25. Flora

25

FLORA

I grip the silk tightly, my muscles trembling as I execute the move Nash demonstrated. The fabric whispers against my skin as I twist, wrapping it around my leg exactly as practiced. Sweat trickles down my neck, but I maintain my focus.

“Better,” Colt calls from below. “Keep your core tight through the transition.”

Nash’s hands steady me as I descend, his touch confident and reassuring. “He’s right. You’re getting smoother, but remember to breathe through each movement.”

The Christmas show looms just days away, and we’ve been practicing relentlessly. Colt’s shoulder injury means I’m taking his place in several sequences, which terrifies me.

“Again,” Nash says, positioning himself on the adjacent silk. “Follow my lead, match my timing.”

We ascend in unison, the familiar burn in my arms almost comforting. Each repetition makes the routine feel more natural, though I hesitate at crucial moments.

“Stop thinking so much,” Colt instructs. “Your body knows what to do. Trust it.”

Nash and I move through the sequence, our bodies weaving around each other in an intricate dance. The silk hugs my body as I execute a drop, my heart racing at the controlled fall. Nash’s movements mirror mine perfectly, creating the symmetry we need for the show.

“You’ve got it,” Colt encourages. “Now, hold that tension through the split.”

I arch my back, extending my leg as practiced. The position strains my muscles, but I maintain it, feeling the strength Nash has helped me build over these weeks of training. It’s hard to believe I’ve found somewhere I fit perfectly with these two men after years of feeling lost and broken.

“Five more minutes,” Nash says, “then we’ll work on the final sequence.”

The final sequence leaves my muscles burning, but I maintain perfect form as Nash and I descend the silks in tandem. His hands find my waist as my feet touch the ground, steadying me. The heat of his palms seeps through my thin practice clothes.

“You’re incredible,” Nash murmurs. His lips brush my neck, sending shivers down my spine. “So beautiful when you move up there.”

I lean into his touch, tilting my head back as his mouth claims mine. The kiss is deep and passionate, making my knees weak. His hands slide lower, gripping my hips.

“Nash,” I breathe against his lips, reluctantly breaking the kiss. “I need to go. I promised Aurora I’d help with the cotton candy stand tonight.”

He groans softly, pressing his forehead to mine. “Always running off to help someone else.”

“You know Aurora’s been good to me.” I steal one more quick kiss before stepping back. “Besides, I need to shower and change first.”

I feel Colt’s presence before his hands touch me. He turns me away from Nash, his fingers tangling in my hair as he claims my mouth. The kiss is different from Nash’s—rougher, more demanding. My body responds instantly, melting against him.

“You shouldn’t have all the fun,” Colt murmurs against my lips. His good hand traces down my spine, making me shiver.

Nash clears his throat. “About tonight’s show...”

“Right.” Colt releases me reluctantly. “The main act’s off until my shoulder heals and Flora’s ready.”

I nod, guilt twisting in my stomach. “I’m sorry I’m not?—”

“Don’t,” Nash cuts me off. “You’re progressing faster than anyone could expect. We just need more time to perfect it.”

“Nash has been doing some solo routines to fill the gap,” Colt adds, his hand resting possessively on my hip. “But since I’m grounded tonight anyway, I thought I’d help out at the cotton candy stand with you.”

My heart skips. The idea of working alongside Colt, even at something as simple as selling cotton candy, makes my pulse race. “You don’t have to?—”

“I want to.” His fingers squeeze gently. “Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on you with those bastards still lurking around.”

Nash’s expression darkens at the mention of Tommy and Jake, but he doesn’t comment. We all know they’re still out there, watching, waiting. Having Colt nearby tonight will help ease the tension.

“Aurora will be there too,” I remind them, though I’m grateful for Colt’s offer.

“Even better,” Colt says. “I’ll meet you there after you shower and change.”

I hum softly as I walk back to the trailer, my muscles pleasantly sore from practice. The evening air carries the scent of popcorn and cotton candy, mixing with the metallic tang of the approaching rain. My hair sticks to my neck, damp with sweat, and I can’t wait for that hot shower.

