Page 16 of Carnival

Rose

J ames 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 to completely 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.

We’re back at the carnival, and I see the sign — this is the third night of the carnival, which means that I spent two whole days with James. Two fucking days, yet it felt like five hours at most.

“We’re here,’’ he mutters and exits the vehicle.

I unbuckle the seatbelt just in time as he approaches my side and opens the door for me.

With a deep breath, I step outside, and his hand immediately clasps with mine, nails digging into my flesh.

He’s fucking scared I’ll run away — and he isn’t wrong.

“Why are we here?” I ask, following silently as he skips the line, pays the entrance fee for the both of us, and ushers me into the crowded carnival. Screams, laughter, and loud music fill my ears, and my eyes immediately skim the area, looking for Aria.

“We’re here because I need you to remember, hellion.’’

The words leave his lips as if I’d wrenched them out of his mouth with force. He doesn’t look at me, yanking me forward to walk faster. I bump into someone, apologize quickly, and try to keep up with James’ long strides.

Eventually, he pulls me to his side, his arm wrapping around my waist. His hand grips my hip, and he guides me to a less crowded part of the carnival. I’m itching to ask questions, but for now, I keep them at the back of my head, trying to figure out where James is taking me.

We stop in front of a swing set. It’s old, and it looks out of place.

Every other ride here is definitely new, in bright, neon colors and flickering lights.

This one is worn out, the color of the swings peeling and revealing the wood underneath.

A small frown tugs on the corner of my lips as James sits on one, and reluctantly, I move from my spot and sit on the other one, lightly swinging.

“Is this… it?”

James nods. “I thought it might stir a memory or two. You used to love this swing.’’

“Swings in general or this one specifically?”

“This one in particular,’’ he says, turning to look at me.

“This was the first gift you received after you came to the Cooper family. You never allowed Gabriel or Willow on them, only me and you. And the siblings hated it. Willow tried tampering with them to make you fall and injure yourself, but even then, you didn’t let go of the swing.

You continued to use them until you fell and broke your arm. ’’

I take a deep breath. “Willow was truly terrible to me, wasn’t she?”

James nods. “Yeah, she was. I tried keeping her away from you to the best of my abilities. But when I did that, her obsession shifted toward me yet again, and as time went by, it was getting increasingly difficult to get rid of her.’’

“Let me guess, her parents grounded her, but it never stuck, did it?”

James shakes his head. “Her parents loved fostering and helping children, so they were scared of the way she was treating you. They were scared the word would get out and they’d be unable to foster anymore.

So, one summer, they sent her away to her grandparents until they figured out how to deal properly with her. And apparently, therapy didn’t help.’’

A snort leaves me, the swing squeaking as I stop moving on it. The wind blows, caressing my face, and James doesn’t take his eyes off me. Instead, they bore into me, as if he’s trying to pierce into my soul and take it for himself.

“That summer… while Willow was away… you were the happiest I’ve seen you.

A bubbly, chatty little kid. Gabriel didn’t pay much attention to either of us, because, as I told you already, although he didn’t like Willow’s treatment of us, she was still his sister, and when she was sent away, he became angry.

I’m not sure if it was at his parents for not sending you to a different family or at you for being the direct reason of his sister being sent away. ’’

I sigh. “Is that why they sent me away?”

My words are mumbled, something twitching in my chest. Somehow, it resembles inner conflict and deeply rooted sorrow.

The gaps in my memory seem wider and bigger, and no matter how much I try to remember what happened, my mind is blocking it all.

I can’t even remember Willow and Gabriel’s faces, let alone my time at their house.

James shakes his head. “No, not quite.’’

“And you won’t tell me why I was sent away?”

“Not yet. If you don’t remember anything soon, I’ll tell you.’’

A groan comes from me, shoulders slumping. James seems entertained by my reaction, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. He tilts his head to the side slightly, then speaks, voice low.

“I could tell you immediately, but that would just… break you.’’

“I’m not a fragile doll,’’ I scoff, folding my arms in front of my chest.

“I never said you were; however, you don’t even realize the gravity of the situation.’’

“Because you won’t tell me!” I snap, standing up from the swing and standing right in front of me.

The anger starts to show, bubbling inside me.

“I’m not a child, James! I’m not the little girl you remember!

You’re hiding shit from my past that I’ve been trying for years to remember!

This isn’t about me being ready; it’s about you having leverage over me!

It’s a power play, and you know it! You know how much I need to remember, how much I want to remember, and you’re not telling me because it keeps me by your side! ’’

My little outburst ends, though I have plenty of things left to say. For a moment, except for my rapid breathing and the loudness of the carnival, nothing can be heard. James’ face is as passive as ever, and it annoys me to no end.

In an instant, James rises from the swing, grabbing me by the throat and slamming me against the nearest tree. Shock flashes through me before it’s replaced by sheer fury. I grit my teeth together, brow narrowed at him.

For a moment, I’m scared.

The emptiness behind his eyes scares me. It’s intense and dark, like the deepest abyss that’s about to swallow me whole. A pitch-black hole that has no exit, there to permanently keep me hostage.

“Let’s get one fucking thing straight, hellion,’’ he leans in, his words coming out in a husky, low whisper that causes my entire body to be covered in goosebumps.

“I don’t need anything to hold over your head, because if I so desired, you’d be locked up for the rest of your life, and you wouldn’t be able to do shit about it.

If I wanted to, I’d take you somewhere far from everyone you love, somewhere so dark and twisted that even the Devil himself wouldn’t dare enter.

So this power play you’re on about? I don’t need your memories to use them against you — I already have you right where I want you. ’’

His hand tightens around my throat, as if to prove a point, but it doesn’t deter me. If anything, it makes me more eager to escape him, to prove that he cannot put me in a box like I’m some sort of a doll.

“Let go,’’ I grit out, hands fisting by my side.

A chuckle slips from him, and somehow, I know I’m screwed. James pulls back slightly, enough to look me in the eyes. They’re still as devoid of emotions as ever, but something akin to cruelty glimmers behind the depths of his dark eyes. My breath hitches in my throat, my stomach twisting.

I’m about to respond, but James’ hand leaves my throat at the sudden sound of footsteps. He turns around, shoulders rigid and hand reaching for his gun — but he’s a second too late.

All I see is the back of a gun whacking the side of his head with a lot of force, then James slowly slumping down to his knees, falling down unconscious. There’s a small wound where the gun had hit him, blood dripping down the side of his face, and my heart sinks to my feet.

Though, it only worsens when I look up.

Arlo De Santis stands tall in front of me, his pearly white hair shining under the dimmed lighting of the carnival. His arms are folded in front of his chest, still holding the gun tightly as he stares down at me.

Those light eyes of his pierce through mine, and I’m at a loss for words. His jaw clenches, his patience wearing thin, and his brow twitching in annoyance. He clears his throat, then opens his mouth, the words chilling me.

“Rosalie, explain yourself.’’

Damn it, Aria, you little snitch.