Chapter Eleven

“Someone’s clearly keen to see you,” Tatty said as she paid for her appointment, nodding at the salon door as she stuffed her purse into her large handbag. She was his last client of the day, and Locryn followed her gaze, grinning as Zac came in the door.

“We had a lovely weekend together, so I’m equally happy to see him again, and no, I’m not giving you details,” he teased. “Betty already told me you were seen out with a new man – an out-of-towner no less – at Parker’s on Saturday night, and that a strange car was still outside your house Sunday morning.”

“Bah.” Tatty swiped through the air as if swatting his words away. “Hon, I can tell you, if there was something worth repeating about my Saturday night, I’d be turning your ears red with every detail. That man wasn’t worth mussing my lipstick for.”

She looked Zac up and down. His pale blue henley fitted him like a second skin, reminding Locryn of how many hours they’d been apart. He was keen for Tatty to leave, but she wasn’t in a hurry. “You look like you could give a person a sweet Saturday night. Did you get that couch in your place of business yet, Mr. Tattoo Man?”

“Mabel got me a special deal on it, apparently.” Zac caught Locryn’s eye. Help?

“What’s all this about a couch?” Locryn was looking between Zac and Tatty, who was wearing a huge grin.

“It’s like your couch here. You know me and our friends love to sit in here and gossip every now and then.” Tatty flicked her fingernail in the direction of Locryn’s waiting area. “But your beau has people taking their clothes off in his business. Shirts off. Pants, too, I imagine. I mean, Mabel told me at lunch time that young man with the no-shirt business this morning. Phew!” She fanned herself with her hand. “I’ve got to see that for myself. But you know. We’re not young anymore. We need somewhere to sit down when we see a man who weakens our knees.”

“Just remember Zac’s running a place of business, just like I am,” Locryn reminded gently, shaking his head as he chuckled. “Some of his customers might prefer their privacy when they’re getting their bodies marked.”

Tatty’s eyes widened. “Ooh, yes. You need some of those curtain thingies, like at the doctor’s office. Gotta go.” She hurried off, smiling at Zac as he held the door for her.

“Curtain thingies?” Zac closed the door and pulled down the blind. “If I’m tattooing private parts, I have a separate room for that.”

“They’re trying to help your business, so you’ll stay. At least a dozen people commented on how happy I seemed today.” Locryn ran around the counter, into waiting arms. His whole body seemed to sigh as Zac held him tight. “Damn, it’s been a long day.” He chuckled into Zac’s hair. “So weird, hearing my lovely ladies talking about my first date with you and speculating what might happen months down the track between us when I already feel like we’ve been together for years.”

“It’s like leading double lives,” Zac agreed, his contentment at them being together again evident through their bond. The demon’s hands pressed down his back, pushing them closer together. “Got to admit, I’ve never been in this situation before, but I’m glad I’m in it with you.”

“I love how you’re this staunch looking guy, and then, every now and then, pure honey falls from those lips.” Locryn went to kiss those same smiling lips when he felt the zing of magic not his own. Twirling in Zac’s arms, he frowned as his sister Jessica appeared, dragging her husband by the arm.

“Is this him?” She screamed at her husband. “Is this the tattooed demon you went to in some misguided shit to circumvent the Fates?”

“Er… Jessica? It’s nice to see you, and all, but is there a reason why you’re yelling at your husband in my hair salon? You know, the business I have on the earth realm where most people aren’t used to others popping in and out of thin air?”

“There’s no one else here. I checked before I zapped in, and I’m furious with you, too.” Jessica pursed her lips, her hair flying. “You didn’t even tell me you were mated, no. You were too busy playing hide the sausage with your new mate. I had to hear it from Dad. He came to visit yesterday, and I thought he just wanted to see my lovely son, but no. He was at my house having a meltdown because you found your Fated Mate in a tattooed demon. Dad is having a fit about it, trying to work out how to keep that little gem private from his snobby friends. And yes, I’m totally happy for you both, of course, but then this dumb ass…”

She slapped her husband on the arm. “This idiot makes some stupid comment about, ‘Oh, shit. I hope the guy’s not a tattooist because that could make family dinners awkward.’ What the hell? It’s taken me until now to get the story out of him. So tell me.” Hubby was being physically shaken by this time. “Is this him?”

“I told you why I did it!”

It took Locryn a moment to remember his brother-in-law’s name. Simeon. An “S” name, just as Zac had said. “That is him?” He looked over his shoulder at Zac who was standing like a furious gargoyle. One short nod was all Locryn needed.

“You are one sick dick.” Locryn glared at Simeon. “You insulted my Fated Mate, all because he wouldn’t change your mating mark… something that’s physically impossible… so rather than rip you off, charge you a fortune, and give you marks that would be gone by the next morning, my mate did the decent thing and told you no. Then you, you used your fucking Fae sex appeal to come onto my mate, to try and change his mind, and when he still persisted and said no, you abused everything about him, including his amazing dick. You… you... you’re the dick. A useless one at that.”

“I didn’t know about the dick!” Jessica’s eyes were wide. But Simeon was pointing at Zac.

“I was never going to touch him. I offered a blow job to sweeten the deal because, with a face like that, it’s not like he’d get many offers. I didn’t know he was just going to unzip and pull his dick out right then and there.”

“You were making a deal with a demon – one you’re now related to, at least by marriage, and you still insult him. What? You thought at the time you’d get the tattoo and then disappear before you held up your end of the bargain? You weren’t even being honest in a deal?” Locryn turned away. “I can’t believe this shit. Honestly, Jess, get him out of here. I don’t want to ever see him again. My mate and I have got better things to do than deal with shit like him.”

“He can go and look after our baby.” Poking her husband in the chest, Jessica added, “You owe this demon an apology. That means a favor. I know my demon lore. And for the record, I’m jealous of my brother, because I bet my demon-brother-in-law is a damn sight more honorable than you. Get home. I’ll deal with you later.”

“Jessica. You need to tell them why I did it.” Simeon disappeared, still wailing. “I didn’t mean any harm.”

Jess smoothed back her hair and then bounced over, holding out her hand to Zac. “Hi there. I apologize for that unpleasantness. I’m Jessica, your mate’s sister. I’m sure we’ll be good friends.”

“Jess, what are you doing? What’s Simeon going on about?” Locryn asked as Zac took Jessica’s hand and just as quickly dropped.

“Oh, Simeon said he got this stupid idea that if he got his mate mark changed, then he wouldn’t meet his Fated Mate. He wanted to stay with me forever.” Jessica shook her head. “Silly fool, never thought for a second that our marriage would end in divorce the moment I met my own Fated Mate. He never even thought of that – he was just thinking about himself and what he wanted. In private, he’s not that bad. He’d been hovering around me for years before we got married, and I believe him when he says how much he loves me. He just doesn’t go to earth very often, so he has some weird ideas. Speaking of which. Can we go out somewhere for a meal? I’ve never eaten on earth before.”

“Sorry, my mate.” Locryn sighed as he patted Zac’s chest. “We’ll eat quickly, won’t we, Jess.”

“It could be worse,” Zac said. “My brothers could’ve turned up. We can’t help our family, which is why we enjoy our new friends.”

“Like Mabel and your new couch.” Locryn chuckled. “Jess, you’ll need a coat and jeans. We’re not going anywhere fancy. In fact, who fancies fish and wedges? They have a great food truck by the beach.”

And the food will be quick, and there’s nowhere to sit, which means Jessica will be gone all the more quickly, Locryn sent to Zac through their bond. The demon’s smile let him know the message was received.