I didn’t respond, but I knew my silence was answer enough. We both knew why we were here, pouring every ounce of energy into this engine, into the dream it symbolized. It wasn’t just about the opening race; it was about proving something—to ourselves, to the shadows of doubt lurking in the corners of our minds.
Finally, Trip held up a gear, its teeth stripped and edges worn almost smooth. “Here,” he said, breaking the silence again. “This... this isn’t right.”
Walking over, my brows furrowed as I inspected the piece. “How does something like this even happen? This isn’t just wear and tear—this looks deliberate.”
Shit. The second I said the words, I knew I fucked up. I’d been around cars my whole life. I knew the drill. My dad was the same way. Had the same look Trip was giving me now. And when Trip swallowed hard, I braced for impact because I knew I would not like what came next.
“C.C.?”
My jaw tightened, a storm brewing in the pit of my stomach. “Don’t fucking say it, Trip.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No!” I shouted, throwing my wrench across the garage. “It’s not fair. I’ve worked my ass off to get accepted into this fucking boys’ club, and now, because of some asshole, it’s all being taken away.”
He stepped closer, his voice steady despite the chaos threatening to erupt from me. “C.C., listen to me. No one is taking anything away from you.”
I glared at him through the dim light of the garage, fierce and unyielding. “That’s a load of bullshit, and you know it. Tell me how this is going to play out because from where I’m standing, it’s me sidelined.”
“Only until we catch the bastard.”
“And how long is that going to take, Trip? I’m already behind schedule. The first clash heat is weeks away, and I’ve only been on the track twice, and both times ended in disaster. So tell me how I qualify, if I can’t get behind the wheel?”
He held my gaze, refusing to back down. “You don’t. I do.”
Taking a step back, I whispered, “What?”
“I know you’d rather spit nails than trust anyone behind the wheel, but whoever is doing this started when I was driving. The guys and I think it’s someone with a grudge against me or Ansel.”
“But you don’t know who it is.”
“That’s why we’re using Trip as the bait,” King firmly said, walking into the garage with the rest of the Sons of Hell, Gator, my brother, and Ansel.
“And what about my career?” I challenged. “The second the circuit learns that Trip is driving for Ansel, I will be obsolete. It’s too late to find another team or sponsor.”
“Cosette,” Romeo sighed. “Baby, your life is more important than your career.”
Ignoring my brother, I stormed over to Ansel and slapped the fucker across the face. “This was your fucking plan all along, wasn’t it? You set this shit up to get Trip back!”
Ansel said nothing as I turned to Trip. “You do this. You take my place and we’re done. Whatever is going on between us is over. I didn’t work my ass off for some washed-up has-been to come in and take over my position.”
“C.C.!” Romeo shouted, grabbing my arm and spinning me around to face him. “Enough! You don’t know what’s going on. You only think you do. We’re not doing this to punish you.”
The tension in the garage was suffocating, a heavy blanket of anger and betrayal draped over everyone present. King stepped forward, his voice sharp yet calm, cut through the chaos like a blade. “That’s enough, C.C. We don’t have time for this shit. This is about keeping you safe.”
Trip’s jaw tightened. His gaze flickered between me and King. “I never said I would take your spot, Cosette. I only want to keep you safe, whether you believe that or not.”
His words stung, but my pride refused to let me acknowledge the softness in his tone. Instead, I turned on my heel and walked to the far side of the garage, every step a declaration of protest.
Ansel finally spoke, his voice low and gravelly. “Cosette, I’m not replacing you. But, honey, I can’t in good conscience put you behind the wheel until we catch whoever’s doing this. My decision has nothing to do with your career or your pride. Someone out there is playing a dangerous game, and we’re trying to end it before anyone else gets hurt.”
I whirled around, my fists clenched. “And what if you never catch this person? What then, Ansel? Do I just sit back and watch Trip take over my career?”
King ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “You may not trust us, and I really don’t give a shit. The decision has been made, C.C., whether you like it or not.”
I glared at King. “The decision isn’t yours to make, King.”
The big man grinned, then lowered the boom. “That’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart, because as of an hour ago, I own everything. Including you.”
