Page 71 of Full Throttle

“What am I going to do about Asher?” Brian asked Liam as they watched Colby fuss over her father.

“He can’t drive if he doesn’t have a functioning car. Is that right?” Liam directed his question to Neal, their attorney, who had arrived earlier for dinner.

Neal nodded. “Technically, you’ve already honored the contract. Once you entered Asher into the race and listed him as the lead driver, you fulfilled your part of the agreement.”

Liam shook his head in thought. “So, it’s not our fault if Gonzo discovers Asher’s car isn’t working properly?”

“No. Although implied, there is nothing that specifically says you have to provide him with aworkingvehicle. Just a vehicle.”

Gonzo shook his head vigorously in agreement. “Oh, yeah.” He rubbed his hands together. “That car is fucked up.”

The entire team was pretty vocal about how bad Asher’s car was until Colby spoke. Her words silenced the group. “Let him drive.”

Colby had ice running through her veins. “And make me the number two.”

“C’mon, Colby. I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” Chris said. “You’ll need your head on straight to just go up against Lorene. The man and his team are really good on this track.”

“I won’t ever consider a dirty driver a good one,” Gonzo said, then backed up his friend. “I’m not worried at all about Colby being able to go up against Lorene and his shitty teamandAsher.”

Chris remained silent. He understood that this was a moment of truth and had been a long time coming.

Jordan chimed in. “I thought Lorene was sitting this one out due to some kind of injury.” He knew the history between Lorene and the James family, and it would be poetic justice if Colby drove against him. Jordan had no problem giving up his spot to her. “I’m a competitor, so I always think I can win every time. But Lorene’s won three of the last few races on this track. The truth is, he is going to be pretty tough to beat. His team, they don’t pull any punches.”

“I think I know that better than anybody,” Colby reminded him.

Jordan couldn’t argue that fact. “If you’re taking my spot, I have some tapes you need to watch.”

“I don’t need tape. I’ve studied Lorene since I was fifteen years old. What I need are blockers on that track.” Colby turned steely eyes onto Brian and held his gaze. “If you want to win this thing, just give me the opportunity.”

Nothing was going to keep her out of this race. She planned to be front and center by any means necessary. Singularly focused and ready to handle her business. Colby didn’t wait for a response. Instead, with her back rigid and her head held high, she walked out of the restaurant.

They all watched her leave.

Liam threw a small nod to Markos. Markos lifted his chin in acknowledgment and was immediately on the move. He, along with two bodyguards, followed Colby out.

Cyrus spoke up. “Not that my daughter needs my endorsement, but I don’t think there is another soul on this planet more motivated to win this thing.”

Brian deferred to Liam. “If everything is ready to go, I say let’s do it. But I’m going to let you make the call.”

“If I were a betting man—”

“Youarea betting man,” Brian reminded him.

Liam ignored Brian and asked the question that everyone, but he and Brian, had the answer to. “Why is Colby so determined to get on that track with Lorene Greene?”

No one in the room felt they had a right to answer. Instead, they deferred to Cyrus.

The pained expression on his face filled Liam with dread.

Cyrus lifted turbulent eyes as he fought back tears and ran a tired hand down his face. His voice broke when he spoke. “He killed my son.”

Chapter 25

After Cyrus’ revelation, Liam wasted no time going after Colby.

Colby hadn’t come face-to-face with Lorene since that fateful day. She had played the event over and over inside of her head. However, her reaction wasn’t anything that she had ever dreamed.

Colby’s steps quickened as she made it to her room without a moment to spare before breaking down. Another second and the entire world would have seen her unravel.

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