Page 41 of Carnival Obsession

“So what do you want to do?” I ask, meeting Ty’s gaze. “You want to lie low for a bit? Pause the dealings until this shit blows over?”

Ty shakes his head. “Can’t afford to. The Blackwoods are our biggest clients. They’ll take it as a sign of disloyalty if we back out. It’ll be our heads on the chopping block next.”

I grit my teeth. “Maybe we sweeten the deal for Carlo? Offer him a discount to make nice with the Blackwoods again?”

But Ty’s already shaking his head. “You think he’ll go for that after Xavier put a hit out on his guys? There’s not a chance in hell, man. This has gone way too far.”

A tense silence stretches between us as we grapple with the harsh reality. Getting stuck in a war between two crime syndicates is a death sentence waiting to happen.

“So what then?” I finally ask, my voice low. “We just keep our heads down and hope this shit blows over before it reaches us?”

The grim set of Ty’s jaw tells me we’re in treacherous waters now, and one wrong move could capsize us all.

22

ALICE

The blank sheet of paper taunts me. I grip the pen tightly in my hand, releasing a deep breath. Then, I scribble “Pros” at the top, my heart already pounding with nervous anticipation.

What would be the positives of leaving everything behind to join Lars and the carnival? The thrill and excitement I’ve felt in his presence is undeniable. Every moment with him has set my body ablaze with desire and adrenaline. A life on the road, free from the monotony of my daily grind, dancing from town to town... it’s wildly appealing in its unpredictability.

I jot down “Passion” and “Adventure” under the Pros column, feeling a flutter of longing. With Lars, I’ve discovered depths of pleasure and intensity I never knew existed. The thought alone is enough to make me tremble: to have that every night, to completely surrender to his dominance.

But then my gaze shifts guiltily to the Cons side of the paper. I can’t ignore the very real risks of leaving everything behind.

How well do I truly know Lars?

He’s volatile and possessive, making me wonder if I’m merely a prize to be won over. I scrawl “Unstable” and “Risky” under Cons, my stomach twisting. Leaving my whole life behind—my job, home, and best friend, Lily, who has been more like a sister—is terrifying. As thrilling as hot sex with a crazy, dangerous guy can be, is it worth sacrificing everything I’ve built?

My pen hovers over the paper as I weigh the gravity of this impossible choice. The carnival leaves in two days, and Lars has made it clear he expects me to be with him when those trucks pull out.

I squeeze my eyes shut, the weight of this decision threatening to crush me. Stay and forever wonder, “What if?” Leave and risk potential darkness and danger alongside the best sex of my life. I’ve never felt so untethered, so acutely aware that my next choice could irrevocably alter the course of my life.

My phone buzzes on the table, the vibration startling me out of my tortured deliberations. I glance at the screen, my heart pounding harder when I see a text from Lars.

Thinking of you, princess.

And then...oh God, there’s a photo attached.

I swallow hard as the image loads, exposing his thick cock jutting out, the metal piercing glinting and a pearlescent drop of arousal sliding down the swollen length. My mouth waters instinctively as I drink in the erotic sight, imagining that ring of steel sliding across my tongue.

Come and have a ride.

The crude invitation makes my thighs clench with sudden need, even as part of me recoils at how easily he can make me wet and aching with just a few words and a dick pic.

I bite my lip, torn between the ache throbbing between my legs and the rational voice reminding me that getting any deeper with this dangerous, obsessive man is a terrible idea. Indecision battles within me as my gaze traces the thick veins and glistening tip of his cock over and over.

Then my phone buzzes again, a new message appearing underneath the first.

I know you want it, princess. You’re fucking dripping for me right now, aren’t you?

A whimper slips free as Lars seems to read my mind. God, he knows me too well already—knows the potent effect he has on my body, how easily he can turn me into a shamelessly panting mess with just a glimpse of his manhood.

My resolve crumbling, I quickly type back a response.

I’ll be right there.

I cast the pros and cons list aside, the scribbled words already fading from my mind as the throbbing need between my legs takes over. Lars’s message and that filthy photo have got me aching, desire pulsing through my veins. I know giving in to his demand is reckless, but I’m powerless against the craving for his touch, his dominance.

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