The Tattoo Artist (La Petite Mort #1)

18. Chapter 18

eighteen

Quinn

W e got out of the car and made our way toward the front of the club. The line was bloody huge. I could see beautiful women wearing sexy short dresses.Music could be heard from out here. I adjusted my dress and tugged on it, feeling naked. Sophie grabbed my wrist and dragged me along with her to the front of the line, where I could hear some girls murmur and stare as we passed. We stood in front of this huge scary bouncer. I looked up to read the name of the club.

Blue Morpho

Sophie told him her name, and he checked the list and let her in along with me. He unlocked the blue velvet rope, and we stepped into the club, where the music was blaring. It was dark, but just the right amount of light was coming from the ceiling. We walked towards the stairs, and another bouncer stood in front of the blue velvet rope barrier covering the entrance to the VIP section. He opened it and let us through.

A few minutes later, a cocktail server brought us a shot of tequila. “Here you go. On the house sent to you by the owner himself,” he said, smirking and giving me a wink as he left. “Thank you,” we both yelled over the music. Sophie grabbed a shot for her and then a shot for me, handing it to me. “Drink it; it’s time you feel the burn!”

I took a deep breath and drowned the shot as I tilted my head up. I choked on it and started to cough, as I could feel the nasty burn.Sophie laughed, and I cringed at the nasty taste. “This is disgusting,” I blurted out, wiping my mouth. We both made our way towards the crowded dance floor. The dance floor was heavily packed, and there was no way to see where you were going, but I felt alive and free.We danced to one song before Sophie led us both to the bar and ordered a margarita for each of us. The bartender draped the towel over his shoulder and handed us our drinks. Sophie handed him her card and asked him to start a tab.

“Can you start a tab for me!” She yelled over the music, and the bartender winked at her, nodded, and took the card.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I shouted over the music. Sophie nodded her head yes and grabbed me by my shoulders. “I want you to have fun. Okay? Let go and enjoy the freedom!” I nodded my head. She grabbed the bartender's attention and ordered two shots. She handed me a shot glass, and we both drank them. I hissed at the taste of tequila and immediately took a sip of my margarita.

It had been so long since I felt this free. Tonight had been an unforgettable night as I’d danced my ass off. My body moved to the beat of the music, and I didn’t plan on stopping. I could feel myself getting dizzy with every drop of alcohol that entered my body, but I was too intoxicated and having too much fun to care. I knew I’d be paying the price with the nasty hangover that I was sure would come in the morning.

We had been jumping, clapping, and pumping our fists in the air for the last two minutes. This was the most fun I’d ever had. Sophie was dancing around me while we both sang at the top of our lungs. I felt free, and I fucking loved it. My hands trailed down my neck, towards my chest, and back up as Sophie wrapped her arms around my waist.As we both moved sensually, my brain had one person in mind.

Alexander.

The filthy thoughts ran through my mind as my hands moved around my body. I missed his touch on my skin so freaking bad. Just thinking about him was getting me all fired up. I missed him. I closed my eyes as my body continued to move. I took in the image of Alexander when, suddenly, my thoughts changed, and now Deimos made himself known in my mind. With my eyes still closed my fingers pushed some of the hair out of my face when suddenly I opened my eyes instantly, feeling someone's hands on me. I snapped my head around to come face to face with a man I didn’t know. He grabbed my waist and pushed me towards him. Sophie noticed and tried to get in between us as she pushed him off me, but he didn't move. He was too strong.

“Let go of her—” she said, pushing him hard and punching him. “I said let go of her,” Sophie screamed. I was trying my hardest to rip his hands from my waist, but the alcohol in me wasn't helping.He finally let go, and Sophie pushed me behind her.

“Touch her again, and I’ll fucking kill you!” She screamed at him, and I could see and feel the anger coursing through her veins.He smirked at us, licking his lips.

“Come on baby, come shake that ass against me.”He said, giving us a devious smirk.

I swallowed hard, feeling anger run through my veins. He gave me a bad feeling. The way he looked at us made my skin crawl. “Fuck you,” I said, stepping next to Sophie.

“You bitch,” he spat.

He stepped closer to us. Suddenly, his hands came up in surrender, and he backed away. He turned his head towards his group of friends, and his eyes moved behind us. I saw them exchange a look, and their faces turned pale in color. I looked behind us, trying to see what scared him away, but all I could see were people dancing.

He ran away along with his friends. “Quinn, are you okay?”I nodded, unable to talk. “Come on, let's go to the bar.” She grabbed me by my wrist and dragged me towards the bar. While Sophie ordered us another drink, I felt someone stand between us.I turned my head to see who it was. He was handsome but not as attractive as Alexander. Looking closer at the stranger in front of me, I noticed he had a striking resemblance to Alexander. The man in front of me had blond hair and green eyes. The same green as Alexander. He had a three-day-old scuff on his face.

He smiled at me, bringing his drink to his lips. “Aren’t you both beautiful?” His voice broke through the music. Sophie laughed at something the bartender said, taking a drink. She turned her head to face him and choked on her drink. “And you are?” I asked

He smirked at me, suddenly reminding me of Alexander. “Aristotle, and you are?”

