Page 12 of Inked Desires

ANDREW

While Ares tattoos a woman’s calf in the back room, I’m playing Solitaire on the computer. It’s not that I’m bored, but the days are long for the little work I have. My tasks mostly involve welcoming clients since anyone can walk in at any time. So I spend most of my day at the studio.

The phone rings, abruptly pulling me out of my daze.

“Devil’s Sign. Andrew Lopez,” I say as I pick up.

Silence. Thick, suffocating silence that stretches beyond reason. My stomach tightens. A cold sweat trickles down my spine. Then a click, followed by a hiss.

A lighter.

My fingers clutch the receiver. No…

“It wasn’t easy to find you,” says a voice I know all too well.

My breath catches in my throat. Impossible. This isn’t real. Not him. Not now.

“Jace…” I whisper.

His name burns my tongue like poison. I shoot a panicked glance toward the back room door. Closed. Locked tight. A small relief. Ares must know nothing about this. He must never know.

“Why did you leave?” he asks in a slow, falsely curious tone.

A cold shock runs through my chest.

“And you stole from me,” he adds, voice turning mocking. “Naughty little dog.”

I curl slightly in my seat, as if a blow might fall on me any second.

“I… I’ll pay you back!” I say, struggling to control the tremor in my voice.

“It’s too late, Andrew,” he sighs, bored. “You disappeared. To this town, you’re already dead. But be a good dog and let’s finish this.”

I bite my lip. I knew it. I knew this day would come. But hearing it from his mouth knocks the wind out of me.

“I can give you more money,” I insist. “Please, Jace…”

A cold laugh reaches me, sharp as a knife. Then slow, rhythmic tapping, like fingers drumming on a wooden desk. I can almost see him, sitting comfortably, a smug smile on his lips.

“I’ve got enough cash. I don’t need your pathetic savings. You want mercy? You know I can’t afford to be weak.”

I close my eyes for a moment, fighting panic. My heart pounds violently against my ribs. I can’t breathe.

“Please, Jace… Let me come back. I’ll do whatever you want.”

My voice breaks. A wave of dizziness hits me. Anything but this void, this creeping terror inside me. Anything but waiting for the fatal blow without fighting.

But he doesn’t answer right away. And this silence terrifies me even more.

He knows where I am. This is no empty threat. He could already be a few steps from the studio. He could have sent someone. Or worse… he could go after Ares.

A wave of panic overwhelms me. I grip the desk, searching for an anchor, something real to keep me from falling apart.

“No,” he says simply.

I collapse in my chair. My stomach twists painfully. If he refuses to take me back, I have only one option left to protect Ares.

“Then don’t do anything at the studio,” I say, voice hollow and strangled.

“You dare set conditions?”

“It’s the last request of a dying man. Give me a time and a place. I’ll be there.”

My throat tightens. Each word feels like a knife in my own flesh. But it’s that or let him strike first. And I can’t risk Ares paying the price for my running away.

Silence. Too long.

“I’ll contact you again,” he finally says.

A reprieve. A brief breath before the inevitable. But already more than I hoped for.

“And Andrew…”

I freeze, heart pounding wildly.

“You’d better pick up when the phone rings,” he murmurs before the line goes dead.

The silence screams in my ears.

I stay frozen, fingers white around the receiver. My gaze fixed on the red wall in front of me, but I don’t see it. All I perceive is the echo of his voice, the shadow of his presence spreading like a cold shadow over me.

A creak makes me jump, and I hastily put the phone down on the desk. A beautiful young woman emerges from the back room, approaching me cautiously. Ares follows closely behind.

I grip the edge of the desk tightly, trying to hide the trembling of my hands.

I take a deep breath, gather all my strength, and smile.

“Already done?” I ask the woman, feigning cheerfulness.

She looks pale, her smile tight.

“Yes, it hurt more than I expected,” she replies.

“The ankle is a really delicate area,” I confirm as I print her receipt.

I take it and hand it to her.

She pulls out her wallet and hands me the agreed sum.

