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Atlanta, Georgia – Inked to the Max
Trevor
4 months pregnant
I’m in the middle of outlining the artwork of my client’s “Love” tattoo when Max gets a phone call. I’ve never been one to tune in to other people’s conversations, especially when I’m in the midst of my art. There’s something in Max’s tone that let’s me know she’s on the phone with my girl. I get excited then my stomach plummets when I see my pregnant boss and friend begin to move away from her station.
Maxine doesn’t move from her station—even in her pregnant state—unless being dragged away for a restroom break but never for a phone call. Deck does the dragging thing very well. I’m apologizing to the young redhead in my chair in the next second and in Max’s space by the time she reaches the kitchen. When I take a gander at the expression on her face, I know I’m going to have to break my promise to my mother. Moms is going to have to deal with me getting in trouble just once more. I don’t give a shit, I can hear fear in my girl’s voice from where I’m standing.
Tearing the phone out of Max’s shaking hand, I listen to the tail end of what Zoie is saying.
FUCK!
I internally scream. It takes me a moment to remember the phone in my hand isn’t my own. It’s my boss. I need to calm the fuck down and not lose my shit until I have the fuckers who did this in my line of sight. She needs me.
“I’m coming, baby. I’ll find you.”
I hang up the phone and gesture to Charise. She can see in my face exactly what I need. We’ve known each other the longest out of all of the workers here so she can read me better than most. Most, accept Zoie. Zoie would already be in the chair handling my client. I’m at my locker in the next few seconds. When I hear one slide into the chamber of a glock, I don’t need to turn around to know that Ollie is behind me. We’ve spent enough time at the ranges together to know what each of us carries.
“Deck’s calling Ballistic’s guy to activate the tracker. He also said Andy’s going to ...”
Tires screech outside the building and I hear a sharp whistle.
“Deck,” we both state at the same time.
I grab my own gun and knife along with an extra magazine before following Ollie out. Max’s eyes are watering. She and Zoie are like sisters. Zoie is godmother to her daughter. No words need to be exchanged. Everyone knows I’m going to do what’s necessary to get my girl back. Time was, Max and Charise would be heading out the door with us. Deck and Jared would skin their hides if they even attempted to load the weapons both have at their stations.
Hey, you don’t have the shop we have and bring in the cash we bring in without protection. We also don’t have time for bullshit. Most of us grew up on the streets and know all about the ignorant assholes who think they have a right to an area because it’s in their “territory.” All who live or work within three square miles in any direction know that every member of our staff carries or has access to a weapon. I used to be in the Army. Fucking IED shredding my leg pulled me out of there in a hurry. Still didn’t stop me from carrying or busting my ass to get my life back.
Sniper – Jag; short for jaguar; quick on my feet
I’ve pistol whipped a few guys for getting handsy with my co-workers. Inked to the Max is a family operated place. Fuck with family, deal with family. That’s what this shit is about. Zoie is mine. She’s been mine for years. We had to get through a lot of shit to get to the point of where we are. Some dickhead thinking he has the right to what’s mine isn’t going to happen. She’s my future, my one and only. Firing off a text, I climb into the back of the Expedition.
Zo’s Man: Breaking my promise, Old Girl. My Zoie’s been messed with.
Ma: Get the bastard and bring your girl home, Kid. Dinner Sunday.
Absolutely fucking love that woman. I note the fact that there’s a period not a question mark at the end of her response and smile. I snort. Moms knows I’ll be there with my Zoie in tow if I have anything to say about it. Nothing’s keeping us from our life together. Not even this bastard, Devin. I focus on my Zo; the beauty that she is.
Zoie’s eyes are light brown
Trev’s eyes are green
Masters of Arts of Psychology
Distressing moments w/family cause Zo to become inarticulate
Zoie calls Max, Toots
Sweets is Max’s name for Zo
Ilona’s kids:
Lydia, Sloane, and Sawyer is her hubby
Deck is 31, Bliss is 26, and Zo is 28
Bliss has reddish brown hair, creamy brown skin, freckles
Ellis calls Andrew “Boy Wonder”
Andrew is Zander’s little brother
Zoie’s room in the “children’s wing”
