Page 19 of Carnival Shadows

“Room service,” a muffled voice calls.

I freeze, panic clawing at my chest. I didn’t order room service. The knock comes again, louder this time. “Ma’am? You ordered room service?”

My door bursts open a moment later, and Remy fills the frame. His eyes lock onto mine, wild and dangerous.

“You’re coming with me, little stalker.”

I lunge for my phone, but Remy crosses the room in two strides. My heart hammers against my ribs as I back away.

“What the fuck are you doing in my room?” I try to keep my voice steady, but fear makes it waver. “Get out before I scream.”

His laugh is dark, predatory. “Go ahead. No one will hear you.”

I dive for the bathroom, but he catches me mid-stride. His massive hand wraps around my throat, and he slams me against the wall. The impact knocks the breath from my lungs.

“Did you enjoy the show tonight?” His grip tightens just enough to make me gasp. “Think I didn’t see you lurking in the shadows?”

I should be terrified, but heat pools in my belly as his body presses against mine, pinning me in place. His thumb traces my racing pulse, and I bite back a whimper.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, but my voice comes out breathy and weak.

His other hand grabs my wrist, pinning it above my head. “The lockup. The fight. You recorded everything, didn’t you?” His breath is hot against my ear. “Such a naughty little stalker.”

I struggle against his grip, but it only makes him press closer. The rough denim of his jeans scrapes against my bare thighs, and I realize with horror that I’m still only wearing my panties, and my breasts are completely bare.

“Let me go,” I whisper, arching into his touch.

His grip on my throat flexes. “We both know you don’t want that.” His eyes are dark with dangerous promise. “I saw how you watched me.”

I struggle against Remy’s iron grip, my heart racing. He reaches into his pocket with his free hand. The glint of a small glass vial catches the dim motel light.

“What is that?” My voice comes out shaky.

“Shh, beautiful. Just something to help you relax.” His thumb traces along my jawline as he uncaps the vial with his other hand.

I try to turn my head away, but his grip tightens. “No, please?—”

He presses the vial to my lips. The bitter liquid hits my tongue before I can clamp my mouth shut. I try to spit it out, but his hand clamps over my mouth and nose, forcing me to swallow.

“There’s my good girl,” he murmurs.

The room starts to spin almost immediately. My legs turn to rubber beneath me, and I sag against his chest. His arms wrap around me, surprisingly gentle, as he lowers me to the floor.

“Just let go, Eden. Stop fighting it.”

My vision blurs around the edges. I try to focus on Remy's face hovering above me, but it keeps doubling and shifting. My tongue feels too thick for my mouth.

“Why?” I manage to whisper.

His smile is the last thing I see clearly. “Because you’ve seen too much.”

Darkness creeps in from the corners of my vision. Remy’s handsome face grows dimmer and dimmer until everything fades to black.

12

REMY

Isit in my trailer, watching through the security feed as Eden stirs on the chair. Her eyes flutter open, confusion clouding her features as she takes in her new surroundings. The concrete walls of the on-site storage container’s hidden room are now covered in her obsession—every photo she took of me pinned up like a shrine to her stalking.

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