“Not at all. That’s a stereotype perpetuated by people who look down on the lifestyle, but they still come around and spend their money. Here it’s more about family, taking in strays who need help.”
I stop talking and look away from her. The expected question doesn’t come, but I did reveal a little more than I’d like.
“It’s not the romantic lifestyle people imagine it to be either. I’ve never worked as hard as I did when I was here. When we were set up somewhere, it felt like we worked from sunup to sundown. The only break we got was driving between fairgrounds. We used to get kids showing up wanting to be a part of it. They learned pretty quick it was not fun working a carnival and ran back to their rich parents.”
Shit, I’m stepping into landmines left and right. One thing I never wanted to do was run back to my parents.
“Victor and Liz own the carnival, they’re brother and sister. They always looked after their crew. Equipment was old, but they made sure there were daily ride inspections and if something wasn’t safe, they wouldn’t let people on it. Or got me to fix them,” I add.
“That was your job here?”
“I did a mix of things, but yeah mostly.”
“You’ve always worked with your hands.”
“It’s what I’m good at,” I say in a low voice.
I give her hand a gentle squeeze then let go. When I turn away, I see Teresa, Liz’s daughter. She’s staring at me like she’s seen a ghost. Cassie notices my attention is focused elsewhere and follows my gaze. Teresa glares at me, then sneers at Cassie and spins away. She’ll no doubt be going to tell Liz who she just saw.
“Old friend?” Cassie smirks.
“Long story.”
“You can tell me later.”
“Not a chance, sweetheart.”
“You’re not getting off that easy, Eli. I’m starting to realize there is more to you.”
“Come on,” I put a hand on her lower back, guiding her away from the direction Teresa went. “She’ll be telling her mom I’m here and I need to speak to Victor before we see Liz.”
Cassie doesn’t ask any questions, just lets me guide her towards the biggest trailer on the lot. Word spreads fast, and by the time we reach the door it opens and Victor steps out like he’s expecting us. Cassie stays by my side, I never take my hand away from her back, reassuring her nothing will happen to her.
“Elias. Long time,” Victor says, stepping down from the trailer.
He’s put on some weight, his hair is white now instead of the bright red it had been. He’s still as imposing as he ever was. Once you have his trust, he isn’t as terrifying as he looks right now. Cassie isn’t scared, and that turns me the fuck on.
Wrong time to think that dickhead. This is serious.
“What are you doing here?”
“I need your help.”
“Not sure we can give it,” he looks at Cassie. “Who is this?”
“Cassie,” she says before I can answer for her.
“You look rich to me, darlin. Far too rich to be walking up in here like this.”
“She’s with me,” I say, giving Victor a hard glare.
He eyes me, the patch on my cut and Cassie again. He folds his arms and we all stare at each other. I really don’t have time for this pissing contest but I need Victor’s trust before I have anyone else’s. I’m proud as shit that Cassie is holding her own, not intimidated or even taking her attention off Victor to watch the crowd growing around us.
It’s only as I stand here facing the man who gave me a chance and saved me from the streets, I realize how similar the carnival is to the MC. The only difference here, women aren’t looked down on.
Proof of that comes when Liz pushes her way through everyone and comes to stand beside her brother. No one speaks as she silently peruses me, she eyeballs Cassie too and it’s clear trusting her is going to take some work, but when she looks at me, her expression changes.
She elbows Victor in the stomach, making him bend over, then steps forward and pulls me into a hug. After a moment, I return it.
