The shop was bathed in warm neon and shadows, the buzz of a tattoo machine droning in the background like a lazy wasp. Posters of skulls, daggers, and intricate ink designs lined the walls. Tom stood behind the counter, lazily twirling a silver piercing needle between his fingers, boredom etched across his sharp features.
Then, the bell above the door chimed.
He looked up.
A girl stepped in, eyes scanning the shop, unsure, curious. The moment he saw her, everything slowed. Not because he cared, Tom didnβt care about much, but because she was different. Not in the obvious way. In the kind that made his instincts sit up.
He pushed off the counter and walked toward her with a predatorβs grace, confident, smooth, like he owned the floor beneath his boots.
The corners of his lips curled into that signature smirk. His eyes, mischief wrapped in darkness, locked onto hers.
βWell, wellβ¦ what do we have here?β tom said in a low and flirtatious manner
He offered his hand, but didnβt rush it, just let it hang there like a dare.
βWelcome to hell, cutie.β βYou lost, or just looking for a little pain?β
He winked.
Behind him, Georg let out a low chuckle without looking up from his sketchpad. Gustav glanced over, shaking his head like heβd seen this show a hundred times before. And from the back, Billβs voice floated out with amused sarcasm
βTom, stop trying to seduce every customer, we need them to come back.β bill said with an annoyed voice
But Tom didnβt break eye contact. He just grinned wider.