Billionaire Alpha's 99 Deadly Games novel Chapter 36

andlu Cames

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Chapter 36

For the most part, I was pretty worthless throughout the day, surviving on caffeine alone. Over lunch, I chose to stay in and, pulling out a piece of paper, I began to sketch an image of the big brown wolf as he howled at the night sky. I added some trees behind him and knew it was a good representation.

Suddenly, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it too.

The day couldn’t end fast enough, and as soon as it did, I was racing for my car, leaving before Mr. Westin even, which was something I rarely ever allowed myself to do. Excitement had me speeding down the road and stopping in front of the Painted Dragon. I didn’t hesitate, worried fear would set in and I’d chicken out.

A little chime above the door sounded when I entered.

“Just a minute,” I heard a male voice call from somewhere in the back.

When he stepped in, looking enormous in the small doorway and covered from head to toe in tattoos with this black hair slicked back into a ponytail, I almost turned tail and ran, but I had made up my mind and this was something I had to do.

“Oh, it’s you,” he said, sounding confused.

“Uh, yeah, I guess. I’m sorry, have we met?” I asked him hesitantly.

His responding laugh set me at ease instead of fleeing for the door.

“No, I’m Cole Anderson, and you’re Kelsey Adams. Everyone knows who you are. Everyone knows everything about everyone around here.” He gave me a smirk and I felt more vulnerable than I had ever felt in my life. “So tell, what brings you into my humble abode today?”

“Well, it’s a tattoo parlor, right? So I’ll give you two guesses.”

That caused a full laugh from him. “You’ve got spunk, I’ll give you that, girl. For the mysterious little lone–wolf you appear to be, I sure didn’t expect that. Come on in, and tell me what you have in mind.”

“Now?” I said, suddenly feeling nervous and put off by his wolf reference.

“Yeah, now, or do you have a better time in mind?”

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J

Chapter 36

“No, no this is great. I just didn’t know you’d be able to take me back so soon.”

“Nervous?”

“A little.”

“First tattoo?”

“That obvious?”

He chuckled again. “Have a seat.” He motioned me towards a chair that looked a lot like an old dentist chair, but the place seemed clean and I couldn’t help but notice the wolf drawings on the walls in the lobby. If those were his, I needn’t worry. His art was so much better than mine.

“So, what did you have in mind, and where?”

“Well, first I need to ask you a question.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“Um,” I started nervously. It wasn’t something I ever talked about and certainly never showed

anyone.

“Can you cover scars with your tattoos?”

He frowned, “Scars? Yeah, no problem.”

“Um, how about skin grafts?”

His eyes widened as he came to understand what I was asking.

“How bad and how long ago?”

“Bad, and it’s been ten years.”

“Let me see what we’re talking about.”

I hesitated.

“It’s okay, Kelsey, there isn’t too much I haven’t seen in this line of work.” His grin was meant to set me at ease, but it wasn’t working this time.

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**Ke just, well, um, I’ve never actually showed anyone since I left the hospital. It’s a little nerve whacking even considering this, but ‘ju so tired of being scared and having this ugliness as a constant reminder. I thought maybe a tattoo, something that makes me happy, would help?” I shrugged, feeling incredibly vulnerable.

*That’s pretty normal, Kelsey, but I won’t know what I’m dealing with until you show me, but most of the time scarred tissue and skin grafts can easily take the ink.”

I nodded and slowly began to lift my skirt up, then stopped. “Promise me you won’t freak out or call the a monster.” I was already fighting back tears.

He looked at me gently, understanding I had been through something very traumatic and spoke softly, “Nothing could make me think of you as a monster, and whatever it is, I promise I’ve seen

Worse,”

I nodded, feeling only slightly better, and lifted my skirt the rest of the way tucking it into my panties so he could look at my entire right thigh.

I heard his breath catch and his eyes widen.

“What did this?”

“A wolf. It was a long time ago.” I suddenly couldn’t stop talking. Everything I’d been keeping inside of me burst forth to this one stranger. “I was twelve. Two of them attacked, killing my parents. I got away, but barely.” I motioned to my leg for added emphasis. “It took eight rounds of skin grafts to get looking this good. But every time I see it, it reminds me of that awful night. I don’t want that constant reminder, Cole.”

“I’m guessing my lone wolf comment earlier was a little uncalled for.”

I snorted. I liked Cole Anderson immensely.

“Okay, well, did you have something in mind already or want to look at some books? If you want that fully covered it’s gonna be something big and will take more than one session.”

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