Page 8 of Tangled Hearts
“Alexander,” I say, stepping forward, my voice calm but firm. “It’s over. We know everything.”
He laughs, the sound sharp and grating. “Do you, now? You always were too naïve, Jasper. Too weak to see the bigger picture. You left when things got tough, and now look at you.Playing security guard in a fucking circus. You always were a clown.”
“Better that than destroying lives for some twisted sense of revenge,” I retort, feeling the anger rise but keeping it controlled.
Alexander’s eyes narrow. “Revenge? No, this is justice. You betrayed the project, betrayed me. Your little circus here is just collateral damage.”
Lila steps beside me, her presence a steadying force. “Your twisted games end here, Alexander. We won’t let you hurt anyone else.”
Alexander’s smile widens, cold and predatory. “We’ll see about that.”
In a heartbeat, he lunges, his hands outstretched. I meet him head-on, the force of our collision sending us both sprawling into the open area of the big top. The glare of the spotlights blinds us momentarily, casting harsh shadows and turning the confrontation into a surreal tableau.
The audience and performers, blissfully unaware of the danger, continue with their routines, the rising murmur of the crowd and the distant music creating an almost dissonant backdrop to our struggle. Alexander and I grapple, his hands trying to reach my temples, to use his mind control techniques.
“Give it up, Jasper,” he sneers, his grip tightening. “You can’t resist forever.”
I grit my teeth, focusing every ounce of willpower to block him out. “You’re wrong, Alexander. I’ve learned to fight back.”
The physical struggle intensifies, a blur of motion and raw force. I feel his attempts to infiltrate my mind, but I push back with everything I have. Our breaths come in harsh gasps, the heated, intense dialogue punctuating the fight.
“You’re still the same scared little boy,” he hisses. “Always running away.”
“And you’re still a madman,” I counter, breaking free and landing a solid punch. “Always thinking you’re invincible. Really, you’re just fucking delusional.”
Alexander stumbles, the impact finally slowing him down. I take advantage, using a move I learned in the military to subdue him. He crashes to the ground, breathing hard, his eyes filled with a mixture of rage and disbelief.
“It’s over,” I say, standing over him. It’s taking every ounce of me not to crush the life out of him.
I signal for the security team to take him into custody. The performers and audience, now realizing something serious just happened, begin to murmur among themselves, the atmosphere shifting from confusion to relief.
Lila and I stand together, the adrenaline slowly ebbing. The circus bustles around us, the relieved chatter of the performers and the fading sounds of the music providing a comforting background. Lila reaches out, her hand finding mine.
“We did it,” she says softly, her eyes bright with emotion.
“Yeah, we did,” I reply, squeezing her hand. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
We share a moment of relief and victory. The threat has been neutralized, and the circus can finally breathe easy again. As we watch the performers begin to relax, I pull Lila close, pressing a kiss to her temple.
“Our next challenge?” she asks playfully, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
“Making sure this place runs smoothly,” I say with a grin. “And maybe finding a moment for ourselves in all the chaos.”
She laughs, the sound pure and joyous. “I think we can manage that.”
Chapter Seven
Lila
The moonlight casts a soft glow on Jasper’s caravan, turning the night into a serene canvas. Jasper and I sit close together on a wooden bench, the quiet of the circus grounds wrapping around us like a blanket. The tents are dark silhouettes against the starry sky, and the distant sounds of the circus—muted laughter, the faint hum of machinery—create a soothing backdrop.
We’ve spent hours combing through the mess that Alexander Grey left behind, trying to piece together his twisted plans. Now, we’re taking a moment to breathe, to process everything. My mind races with questions, and I know Jasper feels the same intensity.
“So, Alexander,” I begin, my voice low and hushed. “Why would he go to such lengths to destroy the circus?”
Jasper’s gaze is intense, his eyes reflecting the moonlight. “Alexander was always ambitious, but it turned into resentment when I left the project. He saw my departure as a betrayal. This... all of this, it’s his twisted way of getting back at me, of proving he’s superior. I tested the top of our team during evaluations–that fucker has had it out of me ever since.”
I inch closer to Jasper, the warmth of his body comforting in the cool night air. “And he’s using the same mind control techniques you told me about?”
