Vaudeville Runaway Page 2

  Have you sniffed her yet?

  Calvin glared. If you want to know so badly, you do it.

  Spending their entire lives together had its advantages. They knew each other’s thoughts as well as they knew their own.

  He couldn’t tell if he was more annoyed or intrigued when Adam stepped forward and silently crossed his tent to the large bed that took up most of the space.

  It was always a luxury when the train wasn’t on the move – not that his train car wasn’t ridiculously luxurious – disgustingly opulent some said.

  This human was curled on her side which left her delicate neck exposed and Adam bent down – so close, but so very careful not to touch her. Calvin watched as his Second’s nostrils flared. Then he lurched backward in shock.

  Crossing his arms over his chest Calvin scowled at the woman. He didn’t have to ask to know she was Adam’s mate by the way the other lion whirled around to stare at him. If he could get away with not knowing, he would. But his Second and his Third had always known they would be mated with him to a female – thanks to one of their resident witches.

  Male lions gravitated towards each other in the same pride. They grew close as they grew up and it never failed. The ones who were grouped by puberty almost always mated to the same female.

  They didn’t need a witch to tell them what they knew deep in their bones, but Calvin actually had a few witches in the Cirque de Nuit. They would know what to do with a human better than he. Maybe he should call them in. They could confirm what this female was without him having to sniff her like a dog.

  Adam noted his scowl and quirked a smile, slipping his hands into his pockets and shrugged. You can deny it all you want; you know she’s your mate as well.

  Calvin glared at him. Don’t you have work you could be doing?

  His Second sauntered out of the tent, throwing him one last look. Good luck when she wakes up. She’s a wild one.

  He studied the woman – the human woman who was most likely his mate. She was definitely wild, but he supposed that would have been a given for someone to be matched to him – to what his life was. Not just anybody could handle what he did for a living, how he lived.

  Without warning she lurched to a sitting position, breathing heavily with her eyes wide and searching.

  Then she took in the tent, the warm light, and the large space that held a sink, toilet, bath, and his armoire. There was a second room to the tent that had a little sitting area including his desk. Then her eyes found him. Recognition flared for a brief moment before caution took over.

  “Welcome to the Cirque de Nuit,” Calvin murmured, staring into those deep blue eyes of hers. “Our Circus of Night.”

  Chapter Three

  Kitty

  Kitty had no idea where she was or who was in this…tent, with her. But deep down she knew she was safe even if her head warned her to be careful. This man with his jade-green eyes was the last thing she remembered seeing before losing consciousness.

  But that didn’t mean he wasn’t a threat.

  “Where am I?” Kitty demanded.

  His eyes narrowed. “I told you, the Cirque de Nuit.”

  A fucking circus? He was for real?

  She looked around at the tent once more and curiosity started to war with her common sense. She’d never been to the circus before. She had no idea how the people in one lived and worked. This was the closest she’d ever been.

  What were the chances she’d actually run into a circus? “The bouncers?” she asked.

  He tilted his head and studied her. “Do you really want to know?”

  A chill went down her spine but she bared her teeth at him in a vicious smile. “Yes.”

  Surprise flickered across his face before he locked it down, back into that contemplative look. “We killed them. They’re now feeding the pigs.”

  Her stomach roiled but Kitty felt sick satisfaction. Two more rapists off the streets. It was nothing they didn’t deserve.

  The last year had taught her that as well. Eventually karma would make her appearance, and whenever she did, it wasn’t pretty.

  “What’s your name?” Kitty asked, adjusting her jacket.

  She caught sight of her knees and feet and frowned. Then she sighed. She didn’t have the money to go see a doctor. What the hell was she going to do now?

  “My name is Calvin. We have a doctor in the Cirque. Would you like me to take you to her?”

  “What would it cost me?” Kitty gave him another wary look. Dude was definitely not normal, or even very nice. But he hadn’t come one step closer to her either.

  She appreciated the space he gave her to figure out what was going on, and what she wanted to do next.

