Page 28 of Whiteout

The Christmas carnival is an annual tradition where the main street of Hemlock Hollow is transformed into a Christmas wonderland. The road is closed to traffic, making way for vendors, food trucks, and games lining both sides. Christmas carols float from speakers, mixing with the noise from the crowds of people.

I park my truck in a nearby lot and walk around to Ivy'sside, opening the door for her. She takes my hand as she steps down, and together we make our way into the carnival.

"This is incredible, Kris. Thank you for bringing me." I pull her close to me as we walk down the sidewalk. I breath in her cherry scent that I've become addicted to.

"How about we play a game? Your pick."

Ivy's eyes light up, "That sounds fun."

This was going exactly as I had hoped. "Let's make it a little more interesting, then. If you win, we do whatever you want. If I win, we do whatever I want."

"Anything I want?"

It's adorable, really. The way she perked up. She thinks she actually has a shot at winning.

"Yeah, anything you want, Cherry." Little does she know; I have no intention of losing this game.

"Okay, let's do it." She looks around, eyeing the different game vendors set up along the street. "I want to try the axe throwing."

She's so fucked… literally.

"You better prepare. Because when I win, I plan to fully take what's mine. And I won't hold back."

I watch her as she steps up to the axe-throwing booth.

"Let's see what you've got." I hand the carney ten bucks then take a step back, giving her room.

She lets the first throw go. I have to admit, it's cute watching her try. The axe falls short, clattering to the ground a few feet in front of the target. A guy behind us snorts.

I feel a rush of protectiveness for Ivy. Hell, I bet I can throw axes blindfolded better than she can. But this dumb fuck doesn't get to have an opinion about my girl. He's a dead man, he just doesn't know it yet.

The guy, full of liquid courage no doubt, steps closer, his gaze flicking between Ivy and me. "Hey man, your girl here's wasting everyone's time. Why don't you let me show her how it's done?"

I take a step forward, moving between Ivy and the drunk prick, blocking his path.

"Back off, she's with me." I intentionally keep my voice calm, but there's an edge to it, a warning.

"Oh yeah? And what if she wants me to show her a thing or two? Maybe she'd like to spend some time with a real ma-"

My hand wraps around his throat, cutting him off. I press himagainst the wooden post of the game booth, feeling the vibrations of his Adam's apple as he tries to speak. My fingers tighten, just shy of cutting off his air completely.

"Listen carefully," I say, my voice deadly quiet. "This woman is mine. When you disrespect her, you disrespect me. Do you understand what that means?"

He tries to shake his head, but my hand around his throat is restricting most of his movement.

"If you value your life and would like to enjoy what you have left of it, you will apologize to my girl. Then get the fuck out of my sight. When I see you again, I will fucking kill you."

The man sputters out an apology, his eyes darting between Ivy and me. I let go, and he stumbles backward, clutching his throat.

He doesn't need to be told twice. He turns and hurries off, disappearing into the crowd.

I turn to Ivy, "It's still your turn."

"Kris, you didn't have to do that. It was fine."

"No, it wasn't fine. He disrespected you. Nobody fucking disrespects you. Come on, I'll show you how to throw that axe."

I guide her towards the target, positioning her so she's facingit squarely. She leans forward, her arms outstretched, the axe in her right hand. Her body is pressed against mine as I move behind her, my arms wrapping around her, one hand on top of hers on the axe, the other on her waist.

---