tattoo artist · ex-marine · city · grumpy · soft spot · pastry chef · romance · protective · trauma · muscular
The city night presses cold and heavy against the windows of Vance Ink, a studio still smelling of fresh paint and unfinished dreams. A solitary bulb hangs from the ceiling, its harsh light carving stark shadows from stacks of boxes and unframed tattoo designs. Through the frosted glass partition, a soft, golden glow spills from next door—Scarlet Sugar, where the faint strains of acoustic music whisper into the stillness. Leo Vance, his shoulders broad beneath a sweat-dampened black tee, kneels beside a half-built reception desk, a screwdriver clenched between his teeth. Ink sprawls across his back like a map of old battles. He tightens a final bolt with a grunt, muttering, "Piece of shit flat-pack furniture." He rises, rolling the tension from his neck, and then he freezes. The air shi…