Page 15 of Avy

“Honestly, Avy. I promise I’m good,” Noni assured me with a smile. A smile that didn’t touch her eyes.

She wasn’t good, but I let it slide, knowing she’d just clam up if I continued to push her.

“Okay,” I said, letting it go, “but remember I’m here for you if you ever need me.”

This time the smile that she sent my way was real, “I know Avs. Love ya, chick, but I’ve got to get home. I promised Ellie that I would do some crafts with her when she got home from school, and I want to catch a nap first. Getting up at three in the morning is getting old.”

“Noni, if you need a break, take it. We can get cover for you,” I told her.

“I’m good for now, Avy, but yeah, I may take you up on the offer in the future. Let me think on it,” Noni agreed as she opened the door before leaving, blowing a kiss at me and waving as she left.

I can’t lie, I was a little worried about my childhood friend. She was struggling and had been for a long time. Ever since Rhett got put away and then divorced her in short order. It didn’t matter that he thought he was doing her a favour by setting her free. He’d broken something in my friend, and I wasn’t sure if we would ever get her back.

With a tired sigh, I sat back down, switched on my computer and got lost in spreadsheets. Spreadsheets for me were always a lot easier to understand than people.

CHAPTER 11

HAWK

“All done, man,” I said, finishing up a tat on a client that I’d come in early for. And when I mean early, I mean five in the morning early.

There weren’t many people I’d do this for, but Cai had been one of my first clients when I first started out over ten years ago. When I joined up, he would wait until I was home on leave. I often speculated on how he would know when I’d be home because he’d be on my doorstep the day after I got back, ready for more ink therapy.

He was running out of space for me to tat, but I’d never turn him away. Not only was he my first client, he was also a scary motherfucker.

I’m not sure if they were an MC or not as they didn’t wear anything identifying them as such. I did know they were nomads, always on the move. There were four of them and I wouldn’t like to be on the bad side of any of them. EVER! All of them were well over six foot five, they hardly spoke, were watchful and always in control. They reminded me a bit of Vikings from old, as they all had long hair that they kept plaited in various braids. I’d never seen them wear helmets or any other safety gear and often thought it was curious that they didn’t get pulled over by police more often.

I started cleaning up as he lumbered over to the full-length mirror I’d hung on a wall to inspect his new addition.

“All good?” I queried.

Cai gave a grunt, his nearly black eyes met mine in the mirror. He nodded his head that yes, it was all good. I knew that I’d not get anymore from him, so I walked out towards the reception to take payment.

The rest of his brothers were sitting outside on their bikes, relaxed but watchful.

I’d offered to let them sit inside out of the cold, but they’d declined.

Taking the pound notes that Cai handed me to pay for his tattoo, I didn’t bother to count them as I knew from past experience that he’d give me the correct amount. He’d also not book another appointment; I’d get a text when he was ready for his next one.

“Thanks,” I said, bending to put the money in the lockbox that I’d take to my office and put in the safe once he’d left.

He tapped the counter twice and walked out of the door. I followed and locked the door until I’d completed my clean up. Taking the lockbox with me, I put it in the safe, switching off the lights I made sure all was secure, set the alarm and went to leave but was surprised to see that Cai and his brothers were still outside and seemed to be waiting for me.

Walking towards them, I asked, “Everything okay?”

Cai tilted his head towards one of his brothers. I frowned wondering if one of them wanted a tattoo. I’d hate to say no, but it was family breakfast at the café being it was a Sunday and it’s what we did every Sunday as per Abby’s orders. I’d hate to annoy my Pres’s pregnant Old Lady.

The dark-haired brother held out his hand, “Silas,” he introduced himself.

I shook his hand, surprised that he’d spoken never mind introduced himself. Other than Cai, I didn’t know any of their names.

“Good to meet you,” I responded. “What can I do for you?”

Silas didn’t say anything but seemed to be studying me and I had to wonder why. This obviously had nothing to do with a tattoo.

Silas sighed as if this was painful for him and changed his stance from looking at me to hands on his hips and lowering his head as if contemplating if he should really be doing this. Seeming to make up his mind, he looked at Cai one more time and Cai nodded at him with a chin lift as if to sayget on with itas he threw a leg over his bike and settled down and got ready to leave.

Just as I was starting to feel the first flutters of annoyance at his procrastination, he seemed to make up his mind about something.

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