The gravel crunches under my feet as I approach our trailer. A hand clamps over my mouth, yanking me backward. My heart stops as Jake’s cologne hits my nostrils, that same sickening scent I remember from years of abuse.

“Miss us, little sister?” Tommy’s voice sends ice through my veins. His fingers dig into my arm as he drags me behind the trailer.

I try to scream, but Jake’s hand muffles any sound. My legs kick out, searching for purchase, for any way to break free. The terror I thought I’d left behind comes rushing back, paralyzing me.

“Thought you could just run away?” Jake’s breath is hot against my ear. “You belong to us. Always have.”

My body trembles as Tommy’s hand slides up my thigh. “No one’s going to save you this time. Those circus freaks can’t protect you forever.”

Tears stream down my face as I struggle against their grip. The strength I’ve built during aerial training seems useless against their combined force. Jake’s hand shifts slightly, and I bite down hard, tasting blood.

He curses, loosening his grip just enough for me to scream. “Nash! Colt!”

Tommy’s fist connects with my stomach, driving the air from my lungs. “Shut up, you little bitch.”

I gasp for breath, my vision blurring as panic takes hold. The sound of approaching footsteps barely registers through the rushing in my ears. Jake’s grip tightens painfully on my arms, and I can feel Tommy’s hands pawing at my clothes.

Suddenly, a roar of fury fills the air.

Colt barrels into Jake, ripping him away from me. I stumble forward, gasping for breath as Tommy releases me to face this new threat. My legs give out, and I collapse onto the gravel, watching through tear-blurred vision as Colt launches himself at both of my tormentors.

His fist connects with Jake’s jaw, sending him staggering. Tommy tries to grab him from behind, but Colt’s elbow snaps back, catching him in the ribs. The sound of flesh hitting flesh fills the air as Colt fights with a savagery I’ve never seen before.

“I’ll fucking kill you both,” Colt snarls, his voice thick with rage.

Jake and Tommy circle him, looking for openings. Blood trickles from Jake’s split lip, and Tommy’s holding his side where Colt struck him. But there are two of them, and even as Colt lands another crushing blow to Tommy’s face, Jake manages to get in a hit to his injured shoulder.

Colt grunts in pain but doesn’t back down. He charges forward, tackling Jake to the ground. His fists rain down, but Tommy kicks him hard in the back, forcing him off his brother.

“This isn’t over,” Jake spits blood as he scrambles to his feet. He and Tommy retreat, disappearing into the darkness between trailers.

Colt moves to pursue them, his body coiled with tension, but stops when he hears my sob. Instantly, he’s beside me, gathering me into his arms.

“Fucking cowards,” he growls. “I should have ended them both.” His hands are strong as they check me for injuries, his touch gentle despite the fury radiating from him. “Are you hurt? Did they...”

I shake my head, clinging to him. “You got here in time.”

“Should have been faster. Should have taken them both fucking down.” His arms tighten around me protectively. “I’m not leaving you alone again. Not for a second.”

I collapse against Colt’s chest, my body shaking with sobs. His arms wrap around me tighter, and I breathe in his familiar scent. The contrast between his gentle touch now and the raw violence I witnessed strikes me deep in my chest.

“I’ve got you,” he whispers into my hair. “You’re safe now.”

The tenderness in his voice breaks something inside me. After years of abuse of being treated like property by Tommy and Jake, the way Colt protects me feels almost surreal. He fought for me without hesitation and put himself at risk despite his injured shoulder.

“Why?” I choke out against his shirt. “Why would you do that for me?”

His hand cups my face, tilting it to meet his intense gaze. “Because you’re ours to protect. Mine and Nash’s. No one gets to hurt you anymore.”

Fresh tears spill down my cheeks. The fierce possession in his voice should frighten me, but instead, it makes me feel cherished and valued. I think of Nash, too—how they have shown me nothing but care and protection since I joined the carnival.

“I never thought...” My voice breaks. “I never thought I’d find people to fight for me. Who would believe me and protect me.”

Colt wipes away my tears. “You deserve to be protected, Flora. You deserve to feel safe.”

I press closer to him, overwhelmed by the realization that I finally have what I’ve always craved—people who truly care about me, who see me as something precious rather than something to be used and discarded.