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I set out toward the designated meeting spot, a secluded area on the outskirts of the carnival. Along the way, I reflect on the steps I took to squash any rumors about those men’s deaths. It took some clever manipulationon the dark web. Still, I managed to make their deaths seem like an accident, with no traces leading back to us.
As I approach, I see Tyson leaning against a tree, his muscular frame relaxed but alert. He greets me with a nod.
“Good work with those guys,” he says. “Any rumblings on the web?”
“None. The accidental fire story is sticking. No leads, no suspicions.”
Tyson grins. “Always a step ahead, Phoenix. Now, let’s talk distribution. We’ve got a sweet deal set up with a local contact. We’ll need to lay low until the shipment arrives. In the meantime, keep an eye out for anything suspicious. We don’t want any unexpected complications again.”
“Don’t worry, I’m on it,” I assure him. He trusts me to handle the tech side of our operations, and I won’t let him down, even though my mind is elsewhere. Tilly is my secret project. My obsession. But Ty doesn’t need to know about her.
Thinking about Tilly brings a smile to my face. My captive princess, sleeping peacefully in my trailer. She’s safe, away from the world, and all mine. I can’t wait to wake her up and see her eyes sparkle as she realizes the truth of her new reality. It’s just a matter of time before she accepts that she’s mine forever.
“Oi, Phoenix.” Tyson’s voice snaps me back to the present. “You good?”
I nod, my focus returning. “Yeah, just eager to get this distribution plan rolling. The quieter we keep things, the better. I’ll make sure our digital tracks are non-existent.”
“That’s my man.” Ty slaps me on the back, his eyesgleaming with excitement. “Now, about those guys we dealt with. I want to make sure there are no loose ends. We can’t have any surprises popping up later.”
“I’ve got my eyes and ears open. Nothing’s slipping past me. Our little empire will remain unnoticed.”
He grins, his enthusiasm matching mine. “Exactly. We’re building something here, Phoenix. Something big. And our tech wiz is a key player.”
Tilly may be my primary focus, but I can’t disappoint Ty. He’s counting on me. We’re building something that will leave our mark on this world.
As we step further into the shadows of the carnival, I feel a surge of adrenaline. This is my element—the hidden underworld I command with my tech skills. Tilly is my obsession, but my partnership with Ty fuels my desire for control. We’ll rule this hidden empire together, leaving a trail of secrets in our wake.
16
TILLY
Disoriented, I wake up, my mind blank. Slowly, like creeping tendrils of fog, memories begin to emerge.
The carnival. Phoenix. His trailer.
The intense passion and roughness of his touch. The pleasure he gave me was unlike anything I’d experienced before. But then the rest hits me.
He drugged me. He tied me up. My hands shoot up, tugging frantically at the bindings.
And then, as if that’s not terrifying enough, the worst part comes flooding back. Phoenix told me he’d severed all ties with my loved ones and faked my fucking death!
How is that even possible?
Glancing around the trailer, it quickly becomes clear I’m alone. Phoenix is gone. I’m tied up, restrained, a prisoner. My heart starts to race as my mind spins with everything he’s done—the drugs, the lies, the faked death. I can’t let him control me. I have to get out of here.
Tugging at the restraints, I’m determined, and my joints crack as I contort my body. I manage to slip one arm free—a small victory. I focus on the other tie, which is tighter and more stubborn. I twist and turn my wrist, maneuvering with all my might.
The minutes feel like hours.
What if Phoenix comes back and catches me trying to escape?
Slowly, inch by inch, I work my way out of the restraint. Finally, with a sharp tug, my hand slips free. I rub my wrists where the rope grazed my skin. But I’m free now.
I stand and almost collapse back onto the bed as my head swims. God knows how long he’s had me sedated in here, but it feels like I’ve forgotten how to use my legs. With a pounding heart, I push off the bed more gently and stand for a moment, trying to steady myself. Once I’m sure I’m okay, I head for the door and try to open it.
Locked, of course.
I knew it would be, but I had to try. My eyes scan the room for another way out. Windows—maybe they’re my escape route. I move quickly to the main area, then the kitchenette.
