Brady’s eyes lit up. He nodded fervently as I spoke. “Yeah! The place I went before was the latter, and it wasn’t exactly the best experience...”
His gaze darkened as he recounted the memory. There was more to this sordid story, I could tell. A protective feeling welled up in my chest. What happened to him?
“Let’s fix that today,” I declared, giving him a soft smile.
I saw the way Brady’s cheeks turned a dusty shade of pink. “Right. You’re a tattoo artist.”
Gods, the way my name rolled off his tongue made me want to rake my claws down the wall.
But he didn’t give me a chance to reply. He pouted slightly. “Ah, but you’re probably all booked up for months, just like everyone else I asked.”
A worm of envy wriggled in my stomach. I didn’t want Brady seeing any other tattoo artist but me.
“As a matter of fact,” I said, “my only client today cancelled. So I’m free to tackle your cover-up.”
Brady gasped, looking like a kid during his surprise birthday party. “Wait, seriously? That would be amazing!”
Brady was right—I was booked for months ahead. I rarely had no-shows or cancellations. People who booked me were serious clients. It truly was a miracle that my client today had called and cancelled right before Brady walked in.
Fate wanted us to meet today, and I wasn’t going to let Brady slip from my claws.
I grinned at him. “If you want me as your artist today, Brady, then I’m all yours.”
That statement flustered him. He laughed airily and ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I do. I really do.”
My heart seized with affection for this omega I just met. But it wasn’t the time to get lost in my romantic feelings—I had important work to do.
I walked over to the door and shut off the OPEN light-up sign, then locked the door.
“Go ahead and sit down.”
I didn’t even know how big his original tattoo was, or how long the cover-up would take, but there was no way I’d let someone interrupt. I’d savor every second of my time with Brady today.
“By the way,” I said, glancing at Kiara at the back table. “Does she need anything else? Water, a snack?”
Brady’s eyes gleamed with warmth. “Nah, she’s enjoying her arts and crafts right now. She’ll tell me if she wants something. Thanks, though. I appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it.” I smiled. “It’s not often I get kids in the studio. I actually wish people would bring them more.”
“Even if they run around screaming and distract you?”
“I don’t get distracted from my work,” I promised. “Once I’m focused, the tattoo is all I think about. There could be thirty screaming kids in the background for all I care.”
“Wow, I’m impressed,” Brady said, eyes wide. “I can barely handle one.”
I chuckled. “Oh, come on. Kiara doesn’t seem like the type to throw a tantrum.”
“You’re right.” Brady turned around in the chair and glanced fondly at his daughter across the studio. “I like to think she’s pretty well-behaved for the child of a recently single parent.”
That caught my attention.
“Is that right?” I said, trying to sound neutral. Human children didn’t manifest out of thin air, so I figured there was an alpha involved in Brady’s life at one point. I was secretly pleased to find out he was single now. But the split and wounds related to it sounded fresh.
Brady sighed, leaning back in the seat as if a weight pushed on his chest. “Yeah. It happened a couple weeks ago.” He paused as if wanting to say more, but Brady seemed reluctant to spill the whole story. Instead, he reached cautiously for the end of his sleeve. “Anyway, want to see the damage?”
I gave him a solemn nod.
With a breath to steel his nerves, Brady yanked up the sleeve to reveal the tattoo underneath.