“The rest is for you,” she says, looking at Ares.

Her eyes travel over his entire body before settling on his lips. I barely restrain an eye roll.

“That’s kind. Thank you,” I mumble as I put the money in the cash register.

“Remember: don’t scratch, even if it itches,” Ares adds.

“Of course. See you soon, handsome,” she says, addressing only him before limping out of the studio.

As for me, I fight the urge to vomit. I wish Ares were a little less attractive.

“What’s wrong?” he asks once the door closes.

I roll my shoulders to ease my tense back.

“Nothing.”

He crosses his arms over his chest. His lips purse as he studies my face carefully. He doesn’t believe me. It’s obvious. And I can’t blame him. I must look completely shattered.

“Does it bother you that I touch other people during tattoos?” he asks bluntly.

Surprised, I tilt my head slightly. That’s really what’s bothering him? Seriously? It’s the last thing on my mind right now.

“You want to know if I’m jealous?”

“Yes,” he mutters.

I lean back in my chair, clasp my hands on my knees, still watching him.

“No,” I say, trying to ease his worry. “It’s not like we have an exclusive relationship. I barely know you.”

“Isn’t that the case?”

I didn’t get that impression.

Ares steps closer. He leans in, placing his hands on the arms of my chair. His muscles tense, warping the tattoos on his arms. Veins stand out, adding an almost hypnotic intensity. Damn... And on top of that, some kind of electric heat radiates from his body and flows through mine, sweeping away all rational thought.

“You really believe that, little bunny?” he hisses. “I found you a job. I took you in. Hell, I almost pulled you off the dance floor because I couldn’t stand how those guys were looking at you.”

His menthol breath brushes my face, sending a wave of shivers down my neck. My fingers twitch, itching to grab his powerful forearms. My body is a damn traitor.

Still, I try to keep him at a distance, to restore some safety zone between us so I can leave if I have to. But his words loop in my mind, stirring feelings I struggle to smother, while my body gives in to his closeness.

“We barely know each other.”

His right hand leaves the armrest and slides under my hair to grab the nape of my neck. He yanks me sharply toward him, his head resting against mine.

“I can’t get you out of my damn head, Andrew,” he says, eyes closed. “You’re like a fucking virus that’s taken root in my brain.”

My heart pounds so hard I feel like it might explode. My mind fights a desire that demands more than I can give.

“That doesn’t sound very healthy,” I reply.

“Maybe it isn’t,” he admits. “But don’t say we’re not exclusive. Because we are. I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing you with another man.”

“I’m still married,” I remind him sharply.

“And yet, here you are—with me.”

I exhale slowly. If I want to keep him out of trouble, I’m going to have to hurt him. It’s inevitable and, in a way, it breaks my heart. Whatever arguments I throw at him, he’ll always find a way to counter them.

I place my hand on his chest and gently push him away. Ares gets the message and steps back slightly. But even though I have to hurt him, I’m not ready yet. I push a little more until he lets me go completely, then I stand up immediately.

“I need to get out of here,” I say before heading for the door.

He says nothing, doesn’t try to stop me, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart. I need fresh air, light.

I wander aimlessly through the streets of Maple Creek. This place has become my refuge, more than anywhere else. And now, I’m going to have to leave it. If Ares hadn’t met me, maybe I would have considered running again. That was my original plan. But now, he means too much to me. Besides, Jace, with a single phone call, proved he knows the studio’s address. Nothing good can come of that. If he has to, he won’t hesitate to strike the whole town.

I have to leave—but I don’t want to. I just wanted a normal life, and this one was starting to feel that way. I was almost able to trust someone.

A quiet voice inside pushes me to consider another option. But I refuse. Telling Ares the truth would be selfish. It would only drag him deeper into my nightmare. I can’t impose that on him... even if, deep down, telling him would prevent a lot of trouble. But I can’t do it. In his presence, I feel more alive than ever.

I lean against a tree and take in the life around me. Maybe he could protect us both. He’s a soldier, trained to fight. But what can one man do against an army? I’d seal both our fates by involving him.

