TIGER LILY- THE BRAVO BOYS [book two]

Chapter THIRTY EIGHT

Frankie Xiao

I sit in the backroom of the downtown tattoo shop, terrified and exhilarated all at once.. "Ye' look like ye' gonna be sick-- baby, ye' don't have to do this today.." River takes my hand, crouching down beside me as I take deep breaths of the lemon-bleach smelling air.. 

"You asked what I wanted.. I want it gone, River." I rub my neck nervously.. When River had asked me what I wanted to do and I had suggested this, I may have been a little impulsive in my decision..

But after visiting Ronan, both River and I had decided together not to dwell on unchangeable events and to spend the rest of the day on beautiful and joyful things.. Doing only what makes us happy.. 

I will never truly be free until the undesirable stamp on my neck no longer embarrasses and shames me as a disgrace.. So.. This tattoo is what will make me most happy today.. 

River's strikingly beautiful and midnight-haired friend Zoey had welcomed me graciously into her shop, offering to draw up something special.. A one of a kind artwork.. Just for me..

I think maybe she has an understanding of what my horrible brand means, because the way she looks at me is sad and sorry.. A little pitiful.. It is uncomfortable for me, yet compassionate of her.. 

Zoey looks up from where she sketches on her paper at a small desk in the corner.. "Don't patronise the woman, Riv, she knows what she wants.."

River snickers, leaning his head against my shoulder like a sweet pet and my affectionate fingers slip through his silky hair.. "Did I patronise ye', Lilly?" 

I shake my head with a quiet giggle as he snuggles against me.. "Never, Tiger."

He straightens up and makes a mocking face at Zoey.. "Seems it's not me who has the problem.. What's with the mood, Lassie?" 

Zoey sighs, pushing up to her feet coming to show me her design.. "My pops got picked up on another B&E last night, so I spent the entire morning down at the station--" She holds out the paper to show me a beautiful pink lily flower, with soft edges and watercolour splashes.. "Here, Lilly.. Let me know if you'd like to change anything.."

"Oh, so pretty.. I wouldn't wish to change it at all.." I beam at her, humbled by her talent and so grateful for her kindness.. 

"Well, cover-ups just happen to be my specialty, and I want this one to be perfect.. You deserve a beautiful tattoo.." She pets my shoulder sweetly.. "Don't let him talk you out of it either, I have some anesthetic cream if you don't take pain well, It'll be over before you know it.." Zoey smiles with warm generosity in her glowing eyes.. 

River agrees with a happy nod.. "Aye.. That's a fine idea, Zo.."

I rub my neck again.. "Yes, that sounds good.. Thank you, Zoey."

"My pleasure!" Zoey begins setting up her equipment, choosing different inky colours and pulling on a pair of plastic gloves.. 

River watches Zoey work as she sprays some kind of liquid that smells like alcohol over her bench.. "Sorry to hear ye' Da's been causin' ye' so much trouble-- anythin' I can see to?" 

"Not unless you know a good lawyer.." Zoey shakes her head, handing a small white tube of ointment to River who shrugs before he settles down beside me.. 

"I know a couple.. Ye' could call Kirby Paxton.. The woman has some pull and owes me a few favours.." River offers..

"Yeah? Maybe I will.." Zoey smiles.. "Thanks, Riv.."

The Tiger turns his attention back to smile at me with those precious jade-stone eyes as he untwists the cap of the anesthetic cream.. "Can I?" 

I nod, leaning back and turning my cheek so that he can rub the tingly cream over my old tattoo.. I am anxious for the pain but impatient to be freed from the ink that marks me as enslaved..