Page 38 of Dash

“What is it?” I ask reluctantly, not even really wanting to know what it is exactly. What could be worse than sleeping with his daughter?

“That was my main mechanic who is working on the bike you crashed. They just found the problem.”

“Oh?”

“You were right. It was the brakes. They were cut.”

“Cut? Cut how?” I ask in wonderment. “How was that possible? The first few rounds they were fine. If they would have cut them when I was off of it then we would have seen them.”

He rubs his chin for a few seconds as he looks straight ahead thinking over what I said. “You came in. You got off your bike. Where did you go?”

Great. Everything from now on is going to lead back to his daughter. “I went to talk to Tabatha. Valerie had shown up. I knew that she was talking smack to her when I saw Tabatha walk away. I had to explain that she was lying.” He nods his head as if he’s starting to understand my reasoning. “But you were right there with the bike, right?”

“Yes, but…” he pauses, “I had a phone call. I walked away from the bike to answer it. It wasn’t more than a three-minute phone call, but someone would have only needed a second to cut it.”

“There was no one else there,” I remind him.

“Yes, there was. Valerie.”

She wouldn’t. I start to shake my head in protest. “She knows nothing about bikes. How would she know what to do?” Would she go that far to kill me? Yep.

He shrugs. “You can learn anything on the internet these days. The question is why she would do it,” he asks.

“’Cause she’s a vindictive bitch who knows that I have feelings for your daughter,” I say in all seriousness.

His eyebrows raise to his hairline. “Feelings?”

There it is. My opportunity to show him what it is that I want. “Yes, sir. Let me explain about that night of my party.”

He shakes his head. “I spent months doing research on you, son.” My eyes widen in surprise. “I know that you come from money. I know you’re an adrenaline junky. And I know you live to race. But you’re not who I picture when I see someone for my daughter.”

“With all due respect, sir. The only thing you know about me is what your research has told you. You once told me that we are alike. And that we both take risks. I’m willing to risk racing for you, for her. That’s what we were planning to tell you tonight. If you give me an ultimatum, I will pick her. ‘Cause to me, she’s worth more than some plastic and a track.” I finish up and then stand from my chair.

He stands as well and sighs in acceptance. “We made a deal, and I’m not going back on it,” he says with a smirk. “But I do have a request.”

“Which is?”

“Keep it as quiet as possible. If you’re going to see her, do it here. Don’t go to her house. Don’t go to your house together. Your crash at the track was all over the news. They know you were released and are staying with your boss. Myself! I can almost guarantee you that Valerie is not doing it on her own. She has help. Let’s keep them blind to what is going on because, as good as you are for this team, I will kill you myself if my daughter is caught in the crossfire.”

I nod in understanding. “I don’t want that, either.”

“Good.” He sits back down. “Oh, and keep this a secret from Tabatha. As far as she is concerned, the wreck was a complete accident. Now go and calm her down. She’s probably cussing me on Twitter or some other social network by now. I’m heading off to the shop to look at the bike myself.”

Great! Another lie. As soon as I close the office door, I can hear her voice from the other side of the house. She’s yelling at someone, and I figure it’s her mother.

Making my way down the long hall, I round the end and find her standing with her back to me.

“Stop fucking calling,” she yells as she holds her phone in front of her mouth. She hits end and then throws it down onto the table.

“Wow,” I say coming up behind her. She spins around and looks behind me.

She wraps her arms gently around me, and I inhale her scent. God, it’s been two days, and I’ve missed her like crazy.

“Are you in trouble?” she whispers.

“No. I’m okay.” She sighs heavily. “But we made a few new deals.”

“I won’t walk away, Dash.” My heart swells at her confession.

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