  His eyes narrowed again and the green of them practically glowed in the lamplight. “It wouldn’t cost you anything. We help who we can while we travel. It’s kind of something we do.”

  Her eyes went wide at that. “You help people? Why?”

  “Because they need it. Come with me.” Calvin’s tone left no room for argument.

  Kitty swung her feet off the bed. “Don’t you want to know my name?”

  Her feet touched the ground and she winced at the searing pain. Calvin’s nostrils flared at that. Then he was across the tent and scooping her up like she weighed nothing. “Pardon me for being forward,” he muttered. “But I don’t think you should be walking on those wounds.”

  Kitty looked up into his face, lips parted slightly as she tried to comprehend what this man was. A fucking gentleman? Had she really found one? She’d loved her ex-boyfriend, but even he had been a total idiot most of the time.

  Then Kitty narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “Are you going to feed me to the lions?”

  Calvin blinked and finally he cracked a smile. He stared at her for another moment and then actually laughed. “No, I am not going to feed you to the lions. Is it all right that I carry you to our doctor?”

  Those jade-green eyes were mesmerizing. Kitty nodded without breaking eye contact – without even blinking. “Yes, I appreciate all the help you’re offering. If you don’t mind hauling my ass to wherever, then by all means.” She waved to indicate he could carry her anywhere as long as she got to stare into those eyes of his.

  Calvin’s lips twitched like he might laugh again, but he carried her through the massive tent instead and out into the frigid night. Kitty shivered, but the man was a walking talking heater. He wore nothing but a short sleeved shirt and he still radiated delicious warmth.

  She snuggled shamelessly into his chest and watched as they passed more tents, all colorful and decorated and clearly loved – more of a home than any four walls she’d had over the last year. Then he turned a corner and she saw it – the big top.

  The circus tent was massive and reminded her of the old school circuses, not the new ones in the amphitheaters and such. Something about it was just…magical, like stepping back in time. She noted the deep blue and purple stripes before they disappeared again behind another avenue of tents.

  It was like a tiny city living within the city. Strangely, Kitty felt comfortable there in the cold, in a stranger’s arms. It had to have been the warm light, the music that played – echoing in the bitter cold night, and the voices that laughed and tinkled through the clear night air.

  “Why is no one asleep?” she asked, her eyes flicking everywhere. Kitty didn’t want to miss anything.

  How many outsiders got to see this? She didn’t think any ever did.

  “Cirque de Nuit,” Calvin reminded her. “We perform at night so most of us stay up until four in the morning, or dawn. Depends on the day.”

  Then he stopped and Kitty’s grip on him tightened. Strangers usually made her nervous, but she hid it well. After everything she’d had to deal with that night – her control was slipping and it was difficult to hide her reactions.

  “Laura?” Calvin called, staying outside the large tent. “You awake? I’ve got a patient for you.”

  Someone grumbled in
side and then the flap to the tent was violently flipped open. The most beautiful woman Kitty had ever seen scowled at them. “What is it now?”

  “Uh…” Calvin looked down at her, realizing he’d never asked for her name even when she’d offered it.

  She smirked. “Kitty.”

  There was a beat of silence and then both Calvin and Laura shared a look of disbelief. “Is that your real name?” he asked.

  Kitty scoffed. “I may be a stripper, but I wouldn’t give you my stage name. Kitty Ann Peters is my birth name. My mom thought that Kitty from That ‘70s Show was her full name, so here I am. Go ahead and look at my driver’s license if you don’t believe me.” Then she stiffened in his arms as she realized she had no idea where her purse was.

  “It’s back in my tent,” Calvin murmured, eyeing her like she was suddenly more interesting than before.

  She cleared her throat and looked at the doctor lady. “So if I could not be carried around like a doll…would you mind?”

  Laura stepped aside but glared at Calvin. “So Kitty, what’s the issue?”

  “I stepped on some shit,” Kitty told her as Calvin carried her inside.

