Page 108 of The Tattoo Artist

Thuck.

I quickly duck back down, hoping he didn’t see me.

My heart races in my chest as I hear the deafening boom of the gun firing, and the glass shatters all around me. I let out a terrified cry, my breaths coming out in rapid bursts.

The phone call with Ares has disconnected.

I try to steady my trembling hands as I crawl out from under the table, my mind racing with fear and uncertainty. I look towards the entrance, seeing the shattered glass scattered across the floor. Did Luca leave, or is he still lurking somewhere in the dark corners of the library? I grab a lamp from the counter, my knuckles turning white as I grip it tightly.

Each step I take feels like an eternity, my eyes darting around, scanning every shadow, and hiding spot between the bookshelves. I wipe the dry tears from my cheeks, trying to regain some sense of composure. The library feels eerily silent, broken only by the faint sound of my own shaky breaths. Every creak of the floorboards beneath my feet startles me. I feel like a hunted animal, trying to navigate a maze of uncertainty and fear.

I take slow, cautious steps, peering between each bookshelf, hoping to catch a glimpse of Luca before he catches me. My body is tense with anticipation, and every sound sends a jolt of adrenaline through me. I keep moving, driven by a desperate need to survive.

“I can’t believe Ares never told you about me…” the intercom of the library is filled with his voice. Meaning he’s at the counter. “We were best friends you know, until he killed my little brother.”

I hold onto my mouth.

“I wanted revenge and went after the one thing he loves the most…you! And god did it work. Because you forgot all about him, didn’t you Angel…” tears fall from my eyes, but I had to stay on guard. “And then…whilst I was away in prison-he shot my other brother-Elmer…so now it’s time for you to die. Chapter thirty-five, page two hundred and seventy-five. Never leave a trace.”

Suddenly, I feel a warm hand press against my mouth causing a muffled scream to be let out. I turn my head and my eyes are locked with his green ones, and now-everything inside of me is calm. He gives me a small nod of reassurance, takes the lamp from my hand, and gently rests it onto one of the shelves. I didn’t take a chance before tucking my head into his chest, his huge arms wrap around me.

He killed Maxine.

Unable to hide my emotions, Ares raises my face.

The scent of him surrounds me, a familiar and comforting smell that instantly starts to calm my frayed nerves. In his arms, I feel a sense of protection and security that I hadn’t realised how desperately I needed.

Until now.

“I knew you’d show up.” Ares pushes me behind him.

“If you touch a strand on her hair, I’ll make sure you join your fucking brothers.”

Luca smirks, leaning against the bookshelves.

“I’ll join them right after I kill her, Diávolos.” He wipes his nose, “why are you hiding Angelos, come out…I must have scared her.”

“I’m going to fucking kill you Luca.”

“Not before I kill her.”

Luca relentlessly pushes the bookshelf, the creaking sound echoes into the library. Panic courses through me as I realise the impending danger, I look up just in time to witness the bookshelf tipping in our direction. But before disaster strikes, Ares reacts with incredible speed. He grabs my arms and pulls me towards him, his strong and protective presence shielding me from the collision. We tumble backward against the bookcase behind us, and I brace myself for the impact of falling books.

But to my surprise, the books seem to fall beside us, avoiding my head and body.

I let out a strained cough, and slowly open my eyes to notice Ares towered over me. The entire bookshelves crushing onto his back, my eyes widen as I slip my hand out from the tight space and try to push onto the bookshelf.

I glance up, and our eyes meet, our noses brushing against each other in the confined space. “Ares,” I whisper, my voice filled with worry. “Ares, hey, are you okay?” I speak, he grunts and nods his head.

“I’ve got you now, you’re okay, you know who I am?” He asks me instantly, and my heart breaks, his voice steady despite the weight on his back. I nod my head in response, and he releases a breath of relief. I try to move, to help him somehow, but he holds me tightly against him. “Stay still,” he insists, his voice firm but gentle.

With determination etched on his face, Ares continues to push up against the heavy bookcase, the strain evident in his efforts. I want to help him, to ease the burden he’s carrying, but he keeps me tightly pressed against him, shielding me from any potential harm.

His muscles flex as he struggles to find something to support the bookcase’s weight. I watch in awe as he reaches out and grabs onto a nearby shelf, using it as leverage to help lift the bookcase off his back.

The pressure eases slightly.

“Almost there,” he grunts through the effort, his focus unwavering. Slowly but surely, the bookcase rises, allowing him to manoeuvre his body out from underneath it.

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