Page 70 of Carnival Mayhem

“Let her go,” Nash commands, stepping out of the shadows beside Colt. They both have tranquilizer guns trained on my captors.

Tommy snarls, yanking me back like a human shield. “Back off! She’s ours.”

Colt’s eyes narrow. “Wrong answer.”

Two darts fly through the air, finding their marks with deadly accuracy. Tommy and Jake jerk as the tranquilizers hit, their hold on me loosening. I break free, rushing forward into Nash’s waiting arms.

He catches me, holding me close as Tommy and Jake crumple to the ground behind me. “I’ve got you, little bird. You’re safe now.”

I cling to him, my body shaking from the adrenaline. Colt moves to stand guard over my unconscious abusers, his expression deadly.

“It’s okay, Flora,” Nash murmurs, stroking my hair. “They’ll never hurt you again. We promise once we deal with them, this will all be over. Forever.”

I bury my face against his chest, letting his strength and warmth anchor me. The night’s chill seeps into my bones, but Nash’s embrace keeps it at bay.

Colt zip-ties Tommy and Jake’s wrists and ankles before turning to us. “Let’s get out of here so we don’t end up with any witnesses. We have some trash to dispose of.”

Nash nods, guiding me away from the scene. I lean on him heavily, my legs unsteady as the adrenaline crash sets in. Hesupports my weight without complaint, half-carrying me toward the truck.

As he helps me into the passenger seat, I catch a glimpse of Colt hoisting Tommy’s limp body over his shoulder. A tiny part of me feels like I should be horrified, but all I can muster is grim satisfaction. They deserve what is coming to them, and I can’t wait to be part of it.

Nash slides into the driver’s seat beside me, reaching over to gently buckle my seatbelt. “Are you sure you want to be a part of this, little bird?”

I stare straight ahead as Nash’s question hangs in the air. My fingers clench into fists on my thighs, knuckles white with determination. The memories of years of abuse flood my mind—every violation, any sense of security ripped from me—leaving me helpless against them, fodder for their disgusting debauchery.

“Yes,” I say. “I need to be there.”

Nash’s hand covers mine. “It won’t be pretty.”

“Nothing about what they did to me was pretty either; they don’t deserve pretty.” The words come out sharp and bitter. “They took everything from me. My innocence, my trust, my sense of safety. For two years, I lived in terror of their footsteps outside my door at night.”

I turn to face Nash, meeting his dark gaze. “I need to see the fear in their eyes. I need them to know what it feels like to be powerless. To understand that they chose the wrong girl to break.”

“They’ll suffer,” Nash promises, his thumb stroking over my knuckles. “Colt and I will make sure of that.”

“Good.” I lean back against the seat, a strange calm settling over me. “I don’t just want to watch—I need to participate. They need to see me strong, not as their victim anymore.”

Nash studies my face for a long moment. “You understand what that means? There’s no going back from this.”

“Going back became impossible the moment they first raped me,” I say quietly. “This isn’t about going back. It’s about moving forward. About taking my power back.”

Colt climbs into the passenger’s side. “Ready to go. Let’s get this show on the road.”

Nash clears his throat. “Flora wants to be involved in dealing with these pieces of shit.”

Colt raises a brow. “Is that true, angel?”

I nod. “I need to make them pay. I want to see the fear in their eyes when they realize we’ve taken their power away.”

“You’re so fucking sexy when you talk like that,” he growls, his eyes glittering with hunger. Colt kisses me with a fervor that takes my breath away. His lips crush mine. This kiss differs from the others, fueled by the darkness we’re about to enter. It’s a claim, a promise of what’s to come. The kiss leaves me dazed, my body thrumming with need.

I meet his gaze, no longer afraid of the desire burning there. Colt’s thumb strokes my bottom lip. His touch is searing. “And we will, angel. We’ll ensure they know what it feels like to be powerless.”

He kisses me again, his mouth slanting over mine. My lips part against his, inviting him in. His tongue tangles with mine.

Breaking the kiss, he trails his lips along my jaw, moving down to my neck. I tilt my head to the side, granting him better access.

Nash starts the engine. “We should get going.” Nash’s voice is calm, but I sense the steel underlying his words.

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