Chapter Seven

 

Sketch

 

     “Breakfasts on the side babe!” Drew shouts from the bedroom doorway, her long black hair drops down her back in waves and her grey eyes shine as she smiles. I swear to fucking god every time I look at her my heart grows. I never really wanted to fall in love, but when I started to spend more time with Drew and get to know her, I couldn’t stop from falling. The fact that she wanted tattoos turned me on more than I ever imagined, and I’m proud to say that I’m the only man who has owned her skin, I created that artwork and she wears it beautifully.

“Thanks.” I send her a wink and she disappears, getting herself ready for work.

Yesterday, I made her late for work and I’m not fucking sorry. I got to spend all morning with my girl, naked in bed and we had lots of fun in the sheets. For the rest of the day I was picturing her sore and remembering exactly how she got that way while I was on a security run at one of the strip joints. When she started texting me, moaning that the girls who work at the salon kept asking her if she’s ok because she was walking weird, I couldn’t fucking hold back that laughter. I was working with Scrappy and Devlin, so I couldn’t let them know exactly why I was laughing to myself all day. I think they got the idea though, because eventually they stopped asking.

Today though, I decided I needed to go and check in on the tattoo shop because since the strip club was raided, I haven’t really had a chance to spend as much time as I would like there. I have two guys and one woman working there, as well as Miley on the reception. She’s a member’s daughter, and it’s how she got the job because it’s well known that we like to employ people connected to the club in any of the businesses. One of the men working for me is actually a club brother, Doodle and I’ve been keeping in contact with him about the shop and between the both of us, the tattoo shop has survived through the past rough months.

I pull on a pair of jeans and a plain black tee, walking out the bedroom and collecting my breakfast from the side. Today, Drew has made me egg on toast for breakfast and as I take a seat opposite her at the small table, I gift her with a kiss on the cheek. I take my seat and Drew smiles across at me, and there goes my fucking heart, growing in size for her.

“Do you have to go on a run after you’re done at the shop?” Drew asks, taking a sip of her morning tea.

I shake my head because I have a mouthful of food. “Nah babe, I’ll be back here when you finish at the salon.” A thought comes to my mind, we haven’t spent a lot of time alone recently and tonight I’m free. “I’ll make you dinner tonight.”

Drew looks shocked. “Really?”

I nod quickly, trying to come up with something to cook. “Or I’ll take you out.”

She begins to laugh. “It don’t matter what you make Sketch, I’ll be happy with whatever.”

And I know she will. Drew is one of the most down to earth, loyal and sexiest women I know. She loves anything I do for her, and it makes me fucking adore her more. We get ready for the day side by side and say our goodbyes at the bottom of the door. Tasha and Lydia arrive at the same time, teasing us by posing kissy faces at us as the walk by. Drew tells them to fuck off and turns back to me when we’re alone again.

“Love you.” Drew smiles up at me, wrapping her arms around my waist and pulling me close.

I lean down and kiss her sweet lips. “Love ya too babe.” I reach down and squeeze her ass, making her groan against my mouth. God I fucking love that sound. “I’ll catch ya later.” I kiss her again and walk towards my bike. As I straddle my pride and joy, Drew follows me and pecks me on the cheek one last time before I pull on my helmet and rev the engine. Drew waves as she walks backwards to the salon. I salute her and take off, saving one last image of her as I ride away. As I make my way to the shop, I think about what I can make Drew tonight. I don’t just want to bang something in the oven and throw it in her face, I want to do something special. I know she like spaghetti bolognese but I don’t fucking know how to make that. I try to think of something I can actually make that will impress her but soon I’m pulling u in front of the shop as Miley gets out her car.

“Hey Sketch.” She grins. “I haven’t see you for a while.”

I nod towards her before pulling the helmet from me, ruffling my hair back into place. “All work and no play.”

She laughs and follows me into the shop where Doodle is waiting. “Hey man.” He nods, putting down his folder of artwork. I walk over to him while Miley is busy setting up her desk. “Heard from Prez?”

“No.” I shake my head. “What’s up?”

“He just called to warn us to keep our eyes open, there’s been some reports of unknown bikers rolling around.”

“Unknown bikers?” I ask and Doodle nods, taking a quick glance over at Miley.

“Yeah man, nobody knows who the fuck they are.” He rolls his eyes.

Steve then walks in, our other tattooist and it brings our conversation to an end. Not that Steve strolls right over, he’s had enough experience to know that when I’m having a private talk with someone, he needs to keep back and wait. Doodle nods at him as he makes his way to his room and set up his station, Steve gives me a quick wave and does the same.

“Sketch?” Miley calls me. “I just had a call from Sloane. She can’t come in today, her kids not well and she can’t get anyone to look after him.”

“Tell her it’s cool.” I let her know. “And to not panic.”

