Page 15 of Ensnared

AndLuckycalls themdrab!

Beaulaughs. “Don’tget too worked up, darlin’.He’steasing you.I’veseen circus boy with his share of books.Notas many asJasper, of course, but still.”

Witha small huff,Iresettle myself.Hemust be part imp.Jokingabout books, of all things.

Iwant to ask about the other two, the onesIhaven’t met yet but... “Circusboy?”

“Theseareourquestions, no hijacking,”Luckycomplains.

“Didyou really work for a circus?”Ipress, curious.

“Youdon’t understand how to play games at all.We’llhave to work on that.Butyes, of course.Wheredo you thinkIlearned to juggle and eat fire and do trapeze?”

Ifrown at the back of his head.Lusciousstrands of long dark-blond hair are escaping the tie.Inotice there are a few braids scattered through the length and wonder if he did them himself.

“Ishe joking again?”IaskedBeau. “Ican’t tell if he’s joking or not.”

Beaushoots me an amused look.

“Joking!Me?No, no, beautiful,Iam never anything but deadly serious.Howelse couldIhave tamed the lions?”Luckyprotests. “Theyrespect strength, you see.Discipline.”

Ican’t help but laugh.

Ashe adjusts me against his muscular back, he continues, “I’llhave you know thatIwas the best acrobat in our troupe.Itwas one of the best and most beautiful shows in theUS.I’malso an excellent dancer and am quite good at making balloon animals.”

Beausnorts. “Don’ttake it personally.Hegave us all so much grief on tour we just about agreed on friendly fire.”

“Youwere...allin the circus?”

Domis stalking ahead;Itry and fail to imagine him performing in front of a crowd.Maybetwirling some batons or something.

Luckystarts laughing so hard he has to set me down.Bewildered,Ilook atBeau, who rolls his eyes.

“Rapiddeployment, darlin’.WewereRangers.”

Oh.Istudy them both.

“Thatmakes more sense,”Imutter.

Luckywipes his eyes from where he’d bent over. “Oh,Beau, can you pictureJaykin a leotard?MaybeIshould get him one on the next run.”

“He’llkick your ass.”

Aneager glint appears in his eyes. “Worthit.”

Whenhe’s recovered, he helps me back up.Aftera few moments,Irelax against him, soothed by the rocking motion and his easy, constant chatter.Itdoesn’t take long at all for my weariness to drag me into sleep.

Chapter6

Eden

Survivaltip #230

Beautifulmen make your brain fuzzy.

Thinkingis important.

Abort!

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