Madison's tattoo. I picture the L small, just under the scorpion

I awoke with a massive headache but slowly as the world steadied, I realized I was back in my own room. My twin bed, a small white dresser, a clothing rack with a few items and the door to my quaint bathroom.

Wait...a clothing rack? That's new...

As I rolled over in bed, my face crumpled a piece of paper on my spare pillow. Sitting up slowly, I reached for the paper to read the note written in typical man handwriting.

Forgive me, Gattino, please don't be upset with me.

If someone has to go outside, we must give a mild sedative. This way you were also free of pain getting the tattoo. I hope you love it as much as I do. Please follow the directions for care exactly to prevent infection. I've left some outfits that are loose fitting so they will not irritate your mark.

Hydrate to help the headache I'm sure you have. I will make this up to you, I promise.
Luca

"Tattoo?!" I squealed and searched my body.

I felt a sting near my hip and went to investigate there. Sure enough, right on my left pelvic bone was a fresh, inflamed looking and still wrapped tattoo of a scorpion. Slightly under it was a small cursive "L".

I sighed and rolled my eyes, but had to admit it was a gorgeous tattoo. Gingerly, I ran my fingers over the bandage and hissed at the slight sting of pain. How could I be mad at him? Maybe I could make him think I'm mad, just to give him a hard time for drugging me without a warning! This could be fun.

Reaching for the box of supplies, I pulled out the directions and read them carefully as Luca insisted. Taking the soap in the kit with me to the bathroom, I gently washed it as instructed after carefully removing the plastic wrap bandage and blotted it dry. I was a bit surprised it didn't hurt like I thought a tattoo would. It felt like a sunburn but nothing I couldn't handle. I've had worse sunburns from living near beaches.

Grinning in delight, I investigated the rack of clothes Luca mentioned. I harrumphed my irritation when I realized it was all lingerie! Still, it consisted of cotton pieces and the bottoms were high waisted shorts or high cut bikinis instead of the typical low rise bikini bottoms. All the bottoms left the tattooed area either open to the air, or safely tucked away completely covered by the cotton fabric.

Upon further investigation as I moved each hanger over, I clicked my tongue and rolled my eyes seeing the post-its on each one. Luca had written notes ranking each set.

"Matches your eyes," I read outloud then moved the next one. "Sparkles," Read the next one. "My favorite," I harrumphed again. "He added a winky face?"

I had to admit, he did have good taste but who wouldn't hanging out in a place like this for so many years. Just to spite him, I set aside the one labeled "covers the most" with a sad face, for my shift tonight. For now, I took the shorts and a tank top to wear for rehearsal.

Three of the girls in our group were on stage already chattering away. I sauntered up to Lucia and Makenzie, linking arms with the latter. It was Lily, though, quiet Lily who noticed the slight reddening at the top of my shorts.

"What is this, Maddie?" She inquired, so softly and suddenly that we all stopped to look at where she was pointing.

My cheeks colored immediately and I tugged at my tank top to cover it. "Nothing, it's nothing..."

"Maddie!" Makenzie scolded and pushed my hand down away from the shirt. She pulled down my shorts to reveal the healing ink. "OMG! OMG! OMG!" She squealed. "You've been marked! When did this happen?" She was squealing in joy. I winced at the increasing decibel of her voice.

"Shh! Keep your voice down!" I hushed her but Makenzie only giggled and tugged Lucia over. Now both were giggling, jumping and squealing.

Makenzie tugged me into a hug but whispered in my ear, "Keep yourself guarded." I nodded even though I didn't fully understand.

Giselle and Johanna strutted their way onto the stage with Aza. The trio regarded the giggling girls with surprise.

"What is going on here?" Aza demanded, hands on her hips. "We have a rehearsal to start!"

"But look!" Lucia squealed, spinning me around and showing exactly what they were squealing about.

Everyone else missed the cold glare Giselle was giving me and the puckered lips from Johanna, but I didn't miss either.

"Congratulations, dear," Aza smiled, patting my cheek. "Places!"