Miley smirks at me as she continues to talk on the phone. If I know Sloane as much as I do, she’ll, be feeling guilty as fuck about not coming in today but I ain’t an ass like that. I walk towards my own room, remembering how Drew came here and begged me to tattoo that virgin skin of hers. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit how fucking petrified I was at the thought of inking the daughter of my Prez, but I couldn’t turn her down and look where we are now. I wouldn’t fucking change it for anything. I log onto the computer that’s in the corner, and it tells me who has booked in with me today. I only have two this morning and they’re only small which will probably only take me about an hour each. This afternoon though I have one if the club members coming in to finish his back piece and I’m looking forward to that. I’d rather spend all day perfecting one tattoo than spend it inking little shit pieces.

Ten minutes later, I have my background music playing and Miley pops her head inside. “Your first of the day is here.” She grins.

***

I’ve just finished an adorable little butterfly on the leg of Sarah, a twenty five year old hairdresser who spent the whole time bragging about herself and bitching that her clients don’t shut up when she does their hair. I would have loved to point out that she spent the last fifty six minutes doing exactly the fucking same with me, but I like my customers to return, so I smile and keep my mouth shut. I walk her to the reception area, to Miley who takes care of her from there.

“We had a delivery.” Miley smiles from her desk when we’re alone. She bends down, lifting a box and I clap my hands in excitement. Laura, Drew’s mother often makes dinner pots and delivers them to the businesses connected to the club. I open it up and the smell of sausages hits me as I reach inside, eagerly opening up a foiled wrapped sausage and bacon baguette. Fucking yes!

“Good right?” Miley giggles. “I’ve already ate mine.”

I escape to my room to eat in private, just in case any walk ins enter the reception area. I reappear when I’ve finished, but something catches my eye outside. I drop the rubbish into the trash and stare out the window. Two cars have quickly pulled up. “Doodle?” I shout and he meets me by the window, leaving his client in the room.

“What’s up?” He asks and I nod towards the cars outside. Doodle frowns in return, watching beside me. The car doors open and I immediately dread what’s about to come. “Ah fuck!” Doodle shouts.

“Miley get down!” I shout, just as four men jump from the car, guns in hand and running towards the shop, bullets spraying everywhere. The doors open and I realise I fucking left my gun back in my room, but Doodle has his ready, shooting off the intruders.

One of them barges towards me, gun raised and aimed at me. I register the bullet piercing the muscles in my thigh, but I don’t let it get to me. Instead, I punch him in the face and he crumples over, holding his nose. I kick him in the side just before another one charges towards me but he doesn’t make it as a bang rings and he drops to the floor. Doodle is across the room, gun aimed right at him and I nod a thank you. Miley screams, and I see one of them men approaching her behind her desk. Shit. I run over, dodging bullets and kicking the asshole daring to touch her.

Miley looks up at me with large eyes. “Sketch watch out!”

But it’s too late, I feel the blade slicing through my back and hitting my ribcage before I can do anything else. The knife is ripped from me and all I hear is Miley’s screams as another stab comes to my back before I drop to the floor, Miley catching me and I see her covered in blood. Is it mine or hers?

“Call the Prez!” Miley screams. Her voice sounding further away than before.

The place seems quiet now, and I see Doodle over me, panic written all over his face. He collects his phone from his back packet, and begins screaming down the phone.

“Drew.” I try to tell Miley. I’m not fucking stupid, I know what’s happening and I need to see my beautiful lady’s face.

“Don’t talk Sketch.” She shushes me. “You need to keep all of your energy.”

Tears stream down her face and she shakes her head, watching Doodle and then looks back to me.

“This is my fault.” She cries. “I shouldn’t have screamed. You might be still alive of you hadn’t come to help me.”

“No.” I shake my head.

Miley then reaches across her, and I see her handbag in reach. She manages to get her hand inside and grab her mobile. Sobs escape her throat as he continues to hold me while unlocking her phone and dialling a number, bringing to her ear.

“Dad.” She cries. “I’m at the tattoo shop, men just came in with fucking guns, spraying everywhere and Sketch is badly hurt.” She then looks to me. “Ok, I can do that.”

She hangs up the phone and takes a deep breath. Whatever her dad just said has given her some strength.

“Doodle!” She screams and Doodle arrives a couple minutes later, covered in blood. “My dad said have you dealt with the bodies?”

Bodies?

Doodle nods. “They’re piled in the corner ready for Devlin in the van. Steve’s dealing with the clients in the back, telling them it was a robbery gone wrong. Prez will be here in five minutes with more men.”

“Ok.” Miley nods and then looks back down to me. “Then we need to get Sketch into my car and take him to the hospital.”

Doodle nods and gently slides his hands under me and I let out a loud shout from the pain. Motherfucker, this is gonna hurt.