Chapter 42 Ignacio
Ignacio
Ignacio hopped over the ring curb and dashed straight for the ladder leading up to the trapeze platform.
Beyond the stunned crowd, beyond the spotlights flashing and the ringmaster dancing toward the center ring, he only saw her. He only saw her holding on for dear life.
How terrified she must be. How utterly petrified. Still, his Dovie was fighting. Sweat glistened on her skin as she gripped the hoop with all her might.
Ignacio didn’t spare an ounce of his energy calling out to her. His entire focus remained on climbing faster and faster.
He made it to the trapeze platform and grabbed the first swinging bar he could find.
He yanked it from the hooks and gave it a tug to make certain it was secure.
His gaze flicked up to the mirrors. He glared at the shadow lurking behind the cold stone before turning his focus onto the girl he loved.
“Dovie!”
Her eyes snapped to meet his. She let out a muffled sob. His heart nearly broke when he saw the sparkling flakes swiped over her lips.
“I’m coming!” he roared.
He jumped into the air. But his rope swung much lower than he imagined. He couldn’t grab hold of her.
Dammit.
He swung to the platform on the other side.
“You’re going to have to let go of the hoop when I tell you to!” he yelled.
She shook her head vehemently.
“I’ll catch you. I promise, Dovie. I will always be here to catch you. Trust me.”
The gloves she wore sparkled like the sea caught in moonlight. She groaned in agony. Her hold slipped, and she dangled by one arm.
He jumped, and right before he was beneath her, he shouted, “Now!”
She closed her eyes and let go.
His body slammed into hers. The weight of her surprised him. Those miserable wings must have been fifty pounds. Gods, she truly was a fighter.
Esmeralda’s arms and legs wrapped tight against his torso as they swung high above the crowd. She clung to him like a frightened child.
His anger tripled in its ferocity. The ringmaster wanted this to happen.
The second both of his feet landed safely on the trapeze perch, he squeezed her tight. He didn’t care if his strength was too much. He wanted her to feel him.
“You’re safe,” he said into her wild tangle of curls.
Her entire body quivered.
“I’ve got you. I always will.” He didn’t move. He wouldn’t do a thing until she was ready.
Slowly, she pulled back. Tears ran down her cheeks. He longed to wipe them away but didn’t have the courage to let her go.
He had almost lost her.
He shuddered at the mere thought. Dovie was so special. So beautiful. So full of interesting thoughts and a magic of her own. She was his best friend. His person.
Cries from the audience below tore their attention away from each other.
The ringmaster had collapsed to one knee.
His signature top hat fell to the dirt. His hair was no longer light brown, but salt-and-pepper gray with splotches of pure white.
He clenched his abdomen as if he was in pain.
Some of his men knelt beside him. They tried to help him rise.
He shook his head vehemently and pointed upward.
Right where Esmeralda and Ignacio still stood.
The ratas turned and bolted toward the ladder to the trapeze platform.
“We have to get out of here,” Ignacio said. “Right now.”