Victoria

The room is occupied with only a few other people, aside from Rio and I. And the settling crimson red lights that portray the entire dimly lit area, upon the black flooring, are rather gaiety. Deep chuckles are surrounding the flashing room, alongside the booming bass fluxing within the vague perimeter.

The cold leather is cool under my back, as the seat is rested high from the dark tiled floor. And I'm grateful I'm comfortable enough to stay put for the next hour or so, or at least until the piercing ink pen is lifted, temporarily, from my tingling and awaiting skin.
Rested in a relaxed and upright position, I peer over to Rio. He watches me quite warily, in half surprise - half hesitation on wether to believe the sight before his own dark brown orbs.

His lips are parted, doubtful to twitch. I grin at the reflecting red lights flickering across his eyes - he doesn't tear his shocked gaze from mine. I purse my lips, and turn my head to face the tatted man scooting up to me in his own rolling chair. He vestures a pair of glasses, his ocean blue irises underneath catching mine.

"I want it on my back... right above the scapula, you know, below my clavicle." I point over my shoulder, only to earn nothing but a cocked brow in return.

OK, I admit that was a bit subtle.

I lean back again, releasing a sigh. "Just below the back of my shoulder. The left side, please." I clarify kindly, offering a small smile. The tattoo artist nods firmly this time.

"You remember what it looks like, right?" I question, a pinch of worry lurking behind my tone. The buff man slouches a bit, before sending me a dumbfounded glance.

"I work for you two. Of course I-"

"Right. Sorry, sorry!" I blurt, just as he scoots even closer, simultaneously fiddling for something in the bag across his lap. Then he takes the needle into his grasp, and my teeth find themselves tugging at my bottom lip. I glimpse at the gangster, who stands with his hands folded, watching the scene before him intently. He seems to be rendered speechless.

He hasn't really spoken since we arrived here. In which speaking of, was the very first time I controlled the steering wheel of his sleek BMW. So yeah, it was awesome.
But not a word did I gather from him when I pulled into the unfamiliar lot - but I knew exactly what I pulled into.

I always wondered where and how exactly Rio and his men got their illegal tattoos. So when we visited Chris's place earlier, and when Rio had his back turned once... I took advantage of my opportunity. I asked. And from the courtesy of Chris and the use of his solemn directions, here I am.

Suddenly the vibrating, alerting sound from the tool in the artist's grip causes my attention to jolt onto him. I get situated on the leather seat my formally dressed body is plastered across; turning on my stomach for the proper access to my back. And when the man reaches to carefully unzip the back of my dress, to focus on my desired tattoo location, I hear the gang leader abruptly clear his throat instantly.

"I got that part." Rio starts lowly, beginning in his quick steps to unzip the tight black dress instead. My light brown irises widen at his authoritative dominance, but no less am I surprised.

Without having to look, I note Rio's tall figure stopping inches from my rested body. His heat is radiating. His fresh scent of light cologne and fabric softener washes over my back. Then his lulling hands deliberately travel toward my lower neck, for the zipper. And gently, he unzips the clothing halfway; the warmth of his finger trailing down my bare skin while doing so. I try not to suck in a breath, or shiver. But my toes instinctively curl.

However, I can't help but think that this...intense moment was slightly awkward. At least for Tattoo Guy. Or Thomas, as Chris earlier informed me. When Rio's done he coughs just before I do, when stepping back.

After I clear my throat, I steady my peering gaze on Rio, still. He's already looking, sending an imperceptive stare.

He wants to know if I'm really OK with this...

My lips twitch, at the sight of him, before I send him a reassuring nod. In his clean and alluring suit, the gangster sweeps his tongue across his full lips. Then, he seems to fail at suppressing a smile that tugs at his lips, and he averts his gaze elsewhere.

I take in a cool breath, and to my own surprise I don't tense at the coldness of the alcohol wipe that the artist brushes against my skin.

When it's time, Thomas questions if I'm ready. I answer truthfully, of course. More ready than ever, I say.

And right after I suck in a breath, the thinnest needle pricks my posterior skin. I don't wince. Minutes down the line in fact, and so far, it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. It brings forth a little sting, but that's all.

Getting this permanent ink on my skin, I know what it symbolizes. I know what this means for the gang, for Rio, and myself. I also know that I haven't been on but a couple eventful trips with our men, and so that hasn't even been half of what this business withholds. But I am prepared for the risks it's going to take for them - especially Rio.

A faint ring sounds behind the club-like music, and it only takes seconds before I realize it's my cell. Laying flat on my stomach, I glance over at Rio, fixing my gaze on his glimmering irises. The genuine smile is still playing about on his full lips - eyes glued to mine.

