The Tattoo Artist (La Petite Mort #1)

51. Chapter 51

fifty-one

Quinn

A lexander kept his promise and didn't lock me in, and I kept mine. I waited for him, but my eyelids were fighting a battle. I was tired, and today's emotions didn't help at all.

I wasn't sure why he wouldn't tell me who that woman was, but something told me that the answer would change my life. Feeling myself about to fall asleep, I got under the covers. I didn't think I could keep on waiting for Alexander to show up.

I chuckled to myself as I remembered their faces. They all seemed to be in shock when I threw the dagger. And Irish, he learned never to threaten my man again. I wasn't sure what he said or whispered, too occupied with the feeling coursing through my body when I threw my dagger.

The last thing I remembered was Alexander's proud expression before darkness took over.

May 25th

The sun filtered through the curtains, straining my eyes against the blistering light. I slept through the night, only waking up when I felt Alexander's arms around me. I wasn't sure when he woke up and left me alone, but I was ready to learn the truth.

I sat up, stretching and yawning before I swung my feet onto the floor, knowing I had to face him. Stepping out, I heard hushed voices coming from downstairs. The voices grew louder as I turned the corner and descended the stairs.

"Your brother said it was an emergency. So, what can I help you with, Xander," a deep voice asked.

"Irish is now part of the conglomerate," Alexander responded.

"Why's that? I'm just curious as to why Deimos is now offering his protection and services to the Irish?"

The door to the office was slightly opened. I recognized his brothers and the Russians from his fight. Alexander walked around the desk, running his fingers through his hair, taking the glass cup, and drowning his whiskey .

"Not that I owe you any explanations, asshole, but he's Quinn's father," Alexander confessed, causing me to gasp and lose my footing, pushing the door open.

Irish was my father.

Pain throbbed in my chest, and tears stung my eyes even as I fought like hell not to cry, but they forced their way out. How was that even possible? If he was my biological father, then who was my mom? Oh my God, did my mom cheat on my dad? She wouldn't; she's too catholic. It was against her beliefs. Alexander stood frozen behind the desk, his gaze not meeting mine. Fucking coward.

Alexander looked horrified as tears escaped my eyes. He finally made contact as he tried to approach me. I lifted my hand, telling him to stop, but he halted his movements immediately.

"Please forgive me, little butterfly." Emotions filled his own eyes. "I never meant to be the one to hurt you. I—"

My stomach churned.

I watched him drop to his knees in front of me. In front of everyone in this room. I, Quinn Conner, brought Alexander Hades—Deimos, God of Terror, to his knees.

"You what?" I cried. "You what? Huh? You were going to tell me the truth? When?" I was angry—the anger that was overtaking my body was dangerous and deadly.

He tried to reach for my hand, but I flinched away, taking two steps back.

"Out!" I demanded. My gaze never left Alexander's. I could feel and hear them rush out of the office, closing the door behind them. Alexander remained on his knees, tears now staining his cheeks.

"I'm so fucking sorry," he said. His tormented gaze bored into mine.

"Is my mom even my mother?" I needed to know the truth. Alexander opened his mouth and then closed it before opening it once more. "I…I can't—" he said, shaking his head. Why couldn't he tell me? What were you hiding, Alexander? Suddenly, the door flew open, and a voice filled the room.

"No," I turned around to come face to face with the woman from yesterday. I blinked my tears away, trying to clear the fuzziness from my eyes. No. No. No. It can't be. She's—she's my sister. I almost killed my sister. Why was she here? How was she here? All these questions were running through my head.

My chest heaved, breathing heavily, my heart rate increased, and suddenly I felt dizzy. "Who—Who's my mom?" I desperately asked. I was desperate for someone to answer me. Alexander was pleading with Athena to stay quiet as he shook his head. She had tears running down her cheeks.

"I am," she confessed, and darkness took over.

I woke up with my head hurting and my eyelids weighing a million pounds. It hurt knowing Alexander had kept something so important from me. My body and mind hadn't caught up to what had happened. Could this be true?

My sister was my mother, but why would my parents lie? His finger traced tenderly under my eyes, wiping away the last of my tears.

"Don't touch me."

My grief-stricken words filled the hollowed space between us. My heart split into a million pieces. My eyes were void of emotion as I walked away from Alexander and my mother.