Page 28 of Unmasking My Dark Knight

Get a fucking grip, Ro. There is no later for us, especially after she learns the truth. This can’t last. Especially after telling me the story about her tattoo, and how her mother was super controlling. She may have been a bratty rich girl, but her life wasn't as perfect as I thought. And if all that was happening at home, was I just as much of a problem? It felt cruel to keep her in the dark like that. Why can’t I tell her? Such a fucking coward, as always…

I shook my head, trying to dislodge that thought, as I guided her toward the mirror funhouse.

“Let’s start here,” I suggested, wanting an opportunity to get us close, to “protect” her from all the scary things happening around us. Maybe it was the sense of anticipation she gave off, but there was something addictive about her heightened emotions, her excitement intoxicating. There was this slow and creeping heat rising in my chest. Being next to her like this felt so fun. It couldn’t just be the physical proximity; there was something else. I guess, maybe, I realized how much I enjoyed being around her. And in turn, I finally got to be myself around her too, and would you look at that—she actually seemed to tolerate me.

Or, at the very least, not hate me.

“What about the ditch?” she asked, looking confused.

“Not a good time to go there.”

“Why not?”

“Because the ditch you fell in wasn’t really a ditch. It was a hole that maintenance dug up to fix a broken water line. Why do you think there was mud?”

“Broken water line!” she squeaked. “What if the rings washed away? What if they sank into the mud?”

“I’ll talk to the guys! They won’t wash away, I promise…”

“I don’t know what a promise means from you yet,” she sighed, looking around.

“Would you rather start there then? I can get us some shovels, and we can get knee-deep in dirty water.”

Ivy Jade looked at me like I suggested we roll around in the Porta Potties. I thought she was going to get sick.

“Haven’t I suffered enough?” she asked, mouth wide open.

“I think we both have.” I rolled my eyes. “I’ll touch base with the workers first thing in the morning. If we don’t find your rings in the fun house, come back tomorrow night, and I’ll let you know whether the workers found your beloved rings. Worst-case scenario, I’ll have them dig up more of the ditch to look around.”

“You can do that?” she asked, skeptical.

“Of course I can,” I said, giving her a smirk. “This is my kingdom…”

We finally approached the funhouse, the bright blinking lights flashing above the entrance. Couples were walking in and out; kids were screaming and running down the street. Ivy Jade got closer to me.

“Oh god, I can’t believe I have to go in here again,” she groaned, her brows knitting together with worry as I glanced down at her.

I bumped into her shoulder lightly. “It’s okay. You have your own personal escort, remember?”

I held my arm out so she could hook hers around mine. Her worried expression turned to skepticism as she slowly linked her arm with mine.

"I'm ready," she said warily. "But don't try any funny business, clown. I swear I'll smack you."

"The irony of saying that to a clown is beyond substantial."

"Focus! I need you on full alert," she scolded, looking around like a terrified detective.

I couldn’t help but grin as I guided us in.

Her grip tightened immediately as we went farther in, darkness enveloping the space. There were random flashes of swaying lights which lit our reflections in the mirror, along with neon purple lights lining the ceiling above. In the distance, we could hear a maniacal laugh followed by a shrill scream.

“I don’t understand how people like this!” she squealed, her body inching even closer now.

“Hey, now,” I defended lightly, feigning outrage. “Don’t yuck someone else’s yum.”

"This isn't yum. This is barf. No shade..." she said, absolutely cringing. "Sorry. I'm sure you're having the time of your life."

The swaying lights flickered on and off, and I stopped, letting my eyes drop to hers. “With you?” I leaned closer, dropping my chin. “Yeah, I am.”