Page 42 of Carnival Mayhem

“Come on, sis,” Jake says, stepping closer. “Time to come home. The family is missing you.”

Aurora’s hand finds my arm. “Flora?” Her tone carries a question, but I can barely hear it over the roaring in my ears.

The stuffed animal slips from my numb fingers, hitting the dirt with a soft thud that seems to echo in the space between us.

“I suggest you both fuck off,” Aurora’s voice cuts through my panic like a blade. “Pretty clear she doesn’t want anything to do with you.”

Jake’s face twists into an ugly sneer. “Mind your own business, bitch. This is a family matter.”

“She doesn’t want to speak to you.” Aurora’s grip on my arm tightens protectively.

Tommy takes another step forward, his hands curling into fists. “Listen here?—”

A shadow falls over us, and the temperature drops several degrees. I feel Aurora relax beside me even as Jake and Tommy freeze mid-step.

Gage towers behind us, silent and massive in his skull mask. He doesn’t speak. Doesn’t move. He just stares at my foster brothers with an intensity that makes even my skin crawl.

Jake swallows hard, his earlier bravado evaporating. Tommy’s face drains of color as he takes an instinctive step backward.

“We’ll... we’ll catch up later,” Tommy mumbles, grabbing Jake’s arm and practically dragging him away. They disappear into the crowd so fast they might as well have teleported.

My legs give out, and I sink to my knees, the stuffed animal still lying forgotten in the dirt. Aurora crouches beside me while Gage maintains his protective stance, watching the direction my foster brothers fled.

“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice shaking. “Both of you.”

I wrap my arms around myself, trying to stop the trembling. Aurora’s concerned eyes bore into me.

“Flora, who were they? What did they do to you?”

The genuine worry in her voice almost breaks me. For a moment, I consider telling her everything. The years of abuse, the pain, the degradation. But the words stick in my throat, threatening to choke me.

“I...” I shake my head, taking a step back. “I should go. Colt and Nash will be wondering where I am.”

“Flora, wait—” Aurora reaches for my arm, her face a mix of frustration and concern. She wants to help; I can see it in her eyes, but I can’t. I just can’t.

She holds my gaze for a long moment before letting her hand drop. “Okay. But if you need anything...”

I nod quickly, already turning away. “Thanks. For everything.”

I hurry through the carnival grounds, weaving between stands and visitors, not stopping until the familiar shape of our trailer comes into view.

I slip into the trailer, my hands still shaking as I close the door. Nash and Colt are lounging on the couch, but their relaxed postures instantly shift when they see my face.

“Little bird?” Nash is on his feet in seconds, crossing the space between us. “What happened?”

Colt follows, his jaw tightening. “Flora?”

The concern in their voices breaks something inside me. The tears I’ve been holding back spill over, and my legs give out again. Nash catches me before I hit the floor, pulling me against his chest while Colt hovers protectively nearby.

“They found me,” I choke out between sobs. “Tommy and Jake. They’re here.”

“Who the fuck are Tommy and Jake?” Nash growls.

I swallow hard and meet his gaze. “My foster brothers.”

Colt’s jaw clenches. “Your foster brothers are the ones who hurt you?”

I nod against Nash’s chest, my fingers clutching his shirt. The memories I’ve tried so hard to suppress come rushing back—the first time they cornered me in my bedroom, their friends holding me down, the pain, the shame, the helplessness.

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