Page 85 of Joey

“Elliott’s bright light was taken from us far too soon. It’s not something I will ‘get over’ quickly. It will stay with me—Elliottwill stay with me until my last breath. As he will with those he meant a lot to.

“Please give us this time to grieve properly because burying someone does not end the grieving period. If anything, it restarts it back at ground zero. Along with random memories that crop up at inopportune moments.” He swallowed, trying to push down some such memories so he could get through the rest of his words.

“Depression and suicidal thoughts are not something to trivialise. They matter a lot. We need more light shed on such subjects. More help for those who need it. More support for those suffering. It’s a dark world, and people need to realise it’s not as easy as just ‘thinking happy thoughts.’

“Elliott Kennedy was a great person, and our loss is profound. I know I can continue living my life without my best friend beside me because he’s here, in my heart, every day. I don’t want to, but I will.

“Thank you for your time.”

The crowd burst into questions, flashes of light and noise, but Joey turned and went back inside the shop, Ethan at his back. They closed and locked the door, the blinds having already been shut, and Joey settled into a chair. Ethan crouched in front of him.

“How are you holding up?”

Joey exhaled. “I’m okay, but I’m sure I’m in for hell when John and Melinda hear it.” He shook his head. “They deserve everything they get. Playing with people’s lives like they meant nothing. I would’ve backed them up with anything before we found out they knew about it all and did nothing.”

After he’d recovered from the police’s visit, he’d called Elliott’s parents and told them the news. They hadn’t seemed shocked, and when Joey had pressed further, they’d admitted to knowing Robert and Grey were targeting Elliott. At that moment, he had cut them free. He would never forgive them for abandoning their son.

“I’m sure the police will have words with them at some point if they haven’t already,” Ani said.

He’d wished his tattoo brothers had been there, too, but the needs of the shop came first. Elliott had been the first one to drum that into his head.

“We need to visit Italy,” Ethan said suddenly.

Joey frowned at him as Ethan rose and rounded the counter. “Why?”

“Two reasons,” he said, nudging Ani out of the way of the computer. “One, you need to tattoo Ginevra—she called for an appointment earlier. And two, you need to show me the sights if we’re going to retire there.” Ethan’s mouth curved. “I better polish up my Italian.”

“You speak Italian?” Ani asked him.

Ethan chuckled. “Not a chance. I’m really bad with languages.” Ani laughed. “There we go. I’ve booked Ginevra in for Monday afternoon. That means,” he wandered towards Joey, “we have to pack and book flights so we can spend Sunday evening lazing in a hotel.” He frowned and glanced back at Ani. “Dallas will be back by then, won’t he?”

Ani nodded, a smile playing on her lips. “He will.”

Ethan smiled at Joey again. “See. We’re going to Italy.”

Joey found his smile. “So I’ve heard.” He grabbed Ethan’s hips, dragging him between his spread legs and staring up at him. “I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

Ethan leaned down and kissed him, and just when Joey suggested taking it upstairs, he pulled back. “I know.”

****

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Ethan asked him.

Joey blew out a breath as the taxi pulled up to the curb. “Not really. But I want answers.”

They climbed out of the car, and Joey glanced up at the barbed wire along the top of the fences surrounding the prison they were entering. He turned to the driver.

“You’ll wait here until we return?”

“Yes, sir. I will be here.”

“Thanks.” He closed the door and exhaled again before taking Ethan’s hand. “Please keep reminding me he’s only doing this to annoy me.”

Ethan nodded. “I will.”

Detective Harmon had called Joey that morning to tell him that Grey refused to answer Joey’s question unless they were face to face. Initially, Joey had thought to say no, but he really did want to know. So, Harmon had arranged for them to make a short visit to Grey, who had been remanded into custody until his court date. The courts had decided he was too much of a flight risk, amongst other things, like potentially interfering with witnesses to his case. Joey didn’t blame them for not trusting him. He wished he hadn’t in the beginning.

They went through security, handing over everything they had on them before being allowed into a room with several chairs facing a wall with windows. Harmon had told them they would not be allowed to be in the same room as Grey, as he was unpredictable. Joey stared at the window as Grey sat in the chair opposite it. Joey’s anger pushed to the surface with Grey’s smirk.

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