Page 94 of Swan

“I’ll see and let you know,” I told her. I wanted to check with Swan first to actually see if she was into heading to a club.

“Okay.”

I headed out to Nurse’s room expecting to see him within it, but the area was empty. He knew I would be there, so I presumed he wouldn’t be upset with me setting up.

As I prepared the station, organising the inks and needles, my mind drifted to Swan once again. I’d love to see her at a club, swaying those hips as she danced. But her comfort was more important than any of my wants and needs.

Loud footsteps approached, and Dive walked in, saying, “Let’s get this show on the road.” He removed his cut and hung it over the office chair before taking off his tee.

I nodded, giving him smile. “Take a seat on the bed.”

Dive settled onto the table, and I cleaned and shaved the area. “You need one last look at the stencil I worked up?”

“Nah, brother. Loved it the first time. Just stick it on there.”

By the time my needle buzzed to life, Dive had closed his eyes and relaxed his body. The first touch of ink to skin was always the most intense for some people, but the brother didn’t even flinch.

During the session, Dive asked about how things were going in Ballarat. The Caroline Springs chapter was the closest one to our Ballarat brotherhood. Not only in distance, but in the bond we had with the men here. Hell, I’d even admit I sometimes missed the brothers when in Ballarat. But Dad had always said he knew things were well in hand with Dodge as president here.

A couple of hours passed before I told him, “Done.”

Dive jumped down from the table, and I passed him a handheld mirror before he went to look in the full-length mirror that hung from the back of the door.

“Holy fuck. Thanks, Dragon. Means a lot,” Dive said, eyeing the work.

“No prob, brother. It’s an honour to be a part of this,” I replied.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

SWAN

On Tuesday, I showed Jody, the nice new manager I’d met yesterday, some things on the computer. “This is the best program to use for working out the roster. It’s already set up with your employees’ names and set hours. You just need to change it each week depending on the hours you’ll give them or if they’re full-time, part-time, or casual.”

“Thank you, Swan. I’m not sure I’ll remember everything, but I hope I’ll have it all down by the time you have to go.”

“Even if you have any questions when I go back to Ballarat, I’ll only be a phone call away,” I reassured her, and she relaxed some more.

“That’s really sweet of you.” She ducked closer. “I wish all my new employees would be like you.”

I scrunched up my nose and cringed for her. “Just remember, you’re the boss.”

She nodded with a thin-lipped smile.

So far, there was only an authority problem with one of her employees, and I hoped it stayed that way because Petra was enough. She was a twenty-six-year-old woman who had told Jody as soon as she arrived that she should have been given the job. Since then, Petra walked around the large library with her nose in the air and a glare in her gaze anytime it landed on us.

She’d even wore her clear dislike for Rommy when she’d come in to see me. Everyone loved Rommy, so it was obvious Petra was the problem.

Jody blew out a breath and stretched. “It’s nearly five. How about we leave the rest until tomorrow?”

“Sure.” I stood from the desk and picked up my handbag.

“Do you have your car here today?” she asked.

“The same friend will pick me up. We’re both staying at another friend’s house while in town,” I explained as we walked out of the back office and by the other employees.

We reached the main library area and noticed there were still a few customers around. That made sense, though. The place was open late Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Jody and I waved to Kathy at the front desk on our way out. She’d arrived this afternoon for her late shift and seemed really sweet and happy to have Jody as the new manager.

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