19. Lyla

The Twisted Kings compound was where I lived growing up, but Twisted Roses Tattoo Parlor feels more like home than that place ever did.

Being back here is comforting, even if I know better than to think I'm safe when I'm in this close proximity to Kane.

At least working at the shop keeps me busy. It's better than so many of the jobs I've held these past few years. The team here is friendly, and since they have a long waitlist, the majority of the customers are regulars and will stop in to hang out or say hello whether they have an appointment or not.

When I used to come here as a teenager, the curb would be crowded with bikes. But that's no longer the case. What was an extension of the club, isn't anymore. And strangely, it feels like a safe space.

I don't need to work, technically. I'm not sticking around once I figure out how to get Kane and Sage to stop worrying that someone is after me. But if I'm forced to be in town for the time being, I'm not going to stay locked in Sage's apartment, trapped in his tower staring at the same four walls.

Every time Sage gets a text, I wonder if it's from Kane because of the concern that paints his face. He doesn't tell me what they're worried about. And I guess it doesn't matter. I'm in danger again—like I always am.

If I let myself think too much about that I'll be reminded of all the reasons I left. So I stay busy with work instead. It's simpler focusing on ink-splattered skin, so long as I don't have to remember the blood.

Echo walks into the lobby with her client. They talk about a new bar opening down the street while her client pays. And once I finish processing the transaction, Echo waits for them to leave, propping herself against the body jewelry case.

"You catch on quick," Echo says as the door to the shop closes behind her client.

She hops up onto the counter behind the case and pops her gum.

If there's one thing I've learned about Echo, it's that she's always chewing something. Clacking gum between her teeth or talking. She's constantly bubbling with energy and fidgeting. Her feet swing back and forth, kicking the cabinet with her heels, and it has her black and blonde ponytail swishing around.

Of all the artists at the shop, she is by far the friendliest. Her personality matches her tattoos. While the guys are carved in demons and chaos, hers are pops of color and brightness.

"Not my first time working retail." I shrug. "And you guys make it easy having it all mapped out in the system. How is it possible you can't keep anyone around?"

Echo laughs before quickly trying to bury it.

"Spill."

She gnaws her bottom lip looking at me. "It's nothing."

I rest my hip against the counter and cross my arms over my chest. "You're full of shit, aren't you?"

"Maybe." She smiles.

Sweet as she is, there's still a mischievous edge to her. And I like that Echo can dose it out as well as she can take it. She's a tough girl and reminds me a little of my mom before she disappeared.

"Now you have to tell me the deal because there's no way there's not a story behind whatever that expression was." I hitch an eyebrow, wondering what they do to the poor front desk girls if Echo seems this nervous about it.

"Fine. But you asked, remember that." She points at me, and I nod. "What is it they say about mixing business with pleasure?"

"Don't do it?"

Echo nods slowly, watching me with her gum clenched between her teeth. "Exactly."

"That's it?" I'm not sure what she's getting at until I process exactly what she said. "You, Crew, and Jude are all in relationships… so when you say mixing business with pleasure, you mean Sage?"

"Yeah." She sighs. "It's not as bad as it sounds though."

I hitch an eyebrow, and she grits her teeth because she's obviously lying for my benefit, even if I don't have any claim on him.

"Fine." She rolls her eyes. "It's worse. But it's not like he cares about them."

"Not helping." I laugh because it's either that or let her comment sink in.

Echo shakes her head. "I'm just saying Sage has his ways of keeping people at a distance, and I think that's just another way he managed to do it. Because it was clear he never really cared about them. He was using them to process something that was eating him up inside."

"I get that." Even if I didn't use the same methods, I can relate. "And for the record, it doesn't bother me. I grew up around the Twisted Kings. I've seen enough to need my brain bleached."

"Good point."

Still, I hope she doesn't notice that my gut tugs thinking about Sage. I'm under no illusion he stayed celibate after we lost our virginities to each other, but to find out how much he fucks around now, when it's so far from the man I remember, has guilt blooming inside me. He became exactly what I feared back then, except, I might be the one who caused it.

"You still care about him," Echo says, and it's not a question.

She hasn't asked about my history with Sage, but it's glaringly obvious anytime we're in the same room, the past isn't as buried as we thought it was.

"I do. But things didn't end on the best terms between us."

"Because you disappeared?"

"He told you?"

"No." She shakes her head. "Jude mentioned it, but that's all. Those guys are pretty lock and key with their secrets."

"I appreciate that." My gaze drifts to the butterflies hanging on the wall by the door. "My sister died. That's the main reason I left. But there were… other things."

I still can't put words to them. My mouth dries, and I have to blink the basement out of my memories before my mind tries to relive it.

"I couldn't stay here after that." I shake my head.

"I've been there." Echo's golden eyes meet mine, and I believe her, even if she might not know exactly what I'm talking about. "He'll understand at some point."

