Page 9 of Shadow and Skulls

The man gives me a quick nod, careful to keep his eyes on my face. He drops his gaze back to the piece my dad is working on before greeting me. “Nice to meet you.”

“Kels, this is Tank. He’s VP of the NorCal Chapter.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too,” I say, going to stand by my dad.

My heart slows as I stare into the dark green eyes of a monster coming to life on the man’s skin. It’s breaking through a door, wood splintering across his arm. My dad is an amazing tattoo artist. My cheeks begin to warm when I realize Tank’s gaze is resting heavily on my face. A shiver runs up my spine.

My dad pauses his machine, rubbing his hand down my arm to warm me. “How was school?” he asks.

Tank immediately removes his scorching gaze from me. My skin cools as if the sun just disappeared behind a cloud. I don’t have time to wonder about my visceral reaction to this man, because I’m too busy being mortally horrified that my dad just asked me about school. Ugh. It makes me sound like a child.

“Fine,” I mumble, pulling away from him. “Mom’s going to run me over to Billie Rose’s since my car’s not done.”

“It’s done. Tank just dropped it off. He changed the oil this afternoon.”

“Oh. Thank you.” I bend toward him slightly, locking my hands behind me. “I appreciate that.”

Tank grunts a response, not looking at me. He turns his focus to his phone as my dad cleans up, seemingly satisfied with the progress they’ve made for the day.

It gives my dad a chance to interrogate me. “So, really, how was school?” he asks again, not buying my previous answer.

“Some girls were picking on Charlotte today,” I tell him, deflecting his attention away from me.

He shakes his head. “Kids these days.”

“I know, right?” I agree, taking a few steps toward the door. “I better get going. I’ll let you get back to work.”

Tank suddenly stands. “Hey, man, can you give me a lift back to the warehouse? Petey was going to give me a ride, but he’s got some business to take care of.”

“Sorry, can’t. I’ve got another client coming in five.”

“I can give you a ride,” I hear myself say.

My dad turns to me. “That’s okay, Kels. I’ll ask Mom to run him out to the warehouse.”

Tank’s gaze goes from my dad to me.

Swallowing hard, I keep my focus on my dad. “Dad, don’t be ridiculous. I’m going that way. The warehouse is just across the lake from Billie Rose’s. It’s not a problem.”

Tank looks at my dad, not moving.

My dad rises, bringing himself eye to eye with the only man I’ve ever seen as tall as him. “She’s my baby,” he tells him.

I remember the day I realized my dad would protect me from the devil himself. Up until then, I’d been walking around taking half breaths. The air that filled my lungs that day made me dizzy with relief. I’m struggling desperately to hold onto that feeling, because right now all I want to do is scream at him to stop.

Instead, I groan. “Dad.” My eyes fall to the floor, my cheeks burning hot.

“Do you understand?” he asks Tank, completely ignoring my embarrassment.

“Absolutely,” Tank answers coolly.

Without taking his eyes off Tank, my dad reminds me to buckle my seatbelt.

“Absolutely … I mean, of course,” I mutter, hoping nothing else embarrassing comes out of his or my mouth.

Tank turns away from my father, and winks at me. My stomach completely flips over itself. I wish I had a moment toanalyze that feeling, but my mom opens the door behind me. I brush past her, hurrying to get away from my parents.

“I’ll be home before supper.”

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