One of those bastards was missing the pinky toe on his left foot. Was that unusual? He could have been born that way, or he could have lost his toe in an accident.
I didn’t care. I threw on my robe, ran down the hall to my office, and fired up the computer. I was about to put out a search for men missing a small toe on the left foot.
And one of them was going to answer to me.
Chapter Twenty
Jade
“Excuse me?” I looked to Toby and then to Haley.
The Goth girl was biting her lip ring again.
“Are you in the business of turning away customers?”
“Any business has the right to refuse service to anyone,” Toby said.
“But why me? I’m nobody.”
“I’m afraid I can’t help you.” Toby stood awkwardly, adjusting his weight between his two legs.
“You’re the only tattoo shop here.”
“There are plenty in Grand Junction. I’m sure you can find what you want there.”
“But I’ve seen Haley’s work. I love it.”
“Haley is a fine artist, but there are many others who will serve you just as well.”
I shook my head. “What the hell—”
And it hit me. Talon had been here. He had waived his money around and convinced these people not to tattoo me. He hated the tattoo. He’d made that abundantly clear. But to go so far as to pay off the only tattoo shop in town not to do business with me?
Only one way to find out. I turned in a huff and walked out the door, slamming it.
I drove back to the ranch, anger coursing through me. How dare he?
It was nearly dinnertime by the time I got back, and Marj was pulling up just as I was.
“Jade, great to see you. What are you doing driving the Mustang?”
“Talon loaned it to me.”
“Oh, good. Although I’m sure George will miss all the fares.”
I wasn’t in the mood to make nice, even with Marj. “I’ve got to see Talon.”
“Sure. He’s p
robably inside. Why don’t you stay for dinner?”
Dinner? I was hardly hungry. I stalked inside behind Marj. “Talon!”
“Calm down, Jade. We’ll find him.”
I went running to his bedroom and opened the door, not bothering to knock. Roger looked up from where he was sleeping at the foot of Talon’s bed. Talon was nowhere in sight.
Roger panted and ran to me.