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I remember my fingers being sticky from the crystallized sugar. I'd forgotten about it until my brave, beautiful woman - the one I've grown to love so fiercely - mentioned it now.
“If you loved it,” I asked quietly, “why did you leave?”
“I didn’t want to live that life. I wanted something different, but it meant leaving my brother, Brody, behind even though I didn't want to. He's a talented motocross rider but needs more experience before making it big in the Vegas shows.”
I detect a hint of pride in her eyes for doing something bold, but it's tinged with regret. She looks away and starts toying with the chain link bracelet around her wrist.
“A big motocross show is coming up, and Brody's been training for months. But he injured himself and busted his bike. He's unable to work to get a new one, and I can't afford it either. Working double shifts was the only solution.”
Concern washes over me. “Why didn't you ask me for the money?”
“How could I? You're my boss, and I didn't want you to think you weren't paying me enough because you are. Atlas, I love my job and didn't want to hurt your feelings. You mean everything to me, but I needed to help my brother and didn't know any other way.”
My stomach clenches. “And the club pays well.”
“They do.” She takes a big shuddering breath. “I didn't want to burden you with my problems, but I’m sorry. I was wrong.”
“What about your parents? Couldn't they help?”
“Our parents died in a car accident a year ago.” Her voice quivers from the burden of her worry and sadness. She’s been so brave, but she doesn’t need to shoulder her responsibilities alone.
“Oh, that's tough, honey. I'm so sorry,” I say speaking from my heart, hoping it's what she needs.
Her fragile body trembles against me as she drenches my shirt in salty tears. I kiss the top of her head tenderly, and her shoulders soften as she melts into my embrace.
I silently swear to make up for the family she lost and take on any burden she may carry. Although Celeste is brave and fierce, I am strong enough to bear it all.
When her breathing settles and returns to normal, I pull back slightly to meet her gaze, inviting her to speak.
“What's the link between you and the man who trapped you in the office? What did he want?”
Her eyebrows knit together in confusion. “His name is Chopper, and he's a drug dealer. I was surprised to see him at the bar, but the circus is one of those places where everyone knows each other. Although I had nothing to do with him, we recognized each other, but he thought I was someone else.”
A slight frown tugs at the corner of my mouth. “I didn't expect anyone from the circus to use drugs.”
“It's not what you think. Not at first, anyway. There are no benefits like healthcare, and it doesn’t pay much. When someone gets hurt, sometimes they can’t afford treatment—we find ways to solve the issues ourselves.”
“Celeste, that's like something out of the Middle Ages with people doing their dentistry using pliers!” I joke.
She laughs uneasily. “It sounds crazy, doesn’t it? Using drugs isn’t a solution to anyone's problems, but the ringmaster—Freddy—profits from people's misfortunes. He pushes drugs on injured people and forces some of the women to pay off their debts in other ways.”
I groan when I hear it. “Chopper thought you were one of them.”
Celeste glances away from me before reluctantly meeting my gaze. “Yes. I think so too. Especially because he saw me working at Sinful Sirens.”
“That's why you left the circus,” I say.
“I can't say if every circus operates the same way, but the one I left had problems. It wasn't always a bad place, but there was no one to keep Freddy in line after Dad died. Freddy did whatever he wanted without limits.”
Celeste and Brody were vulnerable without their father’s protection, and I see why she left. I'll call Knox to confirm if Chopper and Freddy are members of the gang he's tracking.
If we're fortunate, we can settle both issues at the same time. If the law can't help us get rid of them, then I'll come up with an alternative plan. I'll do anything to make Celeste's heartache disappear.
I lean back and study her worried face. “Come here, darling.”
Holding her close, I rock her gently and inhale the sweet fragrance of her strawberry-scented shampoo. The scent reminds me of sunshine and fills me with the type of warmth which comes from loving someone deeply.
“I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the second job at the club,” she says, her voice thick with guilt. “I didn't want to hide it, but I hope you understand.”
