No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 1

This should be a fun session.

———

"Remember your aftercare and it should be all good," I smile, ripping the receipt off the EFTA's machine and handing it to the couple.

"Thank you so much," Luna beams, linking her arm through Stacy's.

I laugh at the happy couple, "You're welcome, now take care," I wave at them as they wave back and head out the door, Luna chatting happily away as Stacy just smiles and listens.

I let out a sigh and slump into the receptionist chair, thankful to see there are no more appointments booked for today. I've had enough of people for the day.

I look up with a frustrated sigh as the bell of the door rings. No matter how many times I say we don't do walk ins, people always fucking ask.

My glare is replaced with a smile as a familiar face walks in.

"Ari!" I say excitedly, the gruff man winking at me.

He looks like anything but an Ari. When people think of the name Ari, they think of a puppy or a small child. Instead, he's a large man with a long beard, his tanned skin swarmed with ink. He was a friend of Dad, and now works for my Grandfather, but I know he's only doing it because he promised Dad he'd always look out for me.

"The no walk-in rule still apply?" he asks, leaning against the desk. "Not for you it doesn't," I grin, wrinkling my nose as his breath reeks of cigarette smoke.

"I'm looking for a scorpion on my back," he sighs, "I saw a photo of one in a window and thought, fuck that looks good," his raspy voice rattling on, stopping as a sly smile comes across his face, "And I heard some gossip from your grandpa,"

My eyebrows shoot up as we walk over to one of the rooms, "What gossip?" I ask suspiciously, closing the door as Ari pulls his leather jacket off.

"Just about his little grudge against the De Santis'," he sighs, pulling his shirt off and lying on the bed.

I hum and pull on a pair of gloves, intrigued by any updates on my Grandfathers plans to get his revenge.

I spray the empty spot on his back and take a drawing of a scorpion Ari did, laying it on the spray, letting it sink in so I have a stencil to copy off.

"I heard he wants you to kill the current Don, start from there and make your way to the whole family," Ari says, resting his head on his arms as he closes his eyes.

"He wants me to just kill an entire family?" I ask in disbelief, taking the drawing off, satisfied with the mark it left.

"Pretty much," he heaves out, a chuckle escaping his lips.

I turn the tattoo gun on and gently start the process, "He sounds like a child who just wants to hurt anyway who hurt his feelings," I say, unable to keep the disgust out of my voice.

"Probably doing the world a favour, I heard the Don is a mean little fella, rest of the family is nice though," Ari says, sounding thoughtful.

"A mean little fella?" I repeat, laughing at his expression, "I'm sure he would kill you if that got back to him," I snort.

"Not if you get to him first," Ari says in a sing-song voice, unusual for a man of his appearance. "I'll help you Ana, don't worry," he chuckles.

I smile as I go slowly around the stencil, "I don't know how I feel about the entire family, I know Mom liked Adelyn," I murmur.

"A jobs a job," Ari sighs, "And after this I think your Grandfather would go MIA, you wouldn't have to see him again,"

"He's not going to try and take over?" I ask in surprise.

Ari shakes his head, "He just wants to see them disgraced, like they apparently disgraced him,"

I hum, once again feeling embarrassed to be related to that stupid man.

"Do you know when he wants me to kill them?" I ask in a bored tone.

"After your next hit, so most likely the day after tomorrow," he replies, letting out a sigh as I tattoo the scorpion's tail.

"I wouldn't even know how to begin, they're apparently a big family," I think aloud, kicking myself for doubting.

"Don't worry Ana. Ari's got you, I'll help out," he chuckles, making me smile.

After the murder of my parents Ari took over the role of Dad, always checking up on me and keeping me safe. Which is why he still works for my Grandfather. Ari hates him as much as I do, but he promised to look after me, and one thing I've learnt about Ari is that he never breaks a promise.

Although he looks like he would be the leader of a motorcycle gang, he's truly the worlds biggest softie. Don't get me wrong, he would kill a man without a second thought, but to me he's always been nothing less than kind. Always bringing me in for a bear hug despite my protests, and always there to back me up whenever a mission goes awry.

We chatter back and forth for the rest of the session and I lean back once I'm finished, admiring the elegant scorpion.

I take a photo of it and show Ari, who immediately smiles, "Best tattoo artist there is," he grins, laughing as I blush.

"You're too kind," I say, rolling my eyes as I soothe gel over the tattoo and tape it up for protection.

I take my gloves off and wash my hands as Ari stands up and puts his shirt back on, zipping up his leather jacket.

He grunts as he pulls the zipper up, "I should really be keeping off the sugar," he grumbles, patting his stomach, I just laugh and shake my head.

We walk back out to the foyer and as always Ari pays and leaves a generous tip, winking at me before exiting the store.

I look at my phone and my eyebrows shoot up when I see it's 5 o'clock. I lock the parlour door and flip the sign to 'Closed' before I sweep down the store and make my way back upstairs.

I slump into my bed and close my eyes. Grandfather would have to be out of his mind if he wants me to kill an entire fucking family just because he had his feelings hurt.

But then again, I could do it. I would kill every person on this planet if it meant getting away from that psychotic man and his abuse.

I'm Anastasia fucking Mancini for fucks sake, I could kill Vincenzo De Santis in the blink of an eye.

//

So how do we like it so far?? I'm so fucking excited to write this book, and I hope you guys are excited to read it!!

I'll update again soon, but until then, have a good day/night and don't forget to vote!!

Abi <3