Chapter 31: D A R I O

When Hera hugged this Neptune person, I swear she put her hand on Hera’s ass. Neptune asked Hera if she was ready and I saw her nod her head. Neptune smiled wide and grabbed Hera by the waist and started pulling her towards her room. Hera looked back at me and asked if I was coming and I nearly leapt off the couch and followed the women to Neptune’s room and she closed us all in the tight space.

Hera shrugged off her black denim jacket and I offered to hold it while I took a seat next to the tattoo chair. Hera kicked her feet while Neptune was at a counter, preparing the stencil. She left the room for a few moments and Hera started to unbutton her shirt. With each button released I could feel my jeans getting tighter and tighter. I was glad I had Hera’s jacket to cover my erection. I watched as she slowly opened her shirt, it was barely covering her breasts. I realized I was staring and she asked me something. I cleared my throat to clear the arousal and asked,

“I’m sorry, what did you ask?”

“Will you hold my hand?”

“Oh yeah, uh, yes, of course.”

Hera looked relieved when I acknowledged her request. Neptune returned to the room and looked a little more than she should’ve when she saw Hera’s shirt open. I was a bit perturbed. Why was I jealous? I was just doing the same thing. I watched as Neptune spread her thumbs across Hera’s breasts while trying to “smooth out” the stencil. I started to clench my jaw. I didn’t like how touchy this Neptune was.

Hera looked at the applied stencil in the mirror, breasts in her hands. I watched her, admired her tits in her hands, and her flat toned stomach. Her jeans were so tight against her skin, her ass perfectly round. My cock twitched again and I held the jacket a little tighter against myself.

Hera turned and showed me the stencil and asked if I liked it. All I could muster was a nod and Hera smiled. She lied down on the tattoo chair and Neptune set up her station.

Hera reached for my hand and it was my pleasure to hold it. She gripped it right when Neptune started with the tattoo needle. Her grip was firm and I couldn’t help but wonder what else I could make her grip that firmly. Hera and Neptune were talking when a sudden buzzing started in the jacket I was holding. Hera asked me to see who was calling her.

Chills went down my spine when the phone said a Sicily area code and I clenched my jaw. I turned the phone to Hera. I saw her look at the number and her eyes went icy white. She took a deep breath and said,

“θα καλέσω αργότερα.”

*“I’ll call back later.”*

I wanted to crush her phone in my hands. So *he* was the one that caused her icy eyes. *He’s* the reason she was hurting in the Jeep. I needed to discuss this with Ambrosio. What is the protocol when it comes to the *Italian*? He mentioned distracting Hera and keeping her in America. What if the *Italian* comes *here*?

My attention snapped back when Neptune asked who I was. I held my breath to hear Hera’s response. She looked over at me when replying to Neptune and said,

“I’m not entirely sure yet, but I’m glad he’s here.”

She wasn’t entirely sure? Did she not believe I was here to help her aunt? Apparently my confusion was on my face because Hera laughed. Neptune reminded her to hold still and Hera winked at me. It was the first time she’d done that. Her green blue eyes sparkled and I was completely inebriated by her existence.

The rest of the time Hera was getting her tattoo, I held her hand, looked her in the eyes, and repeatedly told myself it’s way too soon to be falling in love with a girl I just met.

When Neptune finished, she wrapped Hera up in a clear bandage and I wanted to cry ugly tears when Hera buttoned her shirt back up. Neptune walked us out of the small room and I didn’t realize how long we’d been shoved together, until the cool breeze of the hallway liberated my heated body. Hera took her jacket back, which also relieved some of the heat. We met Ambrosio and Keegan in the lobby. Keegan’s eyes went wide when she saw Hera and asked to see her tattoo. Hera lifted the middle of her shirt up to show Keegan. I couldn’t help but notice Hera’s under boob as she showed off her new piece and I had to readjust my pants.

Ambrosio showed us his new hand piece, the bottom half of a skull. When his tatted hand covered his face, the tattoo looked like it was the rest of his skeleton. Ambrosio paid Neptune and Leo in stacks of cash. Probably more than the tattoos even cost.

We all got back in the Jeep and we headed back to the apartment. On the drive, Ambrosio decided he would take Keegan home in one of his own vehicles, she would grab what she needed to get ready, then they’d meet us back at the apartment. As we all agreed to the plan, Hera’s phone rang again, this time through the Bluetooth speakers. Sicily area code read on her touch screen, and Hera quickly ignored the call.

I glanced back at Ambrosio with a clenched jaw and he looked back at me. I tried to hide my discontent when I straightened in my seat and focused my eyes ahead. I’m pretty sure the boss of Italy is married. Why is he calling Hera? Why did Hera just get back from there last night? I kept my gaze forward out the windshield. I was too pissed to see Hera's eyes freeze over.

Hera parked her Jeep and we all got out. Hera seemed embarrassed when she opened the back and we all grabbed out our respective bags. Everyone was silent when we took the elevator back up the floor with the apartments. When Hera reached her door, she kissed Keegan on the cheek and they agreed they would see each other soon and Hera disappeared inside her apartment with her bags and both the girls’ dresses.

Ambrosio opened the door to his apartment and the three of us filed in. I went and put my bags on the bed in my room. As I sorted my new clothes, Ambrosio knocked gently on my opened door. I motioned for him to come in and he closed the door behind him. He asked,

“I Íra échei pei káti gia ton Don Emiliáno?”

*“Has Hera said anything about Don Emiliano?”*

I clenched my teeth and shook my head. Ambrosio let out a sigh of frustration. I had a million questions,

“Den eínai pantreménos?”

*“Isn’t he married?”*

Ambrosio looked aggravated as he nodded his head. I could feel my blood start to boil in my veins. Why is Hera messing with married men? I finally unhinged my jaw enough to ask,

“Ki an érthei edó?”

*“What if* he *comes here?”*

Ambrosio looked at me for a moment then said,

“Skótosé ton.”

*“Kill him.”*

I gave Ambrosio a nod in agreement and he took another heavy sigh before he said,

“Kráta me enímero.”

*“Keep me updated.”*

I gave Ambrosio another nod and he handed me the keys to the place and left me alone in the apartment.