  He placed her on one of the beds set up in the front room. Kitty took in the neat space, the clean supplies, and how it was set up like a trauma tent, but it had everything an urgent care center might have aside from an x-ray machine. “I’ll probably need a tetanus shot. Otherwise it’s just some scrapes and bruises on my knees, hands, and arms,” she told Laura.

  The scrapes from when she fell were clean, probably thanks to Calvin, but it still looked pretty brutal.

  She looked up at the man who’d saved her life—killed for her.

  Kitty knew that should frighten her. She knew it should warn her away, but she’d never felt as safe as she had right here with him in this tent city next to the circus. What did that say about her?

  “Nothing else?” Calvin asked her sharply. As if he somehow knew the bouncers had tried to rape her.

  Kitty didn’t bother trying to deny it. She shook her head and pulled on her skirt. The snap-buttons came undone, exposing her lacy underwear, the bruises on her thighs, and the blood he’d missed. “Nothing but a few marks. They didn’t get that far before I shattered their noses.” She waved her hand to indicate the blood. “It’s not mine.”

  Laura’s mouth was set in a grim line as she snapped on gloves and gathered supplies. “Thank god for that. I won’t do a rape kit unless you ask, but it must be done soon if you decide to do it. At the very least I want to take pictures of the damage.”

  Kitty studied the doctor lady and wondered why she was here and not working in a hospital. She wondered why she was so familiar with such things, and then Kitty looked to Calvin. He’d said they helped people as they traveled. Had he really meant that?

  After the last year Kitty had lost all faith in humanity, but maybe…maybe there were still some good people out there trying to make a dent in all the bad.

  “No rape kit needed,” she repeated, holding Calvin’s gorgeous green eyes. There was a flicker and they softened for a brief moment. “But documentation is fine. Never know when that will come in handy.”

  Laura got out her phone and took pictures of everything – clinical and quick and precise.

  Kitty felt like she’d imagined Calvin’s gentle side when the sharp smell of antiseptic filled the space and he scowled again, stepping back towards the door of the tent. Instantly she felt panic rising as he put more distance between them. Was he going to leave her here alone?

  Calvin stilled and whipped his gaze from her feet to her face – as if he could sense her every thought and emotion. It was weird, but it was also…reassuring.

  “Would you mind staying with me?” she asked, trying not to sound like she was pleading.

  Without a word Calvin nodded and sat down on the cot next to hers. The muscle in his jaw flickered and Laura gritted her teeth as she worked. Kitty looked between the two of them and then grinned. “Did you two used to bone?”

  Laura scoffed as Calvin stiffened. “Unfortunately,” the doctor said.

  The antiseptic stung, but not as much as when Laura picked out each piece of glass and gravel, clucking her tongue every once in a while when one was stubborn.

  It hurt like a bitch, but Kitty clenched her hands, nails digging into her palms as she dealt with the pain.

  She needed a distraction. “So are you a doctor only? Or do you work as part of the circus too? Why are you here instead of working in a clinic or hospital? How long did you two date for?”

  The doctor was so gorgeous. And they seemed to have the same prickly personality. Why hadn’t it worked out?

  Laura huffed a laugh, but didn’t try to avoid the questions. “My family has been a part of this circus for generations. We have served as doctors and veterinarians since we arrived in America in the 19th Century.” She glanced at Calvin for a brief moment. “I toyed with the idea of becoming an acrobat, but when I broke my leg my brother insisted I give it up. I don’t regret it though. I’d always planned to do both.”

  Wow…a whole world within the real world. Kitty was fascinated. “So you’re a full doctor and a vet?”

  For the first time Laura’s eyes glittered with something like amusement and pride. “Yes. And occasional therapist even if I only spent one rotation in the psych ward.”

  “Damn, how old are you?” Kitty burst out. It wasn’t that Laura looked old. No, if anything she looked like she’d barely turned twenty-one. But she had so many accomplishments.

  For a brief moment Kitty felt that flare again – that feeling that she was a failure and a disappointment. And then she shoved it down as deep as she could.

