Devotion

Pain

Julia Ludovico

The air was filled with the soft buzzing sound of the tattoo machine. The small needle inking my skin barely ticked me, as I watched the the artist tattoo my arm. The pain didn't bother me anymore.

It's been awhile since I've gotten a new tattoo, but there was nothing else to do and I had to see my favorite tattoo parlor.

A couple hours had gone by already and I had memorized all the paintings on the wall, I guess that's a perk of having photogenic memory. People underestimate how smart I am because I'm an attractive woman.

only if they knew

The tattoo parlor was run by my family close friend, EJ. He helps out with the... transactions that go on around here. Even though, I didn't technically own the shop, I still made sure things were running smoothly.

I was already in the area anyway, so it wasn't an issue. I haven't had many special assignments lately, so maybe the reason for my visit was the boredom.

My father was currently traveling to Italy to close a deal with one of the biggest Italian mafias there. So him not being around meant that I was in charge. It had only been a week since my father left and nothing had happen.

"Did you hear that the D'Angelo's killed our spy"

I snapped out of my thoughts when EJ spoke.

The only problem EJ and I had, was that he can't keep his fucking mouth shut.

"Shit, do you know which one of them killed him." I stated, acting as if I didn't already know about this.

"Probably Alessandra" He whispered, his hands were starting to turn black because of the recent ink on my skin, it's his fault for not wearing gloves. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes for bit until I felt a large sting in my arm.

"Fuck, Ej watch it" I hissed.

"My bad." He smirks, as he finishes up my tattoo. "Don't you think it was kind of stupid for your dad to send a spy in the first place?"

"Ej, stop worrying about what my dad is doing and finish my fucking tattoo." I snapped, he was really starting to piss me off.

"Bitch! another one?" The familiar voice calls out from the hall, looking down at EJ, who is wiping off the the extra ink from my skin.

"Where were you, Bri?" I asked, noticing EJ hand start to tremble. "We need to go to the strip club on twelve street and find Mark Robinson. Apparently, his dumbass was the one who ratted us out."

"Anything else your highness?" she rolls her eyes as she walks closer to EJ. She always loved to tease me, and she the only person I allow to. She places her arms around EJ's waist, "Are you almost finished" she whispers in his ear. "Yeah...just have to get rid of the excess ink" Ej huffs, I could tell Bri made him nervous.

Once Ej was finished, I got up and left a hundred on the counter. I walked outside the shop and went over to my black Harley that was parked on the curve.

"You riding with me?" I smirked, as I tossed Bri my extra helmet.

"Fuck no, I just got my hair done." She laughed. "I'll meet you at the club" she states, walking over to her Camaro.

I hope my legs are over the sides of my bike. I don't know why but I've always loved motorcycles more than fancy sports cars. I feel like it makes me look more badass.

I put my black helmet over my long black hair and ride off into the street.

***

Alessandra D'Angelo

Sometimes I really fucking hate working at the strip club.

For some reason these creepy old fucks think they can put their hands on me. My ears were starting to ring from the loud music playing. I hated the red lights, especially when I had a hangover.

My opinion doesn't matter though, I've told my mom numerous times to change the color but she refuses. It's the same shade of dark red neon lights, with black leather seats. Our strip club is one of the biggest and most renowned in the city. I've given many celebrities private dances in our VIP rooms.

The walls are covered in black and red detailed wallpaper, and the black tiled floor only made the lights shine brighter.

Tonight, every stage and pole had an assigned dancer. It was very full but it always ways on the weekends. The majority of our customers are the same: lonely men who have never been laid in there life.

I was in a shitty mood thanks to Julia's name being brought up, sometimes she really made me hate my attraction to women.

Jaynna was walking with me, leading the way to the pole on the center stage. She has always drawn in a huge crowd. The chatter and cheering were way too loud to add to the music, and I was very grateful for the Advil I had taken before this.

As Jaynna started to walk on to the stage, I escaped to my mother's office.

"What are you doing in here? I need everyone working tonight, we have a full house" My mother rolled her eyes when she noticed I wasn't on the stage.

"I don't understand why I have to work here when you own the club." I snapped back, annoyed because I wasn't in the mood to be objectified by old men.

"Because you bring in a lot of customers." She lets out while pointing her fingers to the door as a way of letting me know that I needed to get back out there. I groaned but exited her office.

I walked up to the bar and ordered 2 shots of vodka.

If I was going to get through this night, I need to be tipsy.

"Are you suppose to be drinking on the job?" the woman next to me says to me as she lights her cigarette.

"Yeah well, are you gonna tell my boss?" I joke back at her. She looked very familiar but it was hard to see her face in this red lighting. She was wearing black leather pants that hugged her curves nicely and a black open-chest top. I noticed her tattoo sleeve that covered her entire arm. She was very attractive and if I wasn't in a bad mood, I would probably take her to a private room.

She leans closer to my ear and I can smell the perfume from her body. "That depends if you are going to listen to what I say." She whispers.

Suddenly, I feel a gun pushed on the side of my body. My eyes widen as I can finally depict the woman's face. "And if I were you, I wouldn't try anything stupid." She smirks as she takes another buff of her cigarette, blowing the smoke in my face.

"What do you want, Julia" I hissed at her, I could feel the rage growing inside my body.

"I want to have some fun with you" She says, looking me up and down.

Fuck my day couldn't get any worse