Page 42 of Carnival Nightmare

“I know. The carnival is only here another week. I don’t know what’ll happen after that.”

Alice reaches across the counter, squeezing my hand. “Just be careful, Lils. I don’t want to see you get hurt, physically or emotionally.”She clicks her tongue. “The guy is clearly unhinged. He could quite easily try to kidnap you.”

I bite my lip because that’s true. Cade’s mind doesn’t work like anyone I’ve ever met, and he might pull something crazy like that when the time comes.

“Believe me, I’m not stupid. I won’t let my guard down around him.”

Alice raises an eyebrow. “Letting him fuck you is kind of the definition of letting your guard down.”

I clear my throat. “Enough about me. What’s been going on with you? And why the sudden holiday?”

She shrugs. “Not a lot new going on. I need a rest.”

I sense the lie and notice the flash in her eyes before she averts her gaze. She’s not telling me something. Instead of pushing it, I nod in response. “Fair enough.”

The bell above the door chimes and I glance toward it, but I know before I see him who it is.

Cade.

Alice turns in her seat at the counter to face Cade as he approaches us. I can see the fire in her eyes. Thisisn’tgood.

“So you’re the asshole who’s been stalking my friend,”Alice says, not even attempting to mask the contempt in her voice.

Cade smiles, unfazed. “And you must be the loudmouth best friend.”

“Damn right I am,”Alice shoots back. “And I think you’re a piece of shit for terrorizing Lily the way you did.”

I put my hand on Alice’s arm, trying to get her to dial it back. She’s trying to protect me, but her abrasiveness isn’t helping.

“It’s okay, Alice, really—”I start to say, but she barrels on.

“No, it’s not okay!”Alice exclaims. “This creep broke into your home, left threatening messages, and now you’re fine with him being around?”

Cade chuckles, seeming more amused than offended. “She’s not wrong. I was a bit of a bastard with my approach. But when I first saw Lily, I knew we belonged together. I had to make that happen, no matter what it took.”

I give Alice a pleading look, hoping she’ll hold back whatever retort is on the tip of her tongue. As much as they clash, they both mean a lot to me. I want us all to get along.

“Lily is too sweet to say it, but you need to back the hell off,”Alice says sharply. “She deserves better than some psycho carnie who is obsessed with her.”

Before I can interject, Cade leans on the counter, fixing Alice with an intense stare.

“Sweet little Lily loves how I make her feel,”he says in a low voice. “Isn’t that right, baby?”

My cheeks flush hot as I avoid Alice’s eyes. She means well, but I can speak for myself.

“Yes,” I reply.

He leans in and kisses me. It’s gentle at first but turns ravenous.

Alice clears her throat and we break apart. “Lily you never struck me as the type who would be into PDA.”

I never struck myself as that kind of person, but all rhyme and reason float away around Cade.

“Have you heard that Gareth has gone missing?”

I freeze, my eyes darting to Cade’s. There’s no emotion there. “No, how long has he been missing?”

“Just over four days now, I believe.Hewas last seen at the carnival.”

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