25. Lars

25

LARS

" N ash, where the fuck is the product?" I demand through the phone, tapping my foot impatiently as I wait by the edge of the carnival grounds for the van.

"Relax, man. I'm stuck in traffic. I'll be there in ten," Nash replies, his voice infuriatingly calm.

I run a hand through my hair, frustration building. "You don't understand. Carlo's not happy since we supplied the Blackwood Brothers double. We need his deal to go off without a hitch, or we're all fucked."

Nash sighs. "I get it, Lars. But getting pissed off isn't going to make the van move any faster. Just take a deep breath and-"

Suddenly, I hear a gasp behind me. I whirl around to find Alice standing there, her eyes wide with shock.

Fuck.

"I gotta go," I mutter into the phone, quickly ending the call.

Alice stares at me, her face a mixture of disbelief and horror. "Lars, what the hell was that about? Coke deal? What's going on?"

I step toward her, my hands raised in a placating gesture. "Princess, it's not what you think."

"Don't ‘Princess' me," she snaps, backing away. "I heard you. You're involved in some kind of drug dealings, aren't you?"

I run a hand over my face, trying to find the right words. "It's complicated. There's a lot you don't know about this carnival."

She shakes her head, tears welling in her eyes. Then she storms away, forcing me to follow her. Her stuff is in the trailer, and that's exactly where she's headed.

"Alice, wait!"

She rushes into the trailer and slams the door in my face, but I yank it open before she locks it.

"Alice, please, let me explain?—"

"Explain?" she interrupts, her tone laced with anger and disbelief. "You told me you were an open book this morning, Lars. And now I find out you're a fucking drug dealer? "This isn't what I had planned," she continues, gripping her hair in frustration. "I don't know how I can live with a man who could get locked up at any time."

I step closer, my hands outstretched in a desperate attempt to calm her. "Alice, listen to me. We're leaving tomorrow, and you're coming with me." I grasp for her, desperate to keep her by my side. "You're not leaving, not now, not ever."

Her eyes dart around, panic flickering in their depths. "You can't keep me here against my will. I won't be your prisoner."

The desperation coursing through my veins surfaces, and I grab her wrists, holding her in place. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. If that means tying you to my fucking bed, so be it."

A sudden fire ignites in her eyes, and she lunges at me. Her hands connect with my chest, pushing me back, but I quickly regain my balance, a flicker of desire awakening."

You son of a bitch!" she screams, rage fueling her movements.

A scathing retort rises to my lips, but something shifts. Our proximity, the anger simmering between us—it's electric. Her breath quickens, mirroring my own, and without warning, she slams her lips against mine.

The kiss is fierce. A moment ago, her fingers were trying to push me away; now, they lace through my hair, yanking me closer. The taste of her lips and the feel of her body against mine erase all rational thought.

I back her against the wall, claiming her mouth again and again. Her hands roam wildly, sending sparks of desire coursing through my body. I tug at her clothes, needing her skin against mine.

It's chaos. I lift her, pressing her back against the table. Our gazes lock, a silent understanding passing between us.

As I enter her, she wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me deeper. Full of passion and vigor, her eyes hold mine as our bodies move in perfect sync.

Our breaths quicken until, with one final thrust, she comes apart. Her nails dig into my back, and she bites my shoulder to stifle her cry.

Our hearts pound, bodies glistening in the faint light. I trace my fingers along her collarbone, a feeling of possession coursing through me.

"Mine," I whisper, claiming her with my gaze.

She doesn't respond, but her eyes, full of conflict and desire, speak volumes.

I lift her off the table, her legs still wrapped around my waist. Her arms slip around my neck, mouths fused as I carry her toward the bed.

Dropping her onto the mattress, I crawl on top of her, our gazes locked.

My hands explore her body, mapping every curve, memorizing every inch of her skin. She gasps as my fingers trail down her body, reaching between her legs.

"You're so wet for me, princess." My voice is deep, laced with satisfaction.

