Emily's pov
The sound of the tattoo gun had always been soothing for me. I'd had friends who had become tattoo artists. My mothers friends were always getting new tattoos. I'd gotten my first tattoo when I was 15.
I guess that's why I felt so comfortable in the new tattoo parlour in charming. I'd applied for the job before it had even opened.
I had gotten so caught up in the current tattoo I'd been drawing up that I didn't notice a group of men walk in.
"She's out the back." I heard my boss, Paul, say and I looked up from my desk. The area was all open. There was no privacy unless someone came into get a piercing, in which they'd head out the back.
"Hey beautiful." Happy walked over and kissed my cheek.
"Hey kid." Tig smirked.
"Hey." The prospect said awkwardly and I smiled at him.
"What can I do for you gentleman today?" I asked and the prospect stood awkwardly.
"Prospect is here to get his first ever tattoo." Happy slapped him on the arm and he flinched.
"You know the rules Emily. No gang Tatts." Paul warned me.
"Yes boss." I smiled at him. "Alright prospect, what were you thinking?" I asked.
"I found a quote that I'd like." I raised an eyebrow and glanced at Happy, expecting a joke about how much of a girl he was being, but nothing came. Prospect gulped and handed me a piece of paper.
"We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness." I read aloud. "Any specific meaning?" I asked and he shrugged.
"My sister passed away when last year. She had leukaemia. She was scared of the dark, and I'd always stay up with her until she fell asleep." The prospect chewed the inside of his lip. I sighed and placed my hand on his arm. "I'd like it on my shoulder if I can."
"I have some ideas, I'm going to draw it up. Come back in about an hour and I'll have that done for you Sam." I used his first name which made him smile.
"Thank you." He turned to walk away but I gripped Happy's wrist.
"Hap is staying here." I told Tig and the prospect. They nodded and walked outside the shop.
"What's going on?" Happy asked me but I just smiled.
"Nothing. I just want some company. Take a seat." I pointed to the roller chairs and he smiled as he sat next to me. "Have you told the boys?" I asked.
"I've told Chibs. I figured we could tell them together when the time is right." Happy stared at me as I began to draw the prospects tattoo on the paper.
"I agree." I smiled as I played with the engagement ring on my finger.
"So what are you planning for the prospect?" Happy sat backwards on the chair and leant his head on the back rest.
"Okay so, the symbol for leukaemia is an orange ribbon. I'm going to have that and then the quote at the bottom between the ends of the ribbon."
"That sounds cool. Hopefully it works out. Sam and his sister were pretty close. He was destroyed when she passed away." Happy told me and I frowned at him. Happy didn't usually care much about people feelings unless he cares about them a lot. "I'm surprised you haven't gotten a tattoo in remembrance of juice."
"Juice betrayed the club." I clenched my jaw.
"He's still your brother." Happy argued and I sighed. He was right. As usual. I stayed quiet and continued to work on the drawing. An hour flew by and I'd finished. The prospect walked back in and he was extremely nervous.
"Don't worry prospect. It won't hurt too much." Happy reassured the boy. He must have only been in his early 20's.
"Here's the sketch." I handed him the paper and he smiled.
"It looks perfect." Prospect said nervously.
"I'm going to freehand it because that's how I do my best work." I said and his eyes widened.
"Prospect calm down. Emily has done most of my tattoos. She has freehanded every one of them. She hasn't fucked any of them up. You'll be fine." Happy placed his hand on the boys shoulder.
"Sit down prospect." I motioned to the chair and he hesitantly sat.
2 hours later, and a few cups of water and smoke breaks for the prospect, and the tattoo was finished. I smiled happily at my design.
"All done." I said and I saw the relief in his face. "I'll clean it off and then you can check it out." I sprayed that tattoo with water and then gently wiped all of the ink and blood away. I held up a mirror so that prospect could check it out.
"That's awesome. Thank you so much." He hugged me and I smiled.
"You're welcome." I stood back and looked at the tattoo again. "I like it." I said proudly.
I went through the usual protocol. I covered it in cling wrap and then went through how to clean it, when to take off the glad wrap and if he had any problems that he should just come find me. He went to the counter to pay but I stopped him.
"My shout." I smiled.
"But it's $300." Prospects eyes widened. I smiled and walked out the back to get the money from my wallet.
"Money is not a problem prospect." I handed my boss $300 in cash. My boss didn't say anything, he just placed the money into the register. The prospect hugged me and it made me smile to know that I'd helped someone. Tig ruffled my hair and then left. I kissed Happy's cheek before he left as well.
"Why'd you do that?" Paul asked and I shrugged. "Because he's in the club?"
"Nah. You saw what the tattoo was about right?"
"Yeah. I heard him say it's for his sister." Paul leant against the counter, I heard one of the guys talking to the woman he was tattooing.
"My brother had a similar tattoo for me when I tried to kill myself during my teen years. Brotherly love means a lot, especially in this world."
"I don't understand how someone as kind as you is caught up in a bike gang." Paul ran his hand through his hair.
"Bikers can be the nicest people in the world Paul." I said warningly.
"I have no doubt about that. But the Sons are different."
"How so?" I asked, not actually caring.
"The one with the snake on his head?" Paul asked.
"Happy Lowman." I clenched my jaw.
Paul sighed before continuing; "Happy Lowman killed my brother."