“Sophia—” she replied, taking his hand to shake. "But my close friends call me Sophie." Aristotle brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. He then turned his attention towards me. “I’m Quinn,” I replied as he kissed my hand. I took a sip of my drink as I tried to focus on the conversation Sophie was having with Aristotle. I could see her flush red as she smiled at him, almost like he hung the moon himself.

“You’re beautiful,” Sophie blurted out.He chuckled, leaning down to whisper something only she could hear. Yeah, she’s definitely drunk like a skunk. She would never call a man beautiful. She never complimented men, like ever, never in her life. Sophie saw men as a flavor of the week. She never talked about the same man twice. It was a one-and-done situation.

I turned my body slightly to retrieve my drink as I watched Aristotle and Sophie dance. I took a sip of my drink and noticed the taste was slightly different from my previous drinks. It was bitter, almost a little sour. Something felt off about it, but I chose to ignore it because maybe Sophie ordered me something else. I continued to watch them both as they danced their asses off. Sophie looked happy, and I smiled against the glass. I finished the last of my drink, set the glass on the counter, and headed towards the dance floor.

I danced with Sophie and Aristotle, but my legs were getting exhausted. My head was pounding. I closed my eyes as my hand went up to rub my temples. As I opened my eyes to let Sophie know that I was heading for the washroom, she was no longer there. I looked around, trying to find her and Aristotle, but they had vanished. I made my way off the dance floor, looking for her as I headed for the washroom. My head felt dizzy, and my legs felt weak. I caught myself from tripping on the two-step stairs that led to the dance floor. I gripped the railings, holding tightly. I continued my search for the washroom as I entered a dark hallway.

As my head continued to spin, I used the wall for support. I rested my back against the wall and tilted my head back. I reached into my purse and pulled out my phone. I went down my contacts, trying my hardest to find Sophie's number, but I couldn't keep my eyes open. After a few more tries, I finally found her contact and dialed her number only so it could go to voicemail. I dialed her number a couple more times with no luck.

Nothing .

I took a deep breath and searched through my contacts, scrolling up as I searched for Alexander’s number. I pressed his contact and forced my eyes open. I pressed the phone to my ears, unable to hear anything.So, I made my way towards the end of the corridor. I reached the end of the corridor and exited the club by the back door and into the alleyway.

“Quinn.”

“Alex…Alexander,” I whispered out, gripping onto the brick wall. My legs started to feel even weaker.

“Princess? What’s wrong? Why do you sound like that?”

I suddenly dropped to the floor, my legs giving out. “Ican’t feel my legs,” I said, closing my eyes and opening them. I heard him shuffle around.

“Where the fuck are you ?” I heard him hiss through the phone.

“Blu…blue. Blue Morpho—” I rasped out. My eyes closed, my grip on my phone started to weaken, and the phone dropped onto the ground beside me. I forced my eyes open; the noise of the phone dropping startled me. Trying to fight the loopiness and grogginess, I sat up groaning in pain as my hands moved against the ground, trying to locate my phone. As my fingers clutched onto the phone I had dropped, my gaze shifted straight ahead where, through the blurriness, I saw four pairs of feet.

I struggled to tilt my head up when my eyes focused on the man standing before me. The same man from the club. He crouched down and grabbed my jaw. He laughed a humorless laugh. “Where’s your feisty friend now? Huh?” He raised his eyebrows and gave me a sinister smirk. His hand reached out to grip my jaw, forcing me to look at him. He laughed sinisterly and threw my face to the side.His friends laughed beside him.

I felt his lips pressed against the side of my face. I whimpered, closing my eyes as I flinched when I felt his slimy hands on me.I tried to scoot my body away from him, but I was unable to fight him. “Y–you drug…drugged me,” I whispered out.

Fight! Fight Quinn. Come on, Quinn!

Fear took over my body as his hand slid further down my body, touching my bare thigh. I was scared. I brought my legs closer together and forced them shut as he tried to slide his hand in between my thighs. "Now open your fucking legs. Don't fight it," he warned, trying to pry my thighs open. He got closer to me I could feel his breath on me. "Spread your legs for me, Sweetheart,” he hissed against my ear.Two of his friends crouched down to grab my ankles and pull my legs apart, but just as they were about to touch me, they were thrown backward. His head snapped in the direction of his friends when suddenly I saw a blurry Alexander pinning him against the wall.I swore I could hear him growling before he started punching his face over and over again.

I was relieved to no longer feel his hands on me, and my heart could finally breathe. Strike after strike, Alexander went at it just like the other two men who charged at my assailants. My body slumped onto the ground, and now everything was on its side.

I could still make out Alexander as he was now on top of him. He grabbed the man’s hands and broke them. His screams of pain erupted throughout the night sky. The last guy from his group of friends was standing there in a state of shock, watching his friends get their asses kicked. When he finally reacted and tried to attack Alexander from behind, but before I got the chance to warn him, Alexander turned his head around, and a sinister smirk appeared on his face.

The other man stopped suddenly and dropped the weapon he was going to use to attack him. His color drained from his body, almost like his soul left his body. He was trembling with fear as he lifted his hands in surrender.

