Page 32 of Carnival Shadows

EDEN

The carnival’s silence feels eerie today. There is no cheerful music, no excited screams from the rides, no constant chatter of visitors. There is stillness, broken only by my rapid heartbeat, as I hear Remy’s boots on the metal steps outside.

He hasn’t spent much time in here. I’ve noticed his avoidance, the way he comes in only to check on me or give me basic necessities, returning to sleep in the dead of night, but today is different. The door opens and his presence fills the confined space of the trailer.

“Miss me, little stalker?” His voice carries that dangerous edge that makes my skin tingle.

I shift in my seat, the chain around my ankle clinking against the metal frame. “You’ve been busy.”

“Observant as ever.” He moves closer, his fingers trailing along the wall. “That’s what got you into this mess, right?”

My breath catches as he stops behind me. His hands rest on my shoulders, thumbs pressing into the tense muscles of my neck. The touch is both threatening and intimate.

“You know what I’ve realized?” His grip tightens. “You’re not scared enough of me. Maybe that’s my fault. Maybe I’ve been too lenient.”

I try to turn my head to look at him, but his hold keeps me facing forward. “I know what you are, Remy. I’ve always known.”

His laugh is low. “No, beautiful. You think you know. You’ve built fantasies in that fucked up mind of yours. But reality?” His fingers slide up into my hair, gripping hard. “Reality is so much darker.”

The familiar rush of fear and arousal floods through me. This is what I’ve craved since the moment he snatched me, his attention, his darkness matching mine, but something is different today. An edge to his energy makes me wonder if I’ve underestimated him.

The sudden absence of his touch leaves me cold. I watch as he moves to the small kitchen area, his broad shoulders filling the narrow space. The sound of cabinets opening and closing and plates clinking fills the silence.

“Hungry?” He doesn’t wait for my answer, already preparing what looks like eggs and toast.

My stomach growls. Five days of this routine—him bringing me food, watching me eat, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The memory of that first day in the lockup burns hot in my mind, his hands on my skin, his promises of what was to come, but since then? Other than him forcing me to suck his cock after my shower, there’s been nothing but these loaded exchanges.

He sets the plate in front of me, closer than necessary. His scent washes over me, pure male.

“Thank you.” My voice comes out steadier than I feel.

“Such good manners.” His fingers brush my shoulder. “Eat.”

I pick up the fork, aware of his eyes on me. Every bite feels like foreplay, the tension thick enough to choke on.

“How does it feel being away from your collection for so long,” he says, leaning against the counter. “Missing your serial killer memorabilia?”

Heat floods my cheeks. Of course, he knows about that, too. “No.”

“No?” His eyebrow raises. “Found something more interesting to obsess over?”

I set down my fork, meeting his gaze. “You know I have.”

“Careful, beautiful.” His tone drops. “Your obsession might be the death of you.”

The eggs turn to ash in my mouth. It’s the first time he’s directly threatened me. Instead of fear, I feel that familiar twist of arousal in my gut.

The plate sits empty between us, but Remy makes no move to take it away or leave. Instead, he settles onto his worn leather couch, stretching his long legs out.

“Don’t you have work?” I ask.

“Day off.” His lips curve into that dangerous smile. “Thought I’d spend it at home.”

I shift in my seat. The trailer suddenly feels smaller, more confined, with him lounging there, watching me with those predatory eyes. He picks up a book, but I can tell he’s not reading it.

“Stop staring, beautiful.” He doesn’t look up from the pages. “It’s rude.”

I force myself to look away, but my skin prickles with awareness. The sound of pages turning, his steady breathing, and the occasional shift of leather as he moves all fill my senses until I can barely think straight.

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