by M. D. Melai
“Later,” was all Lorenzo said. Neither he nor Paolo looked like it was time for an explanation.
Lorenzo talked to Lucas for a few seconds before he turned to me and asked for my keys. When I handed them to him, he threw them at Paolo, and then we all headed out, leaving Lucas behind.
***
The ride home had been quiet, and Lorenzo hadn’t said much. When I asked him a question, he would just say Emilio and Dante could answer my questions later.
Great.
When we arrived at the house, we were met by a guard with a gun who waved both cars through the gates. The house and the property were lit up like a runway.
Lorenzo pulled up to the house, and Paolo parked my car in the garage. I was barely out of the car before Violet came storming out of the house.
“I’m so happy you’re okay!” she said as she almost bulldozed me, before spinning me in a half circle. “We were so worried about you. I don’t think any of us could have handled it if they took you again.”
“I was fine,” I said reassuring her. It was amazing how fast her attitude had changed. One minute she wasn’t talking to me, and the next she was.
Violet was in a frantic state. Everything she was saying wasn’t making much sense. Then she started apologizing profusely. I was trying to calm her down when someone walked up behind me. Instantly, I knew it was him.
Emilio was here. When I turned around, he was standing a few feet from me, just staring. My heart stopped as relief flooded his eyes.
It had been over a week since I had seen him, and yet, it felt like forever.
***
It had been the longest week of my life since then. The house had been full of people twenty-four seven, but mostly everyone stayed outside, only coming in for the necessities when needed. Emilio had stayed every night since then, and avoided me like the plague.
When I wasn’t at the house, I was at work. Dante had asked if I minded only going to work and back until they had a better handle on a few things. I was surprised that he even asked. Usually, I was just told.
I felt, for the time being, it was a good idea until Dante, Benito, and Emilio had a better handle on what was happening around us.
Violet and I tried to work from home as much as possible, but the few days we did have to go into the office, Lorenzo and Paolo accompanied us.
Emilio had taken my locket to the jewelers two days after Lucas took it apart. He even said that Lucas made a good choice when he took out the tracker.
“It’s exactly what I would have done,” were his exact words.
Emilio also reassured me that it would be as good as new in a few days, along with a new GPS locator that was being put in. Even though my back up didn’t have a tracker in it, I still put it on. I had felt weird without it hanging around my neck.
It was also confirmed that it had indeed been the Heinrich clan that hacked into both systems and took the phone.
Shocker.
Emilio’s security cameras at the club had captured them plain as day.
The funny thing was, the day after everything happened, I received a text from Faith telling me she was so sorry and that she didn’t know or she would have warned us. She also reminded me that she and Nikolas hadn’t forgotten about their promise to help me. She just said things were really messed up, and that their father was on the warpath, but she and Nikolas would make sure they stayed more informed on everything going on.
At the moment, my plate was so full between family, my business, and my nonexistent yet hypersensitive love life. I didn’t have much time to think about Nikolas and Faith.
Today, though, I had work to do. I ended up spending most of the morning at work, surfing Pinterest for an idea a client wanted to use.
While researching, I also delved into my own interest, and after a while, I came across something I thought I had to have for myself.
***
“You’re becoming an addict,” was the first thing Jasper said as I walked into the tattoo parlor. He was leaning on the front desk, waiting for me.
“I am not,” I said with a smile as I went to give him a hug. Lorenzo pointed to the couch, and I nodded as he headed towards it and sat down.
“Yes, you are, but that’s okay. You’ve just got the tattoo itch,” he said, pointing to his body, which was covered in tattoos. “You ready?” he asked, motioning for me to go ahead and pass him. The snarky receptionist, whose hair was burnt orange this time, snarled at me as I passed.
I still didn’t know what her problem was with me.
I walked into Jasper’s cubicle and took a seat, while he stood and pulled a piece of paper off of his drawing board.
“Okay, how does this look?” he said, holding up the design I gave him.
“It’s perfect!” I said a little too loudly.
But it was.
The compass was not a normal compass. From what the description said online, it was a vector styled compass. It had the points for north, south, east, and west, and on the outside circling was the saying, “There will come a time when we must all choose between what is easy and what is right.” J.K. Rowling had it right, even if she was referring to something completely different. But right now in my life, it seemed to match perfectly, and I couldn’t get the saying out of my head after I found it.
Looking at my life right now, I felt like that was where I was at. I had so many decisions to make regarding myself, and I wanted to make sure I chose the right one, and not the one that seemed to be the easiest. It would be simpler to choose the easier path, but maybe the more complicated one was what I wanted? I had no idea.
Which one is the right one?
“Okay, let’s get started. You said something about your shoulder blade, is that still where you want it?” Jasper asked.
“Yes, it is.”
“Okay, next question…lie down or sit up?”
“Sitting up?” I said, unsure as I pulled my hair up into a high bun.
It took us both a few minutes to get started. While Jasper was preparing everything, I turned my back and faced the wall as I took off my shirt. Even though I knew I had on a bandeau top underneath, it still felt weird taking my t-shirt off in a tattoo parlor full of men and customers.
