Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Kinks gave her a sly smile. “Wait and see. So, do we have an agreement?”
She had a point. This would send a clear message that we were here, and with Kinks running the show, it wasn’t like a free-for-all.
As long as the girls kept their masks on and played along, no one would dare touch them if they wanted to keep breathing.
I leaned down to Sunshine, speaking close to her ear. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
She reached up, fingers tangling in my hair, holding me close. “If it’s what I need to do, I will.”
My grip on her waist tightened, the possessiveness in me surging. I didn’t like the idea of her being in that ring, but this was a calculated risk we had to take. I glanced at my brothers, exchanging a silent message. Ciaran gave a curt nod, understanding the stakes. “We’re taking them to the ring,” he said to Kinks. “Get it ready.”
Kinks punched the air with a little cheer. She turned to Hael, and he knew what to do.
“I’m on it.” He squeezed her hand before heading off to prepare.
“So, what stage?” Mel asked again, curiosity laced in her tone.
“Is it big?” Hayven followed up, her eyes scanning the club.
None of us answered. It was better for them to see it for themselves.
The lights in the club shifted, casting shadows and spotlighting certain areas. The carousel in the center began to turn, the horses now moving forward in unison. The platform lowered into the floor, leaving behind a circular barrier as a circus top descended from the ceiling. The crowd’s reaction was instant cheers erupted as they realized what was happening.
“Oh, that stage,” Lana drawled, awe in her voice as she took in the spectacle.
Outside the barrier, clowns and mimes that served as the ring’s guards took their positions, making it clear no one would be allowed to approach.
“I’ll call you in,” Kinks exclaimed before she, Eryx, and Aisha left the VIP area.
We talked amongst ourselves, tension and anticipation hanging thick in the air. When the time came, we escorted the girls to the ring, keeping them close and protected from anyone daring enough to even think about getting too close. As the music lowered, Kinks’ voice came over the speakers, her tone commanding as she addressed the crowd. She greeted the Cirque guests with a dramatic flair, the crowd roaring in response.
When she mentioned a night of misfortune, those in the know cheered even louder. I felt Sunshine’s grip tighten around my hand. I knew she was nervous, but I kept her close, my thumb brushing soothing circles against her skin. She had nothing to fear tonight, except maybe what I’d do to her after this was over.
Aisha wheeled out a giant spin wheel, painted in garish yellow and black, adorned with various depictions of death and torment. The Wheel of Misfortune. From another entrance, Rafe led the masked guy from the rooftop into the ring, his face now fully exposed. He was collared and muzzled like a dog. And behind him… Juno. She was wheeling in a girl, gagged and sobbing, bound to a dolly.
Kinks grinned like the cat that caught the canary. “And now, I’ve got some special helpers for tonight,” she announced, signaling for the girls to enter the ring.
I squeezed Sunshine’s hand reassuringly. I would be waiting right here, not moving until she was back by my side. Lana turned to look at her, Mel, and Hayven. “You guys sure about this?” she asked them.
Sunshine nodded. “Let’s do it.”
Ciaran gave a sharp nod to Kinks, who was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet with excitement.
“Welcome to the show, darlings!” she called out, and the crowd’s applause grew thunderous as the girls stepped into the ring, the spotlight shifting to illuminate them fully.
“They look good out there," Ciaran commented, moving to stand beside me, his eyes on the girls as they stepped into the ring.
"You think they can do this?" Maverick asked, a hint of concern in his voice as he watched.
"They got this," Dion replied confidently, his usual easy-going demeanor tinged with a rare seriousness.
The Retriever was growing on me.
I grunted in agreement, watching as Kinks positioned the girls where she wanted them, her movements deliberate and precise.
She shot me a sly smile as she playfully grabbed both Lana and Sunshine by the ass, making sure they were exactly where she needed them.
"How much do we love her?" Ciaran questioned jokingly.
Charon was laughing along, clearly entertained, until Kinks moved behind Mel and then Hayven and did the same, her hands skimming over her chest, eliciting a laugh.
"Not so funny now, is it?" I taunted him, unable to resist taking the shot.
He flicked me off, but there was no real heat in it. We were all on edge, but moments like these—where we could still joke, still rib each other—kept us grounded. Once Kinks had the girls exactly where she wanted them, she turned her attention to the crowd, her voice commanding as she addressed them.