Page 72 of Conceal

The dark-haired woman behind the counter smiles warmly at me.

“Head on back, Axel’s already waiting for you,” she says with a nod toward the back.

I give her what feels like a ghost of a smile and walk back to the station I’m used to.

I pull my shirt off unceremoniously and lie on my side. I’d texted Axel the painting I wanted done on my side and approved the stencil weeks ago. With everything with the wedding and Tati and the funeral, I’d been putting it off.

But the helplessness scratching at the back of my skull couldn’t be sated today. So it’s ink therapy.

Axel gets to work, spraying the area and wiping it, disinfecting it.

“You never did tell me what these paintings are...” he starts. Irritation bristles the back of my neck. I like Axel because he usually doesn’t talk. Maybe I should have gone with one of the other guys today for peace of mind.

Axel must have something up his ass because he doesn’t take my silence and a clue.

“Is it for a girl?”

I glare, but he can’t see it because I’m on my side, facing away from him. I pray this time my silence is a clue.

“It’s for a girl, isn’t it?” There’s a smile in his voice that I want to punch off of his face.

Silence.

“What’s her deal? Ya’ll together?”

I sigh. God, this is a story I don’t feel like reliving right now.

“Tatiana,” I reply, hoping it’s enough to shut him up.

But the hand wiping my side falters.

“Chernov?” he whispers, and I whip around.

How the fuck does he know her name?!

The color drains from his face as he stands, walking around his table and toward the front, but fuck that. Now I need answers.

I follow him to find him and Nikki, huddled together, whispering.

“How do you know that name?”

If he’s an enemy, I’ll end him here. If he’s involved with Vitale at all, I’ll end him.

But it’s Nikki’s dark, pitying eyes that temper that anger.

“I know your girl...” Nikki starts, and every atom in my body stills, hanging on her next words. Why does she look so goddamn sad? Shock is replaced quickly by need.

“How?” I nearly shout the word at her. She flinches and her men tense.

“I’m not sure it’s my story to tell. If she hasn’t told you...” Instantly I know what she means. If Tatiana hasn’t told me about meeting with Nikki, there must be a reason for it.

Fuck this.

I pull my phone out of my back pocket and FaceTime Tati. The call connects after two rings.

“Mik?”

I spin the phone so she can see Nikki and Axel, standing behind her now, a protective arm around her waist.