When I turned around, Jasper had magically turned the tattoo chair into an upright position.
“Okay, face holder on or off?”
“On is fine,” I laughed as he slid it into place.
And with that, I watched over my shoulder as Jasper cleaned my back, put the stencil on my left shoulder, and turned on the tattoo gun.
Now I could finally relax. I placed my face on the round cushion holder and closed my eyes for a moment. It hadn’t been long when I heard the door ding, letting them know another customer had walked in.
“Lorenzo, what are you doing here?” I heard him ask as goosebumps rose all over my body, and my heart almost stopped.
Lorenzo didn’t have time to respond before the receptionist’s voice raised three octaves as I heard her call him.
“Emilio! I didn’t see you penciled in today!” she said more feminine than I even talk. I could hear her boots clink with each step as she walked around the counter to be closer to him.
“I'm surprised,” he said flattered. “You do always seem to know.”
“I must have been preoccupied today,” she said a little less excited this time. “Never the less, I’m sure Ace is ready for you.”
“Thanks,” was all he said back before his question was aimed at Lorenzo again. “So, what are you doing here? Already off for the day?” he asked.
“You could say that,” Lorenzo said. “I’m just hanging out trying to decide if I’m going to get another one.”
Thank you, Lorenzo!
He was trying to not give me away. Maybe Emilio wouldn’t see me? I was hunched over with my head on a cushion.
Yeah, right. Glass walls! Just keep your head down until Jasper is done.
I hoped that since it was so late
that Emilio thought that I might be with Violet or Dante. If it were in the middle of the day, instead of well into the evening, then he might have questioned Lorenzo being here since he never left my side.
“Okay, man,” Emilio said warily as another man called his name. “Good luck with that.”
“Hey, don’t be so tense—it’ll make it hurt more,” Jasper warned me with a whisper.
I just nodded my head and tried to take deep breaths while concentrating on the constant buzz of the tattoo gun.
“Emilio! Long time no see,” Ace said with a slight southern accent, and I wondered which one of the artist he was here.
“It’s been a while. I have been occupied with a few things here and there,” Emilio spoke up.
“I hear ya man. So what did your dumbass do this time?”
“Dumbass just about sums it up as usual,” Emilio said solemnly.
“Man, I don’t know what to tell you anymore. She’s a beauty, though. She’s been in here a couple of times, and man oh man, I totally get it.”
I should stick my head up. I shouldn’t be listening to their conversation. Should I?
It sounded as if they were right across from me. Was there anyone in that booth when I came in? I didn’t see anyone—but then again someone could have been there. Maybe I should let them know I was here? Or maybe I wanted to hear this… needed to hear this?
Why hadn’t Jasper said anything? Was he paying attention and just waiting for me to say something? Or was he concentrating on the task at hand?
Emilio half laughed. “Yeah, she’s something else. She can keep any man on their toes having to deal with her.”
Deal with me? Was I really that bad?
I heard the tattoo gun start and Ace’s voice spoke again. “How do you deal with her going back and forth between you and ass hat?”
Emilio really laughed that time. “Ass hat, huh? That’s a new one.”
“Call it like I hear it.”
“He isn’t a bad guy,” Emilio said, “only when he wants my girl. Other than that, he really is a good guy. He works hard, he loves her probably as much as I do, and he would do anything for her. I think that is what scares me the most; is that he really is the better guy for her in the end, you know?”
Okay, now would be a good time to look up! Look up! Don’t finish listening to this!
Shut Up! Keep listening!
“What does she say?” Ace asked.
“Not a damn thing to either of us. So I did what I thought was best… I think.”
“What the hell did you do now?”
“I moved out,” Emilio said matter of fact.
“Damn, that’s bad dude. Do I even want to know?”
“It was a momentary lapse in judgment, or anger more like it. That woman gets under my skin like no one I have ever met. She drives me insane, and sometimes I want to strangle her, but…” He trailed off for a moment before he finished. “But I love her so damn much. I can’t handle watching her make decisions I’m not okay with.”
“Yeah, I understand man. But they’re her decisions, not yours,” Ace advised.
“That’s something else that scares me.”
That was it. I had to look up. I couldn’t listen to it anymore without him knowing I was here. It was like I was listening to a private conversation I wasn’t supposed to hear. Plus the pain of the night he moved out was starting to come back, and a sob escaped me before I could even stop it.
“Oh shit, Lily, did I hurt you?” Jasper asked as he turned off his tattoo gun, moved in front of me, and knelt down to meet my eyes. “I’m so sorry if I did.”
I lifted my head slowly and tilted it to the right, not even paying attention to him. Just over Jasper’s right shoulder, Emilio was lying on the tattoo table straight across from me. He couldn’t see me, but I could see him. Then Ace looked up and our eyes met.
“Emilio,” he said before he nudged him and motioning my direction.
Emilio sat up quickly, and our eyes connected instantly.
“Did you hear all of that?” was the first thing that came out of his mouth.
