Page 43 of Carnival

Rose

T he air around Chase and me thickens, and I don’t know how long we’ve been standing in the middle of the manor, just staring at each other. His eyes don’t move from my face, and the faint smirk lingers on his lips, despite the fact that all I can muster is a harsh glare.

Vivian left a few hours ago, apparently to deal with something and to let us catch up. Judging by her expression, she knew how much this would rattle me, how much it would shock me. And it did, beyond words.

Chase isn’t just someone I grew close to in recent times; he’s someone I truly considered a close friend. Even after he kissed me, I thought it was something that could’ve been resolved with a good, honest conversation.

Looking back, that was such a naive train of thought that I want to smack myself for even entertaining it. He looks so much different now that I see him for who he really is. All affection I had toward him seems to vanish in a blink of an eye, replaced by so much resentment.

“You should take a seat,’’ Chase offers, breaking the tense silence. “Your feet will start bleeding again.’’

I glance down at my bandaged feet and the slippers that I have on before looking up at him again.

My face is void of any emotions, and no matter how much I’ve started to hate him, it hurts.

Knowing that someone I thought of as a friend was never really one hurts.

The fact that he works for this lunatic worsens it, too.

“Is it just you?” I ask, carefully approaching him. The height difference is there, but it doesn’t scare me.

“Is it just me, what?”

“Is it just you?” I repeat. “Or should I expect Danica, Ella, and Asher to be working for Vivian, too?”

Chase chuckles, shaking his head. “No, sweetheart. It’s just me. They’re just regular people.’’

The relief is instant. The tightness in my chest starts to disappear, my shoulders releasing the tension slowly. I step back from him, absolutely abhorring the thought of being close to him. It makes me feel ill.

“Someone is relieved,’’ he smirks, the undertone of mockery pissing me off.

“Well, yes,’’ I snap. “It’s not every day that I find out that my close friend is working with my insane grandmother.’’

“Vivian would hate to know how you actually feel about her.’’ He steps closer, closing the distance between us.

The threat lingers in the air, but I pay no attention to it.

It’s not like she hasn’t shown me her true colors already.

“And friends? What an exaggeration. You were a job. A hot one, but a job nonetheless.’’

“A job,’’ I repeat, my tone coated in disbelief. “What was the job, exactly?”

“To get close to you,’’ he shrugs. “To find out your routine in detail. To pay attention to who you’re close to and every single detail of your day-to-day life. I must admit, though, it was oddly endearing trying to go and see James in prison, despite the many times he’s rejected seeing you.’’

My heart sinks to my feet, and I’m not surprised by his words.

I’m shocked by the coldness in his voice.

The Chase that I thought I knew never existed, and the fabricated image of the man in front of me starts evaporating, replaced by the person I don’t know.

I’m fucking grateful that I don’t know who he is.

“You knew about James long before I told you,’’ I state. “And what? You were just waiting for Vivian to snatch me? And what is it about her and her delusional thoughts of me ever wanting to be with you?”

He takes a strand of my hair, fiddling with it between his fingers. He stares at the hair, not quite looking at me, as if the strand of hair is the most fascinating thing in the world. He grips it, but doesn’t pull. He just holds it, as if he’s grounded himself.

“Oh, sweetheart,’’ he smiles, finally looking at me. The smile on his face makes me want to vomit. It’s insincere, as if he knows something I don’t. “It doesn’t matter what you want or don’t want. Vivian promised you to me. Meaning, you’ll be mine once her plans are fulfilled.’’

I try not to barf right then and there. The thought of letting Chase anywhere near me is enough to make me physically recoil in utter and complete disgust. It just goes to show that my soul, body, and mind belong to one man, and that man will never be James.

However, I try not to focus on that aspect. He seems awfully chatty, and it’s a unique opportunity to try and gather information out of him while he’s willing to give it away.

The night we got taken here was the last night I saw James.

With a bullet in his chest. The image hasn’t left my mind since.

I know for a fact that he isn’t dead – I know it, deeply in my soul, that I would feel it.

I would feel it if he were to leave me, and he didn’t.

That’s the only string of hope I’m holding onto, and the longer I’m here, the thinner the string is becoming.

