Page 49 of Carnival Master

I drum my fingers on the steering wheel, weighing the risks. Having a solid escape plan wouldn’t hurt. “Fine. But stay out of sight. If anyone spots you, this whole thing falls apart.”

“We know how to move without being seen,” Nash’s voice carries that quiet confidence I’ve come to rely on.

“Like ghosts,” Colt adds with a dangerous smile.

“One hour,” I remind them, tapping my earpiece. “After that, Phoenix drops everything.”

They slip out of the car, immediately melting into the shadows of the tree line. I watch them disappear, knowing they’ll find every weakness in Jimmy’s fortress while I walk through the front door.

I check my phone one last time. My jaw clenches as I imagine Sofia locked away in that house.

I approach Jimmy’s gates with my hands raised, ensuring the guards can see I’m not holding anything. The security cameras swivel toward me, their red lights blinking in the darkness.

“I need to see Jimmy. It’s about business,” I call out, keeping my voice steady and professional.

Two guards emerge from the gatehouse, hands on their weapons. I recognize Marco, Jimmy’s head of security, his weathered face creased with suspicion.

“You got some balls showing up here, Tyson,” Marco growls, nodding to his partner to pat me down.

I stay still as rough hands check my jacket, pockets, and pants’ waistband. The guard’s fingers brush past my ankle, missing the thin blade strapped there. Amateur.

“I’m clean,” I say calmly. “Just want to talk business with Jimmy.”

Marco studies me for a long moment, then speaks into his radio. The gates creak open slowly.

“One wrong move,” Marco warns, grabbing my arm roughly, “and you won’t make it out of here breathing.”

They lead me up the winding driveway, gravel crunching under our feet. The mansion looms ahead, its windows dark except for Jimmy’s study on the second floor. My earpiece crackles as Colt and Nash confirm they can see me entering. But I keep my eyes forward, focused on the task ahead.

26

TYSON

Marco leads me into Jimmy’s study. The mob boss stands by his window, silhouette dark against the city lights below. His shoulders are tense, hands clasped behind his back.

“You’ve got some fucking nerve coming here.” Jimmy’s voice cuts through the silence.

“We need to talk about what happened.”

He whirls around, his face contorted with rage. “Talk? You killed my future son-in-law, you piece of shit! Made a grave mistake there.”

“It was self-defense.” I keep my voice steady. “Paulie came at me with a gun, threatening to kill me.”

“Because I sent him!” Jimmy slams his fist on his desk. “You touched my daughter. Nobody touches her.”

“Speaking of your daughter...” I take a calculated step forward. “Remember who saved her life? You owe me for that.”

“I don’t owe you shit.” Jimmy’s lip curls. “You thinkthat gives you the right to fuck my daughter? She’s not for some lowlife carnie.”

“Paulie’s dead. Things have changed.”

“Nothing’s changed.” Jimmy’s eyes narrow dangerously. “Get your carnival out of my town. Tonight. Before I expose every dirty operation you’re running and leave you with nothing.”

“Jimmy—”

“I mean it, Tyson. You’re done here. And you’re done with my daughter.”

I maintain my composure, though my blood boils at his dismissal. “Let’s talk business then. There must be a way we can work this out.”

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