Zane had told himself for years not to get close to anyone, especially a woman, due to his choice of job. However, when he met Yani, he can't deny their connection, and will embark on a new journey with her, that neither of them expected.
I wake up to my alarm at 5:30 a.m. on Monday morning. I yawn loudly and I sit up in the bed and I rub my left eye. I have to make sure my baby girl is up for school. I throw the covers off of me and I get out of the bed and I stretch. I leave my bedroom and I go to Nia's room. I gently knock and I peek my head in the door and I don't see her in bed and I hear her humming in the bathroom. I smile to myself; she got that from me. I leave her bedroom and I go back to mine. I go into my bathroom and I turn on the shower to a warm temperature. I brush my teeth, gargle with mouthwash and then I strip naked. I take a quick shower and then I get out and I dry off and then I wrap a towel around my waist. I walk out to my bedroom and I lotion my body and then I put on a beater, a pair of boxers and a pair of socks. I look in my walk in closet and I throw on a t-shirt and a pair of cargo shorts, with shoes to match. I brush my hair and then I place diamond studs in my ears. I put on my watch and a gold chain. I leave my bedroom and I go to Nia's bedroom. I knock and she says "come in." I walk in and I see my baby girl all dressed. She's so adorable.
"Good morning beautiful," I said while smiling.
"Morning daddy," Nia said. Nia walks over to me and hugs my waist tightly. I pick her up and I throw her in the air and then I catch her as she laughs loudly. I kiss her all over her face as I hold her close to me.
"Sleep good baby?," I asked.
"Yes daddy did you?," Nia asked.
"Yes I did thank you. You all ready for school?"
"Almost I just need you to do my hair please."
"No problem baby girl." I kiss her nose and I set her down. I sit on her bed with her in between my legs. I style her hair so half of it is up and half of it is down. Once Nia is all dressed, we go downstairs and eat breakfast together. After breakfast, we head out. Once I pull up to Nia's school I park out front. I get out of the car and I go the passenger door and I open it and she gets out with her backpack.
"Ok you have a great day in school. Learn all you can alright? I will be here to pick you up at 3:30 ok gorgeous?," I said.
"Ok daddy. Have a good day too. I love you so much daddy," Nia said sweetly.
"I love you more."
"No way I love you this much!," Nia said while holding her arms out as far as they can go. I chuckle softly; my daughter is one of a kind and I love that about her. I kneel in front of her and I hug her tightly and I kiss her cheek and then she kisses my cheek and then my nose. She then puckers her lips at me. I smile and I lean in and I peck her lips two times.
"Bye daddy!," Nia said happily.
"Bye Nia," I said. I kiss her cheek one last time before releasing her from my embrace. She runs off to a group of girls and they all hug her. I smile at the sight. My little girl is definitely a social butterfly. I get back in my car and I notice a small card on the car seat. I pick it up and I see it's a card for a tattoo shop. Oh it's from the woman from the mall. I won't even lie she was fine as hell. She had a really dope style. Very interesting tattoos and piercings. Zane what are you thinking? It doesn't matter. You can't get to know her. I can't get to know anybody really. In my profession, it can lead to complications. I put the car in drive and I drive off. Today I get a new assignment for my job. The way it works is I am given a target if you will. I am given a file on what they have done and why they need to be stopped. Depending on the target, I will follow them for a few weeks or even months. I need to see how their routine is, so I can know when it's my time to strike. Also, sometimes people come to me and my people out of spite, and not for legitimate reasons, so we have to be sure if we are going to harm anyone, they actually deserve it. I know it's not the best job in the world and it's dangerous, but I am incredibly passionate about it. I am helping people and that is what I tell myself every day. It worries me to an extent though because I have a daughter and I would NEVER want to put her in danger. Sometimes I feel like that is what I am doing. I mean I have never been caught of even accused of any of the crimes I have done, but still it worries me. I'm just trying to take care of my daughter the best way I know how at this point. Anyway, I head to the outskirts of town and I pull up to an abandoned warehouse hidden from the rest of the city. I park and I take a deep breath. I turn off my car and I get out and I lock the car doors. I walk inside and down a few turns and I walk into the room where the boss is, Mr. Jenkins. I see sitting at his desk going over some papers.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Hey Zane," Mr. Jenkins said.
