The Tattoo Artist (La Petite Mort #1)

54. Chapter 54

fifty-four

Quinn

D ecember 31st

It had been two months since I'd killed them, and I'd felt someone watching me.

He was here—Alexander Hades.

I waited with anticipation for him to finally reveal himself. I had received countless letters in which he professed his love for me and expressed his regret. The letter I received for my birthday nearly destroyed me.

Letter #81

Happy Birthday, Princess,

It's been Eighty-nine days since I last had you in my arms. Eighty-nine days since I last said I love you. Eighty-nine days since I shattered your heart. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you sooner.

But I need you to understand that everything I did was because I love you. When the doctors told me that telling you the truth would be detrimental to your health, I had to live with the thought of you never remembering me.

I had to let you go, even though it killed me inside to think about never having you again. I was weak. The night you saw Deimos was a blessing to me. I wasn't even supposed to watch you, but my heart couldn't let you go.

I believed I had a dead heart, but that's not true. It beats only for you. I know you're mad at me, but I will never stop watching over you. So, my little butterfly, if you feel me watching you, I want you to remember that you are the light to my darkness.

And I will never stop choosing and loving you with everything I am. In the words of Charles Bukowski, "Find what you love and let it kill you." And you, my dear Quinn, killed me the day you walked out of my life.

I love you, Quinn Connor.

Your Devil,

Alexander Hades

P.S. Think of me when you make yourself feel butterflies tonight. I know I'll be thinking about you.

I still think about that letter. My mother informed me that Alexander had been building me a cabin on the outskirts of New York for the past three months. I researched the area, and from what my mother has told me, it was surrounded by trees and water.

School wasn't in session because of the holidays, and I was off work because of New Year's Eve. Instead of spending my day wallowing in my sadness, I caught an Uber with one destination in mind.

I'm coming, baby….

The letter I received today was my breaking point.

I caved.

Alexander promised to tell me the truth, regardless of what the doctor recommended. And for the first time in my life, I was ready to hear it.

Letter #213

Quinn, my little butterfly.

I hope this next year brings you peace and happiness. I didn't mention love because, baby, you will never be unloved by me. You are too deep in my soul for that to ever happen. You are loved by many.

Another chapter officially opens for us. I promise to do better as your partner and friend and do right by you.

In order to start this new year right, I promise to tell you the truth regardless of the doctor's orders. I want this new year to begin without any secrets between us.

Today and every day for the rest of my life I make you the promise to always tell you the truth no matter how painful it may be. For the rest of my life, I will love you like no one else has until the end of my days .

Until my last breath.

My heart will only beat for you.

Happy New Year's Eve!

P.S. It's almost time to bring you home.

Always yours,

Alexander Hades.

I was consumed by hurt and anger, but then I realized Alexander had done what he thought was best for me. But he never stopped loving me. I paid the driver and walked my way up the driveway.The cabin was stunning. It had a deck that wrapped around the cabin and a yard big enough to add a playground for our future kids. The sky was a purple-orange color as the sun started to set, which added to the cabin's overall appeal since it accented the spring lights that hung.

I walked my way towards the back of the cabin, and there he was. Shirtless cutting up wood for the fire pit. I took a deep breath in and out. I watched him for a few more minutes.

I missed him.

I inched closer to where he was slamming the ax down onto the wood.

"Alex," I yelled .

Our gaze connected only for a second before I took off running. I jumped, wrapping my legs around his waist and crying into his neck.

"Shhh, Princess. It's okay," he soothed me. My hands wrapped around his neck tighter. I was afraid to let go and lose him again. Alex carried me inside the cabin as he closed the door behind him. The door we entered led to the master bedroom. He sat down on the edge of the bed and settled me on his lap, allowing me to cry in his arms.

"I'm here, little butterfly. I'm here," he repeated over and over again.

I retrieved the box from my backpack, ready to uncover the entire truth. What happened the night I lost my memory? I made my way back to where Alexander was sitting, taking my previous seat beside him. I placed the box on his lap. The fire was going, warming the dark sky. I snuggled closer against Alexander's chest, wanting to enjoy this moment before the truth came out.

"Alex," I mumbled.

"Hmmm," he mumbled before placing a kiss on top of my head. I looked up with the best puppy dog eyes and whispered, "It's time."

He retrieved the box from where I had placed it and opened it, taking out the contents. The box was filled with research about Deimos, which wasn't much except for the news articles and the map showing where I had followed him and where the murders occurred.

"The story about how we met three years ago is true, but there is more to it. You had gone to more than one fight. You watched me kill men inside that Pentagon, and every single time someone died, I watched you —your eyes showed no fear." he paused, watching me. I nodded my head for him to continue. I needed to know the truth.