Page 41 of Carnival Master

“What seems to be the problem?” I keep my voice level, watching him with cold amusement. Nash and Colt linger near the entryway, leaving just me, Lars, and Paulie in the main tent.

Paulie’s face contorts as he gets in mine. His breath reeks of expensive scotch. “You fucked my girl, you piece of shit carnie trash. You’re a dead man.”

I arch an eyebrow, maintaining my calm despite the rage building inside me at hearing him refer to Sofia as ‘his girl.’ She’s not his anything. Not anymore.

“That’s quite an accusation.” I keep my hands loose at my sides, ready. “Got any proof?”

“Don’t play dumb with me.” Spittle flies from his mouth. “I know all about your little late-night meetings. Did you think I wouldn’t find out? In my town?”

I notice Lars shifting closer, hand inside his jacket. I give him a subtle shake of my head. This is my fight.

“Your town?” I laugh, the sound sharp and hollow. “Funny. Last I checked, this was Jimmy Moretti’s town. You’re just the errand boy he’s trying to marry his daughter off to.”

Paulie’s face goes purple. “You’re fucking dead.” His hand moves toward his waistband. “I’m going to put you in the ground myself.”

I don’t hesitate, grabbing my gun and firing before he can reach his. The shot echoes through the tent as Paulie crumples, a look of shock frozen on his face.

“Fuck,” Lars swears beside me. “This is really bad, boss.”

Movement catches my eye as two of Paulie’s men burst through the tent flap, weapons already drawn. But we’re ready. Lars, Nash, and Colt have their guns trained on them before they can get off a shot.

“Drop them,” I order, my voice ice cold as I keep my gun steady. “Unless you want to join your boss.”

The goons exchange glances, clearly weighing their options. Four guns against two isn’t great odds.

“Now,” I bark, taking a step forward. “On your knees, hands behind your heads.”

They comply slowly, weapons clattering to the ground. Nash moves in swiftly to kick their guns away while Colt covers him.

“Don’t even think about moving,” Lars warns them as he secures their weapons. “Your next breath depends on how still you can stay.”

I look down at Paulie’s body, my mind already racing through the implications. Jimmy Moretti’s future son-in-law lying dead in my carnival tent. This is going to require some careful handling.

I keep my gun trained on Paulie’s men while checking his pulse. Dead. No going back now.

“Get their phones,” I order Lars, who pats them down efficiently. “And their wallets. I want to know exactly who we’re dealing with.”

Nash and Colt move in perfect sync, zip-tying the men’s hands behind their backs. One starts to protest, but Colt’s fist connects with his jaw before he can get a word out.

“That empty trailer behind the Ferris wheel,” I tell them, holstering my weapon. “Make sure they’re secured and unconscious. We might need them later when Jimmy comes looking for answers.”

Lars hands me their phones and wallets. “What about him?” He nods toward Paulie’s body.

“We’ll deal with that next. First, get these two somewhere they won’t be found.” I flip through one of the wallets, memorizing the details. “Check them for tracking devices or anything that could give away their location.”

Nash and Colt haul the men to their feet. One tries to resist, but Nash twists his arm until he whimpers.

“Move,” Colt growls, shoving them forward.

I watch them disappear through the tent flap, then turn to Lars. “Get Phoenix. We need to start damage control now.”

“You think Jimmy will believe Paulie shot first?”

“He better.” I glance at the body cooling on mycarnival floor. “Because if he doesn’t, we’ll need every bargaining chip we can get.”

Lars nods and pulls out his phone while I plan our next move. Having Paulie’s men as leverage might make the difference between survival and all-out war with the Moretti family. The family of the woman I’m obsessed with.

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