The music swells. The lights explode back to life.
And the show truly begins.
6
JULES
Watching Elias perform tonight hit differently knowing we had a date after. I saw the way women in the crowd stared at him—part starstruck teenager, part wild beast in heat. And even though I’m investigating him for disappearances—maybe even murder—I felt a bit smug knowing it’s my gaze he looked for in the audience. I guess that makes me an idiot.
I’m leaning against a post near the main tent’s entrance, watching as chittering carnival goers exit and make their way to the rides. Queues are already forming at the Ferris wheel, Tilt-A-Whirl, and Gravitron. Screams echo from the drop tower and Fireball. Kids’ giggles rise from the teacups and bumper cars.
Some of the circus performers head to the booths where people are already parting with their money, but before I can admire the Strongman’s ass for too long, Elias blocks my view with his broad shoulders, long legs, and cocky smirk.
“Enjoying the show?” he asks silkily.
I bat my eyelashes, the picture of innocence. “Yourcarnival has many delights. I don’t even know where to begin.”
“Well…” Elias extends his arm, offering the crook of his elbow. “Good thing you have an expert guide tonight.”
“Good thing,” I echo, taking his offer. As soon as I touch him, even through clothes, my body temperature goes up like I’ve been dipped in a hot bath. This man exudes so much sex appeal… but then again, so did Christian Bale inAmerican Psycho.
I could fix him.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Elias asks as we join the crowd.
“As long as it’s a penny and not Pennywise.”
Elias looks down at me with one eyebrow raised questioningly.
“Not a fan of clowns? Better not join the circus then.”
I snort. “Is that why you run a carnival? Your love of clowns?”
“Among other things,” he muses. “What about you, Jules? What’s your calling?”
“I’m a writer,” I answer without hesitation, my go-to nonanswer.
“Really?” Elias asks as we stop at the mini rollercoaster. “Wrote anything I’d like to read?”
“I’ll give you something,” I murmur, then eye the attraction in front of us skeptically. “A kiddy ride?”
“This is the warm-up,” he says confidently as he leads me through an empty side gate. Kids wave at us, recognizing him from the main event, and he smiles and nods back, a maniacal glee in his eyes that makes my steps falter.
Who is this man? Should I really be spending time with him?
Elias nods at the attendant, who waves us throughimmediately. As we buckle up, I look around us, noting the fantastical details—the carvings, the clockwork automata.
“This must take ages to set up,” I comment in awe. I can’t imagine the cost.
He shrugs, then moves his hand behind my shoulders, encompassing me in his warmth again. “I have a lot of workers,” he murmurs near my ear.
A shiver races down my spine, and Elias seems to notice my shudder, because he chuckles softly and starts rubbing little circles over my arm.
Beautiful, smug bastard.
The ride does several circles through tunnels with more clockwork figures and roaring sounds, and by the time it’s over, I have a huge smile on my face.
“That was more fun than I thought it’d be,” I admit sheepishly.
