Page 26 of Back to Me
ChapterFourteen
Austin
Rollingmy neck as I walked out of my booth after finishing Jeremiah’s tattoo, I raised my hand and dug my fingers into my shoulders. Being bent over for that long was taxing, but he was happy so that was all that matters. Gabriella came in but we hadn’t really talked since she arrived. I had to get set up for my client and she had a few piercings lined up. By the time I came out, she had left for a break. She had stuck her head in saying she was heading out but would shut the door behind her. I had just sat down in my chair to work on the final details to another piece that I was working on. I noticed each time I was in her shop, Ally didn’t really have branding for her shop. Her shop was pink with white stripes and on the wall was a pink neon sign with her shop name on it but other than that, there wasn’t much to it. In between tattoo designs for clients, I had been working on a surprise for her and was hoping to have it ready for the weekend. If she liked it, I could then paint it on the shop’s wall for her and give her the name of the guy who did my shop for the front of hers.
I heard the front door and looked over to the camera, closing my eyes at the person walking through it. I really didn’t have the energy for this today. I leant back in my chair and crossed my arms over my chest. Raising my brow as he stopped at the office door, he put his hands in his pockets.
“Your wife is next door.”
“No, she isn’t, she is at home. That isn’t why I am here though.”
“Okay, what can I do for you?”
“Austin, it’s Ally.” I frowned and sat up straighter.
“What about her? I swear to God, if you start your shit, then you can turn around and walk out of this shop right now.”
“I thought you should hear it from me. There has been an accident. She must have been coming back from her parents’ place because she was just out of town. She is on her way to the hospital, and I am heading there after this.”
“I’m coming with you!”
“Lock up, I will meet you out at my truck.” After turning off my computer, I grabbed my phone and my keys and locked my office. I was just coming to the front door when Gabriella came in.
“Austin, everything okay?”
“No, I need to run out and will probably be gone for the rest of the day. If you want to stay, I can give you the key to lock up later and you can take care of any walk-ins that come in or I can lock up now.”
“Do you mind if I stay?”
“No, go for it.” I quickly unhooked the key from my keyring and gave it to her.
“Code is six-five-two-eight. Text me if you need anything. The key to my office is also on that. Can you lock any cash in there after closing and I will bank it tomorrow.”
“Go take care of what you need to. I’ve got this place.”
“Thank you, Gabriella.”
“Austin, please, call me Gabby.” With a wave, I ran out the door to where Cash was waiting for me. Getting in his truck, he motioned with his head.
“Who is that?”
“You should know.”
“Why?”
“It’s your boss’s daughter.”
“Wait, Chief Bryant?”
“Do you have another boss?”
“No but I wasn’t sure if you thought of Felix as my boss or not.”
“Last I heard, he was your partner, not your boss and he had no kids.”
“True on both counts. Why is Chief Bryant’s daughter working in your shop? Which daughter?”
“Gabriella. She came back to town and was looking for work. She worked with a mate of mine Gus out in Vegas, so I am giving her a trial. She is also helping me out with piercings.” He frowned but didn’t say a word. “What’s wrong?” He shook his head.
