Page 25 of London Inked Boys: The Complete Trilogy
Rocco glances away, remaining silent, his teeth digging into his lip.
I point a finger. “You know something, don’t you?”
Rocco looks back to me. “I didn’t know it was going to get him into financial trouble, or I’d have said something sooner.”
My heart sinks.Oh, God. What’s he into?Drugs? Gambling? Other women?
“Tell me,” I say.
“Art does a lot of his work pro bono.”
“Pro bono? Isn’t that what lawyers do for people who are in need?”
He shrugs. “Yeah, I guess Art sees people in need, too. He works on people who have scarring they hate, that affects their lives, and their self-confidence, and tattoos over it to create something they can be proud of.”
Instinctively, I pull down on the sleeves of my shirt. I’m relieved at his answer though. So Art’s broke because he’s helping people. “Why does he do that?”
“He’s never mentioned Rebecca to you?”
Immediately, I know who he’s talking about. “The girl in the drawings?”
“He showed those to you?” He sounds surprised.
“No, I found them in his stuff, but he knows I’ve seen them.”
“Ah, well maybe you should ask him about her.”
“Please, Rocco. He just shuts down on me, or walks away.”
He exhales a sigh. “I shouldn’t really be telling you this.”
“Please,” I beg.
“Rebecca was a girl he met when they were both eighteen. She was his first love, and he was obsessed with her. They were obsessed with each other. Then Rebecca got into a car accident. The car burst into flames and she was badly burned—she almost died.”
“Oh, my God. The poor thing. So what happened between her and Art? Didn’t he stand by her?”
“He tried to, but she wouldn’t let him. She was disfigured from the burns. She pushed him away, and then eventually moved to Scotland to be with family. It broke him, for a long time.” Rocco shrugs. “But he had the shop and his work, so he threw himself into that. He’s always kept women at an arm’s length since then... well, until you came along.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, he’s different around you. He talks about you—even if it isn’t always positively!”
I lift my eyebrows and Rocco’s mouth stretches in a grimace. “Sorry, but it’s the truth.”
I wave away his apology. “So Art wouldn’t normally talk about a woman?”
“No way. He had two rules about women who are connected to the shop, which he said were for all of us, but were really just for him.”
It’s my turn to grimace. “I’m scared to ask.”
“They were pretty simple. Always make sure the woman knows it’s a one night hook-up only and never get involved. I’m assuming he’s broken both of those rules with you.”
My cheeks heat, but I nod. “Yes, he has.” I let out a sigh and cover my face with both hands. “What am I going to do, Rocco? He’s built up his defences so high, I’m not sure he’s ever going to let me in.”
“Just keep trying. Art’s a good guy, underneath the hard-man act. Keep chipping away and it will be worth it.”
I consider his words. “Is he working today?”
