“Don’t mention it.”
He swung his leg over the bike and rose to his full height before taking the helmet back. Despite his stunning blue eyes, I couldn’t bear to make eye contact. His aura was too strong, crushing down on me.
I blinked and looked away, over to the semi-trucks nearby, and something caught my eye.
It was a red-and-black-striped trailer parked at the edge of the lot. From where we were standing, it was hard to make out, but I was fairly certain it saidKnotty Sideshow.
Huh. A circus caravan.
I’d heard of the troupe before but never watched them perform. It wasn’t broadcast on television, and my mother never let me go to such big, public events. It was easier to keep me safe if I was hidden and out of sight.
My gaze trailed over several more circus trailers, all black, red, and gold to match the branding.
“The circus is in town,” I chuckled, glancing back at Revel for his reaction.
He seemed completely unamused.
Must not be into theatrics.
“Well, thanks again.” I nodded at him, preparing to head inside, but stopped to look toward the circus caravan one more time.
This time, there was a person outside one of the trailers. He was shirtless, wearing only a pair of sweatpants, and had shaggy, rainbow-colored hair.
Hot. That was the best way to describe him. Hot and colorful and… heading our way.
CHAPTER FOUR
DAZE
Being stuck in our travel trailer sucked.
The space was too small. Claustrophobic. It always felt like the gray paneled walls were closing in.
It was really meant for one person—Night hadn’t originally planned on sharing the space when he bought it—but we managed to cram in a bunk bed last year. Before that, I normally took the couch.
Every nook and cranny of the trailer was crammed with costumes and props for his magician act, and they spilled over onto the small dinner table and kitchen counter. The clutter wasn’t my cup of tea, but I’d given up trying to keep things tidy. I went along with whatever Night did, just to keep the peace.
I enjoyed the alpha’s company, even if he ignored me half the time. He was always lost in his own head. Quietly observing, daydreaming. Figuring him out was like trying to decipher a secret code, but there were no shortcuts or hacks. No keys or hints. After two years of spending nearly every night together, I’d learned little about him.
What I did know was that he refused to room alone. It wasn’t two weeks after he bought the trailer that he invited me to stay with him, and I jumped at the opportunity to escape the aerialist bus. I’d roomed with him ever since.
The rest of the troupe was hardly surprised. Night felt safest with me; he didn't like anyone else in his space. I wouldn’t move out unless he asked me to, no matter how small he made the trailer feel.
Reaching up from the top bunk, I ran my pointer finger along a seam in the ceiling, recalling the main reasons why I stayed. It wasn’t just because the magician wanted me there.
I was the only person who could keep him grounded, keep him sane. None of us wanted him to lose his mind again. A rogue alpha wasn’t good for anyone, especially those in confined spaces with him. They couldn’t control their instincts or actions. They acted on primal, feral urges that were dangerous and often murderous.
I was doing the rest of the troupe a favor, as well as him, by staying close.
I’d be there for him whenever he needed me. I’d bewhateverhe needed. Company, a pillow to sleep on, a hole for him to fuck. What Night needed I was, but that didn’t mean I wanted to be cooped up with him in a metal box on wheels all the time.
On off nights, like tonight, I yearned to be in the arena, swinging, flying, and diving through the air.
I wanted to feel untethered, empowered,free.
And that’s how I felt in the ring.
It wasn't like I could just hop on a motorcycle and go for a ride to escape, like Revel. I could call an Uber, but where was the fun in that?
