Page 61 of Just Like That
I cuppedmy hands and peered into the darkened interior of King Tattoo. The shop door was locked, but a soft light glowed from the very back of the parlor.
“What if he’s not here?” Teddy asked as he also tried to peer through the glass.
“Veda said he comes in early.” I looked down at Teddy’s sweet, hopeful face. “This might work.”
When Luna rounded a corner from the back to walk up the main hallway, I knocked on the window, then jumped up and down and waved to her as Teddy grinned.
She waved back, a friendly grin spreading across her face. She pointed toward the door, and I met her there as she unlocked it.
Luna was dressed in black leggings, combat boots, and a cropped Pantera T-shirt riddled with holes. Her black eyeliner was fiercely winged, and her bold red lip was what dreams were made of.
“Morning, you two!” She chirped as she held the door open for me.
Luna’s attention landed on Teddy. “Is it time for your first tattoo? You know, we don’t open for a few more hours.” Luna smiled at me and winked.
“No tattoos today, but itiskind of an emergency—a fun one!” I wrung my hands, excitement and energy buzzing through me. “Is Royal around? I texted Veda and she mentioned he should be here.”
“Hey, boss,” Luna called over her shoulder toward the back. “You’ve got a few visitors. Couple of cute ones.” Luna turned toward me. “Thank you for the tincture. I’ve been smoke-free ever since. You have a gift!”
I grinned. “Happy to help.”
“Your aura is lemony yellow today.” Luna pointed, and her finger was stacked with silver jewelry as it circled in the air. “You’re up to something.”
Teddy stifled a knowing giggle and my eyebrows waggled. “We are!”
Royal King walked out of the first booth and closed the door behind him. He was tall and commanding. Tattoos covered his neck and trailed down his arms and across his knuckles. If it weren’t for his affable grin, he’d be downright intimidating.
“Morning, Hazel.” He nodded in greeting. “My lady mentioned you might be swinging by.” He crossed his thick arms and smiled. “What can I do for you?”
I straightened and hoped I didn’t sound certifiably insane. “Well, I’ve been thinking. JP’s always so focused on work. Teddy is still trying to get to know him, so ... so we want to do something to help him loosen up a little. Maybe have some fun.” My arms spread wide. “Kind of like a last hurrah before Teddy starts school.”
His eyes glowed with excitement as his eyebrows crept up his forehead. “Like a prank?”
My brow furrowed. “Um ... not a prank, no.” I looked at Royal and hoped he didn’t think I was losing my mind. “More like a ... kidnapping?”
Royal’s hearty laughter burst from his chest, and he pulled me into a tight hug. His shoulders shook as I struggled to breathe around his bulky frame. He released me, holding me at arm’s length. “I love you.”
I blushed and returned his grin. “So you’ll help us?”
He turned toward the desk where Luna was typing on the computer. “Luna, I’ll be back in time for my one o’clock.”
She shot him a bland look, followed by an eye roll and a nod before returning her attention to the computer screen.
He nodded in her direction, unfazed by her bratty dismissal. “Perfect.” He turned toward Teddy and gently tugged on his bow tie. “Let’s go mess with your dad.”
Later that day,as I stood outside my skoolie in a forest clearing near a bluff, nerves simmered beneath my skin.
Thismightnot have been my best idea.
My toe tapped as I impatiently waited for Royal to show up with JP. Teddy was inside the bus, reading his book while I checked my watch and my phone for the eleventh time.
Royal was later than we’d agreed upon, and I worried that JP had refused to come along. My chest pinched thinking about how I could break the bad news to Teddy that JP had chosen work over us.
The crunch of dirt and rocks under tires whipped my attention to the trailhead, and Royal’s huge truck rolled into view. I’d sent him a location pin so he could find us and was relieved when he pulled to a stop in front of me. Royal hopped out of the truck, but his mischievous grin gave me pause.
I frowned. “Where’s?—”
He held up a finger and rounded the truck before pulling open the back seat. To my horror, JP’s suit was rumpled, and there was a black mesh bag over his head.