Page 41 of Christmas with Four Tattoo Artists

But most of all, we needed to show Julia that she was the one who mattered, that no one else could take her place.

I looked down at the two coffee cups, one on the desk and the other in the trash, wondering what the hell wewere thinking bringing Adele back into our lives.

* * *

I was working on some designs late in the day when Adele sauntered into my office, leaning against the doorframe, a casual smile on her face.

"Hey, Kai, how's your afternoon going?" she asked, her voice lilting and light.

I looked up, meeting her eyes. "Good, Adele. How about you?"

She shrugged, taking a step closer. "Oh, you know, same old.” She smiled, shaking her head. “I was just thinking about how much things have changed around here." Her eyes roamed the room, finally settling on me. "And how much they've stayed the same."

I nodded, unsure of her intention but feeling the stirrings of unease. "Change is inevitable, I guess."

She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. "But some things shouldn't change, don't you think? Like friendships, connections..." Her voice trailed off, her smile turning somewhat wicked.

I leaned back in my chair, choosing my words carefully. "Friendships are important, Adele, but they also evolve. What's most important now is maintaining a professional relationship. We're coworkers, and that's the way it should stay."

Her eyes widened for a moment, and then she laughed, a little too loudly. "Oh, Kai, always the serious one. I was just trying to catch up, you know, see how you've been. But of course,a horndog like you would think that I was coming in here to slip under that desk and, I don’t know, do something naughty like suck your cock.” She laughed, just long enough for it to be awkward.

“Addy,” I said, my voice a low warning.

Her eyes flashed. “I’m totally joking,” she retorted. “Sorry, sorry. I’m being totally inappropriate, and I deeply apologize.”

I grumbled, shifting in my seat. There was a major tinge of disingenuousness to her “apology.” But I was willing to take it just to end the conversation.

"I appreciate that," I replied, my voice firm. "But let's keep our conversations focused on work, okay? It's best for all of us. No joking around, not like that.”

She looked at me for a long moment, her smile fading, replaced by a look I couldn't quite read. "Sure, Kai. I understand."

A beat of awkward silence passed.

“Anything else you wanted?”

“Nope! Bye.” She quickly spun around and was gone.

I was frustrated. Each conversation with Adele made me more and more certain we’d majorly fucked up bringing her back, falling for her sob story.

Before I could spend too much time thinking the matter over, a scream pierced the air, sharp and urgent, shattering my thoughts.

My heart leapt in my chest, and I was out of my chair in an instant, adrenaline surging through me as I ran toward the scream.

What the hell was happening? All thoughts of Adele and our uncomfortable conversation were forgotten as I raced to find the source of the scream, fear and confusion battling within me.

I skidded into the reception area, my eyes quickly finding Julia, her face pale and her hands trembling as she stared down at an open box on her desk. I could tell what the contents were even from a distance, and a chill ran down my spine. Animal entrails, bloody and grotesque, filled the box, and my stomach turned at the sight.

"What the hell is this?" I yelled, rushing to Julia's side, my mind racing.

She looked up at me, her eyes wide with terror. "I… I don't know. It was just delivered by a courier. I thought it was a supply order, but then..."

She didn't need to finish. I could see the horror in her eyes, and I felt it too. It wasn't just a prank. It was a warning.

I noticed a note on top of the disgusting mess, and I reached in, my hand steady despite the revulsion I felt. I unfolded the paper, my eyes scanning the crudely written words.

LEAVE BEFORE IT GETS WORSE.

I felt a surge of anger, hot and fierce. I knew exactly who was behind it—Klaus. That twisted bastard was trying to scare us, to drive us out.

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