Page 31 of Carnival Shadows

And it’s true. Even bound and confined, Eden’s eyes follow my every move with naked hunger. There’s no fear there. She chose this path when she stalked me, documenting my every move. Now, she’s living out her darkest fantasy.

“Whatever you say, man.” Lars shakes his head.

Nash approaches his usual graceful swagger on full display. “You two look productive,” Nash says, leaning against the booth.“Though I heard you’ve been wearing a path in the grass, Remy. Trouble focusing?”

I flip him off without looking up. “How’s the happy throuple? Still playing house with your little bird and the hothead?”

Nash’s smile doesn’t falter. “Flora’s teaching Colt to cook. It’s interesting. Pretty sure we’ll need an upgraded kitchen soon.”

“Better than you in the kitchen,” Lars snorts. “Remember when you nearly burned down your trailer trying to make pasta?”

“That was one time,” Nash protests. “And Flora loves having two men to take care of.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, we all know how that works. You do the laundry while Colt does the heavy lifting.”

“Says the man who’s been circling his trailer five times a day to avoid going inside it,” Nash shoots back.

Lars barks out a laugh. “He’s got you there.”

“At least I didn’t spend two weeks stalking a girl,” I say to Lars before turning to Nash. “Or write poetry about Flora’s eyes.”

“That was private,” Nash hisses, color rising in his cheeks. “And Colt helped write it.”

“Of course he did,” Lars and I say in unison.

I lean against the booth. “At least Lars finally got his girl. Never thought I’d see the day when Alice would tame your crazy ass.”

Lars’s face softens. “She’s something else. Called me an asshole three times this morning before kissing me goodbye.”

“That’s love right there.” Nash chuckles. “Though not as entertaining as Flora making Colt do yoga with her. You should see him trying to bend into those positions.”

“Better than you two enabling her video game addiction,” Lars shoots back. “How many hours did you lose to that new game last week?”

Nash shrugs. “Flora kicks our asses every time, but watching Colt rage quit is worth it.”

“Alice wants to host a dinner party,” Lars says. “Says we need to be more social.”

“Domestic bliss looks good on you,” I tease, dodging the hammer he throws my way. “Never thought I’d see the day when the big bad biker would be picking out tablecloths.”

“Says the man with a podcaster locked in his trailer,” Lars counters. “At least Alice chose to move in with me.”

“Eden stalked me, not the other way around,” I growl. “And I don’t know if I’m keeping her.”

Nash raises an eyebrow.

“Different strokes,” Lars says, then grins. “Speaking of strokes...”

“Don’t finish that sentence,” I warn, but I’m fighting back a smile. These idiots might give me shit, but they’re happy and found their matches in women who can handle their particular brands of crazy.

I watch Nash and Lars bicker about their domestic lives, their happiness evident despite their attempts to maintain their tough exteriors. Something twists in my chest, not jealousy, but recognition. They’ve found women who match them, who can handle their obsessions and possessive natures.

My thoughts drift back to Eden. Her collection of killer memorabilia and that journal filled with fantasies.

Eden’s obsession with me mirrors my own growing fixation with her. She’s not just another problem to solve or a loose end to tie up. She sees my darkness and wants to understand every facet of it.

Maybe I’ve been looking at this all wrong. Eden’s not just a stalker who needs to be contained—she might embody exactly what I’ve been avoiding all these years.

17

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