Sacred Vow (Angels Halo MC Next Gen 5)

Me: Promises. Promises.

Dropping my phone back on the counter, I forced myself to focus on my schoolwork. Happiness bubbled through my entire body.

Until the door opened and in walked Maverick’s first appointment.

Was it wrong to want to scratch up a person’s pretty face as soon as you set eyes on them? That was exactly what I wanted to do when the blonde walked through the door in a pair of cutoff shorts that left her ass cheeks hanging out and a top that was little more than a bralette. Her hair was styled in a sexy, disheveled kind of way that made people think she’d just had wild sex. She was wearing designer heels, which told me she was one of the rich college girls from Trinity.

Her skin was ink-free, so I knew this was her first tattoo, but she didn’t look nervous like some first-time clients were. No, there was heat in her eyes instead of anxiety and fear of the unknown.

Jealousy began to burn through me, and my stomach started to churn. Gritting my teeth, I closed my book and stood. “Welcome to the Ink Shoppe. Can I help you?”

Her light-brown eyes slid over me, taking in my loose jeans and the black tank top I was wearing. Between my ponytail and makeup-free face, I probably looked younger than I really was, which, of course, made this girl consider me a non-threat to her.

“I have a date with Maverick,” she said as she walked toward the counter, her glossy lips lifting in a snide little smile.

My hands fisted, but she couldn’t see them with me standing behind the counter. I wanted nothing more than to shred her pretty face, but I knew that would cause problems all around. “Sure,” I muttered. “Give me a moment.”

She nodded, and I walked into the back toward Maverick’s room. He was sitting at his art station, drawing. His back was to me, and I took a moment to cool my jealousy by watching him. He’d pulled off his cut, and it was hanging on the wall, leaving him in a band T-shirt that stretched tightly across his muscled back. His short dark hair was standing up slightly on top as if he’d carelessly run his fingers through it a few times. What little I could see of his face told me he was deep in thought as he sketched the addition to the tattoo he was creating.

Glancing over my shoulder to make sure Uncle Spider was still in his office, I walked into Maverick’s room. Just as I reached him, his arm shot out and snaked around me, pulling me down onto his lap, and he buried his face in my neck. “Fuck, baby, you smell so good.”

Shivering as he kissed just under my ear, I arched into his caressing lips. “Your appointment is here,” I informed him in a tight voice.

“Yeah? Good for her.” He bit down on my shoulder before lifting his head. “Uh oh.” He tightened his arms around me. “You really are pissed now.”

“She said she has a date with you,” I hissed.

His index finger curved under my chin, lifting my head so our gazes locked. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I whispered.

“I’m yours, River.”

Hearing that helped ease some of my anger and jealousy. “And I’m yours.”

He gave me that sweet smile that was mine alone. “Go get your books, and come in here while I’m doing her piece. You’ll hear the door if anyone else comes in.”

“No, it’s okay,” I said, shaking my head as I stood. “I trust you.”

“I know you do,” he assured me. “But I want you in here with me.”

I gave him a quick hug. “Okay. Should I tell the skank princess to come back, or do you need more time?”

He grinned. “I’m nearly finished, but I need her approval before I print it.”

I sighed, exhaustion suddenly pushing down on me. “Okay, I’ll send her back.”

“River.” I paused at the door when he called my name. “You are my everything.”

I glanced at him over my shoulder. “And you’re mine.”

Two

Maverick

One of the first things I’d learned while apprenticing under my brother-in-law was not to roll my eyes at the client. My dad hadn’t taught me that during the months I’d watched and worked under him. He had no patience for people who didn’t take getting ink seriously.

Lyric had been different, though, teaching me things I probably never would have learned without his help. Like how to help some of the more nervous ones keep calm during their first time. And the not-rolling-your-eyes thing was definitely something that had come in handy.