Chapter 62

Ailee

The wedding date is set and plans are being made. I can’t believe in six months time I will be Mrs. Travis Leblanc. I can’t wait. We are getting married in the fall. My favorite time of year. I love to see the leaves change. If it wasn’t for me agreeing to my grandda’s wishes for me to have a traditional Irish ceremony I would have married Lug the day after he proposed. I’m ready to be his in every way. And I know ma would have wanted too. Grandda and da hired a wedding planner to help with the arrangements so I don’t have to stress much. She takes my ideas and transforms them for me. Lug and I just have to show up for certain things like tastings and fittings when she tells us.I like it.

I did make it known I wanted some of Lug’s traditions added in as much as possible. I wanted it to be an even mix of both of us. Grandda is even flying our family priest in from Ireland. He is the same man who baptized ma and myself. Lug has been a good sport about everything. When he is asked he will give his thoughts but he never volunteers anything. All he says is “ Whatever my honey wants, my honey gets.” It is slightly annoying. I want his input. So I have had to ask the other ol’e ladies about different traditions in the club.

Turns out there really isn’t any. Other than Viper being the officiant of the ceremonies. Merigold told me all the weddings so far fit the bride’s and groom’s personality. So I enlisted her and Lilly’s help to add some things to represent Lug to the ceremony since they are closer to him than the others. I will tell you about all the wedding details later. Today is an important day for two reasons.

The first is where I am now. I have an appointment with Tank. Of course I have Finn with me fresh back from some long overdue time off. I walked into his tattoo shop Reckless Tats. Sense a theme yet? I’m finally getting my mark. We checked with Dr. Donavan last week and he cleared me to get it as long as I was careful, went to a licensed artist and watched for infection. After we got the go ahead Lug took me to Merigold to have it drawn up. Merigold being her typical self has most of the design completed already. She told me she started it when she did the work for my kutte. She likes to keep the designs similar.

I look around Tank’s shop and the first thing I notice is how clean it is. I could eat off the floor. There are a few chairs with steel legs and red vinyl cushions for customers to wait. The walls are painted red and black in wide vertical stripes. Club colors I believe.A tall wooden desk for the receptionist to sit at. Behind the desk is a mural painted with the club symbol except instead of handguns they have tattoo machines. and Reckless Tattoo written across the top. Various magazines laid out on two end tables.

I trust Lug when he said Tank was the best and that all his certificates were up to date. But for some reason I didn’t expect it to be this clean and stylish. It gives a comforting vibe. The receptionist was wiping down the counter as I walked in. The next thing I notice and can’t help but smile at is I hear Lilly’s voice flowing through the speakers that are placed around the room. “ Can I help you?” the receptionist asked with a bored tone. A young girl maybe twenty three with long blond hair with blue tips tied in a ponytail. She is a little taller than me, about five foot ten. She is so skinny I swear I can see her ribs through her skin tight low cut tee shirt. “ Aye. I have an appointment with Tank.” I told her. She types on the computer then looks up. “ Sorry lady. Tank doesn’t have any appointments this afternoon.”

That’s odd. I’m sure this is the time Tank told me to be here. Lug was going to meet me here to have his done shortly after. I take my phone out and check the text Tank sent to make sure I didn’t get it wrong. I see I have the time and date correct. “ Miss, I do have an appointment with Tank. I have the confirmation text right here.” I told her. She huffs and looks at the computer again. “ Well, it isn’t here and he doesn’t take walk-ins. Especially ones that look like you. He is very selective about his clients. And that isn’t you.” she snaps.

I look down at how I’m dressed. Yes, I’m in a cream colored business pants set, emerald green shirt and matching cream jacket. There is nothing wrong with what I’m wearing unless I have too much covered up. I came here from a meeting. Or maybe she is referring to my size. I’m definitely bigger than her since I can eat better now. I have my curves back and I love it. So does Lug. So what is she getting at?

Is this woman trying to get killed? And how is Tank still in business if this is how she treats people? I don’t want to make a scene. This is Tank’s business, a man I respect and care for like a brother. I don’t want to get blood all over his nice clean floor. I know Tank is here so I ask “ Will you call Tank? I’m sure there is a computer mistake.” I’m trying to keep my composure. I don’t want to lash out. But she is really pushing my buttons. I’m not used to this level of disrespect. But I seem to get it often around here. Just another way Lug and my world differ but I’m not going to let it get in my way. “ I’m not wasting Tank’s time on this nonsense.” she smirks. I reach behind my back under my jacket. Finn steps back and laughs. I grab my gun having enough of this woman and put it on the counter. I keep my hand on it and turn to face her. It is pointing at her stomach. “ Now, lass. Stop running ye gob and call Tank.” I said.

She pales but keeps the additude up. Stupid girl. “ I will call the police instead.” She picks up the phone just as Finn yells. “ Tank, unless you want a mess and to hire a new receptionist you might want to come up here.” “ Hey, you can’t do that.” the girl says. “ You can’t disturb Tank like that.” she continues. I hear the clomp of heavy boots. More than one set so it isn’t just Tank coming up. I see Tank first then two other guys behind him looking at me then the receptionist curiously. Tank looks at me then the counter where I’m tapping my gun.