26. Cade

Tyson is leaning against my trailer door, smoking when I return from Lily's apartment.

"There you are. About this girl that you're fucking." He pushes off the door and walks toward me. "I didn't realize it was a regular thing."

"What of it?" I demand. Grabbing a cigarette from my pocket, I light it up and lean against the opposite trailer.

"It's going to cause trouble." His eyes narrow. "I know you, Cade. Better than anyone. You can't help but cause fucking trouble."

I take a long drag and blow the smoke into the air. "There is no trouble. We're fucking, and my angel loves it. What's the goddamn problem?"

He pinches the bridge of his nose and throws the stub of his cigarette on the ground, stamping it into the earth. "What happens when we leave this town in one week?"

I shrug. "Lily's coming with us."

His eyes widen. "She's agreed to that?"

"Not yet," I admit, meeting his piercing gaze. "But she will." I take another long drag of my cigarette, blowing smoke rings into the night air. "I haven't asked her yet, but she will agree."

He shakes his head. "This won't end well, Cade. Mark my words."

I flick my cigarette to the ground, crushing it under my boot. "Enough. I don't need a goddamn lecture."

"Just trying to talk some sense into your thick skull."

I grab him by the front of his shirt, slamming him back against the trailer. "You don't know shit about me and Lily. She wants this—wants me. I'm not forcing her into anything."

He shoves me back. "Yeah? Then why did Lars say she's got bruises on her neck, Cade?"

I scowl, looking away. Sometimes,I may have been too rough with her, but she hasn't complained.

"We like to play rough during sex. It doesn't mean she doesn't want it. She's mine, Tyson. And I protect what's mine."

"By hurting her?"He steps closer, eyes blazing. "She's not some toy for you to play with and discard when you're through."

My hands clench into fists. "That's not what this is! What we have... it's real. She doesn't fully understand it yet."

Tyson shakes his head sadly. "You're obsessed, Cade. And obsession like that never ends well."

"Just stay the fuck out of my business,"I growl.

He holds up his hands in mock surrender. "Fine. But when this all goes to shit, don't say I didn't warn you."

"Whatever, Ty. You don't get it because you've never had a woman like her."

His eyes flash, but he doesn't protest. "You're my friend as well as my employee, but if you bring hellfire down on this fucking carnival, I will end you, got it?"

I square up to Tyson, nostrils flaring as we stare each other down. He's a couple inches taller than my six-foot-four frame, but I have more muscle.

"You think you can take me?"I taunt him.

He laughs harshly. "I've put better men than you on their asses."

We're chest to chest now, the tension crackling. My fists are clenched by my sides, ready to swing.

Then he shoves me back a step. "But I've got no desire to brawl with you, Cade. You're like a brother to me."

I hesitate, the fight draining from my veins. "Yeah, well, sometimes brothers fight dirty."

"True enough,"he says, cracking a grin. "But we've got a show to run here. Can't have my best mechanic laid up with busted knuckles or a black eye."

I snort, the adrenaline fading. "Who says you'd land a punch?"

"Please. We both know I'd leave you kissing dirt."

"In your dreams."I punch him on the shoulder playfully, and his grin widens.

"Keep running that mouth. I've still got a few moves to teach you."

I hold my hands up in surrender. "Alright, truce. I'm too tired for this shit anyway."

"Too much fucking?"He raises an eyebrow.

"Maybe so."I head toward my trailer, eager for some shut-eye.

Tyson calls after me, "Just watch yourself, Cade. Don't do anything too stupid while we're in this town."

I wave a hand in acknowledgment and slip inside the trailer. Kicking off my boots, I stretch out on the creaky mattress. As I drift off, thoughts of Lily swirl through my mind. Soon, there will be no disputing the absolute fact. She's mine. Now and forever.