Page 16 of Retribution
“Sure, that sounds pretty perfect, actually … I have my portfolio …” Dakota reached into the backpack and pulled out a binder of past sketches and references from other shops she’d worked at for the past two years. “Can we do an interview today?”
The guy chuckled and licked his lips. “Man, we could do with a little of your eagerness around here. I like that.” He took her binder and started flipping through it. “Have a seat on the couch and we’ll get started. It already looks like you’re better at black and white portrait pieces than our last artist …”
At that point everything became a fuzzy blur of nerves and apprehension as her world boiled down to winning over her possibly, new boss and being grateful that the universe had been so kind to throw this opportunity in her lap. The truth was that Dakota had come to town without any prospects. There hadn’t been any interview at all. She’d lied to Cobra so she wouldn’t seem quite so pathetic.
But now, everything was working out way better than she could have ever hoped for since her car had broken down. If life would unfold a little bit better every single day, maybe she could take her first real breath in years without looking over her shoulder. For a solid hour and a half, the fear she lived with in her gut a majority of the time, faded away.
For once, she felt peace.
“Well, everything’s in order here, and I’m impressed with your work and your attention to detail. Nothing’s lining up that’s telling me not to hire you on a trial basis, Dakota. If I can get you a contract today, when can you start? We’ve got a few appointments overbooked with the rest of the shop and spreading them around would give me a lot of good will.”
“I can start tomorrow. Does that work?”
The man nodded. “Great,” He handed the binder back and scratched the back of his neck. “Let me get that contract for you so you can go over everything and let me know if you have any questions.”
Dakota nodded and watched the guy head back into the shop. Everything seemed on the up and up here. The place was clean, well-lit, and the manager genuinely seemed to care about the staff and talent he brought into the place. It was like winning the lottery for tattoo places, and she tried to suppress a huge grin, not wanting him to think she was too eager.
“Oh, fuck, I’m sorry,” The man handed her a stapled contract and a pen. “I didn’t even give you my damn name. I’m Bucky. It’s nice to meet you.”
He stuck out a calloused hand and she shook it.
“I’ll be behind the counter making some follow-up calls, and that’ll give you time to look over everything and let me know if you have any questions.” Bucky tugged on his green band T-shirt, stuck his hands in his pockets then walked behind the large counter. “A few of our artists should be showing up in an hour or so for their first appointments if you want to do a meet and greet, otherwise I’ll figure out a staff meeting tomorrow so we can get you introduced to everyone. Sound good?”
Dakota nodded, read over the contract, and signed on all the dotted lines before handing it back. She also handed in her book, so she could advertise to the new clientele. Bucky shook her hand again.
“I really wasn’t expecting you today, but I’m glad you showed up. Payout is every other Friday, starting with this week. Are you good with that?”
She nodded, heart in her throat, as she thought that maybe her luck was too good to be true. For a beat, they stood across from each other, both of them silent. All of a sudden a chill skated over her skin and her heart began to beat out of her chest. Dakota knew she needed to get the hell out of there before she totally lost it and ended up on the floor in a trembling heap. Then Bucky would realize he’d made a grave error in judgement.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Dakota waved and rushed out of the shop, clutching the backpack to her chest while her brain spun with all the things she had to do before tomorrow to get ready for her new job.
She felt like an idiot and a newbie, but for a few minutes she stood on the sidewalk outside the tattoo parlor, soaking in warmth from the sun and trying to push down her nerves.That worked out great. My luck’s changing.But she figured the universe owed her one after having dealt with a broken-down car and getting drugged by a bunch of frat boy Neanderthals.
Dakota blew out a long, slow breath. No. She wasn’t going to focus on that right now. Those thoughts were too close to the surface of everything else that had happened lately and she didn’t want to deal with it.
At that moment, a sharp whistle split the air. She jerked her head up to gaze toward the startling sound. Across the street, Cobra was perched on his motorcycle, the metallic purple and chrome blinding under the strong summer sunlight. A helmet dangled in one of his hands.
“What the hell?” Dakota breathed out, her eyebrows drawing in with confusion. “What’re you doing here? Following me? You know that’s kind of creepy, right?”
Cobra’s expression was blank, but he inclined his head for her to come over.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. I told you I can handle this on my own, I don’t need a well-meaning bodyguard—”
“Breakfast?” His gruff, one-word shout from across the street made her stomach rumble in automatic recognition. “We’ll talk then.”
Dakota hesitated, unsure of how much longer she could remain impartial to him if they kept acting all buddy-buddy together.
“Get over here.”
She stayed rooted to the spot.
“I’m paying.”
With those magic words uttered, Dakota didn’t waste any time heading across the road. Cobra handed her the helmet.
“You ever ride on a bike?”
“I’m good, just hold on and pray, right? That’s how this works?”
He snorted, and she could’ve sworn she heard a little bit of laughter.
If Dakota wasn’t careful, she’d end up being the one who crossed the boundary.
