Je Suis a Toi (Monsters in the Dark #3.5)(24)

Tess flinched as my eyes fell to the modified barcode and sparrow on her wrist. Compared to Louis’s mastery, the artwork was juvenile. One day, I’d have it lasered off, and if she wanted it redrawn, I’d gladly let Louis replicate the design. Then again, the thought of anyone going near her with sharp needles threatened to send me into a blood rage.

No one else was allowed to hurt her.

Only me.

There I went again, taking control of her body and skin. Something that was hers to ink, not mine.

My shoulders fell. “I don’t—”

Her free hand clutched my wrist tightly. “No, I want you to. It’s a full circle, Q. Don’t you see? I was tattooed to find you, tattooed after I lost you, and now, not only do I belong to you and you to me, but you’re the one who will do it.”

My heart f*cking squeezed. “You don’t mind my scrawl?”

She smiled. “Your penmanship is impeccable. I wouldn’t trust anyone else.” Her spread leg pressed against mine in a blatant show of acceptance. “On one condition.”

“Name it.”

“I get to do the same to you.”

A mark for a mark.

A brand for a brand.

I fisted the gun. “That was already part of my terms.”

“Oh, right.” A devious smirk twisted her lips. “I forgot because some torturer didn’t let me come and my brain is broken.”

“You behave and I’ll let you come. Deal?”

“Deal.” She stretched in her bindings. “By all means, ma?tre, tattoo away.”

I didn’t say anything, mentally preparing for the skin graffiti I’d grace her with. I already knew what I’d write. I just hoped I could pull it off so it didn’t look like a four-year-old did it.

Tapping the ink vial, I made sure the gun was operational. “Are you ready to become my canvas, esclave?”

“Only if you’ll let me come once you’ve finished your needlepoint.” Her lips stole into a cheeky smirk. “And then I’ll tattoo you. I’m shaking too much to be of use in my current state.”

I pinched her. “You know demands will get you more punishment than reward.”

She smiled wider. “Perhaps that’s what I’m after. Especially if it’s delivered with that wand you brought.”

My eyes narrowed as I spread her hand over my jean-clad thigh. “Anything can be arranged for you.”

Sighing into my control, her hair fanned in messy plaits with a blonde halo. Closing her eyes, she took away the pressure and let me focus.

Bending over her finger, I turned on the gun.

It hummed like the magic wand but at a much lower frequency.

Tess kept her eyes closed but whispered, “Why exactly are you doing this?”

“I’m making it permanent.”

“We are permanent.”

“I want to see it.”

“See what?”

I pointed at her wedding finger. “Jewelry can come off, Tess. I want a reminder of the truth just for us beneath the gild of diamonds and gold. I want our vows on my body until I’m ash and bone. I want our promise to seep into your blood and taint your soul.”

Her eyes fluttered open. “That’s already happened. You own me completely. A tattoo won’t change that.”

“It will.”

“How?”

“It will be the final reminder that we belong. Together.”

And no matter what our future holds, no matter what we earn and what we lose in our lifetime together, that’s all that f*cking matters.

Tess tensed, her mouth hanging open as realization hit. “You want to write Je suis à toi on my finger.” I’m yours.

I smiled. “Oui.”

Her body melted into the bedding. “Why didn’t you say that? I would never have argued. It’s perfect.”

“You were right to ask questions.” Moving her hand into a more comfortable tattooing position, I growled, “Now, no more speaking. I have to concentrate.”

Tess bit her lip as the needle collided with her flesh.

She winced as I slowly wrote the scripture around her tiny finger.

It wasn’t easy, and some of my lines weren’t perfect, but the vow threaded around her digit directly where her wedding ring sat. The black ink glowed against her skin, forever there. However, unless someone looked under her diamond, they’d never know it existed.

Only me and my beast.

Just as it should be.

It only took a few minutes. Her finger bled just a little, and once I’d completed the final swirl, I daubed the artwork with aftercare cream and wrapped her finger in a protective covering.

Letting her go, I stood and placed the apparatus on the bedside table.

She would ink me in return, but she was right. Endorphins and lust ran through both our veins. My hands hadn’t been as steady as they should’ve been. I wanted her. I’d drawn blood enough to sate the heinous lust inside, but I hadn’t hurt her enough to add the utmost pinnacle to her pleasure.

The night was full of possibilities.

And it was time to begin.





I COULDN’T STOP looking at my tattoo.

Not when Q unbound my wrist and ankles. Not when he ordered me to stand at the end of the bed and strip. And definitely not when he secured my legs to the four-poster frame while I stood in a wide stance with my hands on the mattress.