"I hope so." Not that I think it will change anything.

Sometimes the scales tip too far in one direction. Everything we were is gone. All that's left are pieces—memories.

Outside the shop, two girls glance in the window, frowning at us. And at my side, Echo groans.

"Who are they?"

"Groupies." Echo hops off the counter and comes to stand next to me.

"I didn't know tattoo artists had groupies."

"Have you seen those guys?" She rolls her eyes. "Plus, we get a lot of celebrities in here. They've streamed a couple of specials from the shop. And you know how it is, any bit of limelight and people will flock to it."

I turn to face her. "Does that ever bother you?"

"With Crew?"

I nod because the man is solid tattooed muscle, and I've seen how girls who come into the shop look at him.

"No." She laughs. "I mean, sure, everyone gets a little jealous. But he wouldn't entertain anything. He's…"

"Your destiny."

Echo smiles, her whole face brightening. "Exactly. I like that."

Me too, especially since I had a destiny once. Before I went and fucked it all up.

The two girls finally make their way into the shop with their shoulders rolled back. Their designer purses and overpriced sunglasses make them stand out in this part of town, but they hold their chins up like that's a compliment.

"Do you have an appointment?" I ask, glancing down at their perfectly manicured nails when they plant them on the counter.

"No." The blonde one laughs, slipping off her sunglasses. Her fake eyelashes darken her already deeply brown eyes. "Is Sage around?"

"I think he's busy." Echo plants a hand on the case.

The blonde cuts a glare in Echo's direction, pursing her lips, before looking back at me. "Can you check?"

"Of course." I smile so big at her I'm sure she sees I'm mocking her.

"I can do it." Echo offers when I start to walk around her.

"It's fine." If I can handle a clubhouse full of patch bunnies, Twisted Roses groupies are nothing.

Walking into the back, I make my way to Sage's station. Unlike most tattoo shops I've been to where it's one wide open space, Twisted Roses has individual rooms set up for each of the artists. It's something that lingered from back when the Twisted Kings used the shop for more than just giving tattoos and piercings. And apparently, some things don't change.

Knocking once on the door, I push it open, and I hate that everything about this room smells like Sage. How it reminds me of being on the road and feeling the wind on my face. Freedom, when I spent so long living in a cage.

Sage looks up from his drawing.

If walls can hold ghosts, then so can bones. And every time I look into his eyes, I'm reminded that Sage is haunted.

I get it.

So am I.

"You have visitors." I lean against the doorframe.

He glances at his phone. "My next appointment isn't for an hour."

"Not that kind of visitor." I smile at him, watching realization hit as his throat works in a hard swallow.

He leans back in his chair, setting down his pencil. "Tell them I'm busy."

"You sure?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest. "You don't have to feel guilty about your extracurricular activities on my account."

"I don't."

Except, I know he does. Everyone at the shop has made it clear he's a total fuckboy, but I've yet to see him talk to a girl outside of his clients since I've been here.

"This doesn't have to be awkward."

"Who said it is?" Now he's crossing his arms over his chest, smirking at me, and trying to break through my defenses like an ass. "I'm not ashamed of my sex life."

"Seems like you don't have much time to be. Bedding every single girl in the city between appointments and all."

He narrows his gaze. "Jealous?"

"Hardly." I roll my eyes. "Do you think I sat around all these years not getting any experience myself? A girl has needs, Sage. Just like you."

His jaw grinds at my comment. A habit I remember only seeing when I really pissed him off. And as good as it feels, that same amount of guilt creeps through.

"Tell them I'm busy." He goes back to his drawing, and I don't miss how hard he grips his pencil this time. "And shut the door behind you."

I close it a little harder than I need to because fuck him.

I'm trying to be nice, and he shuts me down every chance he gets. He's being an asshole on purpose. I'm not even sure if it's because he's really mad at me, or if it's that he's trying to create more distance.

I don't care either way.

I'm not sweet like these prissy girls standing in the lobby pining after him. If he wants to push me, I'll push back harder. Sage might not like that I'm back in his life, but now that I am, we're going to finish this like we should have done years ago.

The blonde turns when she sees me coming around the corner, her face brightening.

"He's busy, sorry."

Her shoulders deflate.

"But…" I stop at the front desk and grab a piece of paper, writing his phone number on it. "He wanted you to have this."

I'm only supposed to give out his personal cell phone number for certain appointments he marks on his calendar, but he was an ass, so now he can deal with blonde girl and her ridiculously pretty friend.

"He did?"

I nod, smiling at my lie.

She snatches the paper from between my fingers and practically squeals as she and her friend leave the shop.

Echo leans forward on the counter beside me. "There's no way he told you to do that."

"Maybe he did." I shrug. "Maybe he didn't."

She laughs shaking her head. "I like you, Lyla. You're going to give him hell."

If he wants to be a jerk, then he can count on it.