❤ Innocent Rebel ❤

Chapter 18

¤¤¤¤. don't fuck with my feelings because you're unsure of your own ¤¤¤¤

************************************
Mia
****
The next morning Lex doesn't show to work until his first appointment. Which is around 1:45pm. When he does walk in, I look up and then my eyes immediately dart back down to the papers I am holding. He says hello, I give him a nod, but I don't look up at him. I pretend to be busy. He simply goes on about his day like nothing is weird between us.
Chris keeps me in good spirits, making jokes and hanging with me around the front desk, while he has some off time. I like Chris and I'm glad that he and Jess are official. They really are cute together. And I can't help but be a little jealous. I wish that Lex was as easy going as Chris.
The bell rings as a new guy walks in. This guy is the exact opposite of most of the guys who come in. He is dressed in a crisp clean white button down, rolled up to his elbows on each side. His blond hair is styled perfectly and his face is clean shaven. To be perfectly honest, he is very attractive. I greet him with a friendly smile.

"Hello, can I help you?" I say.

I finally take a split second to glance over at Chris. He is eyeing the guy sharply. I get the feeling that Chris doesn't like this guy and I wonder why.

"Aren't you a beauty," he says to me. "What's your name?"

I blink at him. "Mia."

He grins. "Mia. A pretty name for a pretty girl.". He then turns to the man standing next to him. "Hello, Christopher. It's nice to see you again."

"What do you want, Ace?" Chris hisses at him.

The guy, Ace, grins at him wickedly.

"I would very much like to speak with Lex, he is expecting me."

Chris rolls his eyes and moves to Lex's station to inform him of his guest. Ace leans on the desk with his elbows.

"Now, tell me how Lex got a lady like you to work here in this hell hole?"

It takes me a second to think of what to say but before I can open my mouth, he speaks again.

"Well, I guess even demons need an angel every once in a while."

"Back off, Ace."

I shudder from the heat in Lex's voice. They really don't like him. Chris and Nate stand on either side of Lex. All of them with their arms crossed and death looks on their faces. I lower my eyes. I could cut the tension with a knife.

"Well, well. Alex D'Amore. It's been a while. What have you been up to?" Ace asks, amused.

"None of your damn business. What do you want?" Lex snaps.

"My uncle wanted me to drop by. To discuss some 'business'."

This is about the gang. I just know it.

"Let's talk in my office."

Lex walks around the front desk to the room behind it. Ace walks half way around it but stops to give me a wink. I shudder again. Something about him sends chills down my spine. Nate and Chris stay close by. But they move away just enough not to see me press my ear to the door.

"She's a cute little thing, the girl at your front desk."

Little thing?!

"She has a name. And she isn't the reason you're here. So, get to the point."

Thank you, I mentally say to Lex.

"My uncle was displeased to find out that half of his order was missing. Since your father is a hard man to find, I decided to drop by and find out why our full order wasn't delivered."

"I spoke with your uncle myself when his order arrived. I explained the situation to him then. So I don't see why you would show up here, except to start some shit."

I can hear the stress in Lex's voice.

"Now why would I want to start trouble? Our two families have been getting along fairly well lately."

"Then if you have nothing else to talk about, I have a tattoo to finish."

I hear Lex walk to the door. I start to move away but then....

"Does she know? About your gang? What you do after hours?"

I hear a crash. Then a loud thud.

"She isn't involved. If you so much as show up here again, I put a bullet between your eyes!"

I have never heard Lex so angry.

"Have you told her? That you care about her?" Ace is laughing.

A hit is made. And I don't have to guess who did the hitting.

"Stay the fuck away from her. And me. And the shop. Matter of fact, I don't want to see your face unless I am bringing in an order. Understand?"

Another hit. I move away from the door before it opens. Lex is livid. His fist are closed and hanging at his sides. He doesn't see me. At the moment I don't want him to see me. I don't like the way he is looking right now. Like he is ready to beat the shit out of somebody. Lex walks down the hall and Nate and Chris wait to make sure that Ace leaves.
And he does.
But not before turning and giving me a grin.
His left eyes will be black in a few minutes.
And his lips is busted.
But he still grins.
When he is gone, I look behind me into the room they had just been in. The lamp has been knocked off and glass is everywhere. I need something to do. I find the broom and start to clean up the mess. Half way through, I stand to look at the woman starring back at me.

"I was coming to clean that...up."

I jump, not expecting Lex to be returning so soon. I feel like a kid having been caught with my hand in the cookie jar. He just found me starring at the woman in the picture.

"It's alright. I didn't have anything to do anyway."

I dump the glass into the trash can and take out the bag. I can't leave because he is blocking me only way out. So, I take a chance.

"Who is she?"

His brows knit together.

"Her?" I turn and point. "Who is she?"

His eyes dart up to the woman then fall back down to me.

"My mother."

I glance up at her again.

"She is beautiful."

He sighs. "Yes, she was."

I turn back to him. "Right. I'm sorry I forgot."

I turn ready to leave but he stills blocks my way.

"I..."

"Do people from your other profession come here often?" I ask.

"You know don't you?"

I nod.

"For how long?"

"Since the night I helped you. You have the tattoo. The black snake. On your arm. You're part of the vipers."

He raises a brow. "You knew and you didn't turn me in? Or call the cops?"

I shrug. "It wasn't any of my business."

"Thank you."

I look up to meet his eyes.

"Lex, I...."

I kiss him. My arms wrap around his neck and I press my body against his. I'm not one hundred percent sure why I kiss him, other than I just wanted to so badly. His hands fall to my waist. Our kiss is sweet but heated. But it ends when someone clears their throat.

"Excuse me, but can you finish my tattoo now?"

(Thank you all for the reads and wonderful comments.)