shook his head. “You must have the wrong person. John is a good man.”

“I’m not talking about John. I’m talking about Robert.”

Joey couldn’t breathe. What the hell was going on? “Elliott’s uncle?”

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