My breath catches in my throat and for a moment I can’t move. How does anyone move forward from that kind of tragedy? But he has and he’s here, and he needs all the comfort I can give.

“I’m so sorry.” I wrap my arms around him, holding on as tight as I can.

“It’s part of the reason I don’t get seriously involved.” Ray strokes his hand down my back. “That and the fact I just can’t go through that kind of loss again. I’ve had enough for any lifetime. And I just can’t carry any more guilt. So yeah, I’m broken too.”

An ache blossoms in my chest, spreading through my body. So what is he doing with me? With all my hang-ups, I’m hardly worth the effort of a casual relationship. And yet, why worry about it? I don’t want a relationship either. I’ve had enough of opening up and leaving myself vulnerable. I’ve proved to myself time and again that I can’t trust my own judgment with men who take my breath away: Luke; my high school biker, Peter…and Ray.

“Sure. I understand.”

And I do. I just wish it didn’t hurt so much.

Chapter 13

You shouting at my girl…that’s my fight

Two minutes after I arrive at work Monday morning, exhausted and emotionally drained from spending Sunday with Jess dissecting my previous evening with Ray, Slim walks in the door.

“The boss is back.” He tips back his fedora and scratches his head. “Nice new digs we got here. Just had a meeting with Torment, and he said we could stay as long we need as long as Sia sticks around, so everyone play nice with her.”

“Why Sia?” Christos gestures his first client to his chair.

Slim shrugs. “If someone offers me free use of a fully equipped studio until my place gets fixed up, I don’t ask questions. Maybe he thinks having a pretty girl in the shop will be good for business. Maybe he wants to help out because her brother works for the club. Maybe he has an ulterior motive. I don’t care.” He turns to me and mocks a frown. “Don’t leave.”

“Yes, boss.” I give him a salute just as Doctor Death walks in the door.

“Morning all.” He flashes his brilliant-white smile and Rose almost melts into a puddle on the floor.

“Who is he?” she whispers. “He could give Chris Hemsworth a run for his money.”

“Just one of Oakland’s preeminent heart surgeons and a fighter and sometimes ring doctor at the gym. But he seems to go for women who aren’t available.”

“Well, I’m available.” She takes a deep breath and pulls down her shirt, exposing her freshly tatted cleavage, now fully healed. “And I’ve got a heart that needs a little doctor love.”

“Sia.” Doctor Death joins us at the reception desk. “I found out I’m on call every night this week, but since I need a cover, I thought I’d take the opportunity to spend some time with you and get it done by Redemption’s favorite tattoo artist.”

Duncan snorts a laugh as he straightens his workstation and Christos, already with his first client, mutters something about golden boys with silver tongues.

“Sure. Rose, do we have any openings today for a walk-in?” I give Rose a nudge, but she doesn’t move.

Doctor Death winks at her and then turns up the wattage on his smile. “I’m sure Rose can squeeze me in.” The word “squeeze” ripples over his tongue and Rose lets out a sigh. Slim snorts and heads to the back of the shop.

“Yes…of course…I can…squeeze you in,” she says, her voice uncharacteristically breathy. “How about now? I can juggle a few things around so Sia has a few hours free.”

“Perfect. I am indebted to you. You need a favor, just ask.” He leans over the desk and brushes a kiss over her cheek.

“How about lunch?” She lifts an eyebrow and Doctor Death startles. Aha. The master has met his match. Rose comes on all girly, but she’s a woman who knows what she wants.

“Lunch?”

“Today. Noon. You did say you owed me.”

His eyes glitter and a smile spreads across his face. “Indeed I did. Lunch it is.”

Duncan coughs. Christos chokes. I shoot them a warning look as I direct Doctor Death to my chair. Although he is rumored to have slept with a lot of women, Doctor Death is known as a decent guy, a skilled doctor, and a pretty good fighter. Rose could do a lot worse.

“So what do you need covered?” I take a seat as Doctor Death slides into my client chair and then pushes up the sleeve of his T-shirt.

His sunny smile fades when he points to the heart tat on his bicep with the name “Syndee” in the center. “I thought she was the one.” His voice is thick with dejection. “First woman I ever really loved. I wanted her inked into my skin forever, so I got two tats with her name on them. Went by her place to show her and caught her in bed with her second cousin twice removed, Gaylon.”

“Oh my.”

He lifts an eyebrow. “Not quite my reaction. But I had my justice. Gaylon will never perform that trick in bed ever again.”

Eeeep. Doctor Death may be pretty, but he’s clearly got a dark side. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”

His face softens. “Thank you. Means a lot to me. Only had my heart broken twice before. But I don’t begrudge Amanda and Makayla their happiness. I’ve decided the cover for that tat should be a broken heart so I never forget the feeling.”

Amanda and Makayla? I’d heard rumors, but I never really believed them. “That shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll work up a few designs for you. What about the second tat?”