“Uh huh,” I said with a nod. “I didn’t… I mean, I couldn’t… I’m sorry.
Chapter 16
“Lorenzo,” Emilio called out, not taking his eyes off of mine.
I looked away for a split second towards Lorenzo, who was still sitting on the couch upfront.
“Yes, Boss,” he said, laying down the magazine, before looking up and meeting my eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he mouthed at me as he headed towards Emilio.
“What do you need?” Lorenzo asked Emilio as he stepped in between Emilio and me, blocking my view of him.
“You can go home now,” Emilio said politely. “I will take her home.”
Lorenzo turned towards me, before turning back around.
“It’s okay, Boss. I don’t mind waiting around for her.”
“No,” Emilio said a little more stern. “I will take her home, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay,” was all Lorenzo said, before turning in my direction. “I’ll see you in the morning, Lily. Have a good evening.”
I gave him a reassuring smile that I was okay with it, and told him I would see him in the morning. He gave me one more ‘I’m sorry’ look before he headed towards the door.
I watched him as he walked out the door before I turned my attention back towards Emilio, who smiled, laid back down, and motioned to Ace to get back to work. The tension between the two of us could be felt by everyone in the shop.
“You ready for me to finish?” Jasper asked, making me tear my eyes away from Emilio.
“Yes,” I said, my voice sounding almost shaken.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I said more convincing.
“Just relax a little more. I’m almost done,” he said, turning on the gun again.
Easier said than done.
As Jasper finished my tattoo, I sat there mentally kicking myself. Why had I looked up? I could have listened to the rest of their conversation and it might not have been so bad—right? Emilio’s words ran through my mind over and over again, but one thing in particular kept coming back to me.
Lucas was the better pick.
He was amazing. Why wouldn’t I want to be with him? I would be crazy not to choose him. He let me do whatever I wanted to do, no questions asked. There was a sense of freedom that I had with him. But I always knew I was safe with him, and I loved him for that.
But then on the other hand, I would be crazy not to choose Emilio either. He didn’t always react the way I would like for him to, but he was a good man, and he loved me just like I loved him.
Growing up, I never understood how anyone could love two people at once. I always thought it was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard of. In my mind, it was impossible—that was until my heart made it possible.
As soon as Ace finished Emilio’s newest teardrop, Emilio sat up and Ace went straight to work on a piece on his bicep. I tried not to look at him, but it was hard. He was beautiful.
The number of teardrops had grown since the last time I had seen him shirtless. Just by a quick glance, I would say there were at least four new ones, including the newest edition that was bright red and staring back at me like a beacon. How many more would he add? How many would be because of something I did and not him?
I also saw the scar from where he took the bullet for Elle. I lost my father that day, and I almost lost Emilio too.
When Jasper finished up, I got to take a look at my new beautiful artwork. It was exactly the way I pictured it. After cleaning and bandaging me up, I went and sat upfront while Ace finished up Emilio.
The receptionist shot daggers at me for the next thirty minutes as I tried to concentrate on anything but what my conversation with Emilio might be like after this.
Emilio’s voice and touch startled me as he reached down to get my attention.
“You ready to go?” he asked
, looking down at me.
I nodded my head as I got up and headed towards the door.
“Goodbye, Emilio,” a high floaty voice rang out as we reached the door. “See you next time.”
This was my chance to turn around and shoot daggers at her.
“I really dislike that woman,” he mumbled under his breath.
“What is her deal anyways?” I asked.
“Jealous?” Emilio said with a smile.
“I’m not jealous.”
“Whatever you say there eavesdropper.”
“I was not eavesdropping….” I was trying to defend myself when I realized Emilio was laughing and smiling at me.
“Don’t get all upset. I was just teasing you.”
I realized then that he was trying to lighten the mood some. I shook my head slightly and smiled back up at him.
“Sorry. My nerves are shot. Anyways, back to her.”
“She is Maya.
“I’m pretty sure she hates me,” I said still laughing.
“I'm sure she isn’t too fond of you. She did my lily tattoo on my chest. I had just broken up with you two days earlier and was a complete mess the day I walked in. Ace was out, and I wanted it done, so I had Maya do it. I told her my whole sob story and she listened. Anyways, long story short, she’s got a thing for me, and hasn’t let up since. She can’t take a hint,” he said as we reached his car door, and he opened the passenger side for me. “She just wishes she was you.”
I climbed in and he was about to shut the door before he turned to me. “Of course, she could never be you, Lily. No one could.”
***
“Before I forget,” Emilio said as soon as we walked through the door of my house.
I jumped a bit at the sound of his voice. It was the first words he had spoken since we had left the city. The drive home had been eerily quiet. I was lost in my own thoughts about today’s events. Emilio must have been the same way.
“Let me give you this.” He stood there fumbling around in his pocket for a few more seconds before he pulled out a black velvet box. “The jeweler finished your new locket today.”
“That’s great,” I said as I smiled at him. “My nails need to be done, and Violet’s been busy so I was going to have to drag Lorenzo to the salon with me tomorrow. Now I won’t have to!”
