Page 60 of Carnival Nightmare

I take a deep breath, steeling myself to share the dark parts of my past. "My childhood wasn't exactly a fairy tale, Lily,"I begin, my voice low and tense. "My old man was a monster, always drunk and angry. My mother, too scared to leave, just took all his crap. I couldn't take it anymore, so I ran away when I was eleven."

Lily's eyes widen in shock, but she doesn't interrupt. I continue, the painful memories flooding back. "Living on the streets was rough. I did things I'm not proud of to survive—stealing, fighting, anything to get by. I was a mess, spiraling out of control. But when I was sixteen, everything changed."

I pause, taking in Lily's concerned gaze. "That's when Lenny found me. The old ringmaster of this carnival. He saw something in me and gave me a job and a place to belong. It wasn't easy adjusting at first, but Lenny showed me the ropes, taught me how to work on the rides, and gave me a second chance at life. I've been traveling with them ever since."

Lily's fingers trace the lines of my face, her touch soft and reassuring. "Thank you for telling me, Cade,"she whispers, her voice filled with empathy. "I can't imagine how hard that was for you."

"It's all in the past now,"I say, pulling her closer. "The carnival saved me, and now, so have you."

I kiss her. "Alice mentioned you have had it rough all your life. What did she mean?"

Her eyes fill with unshed tears, and whatever happened, I want to tear apart every person who hurt her with my bare hands. "My mom abandoned me when I was eight. Left me in foster care. I bounced around a lot, from one home to another, never really belonging."

"My first foster parents seemed decent initially, but they were pretending. When their true colors came out, it was too late. The man—he made me do things, horrible things, and no one believed me when I tried to tell. I was a 'troubled'kid in their eyes."

I tighten my grip on her, my rage simmering beneath the surface. "Those bastards,"I mutter, barely containing myself.

Lily's voice shakes as she continues. "I had loads of homes after that. Until I came to a home in Willow Creek, the parents were decent and caring. I finished school there and then got the job at the diner."

"Give me your first foster father's name,"I demand, knowing I'll track him down and murder him for what he did.

Her brow furrows, and she shakes her head. "I don't remember it. I was only there until I was nine."

A storm of fury rages inside, but I keep my face calm. Every fiber of my being screams for vengeance. How could anyone hurt someone so pure, so innocent as Lily? My mind churns through a thousand scenarios, each more violent than the last. I can't stop my thoughts from circling back to that monster of a man. I don't care how long it takes or what I have to do; I will find him, and when I do, he will suffer for every single moment of pain he inflicted on her. My grip tightens around her, my mind already plotting the bastard's demise.

"Anyway,"Lily says, breaking through my violent thoughts. "Enough of that, I'm exhausted."

"Get some rest, baby,"I murmur, pulling her closer. "You deserve it after the show you put on tonight."

Lily smiles sleepily at me as her eyes drift shut. I watch her momentarily, my heart swelling with love and protectiveness. She sighs contentedly and snuggles against me.

As I drift off to sleep with my angel in my arms, I know I'm the luckiest bastard on earth. Tonight was perfect, but it's only the beginning for us. I have so many ways to keep making my baby's fantasies come true for the rest of our fucking lives.

33

EPILOGUE

LILY

One year later...

Alice clears her throat. “I’ve got to get going. Lars wanted me at our trailer by ten, and it’s already past that.” She bites her lip. “You okay wrapping up here?”

I pause and smile. “Absolutely. Go to your man.”

She raises an eyebrow. “What about yours? Where is he tonight?”

I shake my head, feeling a flutter in my stomach. “No idea.” Usually, when I don’t see him, he’s planning a special scene to act out. Things have gotten more raw and intense since the first time, and I love it.

Maybe he broke me. His relentless pursuit was both infuriating and intoxicating. Since then, I’ve been hooked on his obsessive tendencies.

After tidying up, I pack the supplies away and step out of the tent. Turning the corner, I collide with a solid wall of muscle, my gaze locking onto Cade’s dark eyes through his skull mask. My heart skips a beat, freezing me in place.

“What are you?—”

A gloved hand clamps over my mouth, his other hand gripping my neck. “Hello, Angel. I’ve been watching you all night. Now, you’re mine.” His voice, altered by a distortion device, sends a shiver through me, heightening my arousal.

This is our scene, and I seamlessly slip into my role as the terrified, unsuspecting prey.

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