Page 70 of Christmas with Four Tattoo Artists

It was clear from his expression that whatever had just happened outside, it wasn’t part of Klaus’s plan.

“You don’t have to do this,” I whispered, my mind racing to find any way out of the immediate threat he posed.

Klaus prowled closer, circling me like a hungry wolf, a smirk plastered across his face.

"You know, little lady," he began with a sneer, "you've caused me a lot of trouble. Maybetoo muchtrouble.”

I clenched my teeth, refusing to let him see me waver. The image of Adele's sinister gloating was still fresh in my mind, and now Klaus was taking over the role with unnerving delight.

“Maybe I should kill you now, let the guys think you’re still alive. By the time they realize the truth, it’ll be too fuckin’ late.” As he was about to continue his menacing tirade, an echoing bang rang out, causing both of us to flinch. Then, suddenly, the room was plunged into darkness, the lights completely snuffed out. The sudden shift from relative light to total blackness was disorienting. My heart raced in my chest, and for a split second, the playing field seemed level. The predator, for just a moment, seemed as disoriented as the prey.

“Stay right where you are!” he shouted, springing toward me. “Don’t make a fuckin’ move!”

Klaus lunged closer, and although I couldn’t see it, I knew the cold steel of the gun was inches from my face. I could sense the weight of it, and I knew the power it held. A single squeeze of the trigger, and everything would be over.

But despite the fear I felt, I couldn’t shake the notion that the blackout hadn’t been a coincidence.

Chapter 32

Andrew

Ten minutes earlier…

The wild hues of orange and pink painted the Miami skyline, creating a beautiful yet haunting backdrop as I settled on the rooftop. The contrast between the city's serene beauty and the grim urgency of my task was striking. Through the scope of my sniper rifle, the grimy motel became sharply in focus. Every flutter of a curtain, every glow of a cigarette; the details were almost painfully sharp. Memories of past missions came flooding back, the weight of what I was about to do pressing heavily on me.

I began counting Crimson Devils. Their movements were cocky, predictable, their stupid swagger evident even as they patrolled. "Six outside, two on bikes circling," I reported into the earpiece.

“Seems low,” James said. “Stay frosty, there might be more. And remember, non-lethal shot. We don’t want a bloodbath.”

Kai's nervous voice crackled through, "Any sign of Julia from your angle?"

"Not yet" I responded, adjusting the lens. The tight knot of anger in my gut grew. Why did it have to come to this? All roads led to Klaus. “Got a room I think she might be in, but the curtains are drawn. No way to see inside but I just spotted Adele going out and Klaus going in a few moments ago. Almost certain that’s the one.”

"We need a distraction," Finn mused over the connection.

Breathing deeply, I took in the city's mixed scents—car exhaust, the distant aroma from various food trucks, and the ocean's unmistakable saltiness. "There's a transformer near the east end. Blow it, and the motel goes dark.”

A brief silence ensued before Kai gave the order. "Do it."

I took aim at the transformer, remembering the rhythm: breathe in, aim, breathe out, shoot. When I was ready, I pulled the trigger slowly.

Boom.

The explosion followed immediately, a shower of sparks streaming out of the transformer as the shot hit its mark. Darkness consumed the motel.

The Crimson Devils erupted into chaos, their shouts carrying across the distance. "Move now!" James commanded.

My finger rested lightly on the trigger, every heartbeat a testament to what was at stake.

"This is for Julia," I whispered.

The colors in the sky had deepened, and the city's ambient light provided just enough visibility. From my vantage point, Kai and Finn appeared as shadows, moving stealthily amidst the motel's patchy illumination.

Kai approached the first Devil from behind, his movements fluid. A sharp twist and a sudden, choked-off cry ensured the man wouldn't be raising any alarms. He went limp and unconscious, Kai's arm around his neck, dragging him silently behind a row of shrubs.

Finn waited for another thug to pass by. Just as the man tossed away a lit cigarette, Finn lunged, ramming the heel of his hand into the guy's nose. The Devil crumpled to the ground, his cigarette still burning on the concrete. He’d feel that one in the morning.

I tracked their progress, impressed despite the dire circumstances. These two had always been adept at hand-to-hand, but the urgency of the situation sharpened their movements.

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