I need to know where he is. I need to know if he’s okay, if his wound is being tended to properly. If Vivian has left him to bleed out, I’ll never forgive her. Hell, I might just kill her myself. And this time, I’d remember the murder I’d commit, in full detail.

“Her plans?’’ I ask, keeping the tone of my voice as innocent as possible. I don’t want to give Chase any reason to stop speaking, even if it means letting him touch me more. His hand moves from my hair to the back of my neck. He doesn’t hold it tightly, just resting his palm there.

“Mmm,’’ he hums, eyes glued to the pulse point on my neck. “Of course, Vivian knew where the chip was all along. She didn’t count on you figuring it out, though, which is why her plans have to be sped up.’’

“And her plans are?”

He tilts his head to the side. “What do I get in return for telling you?”

“What do you want?’’ I ask. I already know what he wants, and I’m dreading his answer. Chase’s eyes trail all over my body, almost undressing me. He grins widely, dropping his hand from my neck.

“How about you owe me a favor?”

A frown is on my lips.

That’s when something suddenly comes to mind.

James’ promise of Chase being the first man he’ll kill when he leaves prison. Given the events, he didn’t have the time, but I know he’ll honor his word and have this bastard dead sooner or later.

“Fine,’’ I nod. “I’ll owe you a favor.’’

“Fantastic,’’ he beams, then walks into the living room and takes a seat.

The room is as lavish and as spacious as the rest of the manor. Big, floor-length windows all around, with furniture that looks like it came straight out of the Victorian era. It smells like vanilla and cinnamon, with the walls decorated with some of the most expensive paintings I’ve ever seen.

I take a seat across from him, not caring that my wet dress is ruining the soft cushions beneath me. Chase glances around, skimming the surroundings. He lowers his voice, loud enough for me to hear, and covers the side of his face from the camera.

“Vivian wants power, which is something you already know. That chip is something she’ll use as a bargain.’’

“With whom?”

“Anyone, really,’’ he shrugs. “The president, the politicians, law enforcement. She wants to be the biggest, most powerful shadow looming over the United States, and she won’t stop until she gets it. She will do whatever it takes to achieve it, too. As for you… her plan is very simple.’’

I hold in my breath, my heart beating in my chest rapidly.

“She wants heirs from you. She killed your mother, so she’s trying to turn you into a miniature version of herself.

She wants the business to eventually be inherited by family only, so she’ll marry you to me, and we’ll have a bunch of babies she’ll get to use for her gain,’’ he pauses, smiling wickedly.

“And I can’t say I’ll hate the process of making them. ’’

All in me is screaming to reach across the wooden coffee table in between us and slap him so hard that his teeth will fall out. I manage to restrain myself, because doing it in front of so many cameras would just mean giving them exactly what they want — to see me act out.

“Why me, Chase?” I ask, gritting my teeth. “What is it about me that makes you so desperate to have me?”

He smirks. “I could tell you, but that would ruin the surprise. Yes, I chose you for a reason. Yes, it’s a whole different one than Vivian has, but she is aware as to why I’m so into the idea of having you tied to me forever.’’

“And why is that?”

“You’ll find out in due time, sweetheart. I wouldn’t want to spoil it too much. After all, I want to see your reaction to the revelation.’’

“What about James?” I ask, deciding to steer the conversation in the direction I truly want. “Where is he?”

“Somewhere within the manor,’’ he says, and as soon as he sees excitement rush through my face, he has the fucking need to clarify. “But it’s not like you’d be able to get to him. Vivian isn’t dumb; she won’t just let you get to him so easily.’’

“But he is alive?”

Chase nods. “For now, yes. Who knows how much he’ll piss Vivian off and cause her to go nuts?”

“As opposed to the perfectly sane composure she’s been maintaining thus far?” Sarcasm appears, and I don’t hold it back. Chase laughs, removing his hand from the side of his face, leaning back into the comfortable seat, and just continuing to stare at me.

“You’re oddly calm,’’ he notes, lifting a brow. “Why?”

“What were you expecting? That I’d cry and beg to be released?”

