Page 56 of Christmas with Four Tattoo Artists

I thought of telling them right then and there, blurting out the truth amidst the wreckage of our shared life. But I knew the timing wasn't right. They had too much on their plate. I needed to figure things out on my own first, get a plan in place in case they wanted nothing to do with me or the baby.

I tried to stay focused on my task, cleaning up the remnants of a life that felt like it was crumbling around me.

Despite the circumstances, the studio was a hive of activity, the whole crew there helping to clean up. Shadow muttered curses under his breath as he mopped up ink spills. Mick, his tattoo sleeves depicting colorful koi fish and Japanese waves, was in the process of helping the guys haul out the burnt chairs. And Josh, with his shaved head and Maori-inspired tattoos, was busy cataloging what supplies they'd lost and what they needed to replace.

Maddie was there too, of course, her goth style a fitting look for the somber occasion as we all worked to clean up the horrible mess Klaus and his prick crew had made of the reception area. I could tell she sensed my distress, that something was wrong. One searching look with those blue eyes and I felt like she knew the truth I was hiding.

"Everything okay, Jules?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern, eyes scanning my face for signs of distress.

I tried to muster up a reassuring smile. "Just worried about the shop, you know?" I hated lying, but for the moment, it was my only option.

Maddie’s eyes flashed with realization. “Don’t tell me you’re falling hard for one of those guys you’re seeing?”

The four guys appeared in my mind, the smile that formed on my lips a genuine one.

“Something like that. But… let’s talk about it later when we’re not tidying up a warzone.”

Maddie nodded. “Good idea.”

A few moments passed as we picked up a few bits of scrap here and there. After a short time, Maddie cleared her throat and spoke up again.

"Well, despite everything that's happened, you’re looking pretty damn good. It's like you’re glowing."

She dragged the last word out, drawing attention to the unintended irony of her comment.

The weight in my chest tightened.Glowing.That's what they said about pregnant women, wasn't it?

Trying to keep my composure, I forced a chuckle. "Glowing? In this mess? You need glasses, Mads."

She winked, her gaze never leaving mine. “I know that life’s a shitshow right now, but seriously, you've got this weird radiance going on. New skincare routine or something?”

I shook my head. "Nah, maybe I just got some extra sun."

The lightheartedness was a mask, but Maddie seemed to accept it for the time being. Still, I could see the wheels turning in her head, she knew there was more to it than what I was letting on.

Brushing a stray strand of black hair from her face, Maddie pursed her lips for a moment, as if giving something a second of thought.

"You know, if there's ever anything you want to talk about, I’m here."

I chuckled, grateful for the momentary distraction from my own turmoil. "Thanks, Mads. I'll keep that in mind."

The door chimed again.

“My fucking studio!”

The whole crew looked up to see Jack shuffling into the shop, his eyes widening in disbelief at the scene before him. He moved as if in a daze, shaking his head at the wreckage. Jack was one of the hardest men I’d ever met, but in that moment, I could see the pain in his face.The destruction of his shop definitely broke a piece of him.

"Oh, dear God," he breathed, his gray eyes misting over. "What've they done to this place."

Finn and Kai approached him gently, their respect and affection for the old man clear in their softened expressions.

"Pops," Finn began, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, "You shouldn't be here. This isn't something you need to see."

Jack’s gaze met Finn's, a look that hinted at the depth of history between the father and son, a quiet strength tempered by sorrow and time.

“No. I built this place with my own two hands,” he said. “Whatever state she’s in, I need to know.” Jack shook his head, anger gradually replacing the sadness on his face. “They did a fucking number on her. Made sure we’d feel the hurt when we saw the carnage.”

Kai chimed in, his voice low and soothing. "We'll rebuild, Dad. We'll bring it back better than before. You have my word."

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