Page 5 of Carnival Master

I scan the rows of cars for my cherry-red Mustang. There it is, a welcome beacon amidst the sea of minivans and beaters surrounding it. I lengthen my stride, unable to shake the feeling of eyes burning into my back as I hurry toward my car’s comforting familiarity.

Just a few more steps, and I’ll be safe inside, able to crank up my favorite trashy pop music to drown out the lingering echoes of Tyson’s sinful promises. I can pretend this whole encounter never happened, that I didn’t come perilously close to betraying everything I’ve been groomed for.

With a shaky exhale, I hit the button on my key fob to unlock the doors.

I’m almost there. Just a few more steps to the driver’s side door. I can escape and put Tyson out of my mind for good.

That’s when I hear a powerful engine’s low, rumbling growl approaching from behind. My pulse skyrockets as I whip around, clutching my keys like a makeshift weapon.

The sleek, matte-black Surburban roars through the parking lot, its tinted windows glinting menacingly in the late afternoon sun. It peels around the corner with a squeal of tires, heading straight for me with no signs of slowing.

3

TYSON

She thinks I left, but I can’t fucking stay away as I turn back around and follow her. Her red hair bounces with each angry step toward the parking lot. Damn, that girl’s got fire. The way she stood up to me, refusing to be charmed, only makes me want her more.

I trail behind at a distance, keeping my eyes locked on the hypnotic rhythm of her stride. Her jeans hug those curves and thick thighs in all the right places. I lick my lips, imagining peeling them off.

I hang back as she reaches the parking lot, hiding behind a rusted pickup truck. Sofia digs through her purse, no doubt searching for her keys. She drops something and bends over to pick it up, and I drink in the view, my jeans growing tighter.

She unlocks her little red Mustang—proving to me she has taste, even if it is a new one and not a classic like mine. As she’s about to open the door, something in myperiphery catches my eye—a black SUV barreling through the parking lot straight toward her.

“Sofia! Watch out!” I yell, my body reacting before my brain can process what’s happening.

In long strides, I’ve closed the distance between us. I wrap my arms around her waist and yank her backward with all my strength. Sofia lets out a startled yelp as I pull her off balance, tumbling us both to the hard asphalt.

The SUV blows past, the rush of air ruffling my hair. It barely misses clipping Sofia’s car as the driver slams on the brakes, tires screeching in protest.

I roll off Sofia and scramble to my feet, my heart pounding. What the hell was that about? I scan the area, my fists clenched.

Sofia pushes herself to a sitting position, her eyes wide with shock. “What...what just happened?”

I don’t answer, my focus locked on the SUV as it peels out of the lot in a spray of loose gravel.

The SUV’s taillights disappear around the corner, and my jaw clenches tight. Someone just tried to run down Sofia Moretti in my damn carnival. This won’t stand.

I pull out my cell and punch in Phoenix’s number. He picks up on the second ring.

“Boss?” His voice crackles through the speaker.

“I need you to pull the security footage from the parking lot cameras. Now. Some asshole in a black SUV just tried to flatten Sofia.”

“You mean Jimmy’s daughter?” Phoenix asks.

“Yeah, that Sofia. I want the plates on that vehicle. And I want the owner’s name.”

“On it, Boss.”

I end the call and turn back to the fiery redhead. She’s on her feet, brushing dirt off her jeans with shaky hands.

“You okay?” I ask, stepping closer.

Her green eyes are filled with fear when she meets my gaze. “No, I’m not okay! Someone just tried to kill me!”

I place my hands on her shoulders, feeling the tension thrumming through her body. “I won’t let that happen. Whoever’s behind this, I’ll find them.”

She shrugs off my hands, taking a step back. “Why do you even care? Aren’t you just some carnie drug dealer?”

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