Page 29 of Fallen Ink

Chapter 10

“They seriously thought you were selling drugs out of the shop?”

Mace’s friend Landon sounded incredulous, and he didn’t blame the other man for that reaction. Mace couldn’t really believe what had gone down the afternoon before either. In fact, he’d been so angry throughout the whole process—and after the cops had left—that he’d taken off after his shift because he needed some space to breathe.

Adrienne had been even angrier than he was, and since they couldn’t use their anger to get each other off that night, they’d spent it apart. Frankly, he’d needed time to think anyway. Now, he was out for a beer with Landon and Ryan, trying to relax after several long days and attempting to wrap his head around everything that had happened over the past few weeks—especially last night.

“I thought they were going to cuff you right there,” Ryan said, tipping his beer toward Mace. “You walked out behind Adrienne, looking all inked and badass, and I swear both officers twitched as if they were going to reach for their guns.”

Mace ran a hand over his face before giving Ryan a look. “It wasn’t that bad, but having to stand behind Addi as she took the lead wasn’t easy.”

“She’s the owner of the shop, so that makes sense,” Landon said, “but having to stand back when your woman is dealing with false accusations, and there’s nothing you can do but nod and be by her side…? Rough, man.”

Ryan choked on his beer before grinning at Mace. “Your women, eh?”

“She’s my friend. My boss. She’s not my woman.” And that was probably a total lie, but it wasn’t as if he could say anything different right then. “But the important thing is, they didn’t find any drugs, and were fucking pissed that they had to come in at all. The fact that this is the second false call in as many weeks…and then add in the graffiti… We have a serious problem.”

Ryan’s smile died, and he shook his head. “Someone doesn’t like where we opened up the business. And while I’d usually say they can just suck it, they’re causing problems.”

Mace nodded. “Our walk-in volume isn’t as high as it should be for this time of year. Shep and Addi are getting worried.”

“You think people are worried about what they’re hearing?” Landon asked before pulling out his phone. “How are the reviews online?”

“Good, as far as I can tell, so it’s got to just be word of mouth about the calls and issues we’ve been having.” Mace took another drink of his beer then reached for a wing, needing food that was horrible for him to get through his bad mood. Sienna had Daisy tonight since she’d shown up and said she wanted to make a play for the favorite aunt. He hadn’t minded, and Daisy was in love with the idea of a sleepover, so he’d let his sister boss him around. It gave him time for dinner and beer with Ryan and Landon—something he hadn’t had time for since his daughter came to live with him full-time. Finding that balance wasn’t easy, and if it weren’t for his family and Adrienne, he knew he wouldn’t be able to handle as much as he was.

Ryan peeled at the label on his bottle, frowning. “We give good ink, damn it. Our loyal clients followed us from two different shops and are already on our schedule. And, hell, even Shep has a couple people coming up from New Orleans just for him. He didn’t mean for that to happen, but they’re making a vacation of it or something. It’s pretty awesome. We even have a waiting list for new clients who’ve heard about us.”

“But we’re losing some of that initial pull of people who haven’t heard of us before and want to get a tattoo closer to their homes rather than driving across town.” Mace let out a breath. “And, hell, all this stress on Shep and Addi isn’t helping. They risked a lot—as did their cousins up north by increasing their business so much. And I have a feeling we haven’t seen the end of whatever this asshole is up to.”

“Because it has to be that guy, right?” Landon asked. “It would all be a little too coincidental for it not to be the guy who came in on opening day to threaten you.”

“That’s what we’re thinking.”

“By the way, man, I’m sorry I never made it to opening day or even after,” Landon put in. “Work’s a bit crazy at the moment, but I feel like an asshole.”

“You’re fine. I have you scheduled for your tattoo, so if you can’t make it in before then to see the place, you’ll see it in a month when you have time off.”

Landon was a broker who worked longer hours than Mace had when he was practically doing overnighters back in the day. And the man was the best at his job. That said, he probably was a little too good because his bosses worked him to the bone. Mace was honestly surprised that Landon had been able to join them for dinner and beers. As it was, Shep hadn’t been able to make it, and Carter was running late. Mace didn’t know Carter all that well, but he’d married a Montgomery woman, and that meant that he was now part of the group—even if he didn’t know it yet.

And as if he’d conjured the man out of thin air, Carter walked toward them, a look of exhaustion creeping over his face, but he’d still made it there to hang out with them. The other man worked long hours like Landon, and it was starting to show on both of them. Mace worked his ass off, sure, but he also had a daughter and his health to think about. He wasn’t twenty anymore where he could get by on a couple of hours of sleep—but neither were any of the men at this table.

“Hey, Carter.” Mace gestured toward the empty seat, and the other man sat down at the table. “Glad you could make it.”

Carter smiled, his eyes not looking quite as tired as Mace had first thought. “I wanted to eat dinner with Roxie before I came. I hope that’s okay. Between her deadlines coming up and my workers calling in thanks to that flu going around, we haven’t been able to eat together most nights this week. But I figured I’d come and hang out for a beer at least.”

“See? You’re being the good husband,” Landon put in. “Us single men over here were forced to eat hot wings that will probably cause heartburn later tonight, but you got good food with your wife. Sounds like the perfect night.”

Mace grinned over his beer, and Carter rolled his eyes and explained how neither of them could cook but were learning. “One day, we’ll have something better than tuna casserole—the stovetop kind, we’re not up to baking it yet.” Ryan poured Carter a drink since they’d ordered a pitcher instead of going micro-brew that night. Only Landon had money to spare this month since the rest of them were in the middle of life changes that required them to be slightly more frugal.

“That’s love, though. Eating crappy food you make together.” Mace lifted his beer up in a toast as he said it, and the others joined in.

Carter rolled his eyes but sipped his beer. “Roxie will end up being a better cook than me, I think. She’s determined.” There was something else in his voice, but Mace couldn’t figure out what it was, and since it wasn’t his business, he didn’t press.

“Addi’s a pretty decent cook, and we all know Thea’s a damned fine baker and chef. And I think Shep holds his own, too. Seems the talent didn’t trickle down.” Mace reached for a wing, slapping Ryan’s hand away when the other man tried to filch one from his side. He liked Ryan, considered him a friend, but no one got between him and his wings.

Carter narrowed his eyes at Mace and sipped his beer. “Seems you’ve been spending a lot of time with my new sister, Adrienne, from what I can see.”

Ryan coughed, his grin widening while Landon looked between the three of them, brows raised.

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