Page 69 of Full Throttle

“You can do that?” Colby asked, surprised. “Of course, you can.” She rolled her eyes. “You’re the master of controlling people’s lives.”

“That’s not what I’m trying to do,” Liam argued.

“You are not trying. You have succeeded. Please, let’s just leave well enough alone.”

An unfamiliar voice joined the chorus of others. “Well, if it isn’t Brian Lockwood and the talk of the town, Colby James.”

All eyes turned to the man speaking.

Slowly, Brian rose from his seat.

Standing in front of them was Anthony Luccesse, accompanied by Asher McKay and Lorene Greene.

“Hello, Colby,” Lorene said.

Colby’s eyes widened. She didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Instead, Colby held the stem of the wine glass in her hand so tight that it shattered.

Chapter 24

Cyrus lunged from his chair with the full intent of killing Lorene with his bare hands. Before he could get to him, Liam and both sets of security guards intervened.

What the hell?Liam had never seen Cyrus lose it. He maneuvered his body between Colby’s father and Lorene. For long moments, they were at a standstill. When Cyrus finally backed up a step, Liam turned slightly so that he was still positioned between Cyrus and Lorene but was also standing close to Brian just in case things went leftagain.

Anthony’s slow grin grew wider. He got the exact reaction he’d hoped for. Anthony put his hands up in defense. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Why all the hostility?”

No one said a word. From the angry looks around the room, everyone knew what was going on except for maybe Brian and Liam.

Anthony feigned innocence. “We just wanted to come over and wish you luck for the race.”

“We don’t need luck or your well wishes,” Brian said through clenched teeth. It took every ounce of control not to stab Anthony with his dinner knife. The only reason he didn’t was that there were too many witnesses.

Anthony released a small laugh. “Well, maybe not. I would say all of us being here together for the upcoming race does make things hella interesting, dontcha think?”

“Why the fuck are you with him?” Brian turned to Asher.

“I’m the hottest thing in NASCAR. Nothing wrong with having dinner with a team that appreciates my talent,” Asher boasted proudly.

Liam masked his anger with a calmness he didn’t feel. “Interesting. I thought Colby was the hottest thing in NASCAR, considering the number of reporters calling to discuss how she whooped your ass on the track a couple of weeks ago.”

“I thought Brian owned this team?” Asher snapped.

“Liam only said what I would have,” Brian responded. “I always knew you were a little shit, but now I know you’re dumb too.”

Liam glanced over at Colby, and what he saw stopped him cold. Her face was ashen, and her hand was bleeding. She seemed out of it and unaware that she was even hurt. Her face had hardened like stone. She was laser focused on Lorene.What the fuck did he do?

Asher recovered quickly from the stinging insults. “Anthony’s right. All of the hostility in this room will make for an interesting race and an even better story to tell when I win.”

“You must be out of your goddamned mind if you think you can associate with the Luccesses and drive for me,” Brian said.

Asher grinned and crossed his arms. “I had my lawyers look over my contract. According to our agreement, not only do you have to let me drive in this race, you have to make me lead driver.”

Liam and Brian knew that already. They had hoped that Asher wouldn’t discover it. The secret was out, and it was most likely due to the Luccesses and their shady lawyers.

The current of the unknown was infused with everything else that was happening, and Liam didn’t like it. He hated being the last to know anything, and the smug look on Anthony’s face confirmed it. Whatever he knew, Anthony was going to use to his full advantage. His obvious plan to get into their heads was hitting major pay dirt.

They needed to get it together and keep calm. If Liam’s plan worked, the days of the Luccesses family bothering the Lockwoods, or anybody else he cared about, were numbered.

Liam took another quick glance at Colby. Her fury was falling off her in waves. His need to protect her was overwhelming, and thus his desire to get her out of the restaurant. By the look on her face, that task was going to be easier said than done.

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