"Would you...mind getting that for me?" I ask softly, before he begins in his steps to near my purse. After I ask him who's calling, he says that it's Ann. My red stained lips curve upward. "Answer it." I say, unable to do so myself.

Rio takes note of the obnoxious music still booming, and he signals that he's stepping out. When he does so, I remain relaxed. The piercing needle contacts the back of my left shoulder still, after the eased time goes by.

Around a few minutes later, the gangster strides back inside with my cell in hand. He slips it back into my purse, onto one of the chairs aligning the vast space. I watch Rio stand aside again. And I can't avoid latching onto the unreadable emotion dancing behind his dark irises at the moment.

I raise either of my brows, under the flashing red lights. "Everything OK? What did she want? I've been meaning to call her..."

Rio shrugs in his tux. "She wanted to check up on you." He forms a smug grin. "I told her you were getting all tatted up." He adds huskily, and I roll my brown eyes in turn.

"It's just one tattoo, Rio. No one's getting 'all tatted up'." I remind him, in imitation, unleashing my untamed smile. Rio chuckles, shortly before his gallant gaze fixes on me again; his glistening deep brown irises holding mine from across the small room.

And, I'm snapped out of his claiming gaze when suddenly, the buzzing of the needle in Thomas's hand comes to a stop. "Alright. All done Ms. Stone!" Thomas announces. I sit up hurriedly, before hopping off the tall leather seat. Beginning to make my way toward the providing mirror, excitement inevitably courses me. I might've been smiling wide the whole journey there while jogging across the flashing room.

I stop and stand firm before the mirror a moment. I briefly observe the loose waves still locked in my chestnut brown hair - that's grown quite a bit by overlapping my collarbones. And the elegant black dress, still comfortable and presentable. Then down to my black heels, that spin for the sight of my posterior. Peering over my bare left shoulder, my brown irises glisten at the 4 inch tattoo behind. My wine stained lips showcase an immense grin.

My gaze fixates on a once blurred Rio through the clear mirror - he's smiling a smile that reaches either eye. I turn to face him fully.

I watch him lick his luscious lips, temporarily. His twinkling brown orbs send my curvy figure a gallant once over. My smile ever falters. And I quickly decide to run up to his tall frame - for my content aura to be consumed by his masculine scent all over again. My chest crashes onto his when I do, so maybe he psychically feels the incessant pounding of my heart. But his strong, tattooed arms wrap around me when I snake my arms around his neck. He chuckles as our bodies are close and in contact, whilst squeezing me tight.

Yet soon, someone clears their throat from across the room. "Uh, I gotta wrap up your tat." Thomas remarks. I shake my head, smiling, against Rio.

"I'm coming." I tell Thomas, before letting my arms drop from the gangster's tattooed neck. His own enveloping arms release me as well, before I spin on my heels to get my new, and first, tattoo polished and covered.

--

A faint yawn escapes my lips, when Rio's already pulling into our driveway behind my parked Nissan. When he parks the car, Rio exits to smoothly make his way over to my side. He opens the passenger door politely, before I step out - my skin instantly getting smacked by the warm Summer breeze when I do.

Rio starts in his tracks by my side, across the dark yard that is only comforted by the generous light of the moon above and my porch light ahead of us.

I feel my lips tug upward, at the remembrance of tonight. "I really had fun tonight. Thank you, Rio." I begin, meeting his glistening brown irises, in which settle on my own. Rio bites down on his lip vaguely a moment, before he forms a grin.

"No problem at all, darlin'. I know my little reservations were perfect." He brags huskily, for me to only roll my eyes in return - before smiling to myself.

Then I hear Rio suck his teeth next to me, claiming my attention again. "Hold on darlin' I forgot something in the car." He says, placing a hand of his on my lower back. His touch is hot on mine. "I'll catch up to you." He adds rawly, and I send him an understanding nod afterward, continuing my pace now alone toward the porch.

Once I reach the cemented front porch, I hear the car door shut afar behind me - but my focus is highly concentrated on the front door that simply won't unlock. And my frustrated breath gets the best of me.

"Rio I don't think this is the right key. Do you have it on you..." I start, turning around to see the gangster. But when I do, he's no longer there. At least not at eye level.

No, for when I turn to locate him, I end up having to glance down. Down to the sight of Rio on one knee, in his clean suit, latching onto my gaze intently - a mini black box bestowed in his tan palm before my standing frame.

My heart pounds vigorously, feeling as though it literally just escaped from within my chest.

---

Eeeeek! Thank you so much for reading, loves!!

I wanna take up some requests. Next chapter Rio's POV or Victoria's??

Vote, comment, share!

xx