Chapter 2

Chapter Two

J asper

As I approach the trapeze, I pause, my gaze lingering on Lila. She stands in front of a mirror, adjusting her costume, the sequins catching the light and reflecting it in a dazzling array of colors. Her expression is focused, her movements precise. There's a tension in her posture, a slight furrow in her brow that betrays her nerves.

I watch her practice, each movement fluid and mesmerizing. She's a master of her craft, and I can't help but admire the way she commands the air. But it's more than just admiration. There's something about Lila that pulls at me, a magnetism that I can't resist. From the first day I started this job three months ago something about her has called to me. She defies explanation, when I'm in her presence, it's all I can do to not lose my shit over her close proximity.

"Enjoying the view?" Her voice snaps me out of my reverie. She's turned to face me, one eyebrow arched, a playful smirk on her lips.

"Just doing my job," I reply, my tone teasing. "Making sure everything's safe."

"Of course." She turns back to the mirror, adjusting a strap. "And here I thought you were just admiring my many talents."

I step closer, unable to resist the pull. "Maybe a little of both."

She glances at me through the mirror, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, don't let me distract you. We wouldn't want anything to go wrong, would we?"

"No, we wouldn't." I hold her gaze for a moment longer before forcing myself to move on, inspecting the trapeze with meticulous care. My mind reels with thoughts of her. Undressing her, kissing her, savoring every inch of her skin.

I stand by the sidelines, my eyes never leaving Lila. She waits in the wings, her nerves evident but controlled. Lila swings gracefully on the trapeze, each movement a perfect blend of strength and elegance. The spotlight follows her in while she practices, highlighting her every move. My heart races as I watch her, a mix of admiration and something deeper, something raw and primal.

Suddenly, there's a sharp snap. One of the ropes gives way, and Lila plummets toward the ground. My body reacts before my mind registers what's happening. I sprint forward, my adrenaline surging, and catch her just in time, breaking her fall.

The small audience of circus performers gasps, a mix of shock and relief rippling through the crowd. I hold Lila tightly, feeling her rapid heartbeat against my chest. She looks up at me, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and gratitude.

"Jasper..." Her voice is breathless, barely a whisper.

"You're safe," I murmur, my voice rough with emotion. "I've got you."

For a moment, we just stay there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world around us fading into the background. Then, the reality of what happened sinks in, and I reluctantly help her to her feet, making sure she's steady.

Performers and crew gather around us backstage, their faces filled with concern and confusion. Dante storms over, demanding answers.

"What the hell happened?" His voice is sharp, eyes blazing with anger.

I examine the broken rope, my expression darkening as I find signs of deliberate tampering. "Someone did this on purpose," I say, my voice low but firm.

Dante's face hardens. "We need to find out who."

I meet Lila's gaze, a silent understanding passing between us. This isn't over. Not by a long shot.

Lila sits on a crate, her breathing heavy but steady, her eyes wide with lingering fear. I can't shake the feeling of her body against mine, the way she clung to me after I caught her. My gaze drifts to the broken rope, the frayed ends accusing in their silence.

I kneel by the rope, examining the damage. It's clear this wasn't an accident. The rope's been tampered with, and whoever did it knew exactly what they were doing. My expression darkens as the implications sink in.

Dante turns to the assembled performers and crew, his presence commanding and intense. Ava stands beside him, her expression equally serious. "We're launching a thorough investigation," Dante announces, his authoritative tone leaving no room for argument. "Jasper, you're in charge. Find out who's responsible."

I nod, the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders. "I'll need to question everyone, inspect all the equipment."

Lila steps forward, her voice steady despite the lingering tremor. "I want to help. This is my life on the line."

Dante looks at her, then back at me. "Fine. You two work together. I want answers, and I want them yesterday."

The agreement murmurs among the performers as they disperse, leaving Lila and me standing apart from the others.

"We need to start with the trapeze," I say, my tone all business despite the way my pulse quickens at the sight of her.

"Agreed." Lila's voice is firm, but there's a glint in her eyes that tells me she's not just in this for answers. She's got her own reasons, her own stakes.

We head over to the equipment, the subdued buzz of the circus winding down around us. The purposeful footsteps and low-voiced discussions create a backdrop of focused activity. I run my fingers along the ropes, feeling for any irregularities, any signs of tampering.

"This wasn't an amateur job," I say, more to myself than to Lila. "Whoever did this knew what they were doing."

Lila watches me, her gaze intense. "Do you have any suspects?"

"Too early to tell," I reply, straightening up and meeting her eyes. "But we'll find them. And when we do…"

"We make sure they can't hurt anyone else," she finishes, her voice hardening with resolve.

We move through the backstage area, interviewing the crew and performers. Each conversation adds a piece to the puzzle, but it's clear this won't be an easy mystery to solve. The tension between Lila and me shifts.

As we work, I can't help but notice the way she moves, the way her eyes flash with determination. There's a fire in her, a passion that draws me in even as I try to keep my focus on the task at hand.

"Jasper," she says, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Look at this."

I step closer, following her gaze to a set of tools that seem out of place. There's a small, almost invisible notch in the blade of a cutting tool, a mark that could easily be overlooked. But not by Lila. She's sharp, observant, and damn if that isn't part of what's drawing me to her.

"This could be our lead," I say, my voice low. "Good eye."

She smiles, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. "I told you I'd be helpful."

"You're more than that," I reply, before I can stop myself. The words hang between us, charged with more than just professional admiration.

Our eyes lock, and for a moment, the world around us fades. There's just Lila and me, the weight of the investigation, and the unmistakable pull of something more, something deeper that neither of us can ignore. And hell if I'd even want to.