We obeyed and went to our beginning spots on stage. Giselle at the front, Johanna and Lucia behind her then Lilly, Makenzie and I in the back row. The music started and we began, strutting and swaying around the stage to our different points, grabbing the poles designated for us then made our way back toward the center.

I was supposed to criss cross with Lucia, take hands with Johanna and spin each other, but instead Johanna slipped her hand out of mine too early and I stumbled. In the process of catching myself, I felt two hands give a hard shove on my back and I went tumbling forward to the edge of the stage.

The pop in my ankle was audible and I cried out instantly in pain. Rolling forward, I braced myself for impact as I plopped onto the floor below the stage. The music stopped and I heard bubbly laughter above running feet coming for me combined with voices asking if I was OK. One voice over them all, made us all freeze.

"Giselle!" Luca bellowed angrily from the archway that led to the offices.

Arms crossed over his chest slowly unfolded and went to his sides to form tight fists. Even in his well tailored navy suit, he looked menacing with his hardened facial expression and that steel tone of voice. I've only heard that tone once. When he found Braydan dragging me across the floor in a private room.

"Oh hey, Baby," Giselle greeted, swaying toward the end of the stage.

"Sta 'zitto!" He barked. Giselle obeyed. Smile quickly fading, she clamped her mouth shut. "Vieni qui adesso!" Again, she obeyed and shyly walked toward him.

(Shut up!) (Come here now!)

We all watched with bated breath as they walked back toward the offices. A door slamming hinted they went in a room. We heard muffled shouting, arguing then a gunshot and another in a double tap. Cowering into a huddle together, we trembled and held tightly to one another. All except Johanna who was frozen, still standing at the edge of the stage, eyes wide with fear.

I peered up over Makenzie's and Lucia's heads when I heard a door open. Luca was coming back, tucking something behind his jacket before straightening it again.

"Johanna!" He yelled again, his gaze piercing at the trembling woman. She shook her head and whimpered. "Vieni qui adesso!" She shook her head again, lower lip trembling. Luca took long strides forward until he was at the stage and grabbed her wrist. "Vieni volentieri o ti sparo qui!"

(Come here now!) (Come willingly or I'll shoot you here!)

He dragged a sobbing Johanna beside him down the same hallway and we heard another door slam. Jarret now appeared in the junction silently continuing toward the pile of terrified girls on the floor. We all turned with wide eyes when we heard a blood curdling scream come from the hallway.

Soon after, Luca returned yet again, slipping something in his pocket this time. His eyes searched for mine and softened. When he finally reached our jumbled heap, Luca extended a hand. Immediately I took it, strangely unafraid. I let him pull me to my feet, steady me then sweep his arm under my knees to cradle me to his chest.

"Jarret," He called over his shoulder as he stalked toward another hallway. "Ripulisci quel casino." Jarret nodded and disappeared to the room Luca had taken Giselle and Johanna to. "Ragazze, riposatevi," he directed to the others who got up and scrambled toward their rooms.

(Clean up that mess.) (Girls, go rest)

"Where are you taking me?" I asked him softly, drinking in his furious features. Jaw clenching and unclenching, brows deeply furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line. Furious yet still furiously handsome.

"Doc," he answered simply. "Promise to close your eyes."

"Promise," I nodded, closing my eyes then burying my face in his chest with my arms wrapped tightly around his neck. His spicy scent filled my nose, cloaking me in comfort.

Luca paused his strides. I heard the beep of presumably an elevator just before he took a few steps then paused again. During our silence, he kissed the top of my head and mumbled comforting phrases softly in italian that included assurances I would be safe now.

Another dinging and lack of ascending movement alerted me we had stopped. Luca began walking again carrying me down another hallway.

"Doc!" He called then door opened.

"Qui," A voice responded.

I felt the twisting for Luca to fit us through a doorway then heard the sound of a door clicking shut.

"Grazie, Gattina," He whispered into my hair then as he sat me down on a cushion seat added, "You can open your eyes now."

