Page 76 of Destined for Shadows
He joined them at the counter. “Has there been any trouble?”
“No.” The nerou shook his head. “It’s mostly been a slow day.”
“Where’s Cori?”
Tormod pointed toward the back. “Finishing up a tattoo. It’s for that guy who got stabbed the same time she was attacked. He wanted to get it finished and the scar covered up.”
Bartol frowned. Micah had done what he could to patch the internal damage of Hayden’s wound, but the nephilim didn’t have enough energy left to fully repair the skin. It would have taken just long enough to heal that there would have been a faint scar remaining.
“I will go check on her,” he said, leaving Tormod to the blond woman.
They started flirting again before Bartol made it to the rear of the shop. He stopped in the doorway to Cori’s work room. She was leaning over Hayden’s bare back with her tattoo machine thrumming needles into his skin. Some of her dark hair covered her face, and she had a total look of concentration. Most of the work was done, so Bartol could make out a clear image of a reaper she’d created. The human man lay on the chair with his eyes shut.
“It is rather ironic you asked for a reaper and nearly died getting it,” Bartol said, leaning against the door frame.
Hayden’s gaze shot toward him. “Who are you?”
“Another bodyguard,” Cori replied, not bothering to look up from her work.
Bartol ground his jaw. Why did it bother him if she paid greater attention to another man when he was around? This was her profession, yet he hated that she couldn’t even be bothered to acknowledge him with a look. He was here to protect her, after all.
Hayden angled his head to glance at Cori. “I thought you were kidding when you mentioned the mafia, but I can see you weren’t joking if you’ve got this much protection around to keep you safe. How many bodyguards does your friend, Melena, have?”
“Plenty,” Cori said, lips twitching. Then her expression sobered. “I really am sorry you got caught in the middle of that.”
She’d been the one to tell Bartol and Micah which story to give Hayden about what happened in the tattoo shop the day of the attack. Apparently, Cori and Melena had made a joke about the mafia prior to the incident, so she suggested they use that. It had been easier than compelling his mind with fabricated memories, especially since he would have a scar and need some reason for its existence. They used a similar story with the police to make certain it all matched up but told the authorities the death of the attacker had resolved the issue.
“I’m just glad we’re both fine,” Hayden said, then scrunched his brows as she moved the needles over his shoulder blade. “I really thought that guy was going to kill you.”
Cori was silent for a few minutes while she worked. “I’m surprised you were willing to come back here after that.”
The human man glanced at her again. “I couldn’t let anyone else finish the job, could I?”
Bartol stiffened. Hayden hadn’t returned because he liked Cori’s work. He’d come back because he liked her and wanted to see her again. This damn human thought because he took a stab wound for her that it entitled him to flirt with her. But what had he truly done? Lay there bleeding while telling her to run? How heroic was that?
Cori smiled at Hayden. “I’m glad a guy with a knife wasn’t enough to scare you off.”
“I do think I’ll take your friend’s suggestion and see about getting a bulletproof vest the next time I come in here, though,” the human joked.
Unable to listen to any longer, Bartol left the room. He strode up to Tormod—who was still talking to the blond woman—and gave him a censorious look. “I think it’s time you go home now. I’ve got it from here.”
The nerou took one look at his expression and swallowed. “Right.”
“Walk me out?” the woman asked, smiling.
Tormod turned to Bartol. “Is that okay?”
“Go ahead.” It was getting dark and probably best for the female’s safety anyway. “But go home after that.”
The nerou grabbed a backpack he’d brought with him. “Alright, see you tomorrow.”
Bartol watched the two young people walk out. After they were gone, he paced the front of the store. It took another twenty minutes before Cori and Hayden came out from the back. The human man was still smiling at her, and she was laughing at something he’d said. It drove Bartol crazy to see her acting normal and nice with someone else. He also hated that he could not make her smile and laugh like that.
They stopped at the register and Cori ran his credit card. “I’m giving you a discount since you went through so much trouble to get the tattoo.”
“Thanks,” Hayden said. “But if you really want to show your gratitude, let me take you out to dinner sometime.”
Bartol growled. He was a breath away from finishing the job the man with the knife had started. It wasn’t like him to feel jealous, but he couldn’t seem to stop his murderous thoughts.
