Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

A va

The morning light filtered through the blinds of the circus's main office, casting lines like bars across the room where Dante and I met to strategize our next steps. Despite the chill in the air, the tension between us was palpable, warming the space with a mix of unresolved emotions and the remnants of betrayal. As Dante laid out a map of the circus grounds on his desk, our fingers brushed—a fleeting contact that sent a jolt through me, reigniting a spark that I both dreaded and desired.

"I know this hasn't been easy for you, Ava," Dante said, his voice low, meeting my eyes with a sincerity that made my heart skip. "But we need to work together closely to root this out. Are you with me?"

The hesitation in my voice was imperceptible as I answered, "Yes." I was committed, despite the whirlwind of feelings. As we poured over the map, our heads bowed together, the proximity brought back a rush of memories—his scent, the sound of his voice. It was disarming, and for a moment, I lost myself in the closeness.

Stepping out into the brisk air of the circus grounds, we moved among the trailers and tents. Our presence was casual but our eyes sharp, watching the crew members whose subtle interactions didn't quite fit the friendly chaos of circus life. Every so often, our shoulders would brush, a touch electric with unspoken words and lingering looks that questioned what we were to each other beneath the professional veneer.

In the bustling costume department, I rifled through a rack of glittering outfits when my fingers stumbled upon an anomaly—a thick seam that didn't belong. With a careful tug, I found a hidden ledger, its pages filled with numbers that told stories of bribery and secrets. Dante came up behind me, his presence enveloping, his breath warm on my neck as he peered over my shoulder to look at the ledger.

"Nicely done," he murmured, his voice a mix of admiration and caution, stirring a mix of professional pride and personal thrill within me. His proximity was a reminder of the complicated layers of our relationship—partners in a dangerous game, yet so much more in unguarded moments.

Later that afternoon, armed with my camera, we positioned ourselves behind the cover of a utility shed near the training area. When a trainer met with a shadowy figure, exchanging envelopes and hurried whispers, Dante and I captured every moment from a distance. The camera's shutter clicked under my finger, a staccato beat to the racing of my heart, amplified by Dante's quiet presence at my side.

Each photo clicked into place not just evidence, but also pieces of a puzzle that was our relationship—complex, fraught with hidden dangers, yet irresistibly compelling. As we wrapped up and headed back, Dante's hand brushed mine, a touch deliberate this time, sending a clear message through the contact.

"Thank you, Ava," he said as we walked back, his voice soft, laden with more than just gratitude for the day's work. "For everything."

I looked up at him, caught in the gravity of his gaze. "We're not done yet," I replied, my words holding multiple meanings. Our steps slowed, and for a heartbeat, we stood there, the world of the circus spinning around us, our own axis tilting dangerously towards something neither of us could deny.

"Indeed, we're not," he agreed, his smile slow and devastatingly aware of the effect he had on me. The circus, with all its allure and mystery, had nothing on the enigma that was Dante, nor on the turbulent, passionate dance we seemed destined to perform.

Later, the fading evening light filtered through the dusty windows of the circus archives, casting long shadows over the piles of old contracts and forgotten ledgers. I sat cross-legged on the makeshift floor, rifling through stacks of papers, while Dante leaned against a desk, his eyes scanning the documents in his hands. The air was thick with the musty scent of aged paper, mingling with the underlying tension between us.

"Look at this," I called out, my voice breaking the silence. I held up a contract, the ink faded but still legible. "These numbers don't add up. It's like someone's been cooking the books."

Dante moved closer, his presence a constant, warm reminder of the undeniable chemistry that buzzed between us. "Let me see." His hand brushed mine as he took the document, the contact sending a familiar shiver down my spine. "This is bad," he murmured, his brow furrowing. "We're looking at major fraud."

We worked side by side, the quiet broken only by the rustle of paper and our occasional whispered exclamations as we uncovered more evidence of the conspiracy. Contracts were falsified, payments siphoned off to shadowy entities. Each discovery tightened the knot of tension in my stomach. The deeper we delved, the more intricate the web of deceit became. Night had fully fallen by the time we emerged from the archives, the circus back lot cloaked in darkness. We moved with purpose, the weight of our findings heavy on our minds. Suddenly, a shadow detached itself from the deeper darkness, moving toward us with menacing intent.

"Who's there?" I called out, my voice steady despite the adrenaline surging through my veins. The figure didn't answer, instead advancing with a low growl of warning. I stepped back, my heart racing, but Dante moved forward, placing himself between me and the threat.

"What do you want?" Dante demanded, his tone rough with warning. The aggressor lunged, and chaos erupted. In the dim light, I saw Dante grappling with the shadowy figure, the sounds of their struggle sharp and terrifying. I moved to help, but another figure darted out of the darkness, knocking me to the ground.

