Reese could see the shine of the diamond before she could make out any details of its owner; a young woman draped in emerald silks, and a man that looked like he was made of money on her arm. He had a gold pocket watch dangling from his hand and a smirk that said he owned the world. They were a handsome couple in their own way.

  But they also reeked of trouble.

  If anyone had murdered someone, it had to have been them.

  Reese glanced over at Luca and he nodded.

  It was them.

  “Well, it is nice to finally meet you all.” The woman smiled, all platinum blonde hair and red lipstick.

  “Who are you?” Myla asked.

  “Hazel Montgomery.” The woman smiled. “This is my husband, Flynn.”

  “Lyonell’s son-in-law.” Flynn flashed an even more pretentious smile and held out his hand.

  No one reached to shake it.

  “The rest of us are wanted for murder, why are you two still here?” Cillian asked.

  “It’s all a part of the game, of course.” Hazel maintained her perfect little smile.

  So, Reese had been right, it was just a game to Lyonell, and to his son and daughter-in-law as well.

  But why would they give up their identities so easily? Why would they admit it was a game?

  They had to have a reason for it, something that fit into the game, and Reese was tired of being in the dark.

  “What do you and Lyonell want?” Reese asked.

  “It’s simple, really.” Flynn sat down. “My father has spent centuries entertaining the masses. As a matter of fact, it’s what brought all of you here. It only seems fair that he gets some entertainment as well. That’s where you come in.”

  “I’m sure you’re well aware of the mess that’s been made.” Hazel sat down beside her husband and smoothed her skirt out. “One of you did it. How do you know who you can trust?”

  “That’s where you’re wrong.” Reese smiled. “It wasn’t one of us, it was you. It was the guise you used to trap us here.”

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  Hazel laughed. “You thought you had us figured out.”

  “It was a good effort.” Flynn nodded.

  “It wasn’t them.” Luca’s voice was barely above a whisper.

  “What do you mean?” Reese looked up at Luca.

  “They’re dangerous, but they weren’t Myriam’s killers,” Luca said.

  So, it had been one of their party all along. Someone had feigned their innocence and snuck their way into what was meant to be a safety net.

  But it seemed they had only gathered like lambs to the slaughter, coming together right within the killer’s grasp.

  And yet, none of them were dead.

  They had been together long enough for at least one other person to be dead, yet they were all breathing.

  Maybe Reese was still right, just about the killer not being their biggest threat.

  If they wanted one of them dead, they would be dead already.

  They had certainly made it easy enough.

  What were they supposed to do now?

  Lyonell wanted them to turn on each other. He wanted them to entertain him.

  Reese wanted out.

  She wanted to survive.

  Reese turned to face the others, but they had already separated.

  Derrick stood in front of Myla and Theresa, Cillian was beginning to slink away, and Raya had Wrenly wrapped up in her arms.

  The only one who hadn’t moved was Luca. He was still at Reese’s side.

  “This is what he wants,” Reese said. “He wants us to turn on each other, to fight. You’re playing right into his hands.”

  “It doesn’t matter what you say now, doll.” Hazel smiled.

  “They already doubt their safety,” Flynn said.

  “They’ll split off and protect their own,” Hazel said.

  “And one by one, you’ll all fall down. Some of you might even do it yourself.” Flynn stretched his arm over Hazel’s shoulders.

  They’d known this would happen. That was why they had been so open. They’d already known they would win.

  Everyone was falling for the words that spilled from their mouths.

  Everyone but Luca.

  Why was he staying?

  What did he know that everyone else didn’t?

  He had looked so surprised when he’d seen Myriam’s body.

  Reese found it hard to believe he knew anything about how Myriam had died or who had killed her.

  So, why was he so sure Hazel and Flynn hadn’t killed her?

  What did he know that kept him at Reese’s side while everyone else fought not to be the first one to leave?

  “What do you know?” Reese asked.

  “Not here. We have an audience.” Luca smiled.

  Reese noticed then something that she should have realized much sooner: Luca was a good liar.

  He had either been lying to her or everyone else.

  Or both.

  He knew something, he was involved somehow.

  And despite herself, Reese still trusted him.

  There was a method in everything Luca did. She trusted that whatever had roped him into this mess had a reason.

  He might even tell her later.

  Reese found she didn’t much care.

  Her main goal was to get out of the carnival alive.

  And she liked Luca.

  If he could get her out alive, she didn’t care what he’d done to get to the point they were at.

  He was doing what he needed to, the same way she was.

  Hazel and Flynn stood. They took a moment to brush themselves off, and then they left.

  It wasn’t long before the others followed.

  They slunk off into the shadows in separate directions, hoping never to see one another again.

  And Luca and Reese stood alone in the middle of yet another abandoned attraction with performers that had escaped when they should have.

  Luca turned to Reese and took her hands in his. “There is a lot I need to explain, and I need you to trust me.”

  “I wouldn’t still be here if I didn’t. I’ll be here no matter what your next words are. What do you know?”