Adam hurried into the shop and found Fallon getting her station ready. He popped his head in. “What are you doing here on your day off?”
She spun and gave him a tight smile. “How is she?”
“Danika? Upset. She was really hoping being a werewolf was the answer. She doesn’t like our other option.”
“So I gathered. I think she’ll come around. Right now, I’m getting ready to make it so her asshole of a father can’t leach any luck from her or anyone else. Anyone with my tattoos should be safe. Which means maybe we should give you a little extra detail somewhere so I can work the magic before Robert brings him.”
His brow pinched. “Uh…yeah, okay. Will that work?”
“Yes, and if I can convince Danika, I’ll add a little detail somewhere, just to protect her too. I know you’ve done all of her ink.”
“Most. But yeah, I can convince her. Especially if you do the same for me. In fact, I know what I want you to do. I want her name.”
“What about Makayla?” she asked.
His face lit up. “Put the three of us in the design. But we’re not putting needles anywhere near my bluebird until she’s old enough to give some serious thought about what kind of ink she may or may not want.”
“No, but you could have Devlin work the same magic into a bracelet, anklet, anything.”
“Yeah, okay. Where do you want me?”
Fallon grinned. “Don’t you have someone coming in?”
“Yeah, but Henry won’t be here for an hour. And I may have to come up with something to tell him. I’m sure Anne told him about Danika.”
“Sit.” She pulled out a blue ink and nodded to the arm of the chair. “Put your arm face up. I’ll do it on your inner wrist.”
“Okay.” Though he dreaded that spot. He knew it was tender. So many clients winced and whined through the inner wrist.
Before he could think, Fallon cleaned the spot and quickly made a spiraling circle with their three names in a scrawl.
“You’re much too good at this. I’m surprised all my clients still come to me.”
She snorted. “You’re talented too. Just no magic to back that up. They come to me for the magic.”
“And the tattoos that practically come to life. I’ve seen your tattoos move. Shit, I can’t stare at Preston’s work too long without noticing water rippling, wind blowing hair, and a glow emanating from his blades.”
“Never noticed Brody’s move?”
“Oh, I have. But he didn’t go for nearly as dramatic.”
“No, but there’s a story in the ink I put on him. At least what I designed.”
He smiled. “You know, you two fit so well together. Think Danika and I are going to mate?”
“Without a doubt. Need us to take Makayla off your hands again? Make sure you two have time to properly enjoy that aspect?”
“God, do you think we don’t have sex when she’s around? And please don’t attempt to tell me you two don’t bone with the twins in another room.”
She laughed. “It’s not that. Things are more intense when the bond forms. You won’t want to stop for anything.”
“Yeah, well, Makayla sleeps sound. That’s not going to be an issue. And I’m not convinced we didn’t form some kind of bond before this.”
“She is part Fae. You may have formed their version of a mate bond, but I don’t know many unawakened Fae.”
“I don’t know.” He let out a breath. “She scared me today. I thought I might lose her.”
“You won’t. We’ll find a way to convince her. Amethyst is already talking to her brother. They may be in later to give you some ideas on how to broach the topic if you haven’t already started.”
“And you’re taking away Finnian’s ability to steal luck, right?”
She nodded as she sprayed the new design, then wiped it. She slathered ointment over the tattoo. “Let’s hope it works correctly. I’ve never done a spell to keep an ability under lockdown.”
“But you’ve already protected everyone you’ve inked?”
“Robert believes so. Finnian can’t leach luck from him or Preston. He thinks it’s because of their tattoos. I get the principle behind it. I talked to Tremaine. He says it’s possible. Might backfire for Finnian eventually, but hey, that’s okay, the guy is a world-class douchebag. I had a few run-ins with him forever ago.”
His brow cocked. “How well did you know him?”
She snorted. “Only enough to know he believes the world revolves around him, and that there is something seriously wrong with him because he draws luck like a vacuum. I get why she doesn’t want to be like him. Just have to convince her she won’t be.”
“Easier said than done.” Adam closed his eyes. “I’ll find a way, though. I have to. Maybe if she hadn’t insisted I become a werewolf the same time she tried, I could let it go.” A sad laugh escaped. “No, I’d still be begging her to sleep with someone else.”
Fallon smiled. “Because you love her more than anything.”
“Of course I do. Makayla too.” He rubbed over his heart. “And this way, Makayla can have a brother or sister or two.”
“Very true.” She grinned. “You want more little people running around.”
“Don’t you?” Adam asked, one brow arched.
“Not yet. Two are a handful. Give me time, and I’ll want more. We’re not done.”
“Good, because I know Brody would be happy with a houseful of kids.”
“There was a time I never wanted kids. But now, with Brody, I will be happy with more. Now get out of here. Henry will be early, and you need to figure out what to say to him.”
“Got to say something to buy Danika enough time to figure out how to tell them the truth. And I want to talk to Amethyst and Dakota. See if they have some insight for me.”
* * * *
Robert entered the interrogation room, walked over to Finnian who glared at him, and placed a hand on his shoulder. He yanked consciousness from Finnian and his head slammed forward. “Coming?” he asked Preston.
Preston’s brow’s pinched. “Yeah. You okay?”
He took a slow breath. “Ever feel like you need a break from all these assholes?”
A laugh bubbled up. “Yeah, been there. I took my break and got pulled back in. Maybe you need to step back and take a less active role for a little while. You’re being pushed too far.”
Robert rolled his eyes. “Why’s that?”
“Assholes? I remember when you hardly ever swore.” Preston took a seat. “Seems to happen more and more. Not that it’s a complaint, but your restraint is ready to snap.”
“Maybe it’s being with Liz and Tremaine. They’ve loosened my tongue.”
Preston’s brow cocked. “It’s more than that. I remember a time you would have handed Finnian over to the Council and let them sort it out.”
“What would you have me do? He’s a threat to everyone around him. He can’t control the ability to take luck and I was in his memories long enough to see how many have died just by being around him. And he doesn’t even notice. And now he’s around Edenton where my friends and family are.”
“I get it and agree. Comes as a surprise. Probably because this is a new side. Still, I think you need a vacation.”
“I do. More than you know.” Robert ran a hand down his lapel. “Let’s get him to Fallon before I second-guess my decision.”
“It’s the right one, Robert.”
“Yeah, but what if his luck runs out? I’m streamlining his death. At least we’ll all be safer.” And after Emily called to tell him what happened to Danika, he really didn’t want to let Finnian make her decision harder.
“Very. Now let’s hope this asshole doesn’t fuck with Danika’s decision.”