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“That’s not going to happen,” I urged, unwilling to let this drop. “I’m not going to be hidden away. I need to be part of this, I need to hear the plans, help you make them, and make them bleed with my own two hands.”
The tattoo gun stilled on my skin, and I could tell that he was about to pull away.
“No, don’t stop,” I blurted, and he stilled beside me. “If you stop now, I’m not sure I’ll let you restart and I really don’t want to walk around with a half-finished tattoo.”
He looked between me and my arm, indecision warring in his eyes. I could tell from the torn look on his face that he wanted to devote all of his attention to this discussion so he could focus on countering all my points, but there was no way I was going to let that happen.
“I can’t do it, Kellan,” I whispered.
I didn’t want this to be an argument. I understood where they were coming from. We were just reunited, and they didn’t want to put me in harm’s way. They wanted to protect me, just as I had done for them. But there was no way I could stand to be on the sidelines—not for this fight, not ever again.
“All of my freedom was taken from me before, and I won’t survive it if that happens again.”
“Giana, no—” he protested, but I cut him off.
“I know you wouldn’t do it on purpose, that you’re only looking to keep me safe. But part of being safe for me is having that freedom,” I explained, wincing as he hit another painful spot.
“I get that, I really do,” Kellan sighed, giving me a sympathetic look. “It’s just hard. We just got you back, and to know that you did everything to keep us safe … it’s been tearing me up inside.”
His shoulders slumped slightly, and I could see the weight of exhaustion, of guilt that bared down on him then as he let that mask slip. My hand itched to reach out, to comfort him.
“That’s why we need to talk, to prepare, and to make sure we aren’t taken by surprise, because they will eventually find us,” I warned.
“We know that,” he assured, easing some of the tightness from my chest.
My breaths stilled as I waited for him to continue but I didn’t push him. Instead I watched him work, his mind concentrated on the intricate detailed lines of the knot. When he drew up the outline, we decided to just keep it simple to begin with and we could always add on later. I’m sure his artistic mind was already whirring with ideas on how to expand the design.
“You’re right,” he sighed, lifting the tattoo gun from my arm and the constant buzz that had hummed in my ears cut off.
My gaze flicked between him and my arm, a protest poised on my lips, until I realized he’d finished. My eyes locked onto the intricate design, and I vaguely wondered how much time had passed. He’d flicked on the overhead lights so that he could see what he was doing, but I hadn’t even realized the sun had already set, the moon low in the sky still. The design felt like a part of me already, my soul connecting to it on a deeper level, signaling the start of something new. And reminding me of my inner strength, just as the roots kept the oak tree alive and grounded, this tattoo would remind me of my inner strength, that fire that grew each day.
“We have to include you in the plans,” he sighed, drawing my gaze back up to meet his. He smiled back at me softly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. They were creased with worry as he looked back at me, and I reached out for his hand now that it wasn’t busy with the tattoo.
“It’ll be fun,” I teased, twinning my fingers with his. He scoffed at that but pulled my hand closer, a small grin tilting his lips. “Thank you for the tattoo.”
My chest warmed at the thought of a piece of him with me wherever I went, just adding to the meaning of it.
“Of course, little devil.” He grinned, and my chest warmed at the familiar nickname. His fingers lightly pushed a stray piece of hair from my face and goosebumps trailed in his wake, my nerves lighting up at the caress. I leaned into the touch, always needing more when it came to Kellan. Soft teasing touches were not enough anymore, not after I knew what he could do to my body—had pictured it for far too many nights tossing and turning in bed. He leaned in, taking his time as he closed the distance between us, his breath warm against my skin. His lips were inches from mine, but I wanted him to take control like he had the last time, to feel his passion for me with every brush of his mouth against mine.
“What are you two troublemakers up to?” a man’s voice teased in a singsong tone from the doorway. Kellan’s hands were already gripping me, about to pull me off the chair until we both registered who it was.
Spade leaned against the wall, the door slowly closing beside us as he watched us, his violet eyes twinkling in amusement.
“And what on earth are you wearing, sugar?” He chuckled, pushing off the wall to saunter over to us. His eyes traveled down my body and even with the bulky grey fabric hanging loosely off me, a shiver ran up my spine from the heat in his gaze. I’d unzipped the top of the hoodie slightly to pull my arm through the top, leaving the fabric hanging precariously just above my breast on that side.
“I think it’s pretty obvious.” I snorted out a laugh and his grin grew even wider at my response.
“Well there’s no way you can keep wearing hand-me-down sweaters and pants,” he hummed, shaking his head in disappointment when he looked toward Kellan.
“What?” Kellan asked incredulously, shuffling around for something on his workbench.
“Why didn’t you get her some proper clothes before she got here?” Spade scolded, stepping up to my other side and placing his hand on my shoulder. I relaxed a fraction at his touch and stifled the giggle that bubbled up at his question. Clothes were probably the last thing on anyone’s mind for the last few days, so it was completely understandable—but I couldn’t help but let Kellan suffer under Spade’s sardonic look.
“Spade,” Kellan warned, and I turned to watch him gently pressing a cover onto my still-tender skin. He gave Spade a wary look once he’d finished, crossing his arm over his chest as apprehension creased his face.
“Come on, sugar,” Spade said gleefully. “I’ll take you shopping.”
Spade’sideaofshoppingwasn’t exactly what I’d had in mind. My brows furrowed and I gave him a sidelong glance as he pulled into the empty mall parking lot.
