Page 78 of Carnival Mayhem

That’s what strikes me most about her practical approach to the whole thing. There were no dramatic reactions, no hysteria, just calm, collected movements as she helped us erase all evidence of Tommy and Jake’s existence. It was as if she was born for this life, this darkness we share.

Those moments remind me why we chose her and knew she belonged with us. She may look delicate, but there’s steel in her spine and ice in her veins when needed. The way she handled disposal proved that beyond any doubt.

Still, this is different. The carnival’s operations are complex and dangerous, and one wrong move could bring everything down.

“I’ll talk to Ty,” I say, earning a sharp look from Colt. “What? She’s already involved. Better to bring her in properly than have her stumbling around the edges.”

Flora beams at me, that rare, genuine smile that makes her whole face light up. “Really?”

“Really.” I brush my thumb across her cheek. “But we do this my way. You learn everything from the ground up. No shortcuts.”

“Anything you want,” she says. “I just... I need to be part of this. Part of you. Both of you. All of it.”

I glance at Colt, who’s watching us with apprehension. He knows as well as I do that once Flora sets her mind to something, there’s no stopping her.

“I’ll speak with Ty tomorrow,” I tell them both. “For now, let’s get out of here.”

My hands shake slightly as I gather the cleaning supplies. This depth of emotion terrifies me. I’ve spent years keeping people at arm’s length, letting no one except Colt get close. Even with him, I’ve kept certain walls up.

But Flora crashed through every defense we had, and now I’m standing here, watching the two people I love most in this world, feeling more exposed than I ever have.

The thought of losing either of them sends ice through my veins. I’ve never been this vulnerable, this dependent on others for my happiness. It should make me want to run. Instead, I move closer, drawn to their orbit like I always am.

Colt catches my eye over Flora’s head, and I see the same emotions reflected in his gaze. He understands—he’s always understood me better than anyone. Now we share this terror of losing what we’ve found, this precious thing between us that defies explanation.

I love them. Both of them. The realization isn’t new, but it hits me fresh every time I see them together. The depth of it scares me more than anything I’ve ever faced.

35

COLT

Ipace in our trailer, my jaw clenched tight as Nash lounges on the couch like he doesn’t care. The rage I’ve been holding back finally boils over as Flora sleeps in my bedroom.

“You had no right to tell her everything about the operation,” I snap, running my fingers through my hair. “She wasn’t ready.”

Nash raises an eyebrow. “Wasn’t ready? Did you see her back there? She handled it better than most.”

“That’s what worries me.” I stop pacing and face him. “No one should take to this life that easily. It’s not normal.”

“Nothing about our girl is normal,” Nash says with a shrug. “She’s special. You know that.”

“Don’t try to deflect. This is serious. You overstepped. We should have eased her in slowly and talked to Ty first.”

“Lighten up, Colt. What’s done is done. She knows now, and she wants to be part of it. All of it.”

I slam my hand against the wall, making the whole trailer shake. It’s not just that Nash told her. I’m pissed because he kept the entire shady operation a fucking secret from me for countless years. With Flora, he’s suddenly an open book. “That’snot your call to make! Ty needs to know what you’ve done. I have to tell him.”

“Then we tell him.” Nash stands up, his calm demeanor only fueling my anger. “He’ll see what I see—that Flora is exactly where she belongs, doing exactly what she was meant to do.”

“You better hope you’re right,” I growl. “Because if this blows back on us, it’s your head on the line.”

Nash smiles that infuriating smile of his. “Trust me, partner. When has my judgment ever steered us wrong?”

I turn away, grabbing my jacket.

Nash places a hand on my shoulder. “Is this really just about me telling Flora?” He demands.

I freeze. “What else would it be about?”

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