Page 76 of Faith's Redemption

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Adam

Ihad a stupid grin on my face all night.

Even now, as I banged out a tattoo of a three-eyed raven on CJ’s bicep, I felt like I could fly.

Sure, I’d known I loved Faith for about as long as I could remember, but I’d never said the words. I sure as hell never thought I’d hear them from her. In prison, I convinced myself I’d die without ever touching her again, much less hear another kind word uttered from her lips. It was the last thing I deserved after ghosting her. But these past days—her trust, and now her love—was an unexpected shock to the system I realized I’d been craving for years.

I’d never understood the appeal of romance and fairy tales, or the mysticism of the word ‘soulmate,’ but the more time I spent with Faith, the more my eyes opened. I just wasn’t sure how to feel about that.

CJ cocked his head to check out my progress before resting back to face the ceiling. “Did you and the lady have fun at Rudy’s?”

I swiped and dipped up more ink. “Sure.” Her panic attack and our argument were none of his business.

He hummed his approval and was quiet a minute as the needle buzzed between us. “Bumped into her by the bathroom.” I paused and glanced up at his words. “She said something about not being a bad influence or whatever.” He met my gaze. “Bro. If you’re into some extracurricular activities and you need a wingman, all you gotta do is say.”

I blinked hard and set the needle down. Fuck. “Sorry, man. We had a little disagreement. She misunderstood some things. Nothing to do with you,” I lied.

He held up his free hand. “No harm, no foul. Just let me know.”

I nodded and got back to work.

Tobias walked over a bit later and leaned in to inspect my work, nodding his approval. “Nice, bro.”

I wiped some stray ink, and CJ still didn’t flinch. “I hope so. Don’t want CJ to kick my ass.” I glanced up with a grin.

Tobes grinned back. “Well, he might shank your ass if you fuck up.” We both laughed. “But, seriously, looks real good.”

“Thanks, man.”

He leaned against my workstation, out of my way. “So, you good if I send a couple clients your way tonight?” Our eyes clashed when I looked up in surprise. “Nothing big. Small pieces to start, until you get your feet wet.”

I glanced back at the raven taking form on CJ’s arm. “I guess. Sure. If you think so.”

“I know so. You’re ready.”

“Okay.”

He nodded once, then headed to the front of the shop to take an incoming call.

I got back in the zone and finished the piece, probably taking a little too long, but wanting it right.

CJ eyeballed it closely in the mirror for a long minute before giving it an approving nod. “Badass, Adam. Thanks.”

“No problem. Glad you like it. Just ignore that fucked-up feather in the back there, my hand slipped—”

He spun his arm. “What the fuck?”

I laughed out loud. “Just kidding, man. It’s all good.”

He shot me a frown. “Dude. Do not kid a man about his ink. Not cool.”

I sobered and bit back my grin. “Duly noted.”

Andromeda sauntered over and pulled his arm in for a close inspection. “Why three eyes?”

“Better to see you with,” he quipped.

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