Switch Master: 6 (Ink and Kink) (25 page)

With the legalities aside for the moment, Taran tucked the
documents into the envelope and set it carefully on the table, turning his
attention to Glenda.

“I’ve something to ask you, Glenda,” he said.

“Anything,” Glenda replied, taking a sip of her soda.

“Sam mentioned that you used to work for a business in
Boston,” Taran began.

“Yes, I was a secretary, but the company went under. Sadly,
I was old school and couldn’t keep up with technology, thus the job with a temp
service.”

“You’ve computer experience, don’t you?”

“Luke’s taught me what he could. We don’t have a computer at
home. My old desktop conked out years ago.”

“I have plenty of laptops,” Sam said. “It’s a bit of a habit
of mine, collecting them and restoring them. You and Luke are welcome to have
one. I’ll make sure you get the best to suit your needs.”

“That would be lovely, Sam, thank you,” Glenda said. “Go on,
Taran, please.”

“Can you answer phones and handle a busy schedule?” he
asked.

“Yes I can. Dare I say it feels as though I’m being
interviewed?”

“I’m hoping you’ll consider working for me,” Taran replied.

Glenda’s eyes went wide as saucers and she had to put her
drink down. “You don’t even know me. Why?”

“I’ve recently opened my own law firm and am still in the
hiring process. I could use a receptionist.”

“Your office is based out of the same building where you run
a tattoo parlor,” Glenda said.

“Yes, Maddox Ink is the family business. My brothers, Phalen
and Ethan, all have a stake in it. Phalen, who’s a PI, has a second tattoo shop
in Salem. We grew up around tattooing, as our father taught us.”

“Aunt Glenda, you should take the job,” Luke piped in,
looking eager and somehow younger.

“I want the job, Luke. I suppose my hesitation is my age.
I’m sixty years old. What if I can’t learn how to take care of a law office
like Taran’s?”

Taran held up his hand to calm her. “You can do anything if
you put your mind to it, Glenda. Working for me full time will provide you with
a steady income and health insurance.”

“Is it still okay to take the remainder of the day to think
about it?” Glenda inquired, seeming to get shy all of a sudden.

“Yes, of course,” Taran answered. “There’s no obligation
here. If you choose not to accept the job, I’ll remain Luke’s lawyer and he’ll
remain in my employ in the shop. His job is really to help clean up and be of
assistance to any of the tattooists.”

“Thank you. I’m blown away,” Glenda admitted.

Luke leaned in. “Mind if I run to the bathroom?” he asked.

“Of course,” Sam said, watching as he slid out of the booth
and rushed off.

When he disappeared, Glenda opened up some more. “I’m still
surprised about the job offer. Ever since Luke came to live with me, I’ve done
everything I could to keep a roof over his head and give him the tools he needs
to succeed. A steady income such as you’re offering would really help.”

“You’ve done a great job with Luke,” Taran said. “He’s a
good kid considering what he’s been through.”

“That’s his mother’s influence. Mercia was the closest thing
to an angel I’ve ever seen, and she was forgiving, maybe too much. Time and
time again, she’d take Russell back then he’d turn to Daria when he got bored.”

“Well, it’s a cinch Taran and I will do everything we can to
keep Daria from gaining visitation or guardianship of Luke,” Sam reassured.

Glenda looked at Taran, smiling softly. “The truth is Luke
needs a man like you in his life, Taran. Studies say the best influence on a
child is the same-sex parent or guardian.”

“Luke has tremendous potential as an artist,” Taran replied.
“He needs to pick up his grades, but that’s doable. I think a job will give him
structure, purpose. He’s already shown he can do that by looking his best
today.”

“I’m glad you see the young man he could be if he applies
himself,” Glenda said. “Is it horrible to admit that if I do accept your job
offer, I’d like to save and take a vacation?”

“No, it’s great,” Taran answered. “When was the last time
you’ve taken time for yourself?”

“Not since his mother died,” she said. “I’d love to tour New
England first, see Maine and Acadia National Park to start.”

“May I ask something more personal?” Taran asked. Glenda
nodded. “Luke’s feelings toward his father are understandable. However, he has
a lot of contempt for Daria Walker.”

“Yes. I’m afraid she was into some bad things, exposing Luke
and her adorable little girls to very real danger when Russell’s drug operation
was discovered.”

