Free Shattered & Scarred: The Sacred Hearts MC by A. J. Downey

that a little time too.” He said. I plated his toast and went and got him butter and jam out of the fridge.
    He sat at a table and I joined him with the rest of the eggs and some toast of my own. We ate in relative silence.
    “What were you planning on doing today?” he asked.
    “Laundry…” I answered softly.
    “I’ll show you where the machines are at.” He said.
    “Thank you.” I murmured.
    I cleaned up the breakfast dishes and followed Dragon on a tour of the clubhouse, specifically where the laundry machines were, which was outside, out back on a covered porch. He left me back at Ethan’s room after showing me where he could be found should I need anything.
    It was quickly made apparent to me that Dray was nothing like his father, which was a shame. I liked the older man. He was more like Ethan, having much the same vibe. I checked Ethan’s pockets and washed his clothes along with the few things I’d worn so far. I cracked one of Chandra’s romance novels while the clothes washed and was decently engrossed in it when I switched them over to the dryer.
    I folded and put everything away and watched Les Mis all the way through from the beginning. I got up after that and went into the kitchen and prepared a meal, then went in search of Dragon. I knocked softly at the edge of his open door. He looked up from a book of his own and said,
    “What’s up Chica?”  I chewed my bottom lip.
    “I would like to take Ethan some dinner. He didn’t come back and I think it’s safe to assume he’s at work.” I said.
    “Yeah he should be.” He looked me over.
    “Dress as warm as you can. Meet me out front.” He said and heaved himself up.
    I was already in jeans and my sneakers I went and grabbed a sweater from the closet and then snatched one of Ethan’s hooded sweatshirts down. If Dragon said to dress warm I felt a motorcycle ride in my future.
    I pulled it on and went out front. Dragon looked me over.
    “It’ll have to do.” He said looking me over. I picked up the plastic grocery bag with Ethan’s dinner in it off the bar and looped my wrist through it.
    “Come on.” We went outside and he put a helmet on my head fastening the chinstrap all the while giving me instructions on what he expected out of a passenger.
    I listened gravely to what he was saying.
    “Last, but most importantly.” He said, putting a finger in my face and I listened, rapt. “Enjoy the ride Baby.” and I smiled. He grinned and got on. I got up on my own with a little trepidation and held on for dear life as he started the machine. I felt the vibrations in my tailbone go all the way up my spine and he stuffed my hands in his pockets.
    “Since you don’t have gloves, keep ‘ em there!” he shouted. I nodded and we lurched forward. I bit down on a yip of surprise and tried not to stiffen up and to go with the flow.
    My heart pounded the whole thirty minutes to where Ethan worked and I realized I had no idea what he did. I was surprised when we pulled up outside a tattoo shop. Though after the artwork on his note that morning, I really shouldn’t have been. I just imagined him doing something more labor intensive I guess.
    Shame on me for stereo typing.

Chapter 7
     
    Trig…
    I laid some blue ink into the piece I was working on when I heard the door open. Chris, my counter man, didn’t say a word. God damned lazy fuck. I shook my head and continued working. I caught sight of movement out of the corner of my eye in the entry way to my station and looked up. I pulled the gun away from my customer and killed the power by stepping off the pedal.
    “Hey.” I said startled.
    “Hi.” She said softly. She was wearing her jeans and sneakers but was wearing one of my sweatshirts.
    “We cool for a break Donnie?” I asked my customer.
    “Fuck yeah I need a smoke.” Donnie pushed up and staggered toward the front. I stripped off my latex gloves with a snap and tossed them.
    “What’re you doin’ here Babe? Everything all