The man had a point. Ben was the most visible of us, having a large following on social media for the incredible hyper-realism he had the ability to create. I’d known him for years and it was still fucking impressive.

“All right,” I said. “Let’s get in the door first and make a plan after.”

We did. They swarmed us as soon as we turned the corner.

How does it feel to fuck the ice queen? Did you thaw her out at all?

Did you pick her because she was a challenge? Are you seeking fame by taming the ice bitch?

Everyone wants to know how good she is. Come on, give us a clue.

I somehow managed to keep my face blank through the barrage of questions and let them roll off my shoulders. They were assholes, and were being assholes on purpose. But yet again, I suddenly understood Esme more. These questions weren’t even about me. They were about her. If they’d say these things about her to us, what kind of questions had they asked her to her face?

Everything I was learning made me want to bundle her up in the nest and never let her out. Just make her feel safe for once in her fucking life.

The barrage of yelling quieted when the door shut, but they were still peering in, trying to get images of us. “Daisy, you okay?” I asked our receptionist, who was watching the window warily.

“I’m good. They’re not interested in me.”

I nodded. “Can you make some signs for the door? No unsolicited photographs, and no one not seeking a tattoo appointment or without prior permission can enter.”

“You got it. But first… I swear I’m not trying to pry, but I’m like so fucking happy for you guys. You don’t have to tell me anything, but I hope it’s going well.”

“It is going well,” Luke said. “Very well. And I think we’ll be more inclined to talk about it once all this dies down. You’ll definitely be getting to know Esme more.”

She clapped her hands, beaming. “Seriously, that’s awesome.”

“You’re the one who’s awesome,” Ben told her. “Thank you for keeping the place going while we were out.”

Daisy did a dramatic flip of her wild blue hair over her shoulder. “It was a breeze. And yes, I am awesome.”

Picking up clipboards from the desk, she handed out the consults we had. I knew I had a couple of piercing appointments, and I was likely going to be tattooing my ass off with walk-ins trying to rub off on the fame. But we wouldn’t give them much.

“Once we make those signs, if even one of them tries to come in here, make it clear we’ll call the cops if we have to.”