Once I did, I quickly peered around the room immediately. It seemed like a normal doctor's office. I was on a raised exam seat and an older, short man with gray hair and a rounded belly was removing my shoe.

"Ciao mio caro," he smiled up at me, gently taking my heel in his hand. "I am Dr. Ricci. I'm going to take a look, yes?" He introduced in a heavy Italian accent.

(Hi my dear)

"Ciao dottore," I smiled back, wincing as he squeezed the tender spot of my ankle. "Yes, that's fine."

(Hi doctor)

Luca stood beside me placing a hand on the small of my back as he rubbed small circles. His mouth hovering near my ear. "You speak italian now?" I could hear the smirk tugging at his lips.

Turning my head just enough to be near his ear, I gave my hushed reply, "I've...picked up a few basics." His low, quiet chuckle was like music to my ears. "My mom spoke Italian," I hissed as Dr. Ricci turned and squeezed at my ankle. "Especially when I was in trouble. OW!"

That much was the truth.

Dr. Ricci continued his exam then released my ankle and wheeled backwards on his stool.

"Range of motion is limited, the swelling is going to get worse over the next day or so," He explained. "I'll wrap it but then you need to keep it elevated and iced for a few days. Ibuprofen will help with pain and the swelling. No dancing for at least 4 weeks. Got that?" His eyes narrowed glancing to Luca briefly.

"OK," I agreed softly. How am I going to work and reduce my debt?

"Of course, Doctor," Luca also agreed observing carefully as the doctor wrapped my ankle.

"I need you to close your eyes again," He ordered, coming around in front of me to stand between my legs.
.
"Why?" I asked, perplexed as I wrinkled my nose at him.

Luca let out a low growl then leaned into my ear. "Either you close your eyes...or Doc here gives you a sedative. Your choice."

Immediately I wrapped my arms around his neck and closed my eyes, pressing my face to his chest. Grabbing under my ass, he lifted me to him, coaxing my legs to wrap around his waist.

"Grazie, dottore," Luca chuckled then carried me out of the room back the way we came.

(Thank you Doctor)

By now I was convinced we had definitely gotten into an elevator and thoughts about the layout of this building ran through my mind. They were abruptly interrupted, however, when Luca slammed me against the wall and dove for my neck again.

Surely, Luca had figured out this was a weak spot because it was his favorite place to start kissing. I squirmed and moaned softly at his attentions, rolling my head to the side as he alternated between peppering kisses and sucking at the tender flesh. My legs tightened around him as he grazed his lips across my chest only to repeat the same kissing pattern to the other side of my neck. All the while something hard ground at my core sending tingles soaring up my spine.

What seemed like only a few precious seconds, ended as abruptly as it began when he pulled back and flipped my leg so I was once again cradled in his arms.

Not daring to disobey, I kept my eyes tightly closed. I couldn't look at him after what had just occurred. Luca strode through the hallways to our mysterious destination. The mystery was solved when he opened the door to a room and laid me on a bed.

Still entangled around him, those soft lips teased at my jaw making their way over my face. I could feel his warm breath, as unsteady as my own, fanning my face.

"Grazie," Luca said breathily as he kissed an eyelid. "Aperto," as he kissed the other. "Open," he translated and I opened my eyes to be focused on his.

Luca shoved himself off me and strode across the room, fists clenched at his sides. I looked around briefly, realizing we were back in my room. Shifting to sit up on my elbows, I watched him walk away then stop with his hand on the doorknob. Luca was breathing heavily, his shoulders tense and knuckles turning white from how hard he gripped the doorknob.

"Rest, ice and elevate, Gattino," Luca ordered, his voice rough. "I'll have Jarret bring you ice and bottled water."

"OK," I answered breathlessly, confused by his sudden mood changes.

With a curt nod, Luca hastily opened the door and disappeared into the hallway.

So Lucas's not all sunshine and rainbows 🌈

What do you think happened do Giselle and Johanna?

Share your thoughts!

Enjoy, vote, comment and share!

Yeah, right there...hit the star, yeah there. Thank you!

❤️