"Hey Mr. J. What you got for me today?," I asked. He looks up at me and smiles a bit and turns to a file cabinet behind him. He opens it, shuffles through a few files and then picks one up. He closes the file cabinet and then looks at me and hands me the folder.
"You got one that likes to slip drugs to woman at clubs and take them home and rape them," Mr. Jenkins said. I squeeze the folder in anger as I open it. I look at my target and I read over the file. Sick son of a bitch. This is the type of shit that makes my blood boil. I don't like anyone to be mistreated, but I especially hate it when women or children are mistreated. Mr. Jenkins then goes into a safe and pulls out $10,000 in one hundred dollar bills. He hands me the stack and I smile.
"How's your daughter Nia?," Mr. Jenkins said.
"She's great thanks for asking," I said.
"Soon enough you will have enough money for you and her and you won't need this job anymore."
"You know I can't quit."
"You have a reason to. You have a little girl."
"I hear you, but....I love this job. Makes me feel like I'm doing something in this world." Mr. Jenkins nods his head in an understanding manner.
"I understand.....just be careful."
"Of course." I shake Mr. Jenkins hand and I turn to leave. I get in my car and I start it up and I head out. I go to the bank and I deposit $8,000 into my savings account. That should help me and Nia for months to come. Anyway, after the bank, I am driving around downtown. As I am driving, I drive past the tattoo shop that woman owns. What is her name? I quickly glance at the card and I see her name is Yani. That's a really beautiful name. I notice her opening the metal fence that guards her shop. She's just has such a unique style that I can't help but to stare. I pull into an empty parking spot. Why the hell am I doing this? I feel like a stalker right now. I have been thinking about getting some new tattoo art though. Tattoos are a stress reliever for me. They really relax me as crazy as that sounds. Mmm maybe I could go in a get an estimate for this piece I have been thinking about. I actually designed the piece myself. Once I see her turn on the "open" sign I get out of my car and I walk towards the shop. I feel real nervous and I am not sure why. Once I open the door, a bell rings to signal my presence. Yani was turned around, and when she turned around and she sees me, she smiles widely.
"Hi. Zane right?," Yani said.
"Yeah I'm Zane," I said slightly nervously.
"It's nice seeing you again," Yani said while smiling warmly. She has such a beautiful smile. Dammit Zane snap out of it.
"Uh.....I just wanted to get an estimate. I designed this piece and I wanted to ask around to get the best deal," I said.
"Oh sure let me take a look," Yani said. I pull out my phone and I scroll through my pictures until I get to the one I am looking for. I turn my phone to Yani and I show her my design of a lion piece I have been considering for a while . She gasps as she studies it.
"Wow....this is amazing. You drew this?," Yani asked.
"Yeah I did."
"You're very talented. This is amazing. Where are you thinking about getting this?"
"I'm thinking the left side of my neck."
"That would be so dope. As far as an estimate, I would do this tattoo for $100."
"Really that's it?," I asked in a bit of shock.
"For you yes, that's it." I narrow my eyes at her as she smiles a bit at me.
"What's that look for?," Yani asked.
"No reason," I said while shrugging my shoulders.
"Ok....you have a really beautiful daughter by the way. How old is she?"
"She's six now," I said while smiling. I can't help but to smile whenever I talk about Nia.
"She's really precious," Yani said.
"Thank you.....I should get going. Thanks for the estimate though."
"Sure no problem. You can schedule an appointment whenever if you are interested." I nod my head and I leave the shop. She's so friendly. I was nervous talking to her though. I head back to my car and I get in. I look back in the shop and I see Yani cleaning up a bit. I just can't take my eyes off of her. Why is she so intriguing to me?
