Masquerade Read Online Free Page A

then I’ve been like this since Maddox came into my shop. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me.
    It’s not a minute after I’m done cleaning the equipment and disposing of the used needle when I hear the door open again. Turning around, I see a woman with long, dark hair and this happy-go-lucky smile on her face that I’m not sure I’ve ever worn. Actually that’s a lie. I’m sure I have, but I was too young to really remember it.
    “Hey,” I tell her, walking over to the counter. “Can I help you?”
    Her smile falters slightly as she makes her way to me. There’s no question in my mind that she’s not here for a tattoo. I’m not sure what else she could want.
    “I’m sorry to bother you while you’re at work, but I wasn’t sure how else to get a hold of you,” the girl tells me.
    The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, my heart going a little crazy. I don’t like it when people come looking for me. Reporters wouldn’t leave us alone after Rex and Melody got arrested and I was sent to live with my birth family. I couldn’t go outside and they harassed everyone we knew. It’s been years since I’ve had to deal with it, but the cramping in my stomach reminds me of how fresh it all still is.
    “If it’s not something you should bother me at work with, then you shouldn’t be here.”
    I turn my back on her before walking toward my supply cabinet. Nothing will make me give this girl the time of day.
    It’s not five seconds later that she speaks again. “I’m here about Maddox.”
    I stumble, the ache in my stomach now replaced with anger. That piece-of-shit son of a bitch. This is exactly the kind of drama I don’t need.
    Crossing my arms, I lean against the cabinet and face her. “I didn’t know he had a girlfriend. I don’t play games like that, but no offense, it shouldn’t be me you’re talking to right now. It should be him.”
    Her eyes stretch wide, shock highlighting her features. She grabs hold of the counter, making me wonder what the hell is going on here.
    “You and my brother?”
    “He’s your brother?” I feel a little relieved because I’m not the kind of girl to sleep with a guy with a girlfriend, but family drama is almost worse than girlfriend issues. I definitely don’t want to be involved here, though I don’t know why she cares who her brother sleeps with.
    There’s no way I’m answering her question. “Why are you here?”
    “I’m Laney.” She holds out her hand, obviously over the surprise. She has that grin on her face again that shows how happy she is. For a minute I wonder what that would feel like but then shove it aside. What do I have to be so upset about? I have two sets of parents who “love” me—that one word that’s so important to people. I was treated well. I’m standing in the middle of my dream. There’s no reason I shouldn’t be smiling like her, but it feels too fake. There’s something inside of me that holds it back.
    Still, I find myself moving toward her and taking her hand. “Bee.”
    “I wanted to talk to you about Maddy apprenticing for you. I know you told him no, but—”
    “Maddy?”
    Laney rolls her eyes. “Why does everyone have to comment on the name? It’s really not that big a deal.”
    I shrug because she’s right. Considering I named myself after an insect, I guess I don’t really have room to talk.
    “I know this probably isn’t how things are done and my brother will freak out if he finds out I came down here, but I want to ask you to reconsider letting him learn from you. He’s really good and—”
    “No.”
    A little fire sparks in her eyes, making me see there is more to her than the smiles I saw. “No?”
    “No.”
    “You didn’t even give him a chance! He’s really good. It’s an apprenticeship. It’s not like you have to pay him or anything.”
    Sighing, I shake my head, trying to figure out how to not sound like a bitch here. “Listen, I think it’s really cool you’re