Page 48 of Scorching Lies

During the drive I add one number. One contact. The only person I trust and I just so happen to have an appointment with them later tonight.

Changingfrom skinny jeans to black stockings and a white cotton skirt gives my tattoo a little more room to breathe. Jax has been working the skin over pretty rough the last few sessions, but he’s managed to keep the tattoo intact. The skin hasn’t been damaged and I’d like to keep it that way. It took two hours to unpack everything, put the dress in a safe spot, and change the locks. I’ll be damned if Ally thinks she can just walkin here after what she did. There’s a voice in the back of my mind that tells me maybe she didn’t have a choice, but that’s pushed aside when I remember all the times I had her back. All the times I trusted her with my secrets. A text comes through as I’m walking out the door.

We need to talk.

Ally’s name, with a purple heart emoji, stares back at me on my phone. My thumb hovers over the text, indecision gnawing at me, but I just slip it into my back pocket and keep moving. It’s well after dark now and the wind has picked up, giving the illusion of a storm brewing. Living by the ocean means weather changes quickly, you never truly know when it’s going to pour. We need a little rain to wash out this fucking town. Stepping from under the patio cover outside our building, my eyes slowly adjust to the darkness. A few of the street lights are on, giving me a decent view of the court yard.

A few students wander around campus between dorms, most likely hanging out with their friends. I’ve been so lost in everything with my dad and the Stone family that my studies have severely suffered, but I was never here to study anyway. It’s not like the college can drop me either way. I’d have this entire place caving in from the inside if they tried. This is my legacy. The foundation wants to point fingers at my father, but they seem to forget that my mother was the true Kingston. A couple around my age sits on the grass, a tree covering them from the impending storm. No worries or responsibilities outside themselves and their studies. So lost in their own reality, they don’t notice when I pass. A part of me wishes I could just blend in and not be pulled down by politics, business and power. Living a normal life was my father’s dream for me and I’m starting to believe the nightmares playing like a movie in myhead every night. The ones where Alec fought with my dad about backing off from the illegal shit and them being in too deep. I have so many questions, but would going to see my dad really be the best plan? Another two blocks and I’m coming closer to the neon light outside the shop. A sense of welcome falls over me at the sight of the open sign still lit. I’m still in my head when the door opens.

“Sweetness, there you are.” His low tone and wide smile has me flashing him one of my own.

“As always, you know when I need you.”

Winking, I step past him and slide off my shoes, pushing them up against the wall. This place has become my second home. Jax lets me get as comfortable as he handles a few things at the front counter. Walking around the side I place my palms on the counter lifting myself up to sit beside him. Snatching a sucker from the basket to my left, he watches me unwrap it, the root beer flavor exploding in my mouth.

Shaking his head with a laugh, “You always pick the nasty ones.”

Twirling the stick, my lips pop around it when I tug it from my mouth, “More for me, I guess.”

“What’s with the urgent need for new ink?” He wonders, not making eye contact.

My tongue wraps around the candy, I give myself time to think about how to answer that. Jax has always seen me as a little sister and while he is mid-twenties I know he’s aware of the bullshit going on around here. He has to be. So, I do worry about sharing too much with him for his safety. Yeah, I mean Jax is fucking huge, but the Stone brothers? They shoot first and askquestions later. Just look at the bar guy with his severed dick up his ass.

Jax doesn’t look at my face, it’s his way of not forcing me to answer, he’s just like that. The lights inside flicker for a second, making me jump. He places a heated palm on my knee with knowing eyes, like he’s looking right past the bullshit I throw his way.

“My sweetness, let’s get you on the table.”

Distracting me with a needle is a weird way to win me over, but it works. Excitement rolls through me at the thought of finishing my chest piece. We only have a little bit of color to do and it’s finished.

“I didn’t come here for new work, but I’ll never turn you down.”

Patting the top of his hand, I slide off the counter and toss my sucker into the trash can.

“I’ll go get my station ready for you if you want to get everything situated.”

Rolling my eyes, I pat the black leather chair at the front of the shop. What’s the use in ignoring a perfectly good place to tattoo? Jax is a rule follower when it comes to shop regulations, but this is Del Mar and I’m making the rules tonight.

“Come on. Go get the color and the gun so we can get this party started!” I’m damn near yelling.

Sighing, he does as he’s told. He never says no to Kenna Kingston. I pull off my shirt, and unclasp my bra as I turn towards the wall, hiding my tits while I stick on some pasties. Looking down at my handy work, both are crooked and one of my nipples is threatening to escape. An uncontrollable laughbubbles out of me, not just from the pasties, but from the irony of the events from today.

“What’s got you so giggly?” Jax says, walking up behind me.

Spinning around I show him my hard work and he cracks a smile, but it’s forced. He jerks his gaze back to my face after acknowledging the joke.

“Lighten up, Jax.” I smack his arm.

He’s huge, so my hand stings with the hit. Shaking my fingers out he moves over to the one bench in the room dragging a small table with him. Tugging my hair free, I flip my head forward, gathering my blonde locks in one hand, twisting a ponytail holder around it with the other. Flipping back over, my bra free breasts bounce a little, making Jax cough out an awkward sound. High pony in place I make my way over and sit down.

“Can we sit the back up so I’m not laying down this time?”

Grabbing the metal handle he nods his head, “Yeah, lean forward for me.”

Doing as he said, I lean towards him, my bare skin inches from his arm, the warmth pouring off him heats my flesh. The back of the chair moves forward so Jax uses his free hand to push my shoulder down, making me lay all the way back.

I roll my eyes, again, because he has a way of pulling that attitude out of me. The chill from the cold leather has goosebumps skating up my arms.

“Holy shit!” I squeal, “Could you warn a girl next time?”

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