Tiny's Sweet Obsession

44: Permanent Ink

Tiny POV

That night, I slept for a few solid hours before the nightmare started, waking me in a cold sweat. I lay in bed for a while, letting my mind wander about anything but the current situation. I remembered a tattoo I had thought about a few weeks ago and knew now was the time. All of my tattoos have meaning, and this one is no different. I cannot draw to save my life, but I looked up some options and colors to have ready for him, and hopefully, Shotgun can work his magic and make it perfect.

By 6 a.m., I gave up on sleep, so I got up and ready for the day. Whiskey, Kayla, and Ginger were downstairs with Ellie hanging out. Kayla requested pancakes with berries, bananas, chocolate chips, caramel, and whipped cream. However, Whiskey said he would make a plain pancake mix, and we could dress our own since Kayla's craving was a bit... odd.

Whiskey and Kayla disappeared into the kitchen, and I sat with baby Ellie, playing with her on the floor.

"You know, every time you're in the room, she lights up," Ginger commented, nodding toward Ellie, who stared at me with her big brown eyes. "You'll make a great dad one day."

My head snapped in her direction, eyes wide, and she laughed, sipping her coffee. "I mean when you are ready. I know you're still young and not ready, but I've seen the way you are with Ellie, and it's nothing short of great," Ginger said, smiling.

"Thanks, Ginger," I mumbled. "But my priority is to find Lily and ensure she is okay. Once that happens, I need to focus on what she needs before I can even think about a family, let alone a kid."

Ginger nodded understanding, and I played with Ellie until she fell asleep, allowing both Ginger and I to eat without tiny hands intervening. I piled my pancakes with bananas, chocolate chips, whipped cream and doused them with syrup. While Ginger chose a safer route of berries and dipped it in some syrup. Kayla, however, had everything and more.

Ellie woke up an hour later, hungry, and by then, the guys started waking up and trickling downstairs. I poured myself the last bit of regular coffee, making a fresh decaf pot for when Tiger got up. Coffee isn't my first choice of caffeine. I prefer an energy drink, but at this point, I will take whatever I can get.

I spotted Shotgun and sat down next to him. "Hey, are you in the shop today?" I asked.

"Yeah, I have a few clients lined up. Why?" he answered, eating his eggs.

"I have an idea for a tattoo, and I was hoping you could get it done for me today. I have some pictures for a reference point and a drawing, but it's not great," I laughed.

"Send everything to me, and I will let you know when I have something drawn. I should have time later today, but I'll let you know," Shotgun said.

I sent over my horrible drawings, causing Shotgun to laugh. Gears clapped my shoulder saying we had work to do, and we headed to the garage. Yesterday, we finished everything except three vehicles, assuming Ms. Landon didn't stop by again with another issue.

We rose to the shop and quickly found our rhythm.

After inspecting the Subaru, I found a nail in the tire and patched it before running a full inspection. Next, I had Gears help me push the Civic into the bay because it wouldn't start, and assessed it from front to back. I found a few minor issues, such as flat tires, eroded spark plugs, and a half-dead battery. The biggest issue was the engine itself.

I called the owner and told them it would probably be cheaper to buy a new car than to replace the parts necessary for the engine. They asked if we knew of a place that would take it for parts, and I said we would take it off his hands for the right price, and he agreed.

Gears came into our messy office covered in grease. "The fucking line popped on me, so I'm about ready to call it a day," he grumbled, wiping his hands on a rag.

"Works for me. The Civic is trash and is ours to scrap now. The owner will be by tomorrow for paperwork and his payout," I said.

"Great," he said, but I could tell he wanted to say more. "How are you doing today?"

"Better. It's nice to talk it out, but that's just it; it's all talk. I should be out looking for Lily! If it was a brother, we would be out there breaking down doors," I argued. "It's been eight days, and we have nothing!"

I pulled at my hair trying to wrap my head around how the last eight days felt like a year. Even when Tiger and Kayla went missing, it wasn't for this long, and I know I shouldn't lose hope, but it's hard when all I can do is sit around and wait.

Looking at Gears, I asked, "If we get nothing by tonight, I'm going. You coming?"

He rubbed his dirty hands through his hair and sighed. "Yeah. If we have nothing by tonight, then we start hitting houses. But you have to tell Killer and Hawk. I don't want to go in without someone knowing where we are. Let's be safe, not stupid."

"Deal," I said, nodding my head.

My phone buzzed, and I saw a text from Shotgun.

I have some time in an hour. Come on by.

Gears and I worked on the Mustang for an hour before I left for the tattoo shop. The bell rang above my head when I entered, and some brunette at the front desk stared at me like I was her next meal. She opened her mouth to welcome me, but Shotgun called for me, and I gladly bypassed the girl.

Shotgun sat hunched over an iPad drawing. I stood over his shoulder and saw a beautiful rendition of my drawing. Far better than I could have drawn or imagined.

"Thoughts?" he asked. "I can change whatever you want."

"I was hoping to get it done in color. A light purple, lilac color, maybe?" I suggested.

After a few moments, a colored rendition appeared, and I nodded. I took off my cut and shirt and showed Shotgun the empty spot on my ribs, and we got to work.

This is for you, Lily.