Page 116 of Carnival

“I changed my mind.’’

“You changed your—’’ he cuts himself off. “Of course you did.’’

With a deep breath, the adrenaline starts to fade away, and I step back. Vivian’s body’s almost torn in half, the slashes on her body massive. Her guts started to spill out, her eyes widened in fear, and her mouth parted a little.

My mask comes off, and I toss it on top of her, along with the butcher knife.

“You done?”

I nod. “You can make the reports be something like… an inmate fight.’’

“Alright. Get out.’’

Without wasting another second, I leave. I briefly stop by a shady motel, just to shower thoroughly and change my clothes. I don’t want Rose finding out what I’ve done. And when she does… well… she’ll still stay, because she’s too deeply invested in us to walk away.

Because, at the end of the day, she knows she belongs to me.

The next stop before going home to the woman of my dreams is to grab her some flowers and her favorite chocolate. She’s been waiting for me the entire day.

The past few months have been the most peaceful I’ve ever felt. If this is what love feels like, then I’ll work my fucking ass off never to lose it. Rose showed me what compassion, love, and patience can do to a person. She showed me how much impact that one person can have on you, and she had that impact on me.

I don’t want to be a better person.

I want to be a better man for her, and to her only.

Because my hellion is the only one that matters. The one I’ll never let go of, the one I’ll never leave behind. Forever, it’s the two of us. She makes my stupid heart skip a beat, she makes my nights a little warmer, and my days less lonely.

She makes me feel fulfilled.

The door of the apartment opens, and I close it behind me. Rose peeks her head from the kitchen, a wide, beaming smile on her face. My chest flutters, and she drops the wooden spoon from her hands, rushing into my arms.

She jumps, legs wrapping around my waist. I hold her with one hand, the other one still holding the chocolate and the flowers.

“Where have you been?” Her cheerful tone brings a smile to my face.

“Work,’’ I respond, and her eyes narrow a fraction, skepticism on her face, though she doesn’t comment on it.

“Come, I prepared your favorite food.’’

“Oh?” I lift an amused brow as she jumps off me. “Which would be?”

She grins. “It’s between my legs. Come on, I haven’t seen you the entire day.’’

A deep laughter soars through me, and I take her hand in mine, putting the gift on the counter. Her touch is electric and magnetic, and the pull I feel toward her is irresistible. Rose is irresistible.

Her gorgeous eyes glint with mischief, the need radiating off her in waves. She doesn’t wait until we reach the bedroom, planting her lips on mine in a messy, desperate kiss.

My hands hold her hips tightly as I pin her against the wall, the taste of cherries on her lips. This divine woman is intoxicating, alluring, and all-consuming. She makes me go mad with desire, and the love I feel for her could only be classified as obsession.

If obsession is a sin, sinful let me be.

Because this woman belongs to me, utterly and wholeheartedly.

Just as I belong to her.