  “I’m twenty-nine,” Laura admitted, placing another piece of glass in a bowl before scrubbing the bottom of Kitty’s feet. “Thanks to my GED I was able to get into college early.”

  Kitty had to breathe through her nose to manage the pain but even still she felt faint and saw stars.

  “So what do you do here?” Kitty asked Calvin. If he noticed her words were a bit tight he didn’t say anything.

  “I manage the lions.”

  Laura snorted at that.

  Calvin glared at her. “And I’m also a trapeze artist.”

  Trapeze? That sounded fascinating and Kitty eyed Calvin with fresh eyes. She supposed he did have the muscles for it, but he was so built. There had to be more. “Anything else?”

  He huffed, but before he could answer another man walked into the doctor’s tent. Kitty tensed before she realized this was one of the three who’d found her in the park.

  “Calvin, Damien, and I are technically acrobats – gymnasts I suppose. We can do tightrope, daring acts of strength. Anything like that. Hi, I’m Adam,” he said with a smile. It made Kitty want to smile with him. Then he offered her his hand.

  She shook it tentatively. “Kitty.”

  Adam laughed and looked to Laura like she might be playing a joke on him. The doctor shrugged and started wrapping up her feet.

  “Well,” Adam said. “It’s nice to officially meet you, Kitty. How are you feeling?”

  She looked to Calvin and realized he’d never asked her that. “In pain, but it’s tolerable.”

  Then Kitty looked between the two of them, and for a moment her mortality slapped her in the face. She probably wouldn’t be standing here if it weren’t for these guys. “There are no words to express my gratitude,” she admitted. “If you hadn’t intervened…”

  Calvin and Adam shared a look and Kitty knew their kindness wouldn’t last forever. They had questions and she had to tell them the truth – for some reason she just knew they would be able to tell if she lied.

  If she told them the truth…maybe they’d let her stay for a few days and figure things out.

  “Why were you running from those bouncers?” Calvin asked.

  Laura paused her ministrations without looking up, and then she started working on Kitty’s knees. “Could o
ne of you make yourselves useful and turn the heater up? This girl nearly froze to death and she still feels chilled.”

  Adam was the first to move. Calvin didn’t bother, like he knew Adam would handle it for him. Calvin simply held her gaze and waited for the answer he just knew he was going to get.

  So bossy.

  Kitty’s nostrils flared in irritation, but she needed their help. “I was working at the strip club where they worked. The owner tried to force me to have sex with a customer who wanted to pay for it. I refused and tried to leave. He tried to take the money I’d earned that night. So I ran.”

  Calvin waited as if he knew what she wanted to ask, but Kitty bit her tongue. She refused. She was stubborn like that, as her mother liked to say.

  Adam brought a little space heater over and sat down on the cot next to her. “Someone called the paramedics, but he’s still alive from what I can tell.”

  What a disappointment.

  Kitty snorted. If anyone deserved to die by stripper heel it was that asshole. “I suppose for the sake of my personal freedom that’s a good thing.”

  Adam grinned and she realized his eyes weren’t just blue; they were the sea and the sky. His brown hair set them off nicely and she remembered thinking how beautiful he was before she lost consciousness. So far everyone in this traveling circus was. It was a bit daunting.

  Kitty wasn’t ugly by any means, but she wasn’t as gorgeous as Laura. Kitty knew she wasn’t pretty by conventional standards. Her eyes were just a little too big, just a little too blue. Her lips pouty and oversized for her face.

  Most days she had to fight her dark brown hair to do anything other than tangle, but on a good day the curls looked amazing. She was fit and strong and graceful, but too short to be a model or a dancer. Or that’s what her ballet instructor had told her.

  Kitty blinked and realized the silence had gone on for a while now. “I’m hungry,” she blurted out.

  Laura finished cleaning up her scrapes and then jabbed a needle into her arm. “One of you take her to the mess tent. There should be something there to eat. Do you have any records with you? I can update your vaccines.”