Page 146 of Carved Obsession

The four-story building’s intricate, period features and beautiful facade come into view. I pull around back, gaze flickering to Scarlet beside me.

She inches forward in her seat, leaning in, likely trying to understand what she’s looking at.

“What is that?” She shifts forward fully, barely waiting for the car to park before she rips her seatbelt off and jumps out.

I chuckle as I climb out and follow, watching her circle her precious dark-green Mercedes.

“Carter, is this . . . ? It’s the same number plate . . . Is this—”

“Your car, love,” I confirm.

“I don’t understand. It was totaled.” As she walks over and wraps her arms around my neck, that addicting happiness in her gaze gleams.

“Almost. After I had it towed, I sent it to my garage and had them repair it for you. I know you missed it, and I hoped it would have been ready sooner, but I didn’t realize it was a special, limited edition, and some parts required custom orders from the manufacturer.”

“Oh my god! I knew you had it towed, but this...Carter, it’s too much.”

I shake my head, dropping a kiss to her parted lips. “It’s not nearly enough. I know you like driving my cars now, so I hope this is still...umm...useful.” I don’t know what this sensation I’ve been feeling for the last few days is, but it seems to have bloomed now.

I kind of second-guessed my decision to do this for her when I realized she might not care about her old car anymore.

“Useful? Carter, I love it! Yes, I like your cars, but this baby is mine. I worked hard and greased a few hands to get it.” She peppers my face with kisses, holding me to her like I might escape. “Thank you, thank you so much for this.”

“Get a room, you two!”

We both flinch at the disruption and turn to find Finnigan and Evelyn pulling in, the man shouting out the window of his car with a stupid grin on his face.

I groan and Scarlet chuckles, but we untangle to join the two and walk into the building. The women are hand in hand, snickering to each other as we join the rest of our group inside. They’ve become close fairly fast, especially with their love for the more morbid side of art.

“It’s beautiful!” Evelyn exclaims.

It looks great, yes, but not all that different from Midnight. Same old-world vibe, mismatched wooden chairs, and armchairs upholstered comfortably in leather or tweed. All tables have been sourced from antique shops, as I wanted all the wood to be beautifully carved and weathered. Mismatched lamps are dotted around the space to keep the atmosphere low and intimate, perfect for all the secrets that will be shared here.

The bar is my favorite piece in this space; its whole facade is carved in an Art Deco design. A thick, light-colored marble countertop weighs the whole thing down.

One thing survived Midnight—our metal starburst emblem within that golden circle that was fixed on the wall behind the bar. Only the realistic eye within it required replacing. We put that back in the same spot, behind the bar. Above it sits our new name in brushed gold lettering.

“It’s going to be hard to get used to it.” Maddox appears beside me, staring at the same spot. “But it’s a good name. It fits.”

I nod in agreement. I’ll miss Midnight and what it represented, but a change was necessary, regardless of the fact that we were forced into it.

“Duskis a good name—simple, short, and fitting,” I say.

“New beginnings and all.”

I turn to him, noticing the blonde woman standing by the bar. I’ve seen her with him before. “For some, newer than others.”

He glances over his shoulder. “I’m trying out something.”

This is not the direction I thought he would follow, but he does deserve to let loose. He’s not one to indulge, definitely not publicly.

“Is she going to come to your first match in the new club?” I ask, knowing full well he’s never brought a woman before.

“She will. It’s opening night, after all,” he answers, but his gaze narrows on me. “You look like you’re about to ask me if I’m sure about this, and that’s so not you, Pierce. Don’t disappoint me.”

“No, it’s not, and I wasn’t going to ask that. You’re a grown man, Severin. You should already be aware when you’re making mistakes.”

His eyes bulge, but I don’t wait for any reply or further reaction as I turn away to inspect the space.