Inked Fighter: Complete Collection (MMA MC New Adult Romance) by E. E. Griffin Page B

couldn’t believe Martel already had all my gear. That dude must have pulled some serious strings to get the equipment I needed on such short notice. I ran down the stairs through the hallway, outside, and around the building to where the truck was parked.
    “Holy fuck, how did you pull this off?” I asked Martel.
    “It’s not a big deal. Some of the stuff you asked for is still on special order. It might take a few days. Everything else was easy enough to find.”
    I watched as they unloaded boxes and equipment into the shop. Inside, I directed them where to put everything. They placed a custom counter about one-third of the way between the front and the back of the shop.
    In the back, they installed the tattoo chair and brought in a light box and a drafting table for drawings. On another counter along the back wall, they unpacked boxes of inks, needles, tracing paper, and sanitary supplies.
    There were stainless steel carts, new guns, an autoclave, and all the other myriad supplies I needed to run a tattoo shop. Martel even bought me a computerized booking and cash register system that I could use with a touchpad. All the software was already loaded.
    “Looks like that’s it,” said Martel, looking around the shop. “This is going to be a nice little addition to the community. Should bring in a profit real fast.”
    “Well, thanks, Martel. I don’t know what to say.”
    “Don’t say anything. Just do your work. That’ll be thanks enough. I’ll take care of all the paperwork with the city and state. You should be getting another box shipped here later today with the rest of your supplies. You’ll be good to go as soon as we get your business paperwork filed.”
    “You’ve got your first client already,” said Bill. Bill had never had me tattoo him. And I could understand why; I’d fucking hated him. He knew I could have easily given him an ugly-ass tat. Since he’d given me a ride yesterday, we were on better terms.
    “You want me to tattoo you?”
    “Yeah. You’re one of us now. I’ll pay full price and everything.”
    I was stunned. I rubbed my hand over my hair and stared at him. What did he mean, I was one of them now?
    “I’m not in the club,” I said.
    “We’ll talk about that later,” said Martel.
    I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers. He’d just given me my own tattoo business. I could back out now if I wanted, but the lure of standing in my own shop was too much to turn down.
    “Fine,” I said, noncommittally.
    The guys left me to organize the shop. I never thought I’d have my own place. While I might have been one of the best artists around, I wasn’t the most business-savvy person. Apparently, Martel was going to run the back end of the business, while the front end belonged to me. That suited me fine. I had no interest in dealing with books and accounting. Between my training and my art, there wasn’t any time for that.

 
    Chapter Four: Claire
    I stared at my phone. My stomach twisted in knots. I wanted to call him and go over to his new apartment. I couldn’t deny my body’s desire. Every time I saw him, I wanted to jump in his lap and shove my tongue in his mouth. When I thought of losing control and letting myself be that vulnerable, I went rigid like a statue.
    Regardless of whether or not Damien and I became a “thing,” it was time for me to face my fears. I couldn’t be alone and celibate forever. That would just suck. I wanted to have sex again. Maybe I’d do it with him. As long as it didn’t get too sticky or serious, it might be good for me. This time, I would be prepared.
    I had to do something about my fear. I called the clinic and made an appointment to get birth control pills. If I got on the pill, at least I’d feel safe.
    I left Rose with a neighbor down the road. She was a housewife whose kids had all gone to college, so she didn’t mind watching Rose for a few hours now and then.
    I drove into town and parked outside the clinic office. It only