I nip at her neck, tasting the salty sweetness of her skin as my fingers delve deeper, stroking her core. Her hips buck against my hand, a silent plea for more.

I chuckle darkly, my breath hot against her ear. "So eager, aren't you?"

She whimpers as I thrust my fingers inside her. I enjoy hearing her moans.

But I want more. I want to hear her scream my name.

I withdraw my fingers, lining my cock against her entrance. With one smooth thrust, I fill her, our groans mixing in the confined space.

Her nails dig into my shoulders as I begin to move, my hands gripping her thighs. I relish the feeling of being enveloped by her heat, by the tight clench of her cunt.

Faster and harder, I drive into her, my eyes glued to where we're joined. Her breasts heave with each thrust, a flush spreading across her chest.

I reach between us, my thumb finding her clit as I continue to thrust. "Come for me, princess. Let me feel you squeeze my cock."

Her head falls back, eyes squeezed shut as she teeters on the edge. "Lars!" she cries out, her body convulsing around mine.

I growl, the sensation of her cunt milking my cock pushing me closer to the edge, but I'm not done with her yet.

Withdraw my dick from her soaking cunt, I scoop her up in my arms. She giggles, the sound light and airy against the darkness of our desires.

I position her against the edge of the bed, bending her over. The sight of her ass in the air drives me insane.

With one hand on her hip, I guide my cock to her entrance, sliding back inside with a growl. "God, I love the view from here, princess."

She pushes back against me, meeting my thrusts as I drive into her, claiming her once more. Her cries fill the room, echoing against the metal walls.

I pivot her toward the wall, pressing her against it. Her hands search for purchase as I enter her from behind, taking what's mine.

"You're mine, Alice," I grunt, pounding into her. "Every inch of that tight cunt belongs to me."

I let go of my control, letting the darkness consume me as I thrust into her with reckless abandon. Our grunts and moans mingle, creating a symphony of raw, unrestrained desire.

Her body shakes, her walls clenching around me as she comes again. "Lars, I'm—oh god?—"

"Come for me again, princess," I demand. "Come on my cock."

She cries out, her body shuddering as I fill her, my release pouring into her.

I lean against her, breathless. "Damn, princess, you're gonna be the death of me."

Alice bites her bottom lip. "I don't think so, I think it's the other way around." She glances at me over her shoulder, her brow furrowed. "I can't believe you're a drug dealer."

I sigh, running a hand through my hair and withdrawing from her. "You're right. I'm involved in drug dealings," I admit, my voice low. "But it's not as simple as you might think."

Alice spins around and opens her mouth to protest, but I squeeze her hands gently, silencing her.

"This carnival isn't just a traveling show. It's a front."

Her brows furrow in confusion, and I take a deep breath before continuing. "Ty runs the whole operation. The carnival allows us to move product from town to town without arousing suspicion."

Understanding slowly dawns on her face, and she shakes her head in disbelief. "But how...why?"

"Money, power...the usual reasons," I shrug. "Ty's been doing this alongside his mentor for years before I joined."

Alice's eyes widen. "So you're not just a mechanic?"

I chuckle. "No, princess, I'm much more than that. Ty trusts me to handle the distributions and make the deals happen." I pause, studying her reaction. "Until recently, it was just me, Ty, Nash, and Phoenix. We kept it tight and made sure no one else knew about the real business. But now Remy and Colt are in on it too," I continue. "They know about the drugs, and they get a cut to keep their mouths shut."

Alice shakes her head. "I can't believe this. How could you keep something like this from me when I'm going to move with you?"

I cup her cheek, my thumb tracing her jawline. "I wanted to protect you. The less you knew, the safer you'd be."

She pulls back slightly, her eyes searching mine. "But what does this mean for us?"

Leaning forward, I press my forehead against hers. "It means you're stuck with me, princess. Whether you like it or not, you're part of this world now."

Conflict rages in those stunning green eyes, but there's a glimmer of acceptance, too, a hint that she's willing to embrace the darkness that comes with being mine.

"I'm not going anywhere," I murmur, my lips brushing against hers. "And neither are you."