Pain flared as I hit the rough earth, but I scrambled to my feet, my vision blurring momentarily. Dante managed to fend off the assailant, who finally retreated into the night, leaving us both panting and bruised.

"Are you okay?" Dante's voice was rough with concern as he helped me up, his hands lingering on my arms longer than necessary. The touch, despite the pain, was grounding.

"I'm fine," I replied, wincing as I touched a tender spot on my shoulder. "Let's get out of here."

Back in my caravan, the small space felt even more confined as we tended to our minor injuries. The close quarters and the adrenaline from the confrontation made the air between us feel charged. Dante's fingers brushed over my skin as he applied a bandage, his touch both soothing and electrifying.

"Thank you," I whispered, meeting his gaze. "For protecting me."

He gave a small, rueful smile. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I can't let anything happen to you, Ava."

His words, filled with raw honesty, pierced through the lingering mistrust. "Dante," I began, my voice trembling with unspoken emotions, "I'm scared. Not just of what we're uncovering, but of failing."

He cupped my cheek, his thumb tracing my jawline. "We're in this together. Failure isn't an option."

The moment hung heavy between us, our breaths mingling. The vulnerability in his eyes mirrored my own fears, creating an intimacy that went beyond physical attraction.

Later, under the cover of night, we slipped back into the shadows of the circus grounds, our mission clear. We decoded encrypted messages intercepted from the circus's secure network, revealing a planned shipment that could break the case wide open. Our partnership, forged in the heat of danger and the fires of undeniable attraction, was now a force to be reckoned with. The conspiracy wouldn't stand a chance against us.

The cold, predawn air filled the food storage area, the dim light barely illuminating the rows of shelves and large containers stacked against the walls. My breath fogged in the chilly air as Dante and I moved silently, our flashlights casting eerie shadows on the walls. The place smelled of musty grains and the faint, lingering scent of sawdust. Dante moved a crate, revealing a hidden compartment behind the larger containers.

"Here," he whispered, crouching to pry open a panel. My heart thudded as we uncovered a stash of knives and sharp weapons—items that had no place in a legitimate circus. And among them, papers and ledgers detailing illicit transactions and illegal activities dealing in the trade of exotic animals. I'd done my research and knew that the circus could only keep rehabilitated and rescued animals listed as unable to live in the wild due to disease, age, or other factors. But some of the animals had been bought and paid for to the tune of thousands of dollars—something that was not supposed to happen.

Dante's hand brushed mine as he reached for the papers, the touch electric despite the gravity of the moment.

"We can't let them get away with this," he growled. "Larry does all the purchase orders and supply chain stuff. He's the only one that has access to order shit like this."

"I need to talk to him."

"No, I will," Dante replied.

"You can't. I need to ask him a few questions, I just need to get him on the record."

"What if he threatens you?"

"Then you'll be there and I'll be recording everything." I think of my phone in my pocket.

Dante nodded, but his eyes were etched with concern. We made our way across the dressing room, the early morning light filtering in as performers began to stir. The room buzzed with the pre-show chaos, but my focus was on the key suspect we'd identified. Larry. I squared my shoulders, approaching his office with a blend of confidence and feigned ignorance.

"Can we talk?" I asked, my tone casual but firm. His eyes flicked to Dante, who hovered in the shadows, ready to intervene if necessary.

"What do you need, Ava?" Larry replied, his tone guarded.

"I found something interesting," I said, my voice low, leaning in to show him a photo of the hidden stash. "Care to explain?"

His face paled, eyes darting around the room as he realized the noose was tightening.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he stood, backing me out of the doorway and closing it in my face.

"Well—"

"I'm not leaving until he comes out." I backed away, ducking behind a few bales of hay stacked near Larry's makeshift office under one of the administrative tents.

The circus grounds were a hive of activity, and after an hour of waiting, Larry finally opened his door when a man in a cheap navy business suit with a pink bow tie knocked. Just before Larry closed the door behind them I shoved my way past the visitor and into Larry's office.

"What is this?" he snarled, trying to bluster his way out.

"This is the end of you," Dante said, stepping forward with a quiet menace. The confrontation was tense, Larry's desperation clear as he realized his downfall was imminent.

The audience, oblivious to the danger, continued to applaud the performance in the distance. Dante twisted Larry's wrists with twine from the hay bale and as I watched, the rush of adrenaline left me breathless, the realization of the danger we'd overcome washing over me. Dante's hand found mine as we walked in the direction of the Big Top.

"We did it," I whispered, squeezing his hand. Larry trailing after us, his hands tied behind his back.

"Yes, we did," Dante replied before he dipped to place a quick kiss on my lips.