“All the more reason to keep her from getting visitation rights,”
Taran stated. “Luke mentioned his mother set aside a college trust fund for
him.”

“That’s right. It’s considerable, truth be known, enough to
pay his way through a four-year degree and maybe graduate school if he chooses
wisely. I’ve not wanted to upset Luke, but my biggest concern is that money is
the reason Daria has taken sudden interest in Luke.”

“That’s my concern too,” Taran said. “Luke told me he has a
savings account.”

“A modest one, yes,” Glenda said. “I put a small amount in
it for Christmas and his birthday. It’s the best I can do under the
circumstances.”

“You’ve done everything right,” Taran assured. “Once he
starts working, we’ll arrange for him to get a checking account with a debit
card and direct deposit, though he should learn how to balance a checkbook.”

“I can teach him how to do that, as well as placing him on a
budget,” Glenda stated.

“Excellent,” he said, his head turning toward the doorway
where Luke passed through.

Luke plopped down in the booth next to his aunt. “What’d I
miss?”

Taran welcomed him back and reached into the pocket of his
coat that he’d placed on a hook along with everyone else’s winter coats.
Pulling out the new phone, he handed it over.

“For you, Luke, Sam and I took care of the first month’s
payment. In addition to cleaning up around Maddox Ink, I’d like you to consider
designing tattoos for me, tattoos that might appeal to a younger generation.”

Luke grinned so wide, Sam thought he never looked happier.
He didn’t even bother looking at his phone over the possibility of getting paid
to draw.

“Seriously, man, you’re willing to pay me for my artwork?”

“If your work permit is approved, yes,” Taran answered.
“Even in this, you’ll have to confine doing the artwork to the hours you’d put
in at Maddox Ink.”

“Why, when everyone else tells me drawing doesn’t pay the
bills?”

“Because you’ve got talent,” Taran said. “Sam thinks so.
Your aunt thinks so. That’s enough of a recommendation for me.”

“What I really want is to draw comic books for DC or
Marvel.”

“Then by all means do that. To make an impact in college and
beyond, keep a portfolio of your drawings, even the tattoos you design, study
up on graphic artistry and take advanced art courses in school.”

“Oh man, more schoolwork,” Luke said, frowning as if the
idea of schoolwork didn’t appeal to him, though Sam knew he was sixteen and
thinking as a teenager, concerned more about the here and now than the future.

“School’s essential if you want to succeed,” Sam commented.
“Maybe Emily can help.”

“Her daddy won’t like it.” Luke blushed, hanging his head a
little.

“You’ll gain her father’s approval once you show him the
kind of person you are,” Taran stated.

“What kind of person do you think I am?” Luke asked.

“The kind who defends a friend from bullies and doesn’t care
that she wears hearing aids.”

“Can I call her?” Luke asked, holding up his phone.

“The phone’s yours. How you use the minutes is up to you. I
will remind you that the phone’s your responsibility to pay for once you start
working.”

“Thanks,” the boy said.

“You’re welcome,” Taran returned. Sam really liked watching
the two of them interact.

As sullen as he’d been Friday night, Luke made strides to
impress his new boss. He’d listened to what was required of him and lit up when
Taran suggested he design tattoos.

Not surprisingly, Luke occupied himself with his cell phone
and they all talked for a few minutes while waiting for the check. After Taran
took care of the bill, they gathered their coats and headed back to Glenda’s
modest home.

When they reached the driveway, Glenda invited Sam and Taran
inside for coffee. Taking her up on it, they spent some time talking about
legal matters.

Luke disappeared for a bit, coming back changed into his
usual clothes. Noticing he kept mainly to himself as he texted with someone,
Sam figured it was Emily on the receiving end of his frantically moving thumbs.

When the coffee was gone and conversation changed to talking
about the weather, Taran politely decided it was time to go. Glenda insisted
Luke put down the phone long enough to say goodbye.

Typical teenager that he was, Luke grumbled about having his
texted conversation interrupted, but followed them to the door anyway.

“Thanks for the phone, for everything,” he said to Taran. “I
don’t know how I would have handled my father and his wife without Sam
suggesting I talk to you.”