“More or less,’’ he snorts. “You’re not exactly cut out for this lifestyle, are you? You’re too soft, too naive.’’

“I’m not naive.’’

He rolls his eyes. “You knew that Vivian would snatch you at the first opportunity, and she’s been trying for what, two years? Yet you meet me, and the rest of the group and invite us into your home with ease. That’s called being naive.’’

“I just trusted you.’’

“As I said, naive.’’

I flip him the bird, and Chase laughs.

The sound reverberates through the living room, and I find myself oddly at ease.

Now that I know that James is at least alive, it feels as though I can breathe again.

It doesn’t matter how long it takes me — I will find him.

I have to. When Wyatt took me, he came straight away. I’ll return the favor.

How? I don’t know yet.

But I’ll figure it out. I’ll take the opportunity and find out where every single camera is located, and my first step is trying to figure out the layout of the manor.

It’s massive; it puts Hudson and Noelle’s manor to shame.

It’s at least twice the size, with a lot more hallways that are probably leading to some hidden spots.

“It’s useless, you know.’’ Chase chirps, the thoughts immediately vanishing from my head.

“What is?”

“Trying to find a way out,’’ he grins. “Don’t even try to deny it.

I’ve seen the look on your face. You always look like that when you’re contemplating something.

And let me be frank, this place is more guarded than Fort Knox.

If, perchance, you do manage to leave the manor, the chances of you leaving the courtyard are slim, almost nonexistent. ’’

My brows narrow. “And you’re offering this piece of advice, why?”

“Vivian might snap and kill you for disobedience. I’m just trying to prevent that.’’

“Don’t act like you care. I’m not that stupid.’’

“You’re right,’’ he admits, and it surprises me. “I don’t give a shit about you, Rosalie. But if someone kills you, it will be me. And you’ll know exactly why I’ll be doing it.’’

Before I can ask any more questions, the front door of the manor opens, and I hear footsteps approaching the living room. Chase straightens up, going rigid. I turn my attention to the newcomer and gasp immediately.

Vivian’s face is in bandages, clearly swollen, and I’m pretty sure she’s missing a tooth or two. The man who always seems to be following her around is close behind her, looking very angry. Neither of them speaks, and my grandmother is glaring at me.

“Rosalie,’’ her voice is stern, and I flinch. “Go and change out of those wet clothes. You’ll get sick. Maverick will show you to your new bedroom.’’

Her tone leaves no room for argument, not that I’d try it. Wordlessly, I nod, and the man behind her — Maverick, motions with his head for me to follow him. I cast one last glance at Chase, only to see him already looking at me with a blank expression, barely blinking.

The moment Maverick and I start going up the stairs, I release a deep breath. My eyes flick to his side profile, trying to gouge out anything — but he’s perfectly composed. His suit is neat and tailored to suit him, and he keeps his poker face on at all times.

“So, Maverick,’’ I clear my throat. “How long have you been working for my grandmother?”

“Over three decades, miss,’’ he responds. His tone is polite but distant. He’s not thrilled to be speaking to me, however, since I am Vivian’s granddaughter; unfortunately, he’s stuck trying to entertain me, at least a little bit.

“That’s a very long time,’’ I hum.

My eyes fall to his blazer, something shiny catching my eye. It’s a set of keys, with one keycard. It’s within my reach, and if I were to extend my hand, I’d be able to grab it. Call it intuition, or a gut feeling, but something tells me that those keys are for the door guarding James.

My fingers twitch by my side, eyes returning to look straight ahead. Reluctantly, I start moving my hand, inch by inch, until I can touch the keys. I freeze when his phone starts buzzing, but my mind works quickly.

Before he answers, the ringtone echoes around us, the loud sound giving me the perfect opportunity. I don’t waste a moment longer, snatching the keys from him, and then letting him take the lead. I hide the keys, as silently as possible, in my bra, trying to eavesdrop on his phone call.

My heart almost leaps out of my chest, the adrenaline rushing through my veins. My body starts heating up, and I can hear ringing in my ears. This was so fucking risky, and I took the risk without thinking about the consequences.

There will be consequences.

Because this entire hallway is filled with cameras.