Page 54 of Forsaken Oath

I hesitate. “I thought he might be in here, but I’ll check the garage?—”

“Nah, he went to run an errand for me. I know you like him to give it to you, but I’ll handle it this time.”

“Sure thing.” I force myself to stand still as his gaze roams over me. It’s not overtly malicious, but it’s invasive—like he’s cataloging every inch of me for later. The kind of look that makes you want to crawl out of your own skin.

He leans over, unlocking a drawer with a key. The metallic click echoes in the quiet office as he pulls out a burner phone. He holds it out to me, and I cross the room to take it. My fingers wrap around the bottom, careful not to touch his hand, but his free hand lashes out and clamps around my wrist.

“Just so we’re clear,” he murmurs, his breath a rancid mix of stale coffee and cigarettes. “If you’re Seven Pines, you work for me, girlie. Not my little cousin. Got it?”

I try not to flinch or inhale, nodding as calmly as I can. “Crystal.”

“Good.” He releases me slowly, one finger at a time, like he’s savoring the moment.

I straighten up and take several steps back, my shoulders brushing the door. He doesn’t stop watching me, his lips curling into something that’s not quite a smile.

“You’ll get a text with the coordinates,” he says, still holding my gaze. “But I’ll tell you right now—it’s in Rosewood.”

The town over? I mask my surprise with a neutral nod. “No problem.”

“Can’t have our star driver too far from home, can we?”

This time, I’m not quick enough to hide the flicker of shock on my face, and he sees it. His grin widens.

“Ah,” he tsks, shaking his head. “You didn’t think I didn’t know, did you?”

“To be honest, it was all a surprise to me.”

He pauses, letting the weight of his words settle. “I hope your sister doesn’t talk too much about the things you do for Seven Pines. We wouldn’t want to have a problem, now, would we?”

It’s a threat, plain and simple. My fingers curl tightly around the burner phone as the air in the room grows heavier, thick with unspoken menace.

“Got it,” I say, my voice clipped but steady.

I don’t wait for him to respond. Turning on my heel, I push out of the office and back into the heat of the day. The warm air wraps around me like a smothering blanket, but I welcome it after the chill of Levi’s presence.

I’ve gotta get the hell out of Seven Pines.

24

BEAU

It’s notthat I was surprised to get the text. I’d be more surprised if Iwasn’tinvited.

Part of me knew this was coming. I’m the reigning champion, the one to beat. Of course they’d want me back, to defend my title or crash and burn trying. It’s good for ratings, good for the bets. The Gauntlet isn’t just about racing, it’s about the spectacle, the drama. And what’s more dramatic than the cocky golden boy taking on all challengers?

But this time, it feels different.

A strange mix of anticipation and dread coils in my gut. I know the stakes, the risks. The shit that goes down in this tournament is on a whole other level from the rest of the street racing scene.

There are no rules, just a finish line and a fat stack of cash waiting for the driver ruthless enough to want it bad enough.

I’ve lived between the thin grooves of chaos for so long, I didn’t know there was another way. I’m still not sure. But lately, I don’t know, it doesn’t feel the same.

Something is off. It’s like an itch under my skin that I can’t quite scratch, a restlessness that has me pacing around my car like some kind of caged animal.

I stare at the text message again, the words glowing on the screen. Same instructions as always. Wait for coordinates, don’t be late.

As if I need the reminder.

---