SIX MONTHS LATER
Emily rested in the tattoo chair, trying to focus on the hum of the needle, rather than the piercing sensation as Tara dragged it along her breastbone. This was the last sitting Emily needed, before the artwork was in place.
Tara had drawn the design at Antonio’s request. A birthday present to Emily. A dragon wrapped around the left side of her neck, body and head slithering down her collarbone. She’d had that one done first, despite Justin’s very vocal and less-than-serious protests about her picking the phoenix second.
The bird’s tail intertwined with the beasts on the back of her neck, and the feathered flames ran along the right side. Their heads came together between her breasts, leaving room for the sparrow that soared up her sternum.
Emily was in awe of Tara’s talent, not only with the design, but also with the tattoo gun. Tara was a graphic artist, and had been with the company for years. When her marriage fell apart a few months ago, she needed an escape. She surrendered it all and started the tattoo parlor.
Emily got the impression there was a lot more to the marriage story than she’d heard, but Tara was tightlipped about the details, and that was her right. Emily was happy to see her pull out of the mire. She liked Antonio’s family, and especially his sister.
The needle hit bone again. Emily clenched her jaw and squeezed Antonio’s hand. Justin had tried to warn her that anything so close to bone was going to hurt more than a fleshy region. He suggested she start smaller, like with a simple image on her calf.
She told him a little pain never hurt anyone, and he stopped arguing.
Right now, he straddled the chair across from her, chin and arms resting on the back and gaze holding hers, to help her focus.
He looked away and reached for his phone. She rolled her eyes but didn’t mind that he was as addicted to the job as he’d ever been. Having Antonio’s infrastructure and international contacts gave Justin a freedom he never had before, and she saw how happy it made him. Besides, all three of them were a part of the same machine, as intertwined with the job as they were with each other.
She fell back into the pain, gripping Antonio’s hand until she was concerned she’d cut off his circulation.
“All done,” Tara said, at the same time Justin said, “Fuck me.”
“At least let me finish, before you share whatever that news is,” Tara told him. She cleaned up Emily’s chest, then helped her sit and face a mirror.
“It’s amazing,” Emily said, awe filling her.
“Thank you.” Tara covered it up. “You know the rules for care. I’m sure you can find someone to help you keep lotion on it if you’re having trouble.” She didn’t bat an eye when Antonio told her about the relationship, but Emily swore she occasionally caught Tara watching them with a trace of envy.
Antonio helped her to her feet and hovered his hand over the plastic. “I wish these didn’t take so long to heal.”
“Take that sappy shit home. Or anywhere but here.” Tara’s retort was gruff, but affection lay underneath.
Justin joined them, pressing his fingers into Emily’s skin along the edges of the fresh scars. She gasped at the rush of pain and endorphins. It only took her first visit to the parlor, to realize he knew where to touch, to draw a groan without doing damage.
“That goes for both of you,” Tara snapped. “Not in my shop.”
“We’re behaving. Thank you again. For everything.” Emily gave her a hug. Goodbyes were exchanged, and Emily left with Justin and Antonio.
They were within walking distance of their apartment. Though it was winter, and colder here than Emily was used to, it wasn’t too chilly for a stroll. She still enjoyed seeing the city covered in glistening crystals of ice and sunshine.
She strolled a few feet ahead, her attention flitting wherever it was drawn. It was lovely to be hand in hand with Antonio, Justin, or both of them, but it was just as much fun to watch them hold hands. Today she took in the scenery, while the men enjoyed each other’s company.
“Is someone going to ask?” Justin’s question carried from behind.
She glanced over her shoulder, but before she could reply, Antonio said, “Maybe. After you’ve squirmed with the news a little longer.”
“You’re such a dick.” There was no malice in Justin’s voice.
“I want to know.” Emily paused, to snap a picture of the sunlight streaming between buildings and striking the stone at her feet.
“Thank you.” Justin sounded smug. “How would you, my favorite siren, like to take an implementation team and go to London for a month?”
She whirled to face him, grin stuck on her face. “You landed Oxford?”
“Wedid,” he said.
“Why didn’t you say so?” Antonio asked.