Page 62 of The Inquirer

“Depends,” I answered, keeping my tone playful. “If you’re going to start calling me jailbait, I’ll have to knock you on your ass.”

He laughed. “Not that young. Give me some credit here.”

“I’d only been out of juvie for a couple weeks.” I didn’t look at him as I said it. “I was a little shell-shocked.”

“How long were you there?”

Giving him the answer might lead to him asking what I’d done to get arrested, and I wasn’t ready for that conversation yet. But I was fairly confident that if I told him I didn’t want to talk about it, he’d accept it. I took the risk.

“Five years.”

“Going from being barely a teenager to an adult out in the real world would be more than a little shocking.”

I appreciated the comment but waited for the question. When it didn’t come, I turned back to the pictures on the wall. All of them were from the last eight years, and none were of any of my biological family. Instead, they were of members of my real family.

“That Rose looks like she’s been a handful from moment one.” He gestured toward another picture, that one of her on her tenth birthday when she’d asked for a tiara she could wear all the time.

“She has been,” I agreed. “Kaimi’s just hoping that she doesn’t go through a rebellious phase.”

“Speaking of Kaimi, what do you say we pick up some lunch and take it to her and Sitara?”

“I like that idea.”

I’d already called to let them know we were coming, and they’d told us to stop by the tattoo shop when we got in so we could touch base about what we wanted to do. Bringing them lunch would be a nice surprise.

Which was exactly what they said when, forty minutes later, Bradyn and I walked into Polliver’s Ink with two bags from Kaimi and Sitara’s favorite Indian restaurant.

“Hey! Look who’s back!” Kaimi came out from behind the counter, practically bouncing across the floor, and threw her arms around me.

She wasn’t even five feet tall, but she was strong enough that her hugs almost hurt, which she always thought was hilarious. Her normally golden skin had darkened while she and Sitara were on their honeymoon, and she looked good. Me giving her an all-over drew my attention to new ink on her ankle.

“Did you get another tattoo?” I asked, leaning down to peer at what she’d added.

“I did.” She snatched the food from my hand. “You brought me Tandoori Chicken!”

And then she was off with the bag I’d carried in. I didn’t need to ask what ink she’d gotten, though. I’d seen enough to know it was a date, so I felt safe in assuming it was her anniversary.

“Some of that’s for Sitara too,” I called after Kaimi. “You have to share yours ‘cuz I’m not sharing mine.”

“Hey, Nyx.” Liesel Canon greeted me from behind the counter. She was tall like me, but thinner. Henna red hair with black streaks, multiple piercings, and several tattoos went with her smart mouth and tough personality. Basically, she was a badass.

Maybe she and I could eventually become friends.

Damn. I was actually thinking about making friends. What was next? Voluntarily hugging people?

“I’m guessing Sitara’s in her office.”

“Yeah. She has an appointment in half an hour. Kaimi’s next one isn’t for an hour.”

“Thanks,” I said as Bradyn and I walked past the desk toward the office.

The four of us talked as we ate, but we stayed away from any serious topics, including my case. It was nice to not feel that pressure, especially after how stressful my conversation with Ambrose had been yesterday. I’d talk to Kaimi about that at some point, but not right now. I just wanted to enjoy the day.

Besides, Bradyn was going to get a tattoo, and I had a feeling it would be entertaining.

“I want to see it.” Rose tugged at Bradyn’s sleeve. “Please.”

“You know that it’s covered, right?” I asked, leaning up so I could see around Bradyn.

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