“If you need to talk about anything other than your case,
let me know,” Taran offered. “Maybe we can go to a movie or you can come to
dinner at my house Saturday night. My brothers and sisters-in-law would enjoy
meeting you. You can witness the Maddox Brothers band practice.”

“Maybe,” Luke answered, trying for nonchalance. “Band stuff
sounds cool, wouldn’t mind learning how to play the drums.”

“You’d have to ask Phalen about that,” Taran replied. “I’m
sure he’ll be glad to teach you.”

“We’ll see about next week. I might have plans.” Luke
blushed, having some trouble keeping his eyes on Taran.

“Hope those plans involve the pretty girl from the roller
rink,” Taran said.

“They might. She’s agreed to help me with my paper on
Romeo
and Juliet
.”

“That’s a good start toward picking up those grades,” Sam
stated.

“I’ll try harder, Sam,” he promised.

“I’m sure you will.” Sam reached out and touched his
shoulder, squeezing gently. “Told you Taran was one of the good guys, didn’t
I?”

“So far, he’s been great,” he said quietly. “If he hurts
you, I’ll knock his balls into the dirt.”

“You’d have to learn how to do that first,” Taran
interjected, overhearing regardless of Luke’s effort to shut him out. “Sam’s
important to me.”

“Hope that’s true,” Luke murmured.

“Maddox men don’t hurt those we care about, Luke. Believe
that.”

“Do you care about me?” Luke asked, lifting his eyes to look
into Taran’s gaze.

“Yes I do. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” Taran assured.

“If you two fight or break up, you gonna split?” Luke
shuffled but maintained eye contact. He wasn’t nearly as tall as Taran yet,
though still in that awkward, gangly stage. In a couple years, he’d likely be
over six feet tall.

“No matter what, I’ll be here for you. You need to talk,
call me. You need to crash, that’s cool with me. We’ll set it up. Both mine and
Sam’s numbers are programmed into your phone.”

“Yeah, you said that at the fondue place, thanks,” Luke
commented.

“Luke, you can trust Taran. I know it here,” Sam supplied,
touching her heart.

“K, y’all should go.” Luke waved them off, waiting until
Taran helped Sam into the cab of his truck before ducking inside the house.

“I’m sorry Luke gave you the third degree back there,” Sam
said when Taran backed out of the driveway.

“He was speaking his mind. I’d prefer that than have him say
nothing and bolt if I piss him off.”

“He likes you, Taran. It’s obvious. Look at the effort he
went through to impress you today.”

“Liking me and trusting me are two different things,
especially when his trust has been ruined by his father.”

“I get the sense that Russell didn’t have much of a role in
Luke’s childhood unless it benefited him in some way.”

“Russell’s still his father. Luke’s resentment of his
stepmother may stem from the fact that Russell frequently pushed him toward her
rather than spending time with his son.”

Sam suspected that too. The last thing she wanted for Luke
was to see him struggle to find his place in the world, only to have Daria do
something to harm him or halt his progress.

“Tomorrow morning, I’m intensifying my research into her
past,” she declared. “If Daria’s got something to hide, I’ll find it. If she
did anything to Luke, you can be sure I’ll never let her anywhere near him.”

“I love it when your mother hen instinct kicks in.”

“Mother hen? Me?” Sam remarked, shocked.

“Yeah, baby doll, you. Try not to think the worst. Whatever
Daria did to him, I don’t think it was sexual in nature and I don’t think she
was physically abusive. If it was, I doubt he’d be so open to you or the Femme
Fatales,” Taran supplied.

“Based on what Glenda told us about Luke’s trust fund, my
guess would be Daria’s interest in Luke is financial not maternal.”

“Remember what I said Friday night, being represented by
Bernard Harcourt will be costly. If Russell Walker really intends to appeal,
he’s going to need a lot of money to pay for it. And he’s going to need his
wife to get it for him.”

“That’s not something I’m likely to forget.”

“How do you feel about Ethan and Morgan buying a house?”
Taran asked, changing the subject.

“I’m all for it. Better yet, it’s right up Morgan’s alley,
what with it being haunted and all.”

“Ever wonder why the brownstone isn’t haunted?”

“Morgan hasn’t said otherwise?” Sam questioned, surprised.

“My mother visits dreams, but Morgan’s confident my parents
are content about what goes on in the house and leave it alone.”