He approached me as I backed toward the door, glancing at the dark shop. “The ink took longer than I realized. You want to see your tattoo?”
I shouldn’t have let Diablo switch the conversation so quickly. There were details that he needed to know to help protect the kids and me, but I couldn’t make myself return to the past or any suffering I hoped to forget.
I chickened out.
Latching onto his question, I quickly answered, “yes.”
“Let me grab you a mirror.” He picked up a large hand mirror, handing it over as he led me to the massive mirror hanging on the wall outside his office.
“Turn around. I hope you like it.”
Curious, I stared into the reflection, noting the image on my shoulder, which was far different than what I expected. I’d given Diablo a picture of my kids. Two different photos. He’d merged them into one for the tattoo but slightly altered the images. Light sparkled in their eyes. Innocence.
Dimples. Rounded toddler faces with puffy cheeks and small chins. He’d captured them so beautifully.
The tears returned, spilling down my face.
“Shit,” he cursed. “You hate it.”
“No. It’s perfect. You see them, Diablo. The detail. Wow.”
His lips widened into a proud grin. “I fucking love that tat. No lie. It’s badass.”
“It is,” I agreed, wiping my cheeks. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
MY PHONE VIBRATED INSIDEmy cut, and I reached inside, checking the screen.
Rev.
Swiping across, I answered fast, worried about the kids. “Hey, my man. What’s goin’ on?”
“Someone was outside, Diablo. Saw the fucker hop the fence after I caught him trying to look inside the kitchen window.”
Shit!
Wait. Did he just say fucker?
“You both safe?” I asked, dismissing my humor at his choice of words.
“Yeah, we’re inside. I locked all the doors and windows.”
“No, you didn’t!” I heard Olivia yell in the background. “I helped, J.D.”
I bet she did.
“Are either of you hurt?”
“No.”
“He’s got a cut on his hand,” Olivia contradicted.
“I’m on my way. You both stay in the house.”
Chaos erupted on the other end of the line. I couldn’t tell if someone slammed the door into the wall, glass broke, or both.
“Rev! Olivia!”