Page 38 of Carnival
“Yeah? What?”
He looks at me, gripping my flesh a little tighter. “I stayed away from you so you wouldn’t think I was desperate. But in reality, I was obsessed with you from the moment you walked through the fucking door. From the moment I laid my eyes on you, I had this feeling that you were simply the other half of me, and I haven’t let go of the feeling since.’’
I swallow thickly, doing my best to remember what the fuck went down in that house and why I was suddenly removed. Yet, no matter how much I tried, nothing came to mind. Except for that haunting nightmare and the words of the girl that still vividly ring in my ears.
“Hey, James?”
“Yes?”
“What happened to those two?”
“Last I heard, Gabriel is in university, wanting to become a part of the law enforcement.’’
“And Willow?”
He pauses.
“Dead.’’
15
Rose
James takes me to a bathroom, and the moment I’m submerged under the bubbly water, my muscles relax. I’ve always preferred tubs over showers for this exact reason — I can just lean back and enjoy.
The room I was in is apparently in a basement. James didn’t confirm it, but it’s the only logical explanation as to why there are no windows. Outside of it is a narrow, long hallway with another door, which is the bathroom I’m currently in, and I did see a glimpse of stairs, which proved my suspicions correct.
This entire bathroom is stocked up. From my favorite skincare and hair care products to the exact same makeup and tools I’m using. He even got the exact same model of the toothbrush I’m using back at home, as if I didn’t get it on a discount —two for seven bucks.
I don’t know how much time I spent in the tub. I simply allowed the water to consume me and for my muscles tocompletely relax under the hot water. The bubbles smell divine, and it’s hard getting out of it.
Eventually, I take a proper shower and wash my hair, using the products he bought for me. It’d be a waste of money to leave them intact, so I definitely didn’t go easy on them, using much more than I’d normally use.
He has something planned for tonight. He didn’t say much, but he did lay out my clothes — that he likely got from the house Aria and I are renting out — and they’re warmer and a bit on the cozier side, too. Definitely not something I’d wear indoors.
The water starts cooling down, and I dry myself off with a fluffy towel, then get dressed in the outfit James selected for me. It consists of a pair of black, high-waisted pants and a dark blouse that I tuck in, and I add a leather belt. Once I dry my hair and add some makeup, I exit the bathroom, a cloud of steam following me.
James is leaning against the wall, eyes following my every movement. He pushes himself off the wall and strides toward me, and I have to tilt my chin up to get a good look at him. He’s much taller than me, and it’s enough to intimidate me.
“Ready?” He asks, his voice devoid of any emotions.
With a simple nod, I exhale softly. “Where are we going?’’
“Somewhere… nice.’’
My brows narrow, though I don’t say much. Instead, I allow him to take my hand in his and lead me out of the narrow hallway. I ignore the fire that ignites in my chest at the way he’s holding my hand and merely focus on how I was actually right — it is a basement.
We step outside, and I’m baffled to see we’re in a fairly nice neighborhood. Somewhat, I thought it’d be in the middle of nowhere, like a forest or a deserted part of the city, but no.
There are plenty of houses, some with the lights turned on, others seemingly empty, but it’s nice. The crisp air sends chills down my body, and James tightens his grip on my hand.
He leads me to his car, and I have to fight him to let me buckle myself up. Eventually, I give up because the bastard is very persistent. The moment he’s in the car, it locks, and he speeds off.
If I were to run, I still wouldn’t have a good opening. Hell, I don’t even know this city. But while I was taking the bath, I came to a conclusion — if James doesn’t satisfy my curiosity tonight, and if he doesn’t respond to the questions I have, I will run away.
I know that Aria is still somewhere in New Orleans; she wouldn’t have abandoned me like this. Which is why I need to find an opening and run for the hills. Will he follow? Maybe, but I feel safer if he follows me to New York, a city that I know and where I have people in my corner.
James parks the car, and my heart stops for a moment.
