Page 20

I couldn’t wait to immortalize Katrina on my skin like she had on my heart.

Chapter 6 Cuckoo

The bell above the door dinged as I entered Revelations Ink. Jacey stood at the counter, talking to a customer. She was one of the best tattoo artists in the shop and in high demand. When I came here, only two people were options. If it wasn’t Diablo, I waited for Jacey.

She spotted me and smiled, letting me know she’d be right with me. I stood to the side, letting my gaze sweep over the framed designs and wall of art. The detail and level of artistry was jaw-dropping. Diablo took photos of all his pieces when they were finished, but he framed the ones he loved most and added them to the walls around the shop.

It was a hell of a sales pitch, especially if you were on the fence about what you wanted or the size of the piece. When you saw the level of skill used, it didn’t take long for people to book an appointment or decide.

Me? I already knew what I envisioned, so I stood around, waiting for Jacey to finish, thinking Diablo must be off today.

“Hey, Cuckoo,” his deep voice greeted me as I spun, grinning when I saw the big fucker with his ripped jeans, close-fitting white t-shirt, and his shoulder-length dark hair. He’d grown it out since we last met, and the thick strands brushed the tops of his shoulders.

“Diablo. How the fuck are you?” I asked as we hugged, slapping each other on the back.

“Good, man. Real good.”

“And your family?”

“Gina is pregnant. We’re having a boy,” he declared, nearly puffing his chest with pride.

Damn. Diablo, or Dio as those closest to him called him, always wanted his own child. He loved Rev and Olivia, who wereGina’s kids from a previous marriage, but he longed for a kid with his own blood. Diablo also had an older son, one he loved and cherished like his own. Thunder was an adult now, but he stayed close to one of the most influential men in his life.

“Congrats! I’m thrilled for you.”

“Appreciate it. Rev and Olivia are excited.”

“And Thunder? How’s he been?”

Diablo tapped his heart. “Struggling a bit. Life, brother. But he’ll figure it out. He’s smart. And he’s always right here.”

“Which means you’ve got his back,” I added.

“Yep.” He ticked his chin toward me. “You lookin’ for new ink?”

“Yeah. An angel with my mate’s name.”

He blinked. “You found your mate?”

“Uh, yeah, I did.” I couldn’t help the big, goofy grin on my face.

“Well, that’s a fucking reason to get inked, brother.”

No shit. “You gonna inflict pain on me or what?”

He laughed. “Step into my studio.”

When he said studio, he meant it. Diablo had everything you could need for crafting designs, tracing and transferring them to customers, and airbrushing with the richest, deepest colors. He had the best coil and rotary machines and comfortable chairs. The lighting was usually bright, but I left my shades on.

Diablo was the only tattoo artist I let freehand designs on my skin. I didn’t trust anyone else not to fuck it up. It only took one “oops.” That shit was permanent.

“Tell me about the angel you want.”

He pulled out a sketch pad and began drawing.

“Gothic but pretty. Maybe some dark shading and a crooked halo. I’ve corrupted her.”

Or I will be. Soon.