Page 43 of Carnival Nightmare

I feel my stomach drop at Alice’s words. IsGareth missing after being seen at the carnival? My mind races, thinking back to that night Cade and I were there. I remember Gareth approaching me, grabbing my arm, and getting aggressive when I told him to leave me alone. And then Cade showed up, beating Gareth senseless.

Did he kill Gareth after I ran? The thought makes my blood run cold. As much as Cade excites me, I know deep down he’s dangerous. Capable of violence and obsessiveness, and God knows what else.

But no, surely he wouldn’t actually kill someone, would he? Just because Gareth got a little too handsy with me? I glance sideways at Cade, searching his expressionless face for any hint of guilt. But as usual, I can’t get a read on him.

“That’s awful,”I say carefully. “I hope they find him soon.”

Cade shrugs. “I’m sure he’s fine. Probably took off somewhere.”His tone is casual, but there’s an undercurrent to it that puts me even more on edge.

Alice frowns. “Without telling anyone? That doesn’t seem like Gareth.”She turns her gaze on me.“You were with Cade at the carnival that night? Did you see Gareth at all?”

My mouth goes dry. I don’t want to lie to my best friend, but I also can’t voice my suspicions about Cade aloud.

“Um, I don’t remember,”I hedge. “It was pretty crowded.”

Cade slides his arm around my waist possessively. “We were a little preoccupied with each other to notice anyone else,”he says with a wolfish grin.

I force a weak smile, acutely aware of Alice studying us. I wish I could tell her the truth about everything that night. But not here, not now, with Cade right beside me.

“Anyway,”I say brightly, desperately trying to change the subject. “What else is new with you, Alice? You said you took off work this week?”

Alice still looks troubled, but she lets me redirect the conversation. As she chatters about her impromptu staycation, I focus on her words. But my thoughts keep drifting back to Gareth. And the very real possibility that Cade may have done somethingunthinkable.

25

CADE

Lily is on edge when I pull her onto my lap. She’s been on edge since we ran into her friend, who told her of Gareth’s disappearance.

“What’s on your mind, angel?” I ask.

She bites her lip. “I know you don’t want me to say his name, but did you hurt the man who put his hands on me?”

I smirk. “You saw me hurt him, baby. You don’t need to ask that.”

The column of her throat bobs. “You know what I mean. Did you have anything to do with his disappearance? “

I firmly grip Lily’s chin and tilt her face to look at me. Her wide eyes reflect the dim light of the trailer.

“Do you think I killed him, angel?” I ask bluntly.

She hesitates, lower lip trembling. After a moment, she gives the slightest nod.

My fingers tighten in her hair as I recall that worthless scum putting his hands on what’s mine. “You saw me beating the shit out of him after he touched you. Is that what you’re thinking of?”

Another small nod. She doesn’t pull away from my painful grip, meeting my gaze steadily.

“And how does that make you feel?” I demand. “That I got rid of someone who tried to hurt you?”

Her breath catches. “I...I don’t know. Scared.”

“Is that all, angel?”I demand, sensing the conflict.

“Yes, Gareth may have acted like a bastard to me that night be he was drunk. He was a good guy.”

Rage slams into me as I grab her throat and squeeze softly. “Wrong. Any man who tries to fuck you against your will isn’t good.”

She raises a brow. “Have you tried looking in the mirror?”She rasps out. “That’s exactly what you did to me.”

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