Page 314 of Knox Academy Omnibus
“No...You can’t fire him. I won’t let you.”
“Your safety is important, and you keep giving him the slip.”
“Give him one more chance. You can even get Onyx to yell at him about it. I promise that I won’t accidentally-on-purpose jump out of the bathroom window anymore.” He just shakes his head at me. “And one more thing: do I get to choose the tattoo and where it goes? No offence, but the ones you guys have are kind of ugly.”
“They are not ugly, they’re a symbol…”
“Yes, I know of brotherhood and blah blah blah. But shouldn’t the women be able to have something a little nicer, more feminine?”
“I can’t see why not. As long as it looks like a Celtic knot.”
“Have I told you recently that I love you?”
Sawyer’s smile spreads from ear to ear. He tells me that he loves me too and turns up the radio. I sing along to the songs I know and before long we are pulling up to a house.
“No shop?”
“It’s a favour. My guy works from home.”
Of course they have someone within The Order to do their tattoos. I’m tempted to shake my head but then I remember Sawyer telling me about his cover up tattoos the night we met. How he made himself earn each one. It made me instantly admire him beyond the physical, and so if this guy had any hand in helping Sawyer become the amazing man he is today, I have nothing but respect for the guy.
Plus, Sawyer’s ink is shit hot, so at least I know I’ll be in good hands.
We both exit the car and walk up to the door. Sawyer knocks and we wait for a few minutes before an older man opens the door.
“Sawyer! Nice to see you again. It's been a while.”
“That it has,” Sawyer agrees, shaking the man’s hand.
“And you must be Amelie. I’m Ross. I’ve heard so much about you.”
He extends his hand to me and I take it in mine. “Nice to meet you.”
He leads us inside and guides us to a living area. The house is very minimalist. A small couch, a coffee table, and a couple of indoor plants.
“Take a seat, Sawyer, and we’ll be back soon.”
“I don't think that’s a good idea. You know how important Amelie is to The Order,” Sawyer immediately protests.
“I’ve been a part of The Order since before you were born. I’m loyal,” Ross chastises him.
“To The Order or to my grandfather?” Sawyer asks.
“To The Order, of course,” Ross answers sharply and Sawyer nods his head.
Convinced, he takes a seat and I follow Ross through a hallway and into a small, private tattoo studio. He doesn't speak much, he just starts setting up his tattoo machine.
“Do you have any requests before we start?”
“I’d like to make the symbol more feminine. I feel like with women being able to be involved now that we shouldn’t have to get a manly tattoo if we don't want to.”
He sits on a small stool with wheels and scoots himself over to a small table. “I did hear about that. Brave move. I can’t say I envy you.”
“Why’s that?”
“Just between you and me. Harold has been on a power trip for a long time. He’s not an enemy I would want.”
“I suppose you’re right, but there isn't much I can do now that I’m in, and I don't really fancy the only option to get out.”