Still, something bothers me. Deciding for him would be unfair, but I know he’ll refuse to let me go if he ever finds out the truth.

I let out a deep sigh and run my hand over my forehead. No, I can’t tell him. I have to make sure he survives, at least him. Resolute, I leave my hiding spot and turn back.

It’s time to face reality.

I’ve had enough of running.

After a while, I return to the studio. My stomach twists and my throat tightens, but I don’t waver.

I open the door and step inside.

“Ares?” my voice echoes in the room.

No answer.

I head toward the back room, its door slightly ajar. I push it gently so it won’t creak.

The scene that awaits freezes me. A brutal blow to the heart. My breath stops. William is pressed against him. His hand glides over Ares’ chest. And Ares, unfazed, watches him without reacting. A soft smile plays on his lips as he looks at him through his lashes.

To him, I was nothing but a pastime, a substitute. A temporary distraction to forget his ex-husband. Every word had been a lie.

I stand there, unable to move, heart heavy, eyes burning.

“Andrew,” he says, straightening up.

A bitter smile twists my lips. I try to keep a poker face, but my body betrays my feelings.

With a look full of disgust, he pushes William’s hands away from his chest.

“That’s not what you think,” he continues insistently.

I burst out laughing. Of course... That excuse is as old as time.

“Seriously, Ares?” I shout. “Don’t take me for an idiot. At least be honest.”

All self-control leaves me. I know my behavior is inappropriate and I might regret it later, but for now, I don’t care.

He steps toward me, hand outstretched, but I back away immediately. I don’t want him to come closer. His betrayal burns in my veins, and nothing he says or does will change that.

“Andrew, I would never do that to you,” he repeats.

“Baby, leave him alone, it’s not worth it,” William interrupts, stepping into our exchange.

Those words make my blood boil. He called him “baby” as if he still owned him. They’re divorced, damn it! I refuse to witness this for one more second. It’s over!

I turn abruptly and head for the studio. The key slips surprisingly easily into the lock. I push the door open and rush into his apartment. I hear him behind me, but his words don’t penetrate the wall of my anger.

Once in his room, I grab my backpack and start stuffing in the few things I own. My whole life fits into one bag. I have nothing precious, no friends or family who would mourn me if I died today. If I disappeared without a trace, my existence wouldn’t even be proven.

“Why are you packing?” he asks, voice breaking the painful silence I’m drowning in.

“What do you think? I’m getting out!”

His hand stops me mid-motion, preventing me from throwing more things into the bag.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he growls.

Once, his tone would have scared me. I would have lowered my eyes, bowed under his control like I learned to do all those years. Today, everything is different. I’m doomed.

“Let go, asshole.”

His fingers tighten on my skin and I look down. He’s going to leave marks on me, too.

“I told you to let me go,” I insist, voice trembling with rage.

“Where do you want to go?” he demands. “Sit down and talk to me.”

“There’s nothing to say,” I reply, pulling on my arm.

I drop the bag to try to free his hand with my other.

“Do you really trust me so little? Do you really think I could do this to you, and in the studio, no less?”

“I never trusted you, and I never will,” I answer coldly. “Whatever happened between us, it’s over.”

His hand slides off my arm and he steps back slightly. His gaze changes. The anger leaves his eyes, replaced by an emptiness that pierces me. He no longer really looks at me; he seems to see right through me.

I lean down to grab my backpack. This is my chance to escape before he tries to stop me again. I dash down the hall and bolt out of the apartment. Out of the corner of my eye, I see William still there, near the table. Let them be happy together. They deserve each other.

As for me, I’ll try to stay alive as long as possible. I toss Ares’ keys onto the desk, the last tie that binds me to him, and take the money from the cash register. It’s maybe not very honorable, it’s even a crime, but it’s not my first time.

I take everything: fifteen hundred dollars. It won’t get me far, but it’s better than nothing.

In a final surge of spite, I flip off the surveillance camera before leaving that bastard and his world for good.