Page 38 of The Tattoo Artist

“No, I don’t want too…” I whisper out, my body becoming limp.

He sighs and pushes both his fingers into my mouth, I couldn’t stop him-couldn’t grab onto his wrist and pull his hand away from my mouth. He pushes deeper causing me to gag slightly, and I vomit all over the ground.

God.

This is so embarrassing.

No. I hate myself. I really do.

“There.” He whispers, “they drugged you, it’s out now.” He lifts me up from the ground, one hand on my back and the other arm underneath my legs. I rest my head against his chest as he opens his car door and settles me inside. His car was right beside Catherines, I knew it was familiar.

I begin to gain some feeling in my hands now, but my eyes were threatening to close again.

“Alexandra, no- open your eyes, butterfly.” He taps onto the side of my face and opens the back door. I suddenly feel something cold spill over my face and force my eyes open, he brings the water to my lips and forces me to drink some.

My hands regains their reflexes and I use it to push Ares away, he pulls the water away from me and I wipe my face. I suddenly feel tears pouring down my eyes, mixing with the water. He presses my head against his chest as he strokes the back of my hair, “I’m here.” He reassures me, he lifts my head so that our eyes locked. “I’m right here, okay, you’re safe Alex.”

He kisses my forehead and does my seatbelt for me before closing the door.

“Hey! What the fuck! That’s my friend!” Cathy’s fierce voice breaks through the chaos. Her eyes blaze with anger as she rushes towards us, pushing Ares to the side.

“Touch me again, I dare you.” He stands in front of me, “what a good friend you are? Leaving your friend in the club alone where she got drugged and nearly sexually assaulted.” Her brows furrow, her eyes locking with mine.

I turn around, away from the window.

My body feels heavy, and I struggle to keep my eyes open as Ares settles into the driver’s seat and closes my door. I vaguely hear Cathy’s voice calling my name, her desperation echoing in my ears.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to leave you!” She cries out, slamming her hands onto the window.

Ares glances down at me, his expression unreadable.

He seems to hesitate for a moment before he takes off his jacket and gently drapes it around my bare shoulders. The warmth of the jacket envelops me, offering some comfort against the chilly night air.

He carefully slips my arms into the sleeves and zips it up, making sure I’m as snug as possible.

He reverses out of the car park and drives, now my legs begin to tingle. He takes my hands into his, I slowly look at him. “Thank you.” I whisper out.

I glance down, realising his fist is bruised and bloody.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

ARES NICOLAIDES

IGENTLY LAY ALEXANDRA DOWN ONTO HER BED.

Her body fidgeting slightly in her drunken slumber. She was completely out of it, lost in the haze of the alcohol.

I sigh, worried about her, but knowing she needed rest to recover from the night’s events. Carefully, I begin to remove her heels, setting them aside, and then proceed to unzip her black dress. As I help her out of the dress, I can’t help but notice the room around me. It’s neat and tidy, with a touch of feminine elegance. The soft glow of a lamp casts a warm hue over the space, creating a comforting atmosphere. The walls are adorned with paintings and photographs, highlighting memories and moments that have shaped Alexandra’s life.

I walk over to the closet, thinking I might find some comfortable clothes for her to sleep in.

As I open the door, I am taken aback by what I see. The inside of the door is covered in a detailed map of the city, with red, blue, and white dots pinned into various locations. Red strings crisscross the map, connecting different points of interest.

It looks like some sort of investigation, but for what?

I glance at the other door, and my eyes are drawn to a collage of newspaper headlines, all featuring the word “Diávolos.”

What the hell? She’s chasing after a killer. Why?

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