“I–I’m sorry. Alex—Alexander. Fuck man, I’m sorry,” he stuttered, dropping to his knees in front of him.

“Touch her again—” he threatened, throwing his friend's limp body beside him. “—And I’ll kill you.” he sneered at them.

Bouncers from the club had come out the back door and surrounded us as they took all four assailants away from there. My body felt paralyzed. “Alex–Alexander. I—I can’t move,” I moaned, not feeling well.

I couldn't feel my arms.

I couldn't feel my legs.

My entire body felt numb.

“Shhh. It’s okay, Princess. I’m here now,” Alexander crouched down to lift me as he slid his hands underneath me and pulled me towards his chest, picking me up bridal style. My head fell against his chest as tears stained my cheeks. Through my blurry vision, I recognized Sebastian, Alexander’s brother, and the guy from the club, Aristotle. I didn’t see Sophie. My eyes blacked out several times as I tried to clear the tears away in search of my missing friend.

As we approached Alexander’s car, Sophie ran towards us with a look of pure anguish. She tried to get closer, but Alexander didn't allow her to and blocked my view from her. He opened his car door and slid me inside the passenger side.

I physically couldn't move.

Whatever drug he used had physically paralyzed my mobility.

“Ε?μαι εδ? για σ?να τ?ρα πεταλουδ?τσα μου,” he mumbledagainst the top of my head. (" I’m here for you now, little butterfly. ") He then dragged the seatbelt across my chest and ensured that it clicked. He placed his large hand against my left cheek and turned my head to the right so we could now face each other. Our noses touched as he took a deep breath and rested his forehead against mine, almost as if he was breathing in my scent. He pulled back a moment later. “You’re safe with me, Princess. Okay? I’m right here,” he confessed as his thumb brushed a tear that had escaped my eye.

I nodded, not able to speak because of the drugs and the emotion I was feeling.Just as Alexander took a step back, ready to close the door, I could hear Sophie yelling. “What the hell did you do to her?” She shouted at him as she got closer to Alexander.His head snapped back, and I watched his every move.

She reached him and started to push against Alexander’s chest, trying her best to get to me.Alexander grabbed a hold of both her wrists. “Now you're fucking worried about her!” He yelled. “Where the fuck were you when she almost got raped, huh? Oh, I know you were probably sucking someone's fucking dick. You fucking whore!” He was enraged, and I had never seen him so furious and deadly. Sophie’s pupils dilated, and her face turned a pale white color when he mentioned I almost got raped.

Our gazes met, but I turned away, unable to look at her. I felt betrayed and hurt that she would leave me alone. She left me while she did, god knows what, but something told me she wasn't sucking someone's dick.She didn't even consider letting me know where she was going. I mean, it was obvious she didn’t leave with Aristotle since he was there attacking one of the assailants.She called out my name, but I didn't answer.

I couldn't.

“She got drugged, and she can’t even move, let alone talk. A good fucking friend you are,” he growled and closed the door.Alexander made his way around the front of the car, opened the driver's door, and slid inside.Sophie banged her fist against the window, calling my name. “Quinn! Quinn! I’m sorry!” She continued to bang against the window and scream.

I turned my head slightly as I caught a glimpse of tears escaping her eyes. I saw something that I hadn’t ever seen before from her. I closed my eyes as I couldn't bear to see Sophie sad and crying. “Please, I’m sor—” She didn’t get to finish her sentence because Alexander turned the wheels and sped out onto the road.I looked through my rearview mirror and saw that Sebastian was helping Sophie.

I was relieved to know that she was at least safe. Alexander looked at me, and it was almost like he knew what I was thinking because he confirmed what I was hoping for.

“Don’t worry, Princess. Sebastian is going to make sure she gets home safe and sound.” He mumbled right before he interlocked our hands together and brought my hand up towards his lips so that he could place a kiss. He kept one hand on the wheel, but both eyes focused on the road in front of us.

As we came to a red light, Alexander let go of the wheel and took out his phone, placing a call. “Is it taken care of?” He demanded, but I couldn't hear what the other person said. “Perfect. I’ll see you at the flat.” He ended the call just in time for the light to turn green. He threw his phone into the cupholder and continued to drive.As I looked out the car window, I couldn’t help the tears that escaped my eyes. I felt his hand interlock with mine again, and he squeezed it.

I felt safe.

My eyes were slowly closing, and my world went black.

“Princess. Butterfly,” he whispered gently as I felt him move me gently by patting my shoulder. I opened my eyes slowly but closed them immediately, too tired to even try. “Open your eyes. Please, baby,” he begged. I listened to his voice and tried my hardest to open my eyes, and once they did, my gaze focused on Alexander standing in front of me.

His thumb caressed my cheek.He turned his body halfway and reached for the table behind him. Grabbing the glass of water, he brought it close and helped me lean forward. “Drink,” he murmured.I took a sip of water, feeling thirsty as I tried to drink more, but he pulled the glass away. “Not too fast, Princess. Small sips,” he said, holding the glass against my lips again, and I took small sips.