Summary
Tiana found herself spiraling into an abyss of chaos when the unthinkable happened at her workplace: a high-profile assassination that implicated her as the unintentional caretaker of the victim—a member of the notorious Lucino Mafia. With the weight of this tragedy heavy on her shoulders, she swiftly became the target of the vengeful consiglieri, determined to hunt her down for answers. Just when all hope seemed lost, fate intervened in the form of a mysterious tattoo artist named—Carl. He became her unexpected savior, shielding her from the immediate threats of the mafia. He had saved her but not without a price. But did he really save her since Tiana quickly learned that her troubles were far from over. In a desperate bid to escape the looming danger, she fled to Owkridge, a sprawling metropolis where anonymity seemed a tantalizing possibility. But as she sought refuge in the city’s shadows, destiny had more in store. Tiana soon discovered that Carl wasn't merely an artist with a penchant for ink; he was, in fact, the enigmatic boss of a rival faction within the very criminal empire she was trying to evade. As she navigates this treacherous new world, Tiana stumbles upon secrets about her own past and the family she thought she’d lost forever. Caught between the dark allure of the mafia and her quest for redemption, Tiana must unravel the ties that bind her to this dangerous underworld. As alliances shift and betrayals surface, can she forge her own destiny, or will she become just another name in the annals of mafia lore? The ink etched on her skin may just be the key to her survival…or the mark of her doom.
CHAPTER ONE: A Messed Up Day
(Tiana's POV)
I'm standing in front of a mirror in the dressing room, staring at my half-naked dress as usual. Ohhh, how much I wanna stop doing this, but I need money to clear up the loan I took to pay for my grandmother's hospital bills and funeral. Now grandma is no more, and I'm all alone because I know my mom won't ever come back home because of me. She didn't even come when her own mother was sick, nor did she come when I called to tell her that her mother had died.
“Hey girl.” My colleague called out, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Hi,” I said, almost whispering.
“Cheer up, girl, the manager wants to see you; he has a really nice job for you tonight; you're gonna make cool cash, just so you might lose your pretty virginity.” She said smiling as she walked out of the room while I walked behind her.
“Good evening, sir.” I greeted, bowing to my manager.
"Oh, Tiana, we have a VIP here, and I want you to keep him company and entertain him tonight; he will pay you really well. Just make sure to please him. You can go meet him in the VIP room; don't disappoint me.”
“Okay, sir,” I bowed before leaving the manager's office to go to the said VIP room.
My jaw dropped as I stood frozen in shock at the sight in front of me: the supposed VIP client I'm to entertain just got murdered by an assassin who is dressed up like a strip dancer. I'm hiding well behind the large curtains, making sure the assassin doesn't see me. I only came out after she took something from the man's suitcase and fled through the windows. Coming out to check if the man is still alive, I heard the doorknob; it seems he got company.
Before I could think of what next, knowing I have no evidence to prove I'm not the murderer since the VIP room doesn't have cameras, an able-bodied man came inside the room, and I didn't think twice before running out of the room through the back exit, running along the hallway. I looked back to see I'm being chased by three or four men; I didn't have time to take note of their numbers. I took the elevator from the 5th floor to the 3rd floor and quickly ran into a random room the moment the elevator stopped.
Trying to catch my breath, I noticed there's a man in the room. Before I could apologise for barging into his room, he pulled me closer to himself in one go and forced me to sit as he started trying to draw something on my exposed lap. I tried to speak, but my words failed me. Suddenly, there's a knock on the door, more like banging. He covered my upper body with his jacket before answering the door.
“I'm a tattoo artist, and there's no other one here other than my client.” I heard him say to the person at the door before closing the door and walking back to where I was still sitting, unable to move.
“Why did you help me?” I asked, almost stammering.
“Baby girl, don't you think "thank you" should come first before a question?” He said it calmly as he sat opposite me and continued drawing on my lap.
“Ahhh,” I screamed in pain as I tried to protest.
“Stay still.” He said in a commanding tone, and to my own surprise, I obeyed.
“Thank you,” I said, but I got no reply from him. “For saving me,” I said again after some time.
“Do you know those men?” He asked, still focused on what he was drawing on my lap.
“No, I don't.”
“Then why were you running from them?” I sighed before telling him exactly what happened and why I was running.
“The man who was murdered earlier is a well-known Mafia member, and the men who were chasing you are consigliere,” he said, still focused on what he's drawing.
I just nodded, not bothering to ask him how he knew all that. He continued having small talks with me, asking me a few questions every now and then, trying to distract me from the pain of the tattoo that is now almost done. I looked down at the tattoo and saw that he was now giving it finishing touches.
“CARL??”
“Yes, that's my name,” he said, putting his stuff aside.
“You could've just told me your name instead of tattooing it on my lap.”
“Well, your thighs look beautiful, and I suddenly wanted my name decorated on them the moment I saw you." He said with a small smile, and I couldn't help but notice his good-looking face. His eyes are so captivating. Did he just purposely swallow so I could notice his Adam's apple? But damn it, he looks nothing less than perfect. Snapping out of my lustful thoughts, I quickly stand up.
“Thank you again for saving me.” I said to him as I removed his jacket, which he had used to cover my body.
He stood up and pulled me back. I placed my hands on his broad chest as I almost crashed into him.
Now that he is standing this close to me, I can't help but notice his height; he is so tall and well built. I can clearly see his chest. Since his shirt is half-buttoned,.
“I need to go,” I said, trying hard to control myself from drooling over this man.
“Not just yet,” he said as he pushed and pinned me against the wall.
“What do you want now?" I asked.
"I want a reward; otherwise, I am not letting you go," he replied, smirking at me.
“What? I already said thank you to you, and if it's about the tattoo, I don't have money to pay for it; besides, I didn't ask for it.” I said, breathlessly.
“Thank you? Nahh, thank you is not enough; nothing is free, baby girl, and who said you can only pay with money? Hmm, I want you.” He said, as his hand already found its way to my thigh.
“Fine whatever,” I gave in, trying to hold back my tears as I thought of losing my virginity to a total stranger. I wanted my first time to be with someone I love—someone who loves me.
I sighed, trying to relax under his touch so I wouldn't get on his nerves as the admiration I had for him a few minutes ago was being replaced with disgust.