But my artist clearly wasn’t a fan. “Are you kidding me? On a freshly opened wound?”
I pulled away from Kiera with a chuckle before rolling my eyes at C.J. “I don’t remember you being this much of a cockblock a few years ago…”
“This isn’t the Station.” C.J. frowned. “And it doesn’t take Callahan to tell you that you’re testing your luck on an infection. Now get out of my way and make room for the newbie.”
And just like that, it was Kiera’s turn.
53
KIERA
Gesturing to the chair,Spencer made room for me to climb into the black leather seat. The scent of florals and clean laundry wafted off of her, calming my nervous system as I got settled in the chair.
C.J. swiveled in her stool to get closer to me. “Feeling better now?”
“I think so.” Keeping my eyes on Spencer and Leo, I tried to not let the hooting and hollering coming from the lobby distract me.
Whether I liked it or not, there was no turning back at this point. I’d already sworn myself to these three. And clearly Spencer had sworn herself to me, my name permanently etched into her skin.
My eyes flicked to Dom, standing against the wall with her arms crossed.
In blood and time.
After everything I’d learned, I didn’t think I could walk away from any of them now. Even Dom, we were clearly tied together whether we liked it or not. I needed to get to The Oracle,whoever the fuck they were, and get answers about my father’s death.
I still wasn’t sure how I played into their grand plan. Despite my concerns about the viability of whatever it was, they’d been planning it since I was a child which meant it must be at least thought out.
And I was certain that if they could have found someone else to help them, they would have by now.
They needed my help to take down Zeus.
C.J. grabbed the stencil from her tray. “So, where are we thinking?”
Meeting Dom’s gaze, I pointed to my forearm. “How about here?”
“That’s a good spot.” C.J. winked as she peeled the stencil and began to place it along the lines of my muscles.
From her spot in the corner, Dom shook her head. She knew what I was doing — putting my mark somewhere she’d be unable to look away from it. A constant reminder of our tie to each other.
Hers was hidden on her back, covering up some scars. It had taken me almost two months to even see it. But mine, I refused to hide it. Not after everything I’d learned.
My phone dinged from my hand, a text from my mom lighting up my skin.
I’m seriously worried now. This isn’t a joke. Gabriel is going to give up on you.
Mom
That was the hope. I was starting to pray she’d give up too. She’d known what kind of man Isaac was, let herself be so absorbed in chasing cash that she’d put me in danger. A danger only Dom managed to save me from.
C.J. met my eyes after she dipped the needles in ink. “Ready to go?”
My three captors were the only people who’d managed to protect me. And I was starting to think that hitching my wagon to them was my best bet at safety. And vengeance.
“Let’s do it.” I nodded.
There was a sharp sting as the hum of the tattoo gun began to puncture my skin. I wrapped my fingers around the arm of the black leather chair, gripping the fabric as I tried to be strong.
I’d felt worse, but that didn’t change how strong the burn was. The skin of my forearm was soft, a good thing according to C.J.
