Page 119 of Start Your Engines

Connor stands before me. His blue eyes are big enough for me to swim in and lose myself forever.

“I’m scared, Connor.” His brow furrows, and he tips his head to the side. “I’m scared of loving a racing driver who could die any race. I’m scared of being in this big public relationship with someone who has the power to hurt me beyond anything I’ve ever known. I’m scared of losing you again after wanting to be with you all these years. But most of all, I’m scared of letting go of control. I’m used to fighting by myself. People always told me what I can’t do, yet you’ve told me what I am capable of and that you will help me do it. What if I fail both of us?”

Tears slide down my cheeks.

“For someone scared of a public relationship, you’re being very public right now,” Connor says, and the team murmurs in agreement.

I glare at all of them. “That’s because we’re Coulter team racing, and we are a family. And they all know, anyway.”

Connor turns to Macca, Jimmy, and Silas. “You all knew?”

As one, the gang nod their heads.

“Shit.”

“And they’re all okay with it,” I add.

“Seriously?” Again, they nod. “Good work, team.”

“I love you, Connor. I’ve always loved you, and I always will. I’m sorry for distancing myself from you when my brother arrived. But it’s you. It’s always been you, and you know what? If you want to protect me sometimes, I’ll let you do it. I’m proud you’re all mine. You’re breathtaking in every way, and I’m lucky you want to be with me. You’re my future, Connor fucking Dane.”

Connor joins me on a box that isn’t big enough for us both. He wraps his arms tightly around me. “And you’re mine. You’ve never needed me to protect you. I’ve always been here on your side and by your side.” He brushes my lip with his thumb. “But, Coults, I’ve always neededyourprotection. You helped me when I was in the worst place in my life and career. You were there for me, and that meant everything. You are everything. You can’t fail for both of us because, together, we’re stronger. We make mistakes, and we come back fighting. I’ve always loved you. I’m the lucky one. I’ll always be here if you let me. Will you let me?”

Every person in the garage holds their breath as he waits for my answer.

“Yes,” I gasp as his lips crash into mine.

The garage goes wild with shouts and jeers of joy. I bask in it briefly and hold Connor’s hand as I shout, “Right, everyone, back to work. We’ve got a race to prepare for.”

I smile at everyone. I’m drawn to the edge of the garage, where I sense eyes on me.

Niki and my dad stare at me. How long have they been there? My dad’s pinched glare suggests they’ve heard everything.

I lift my chin and scowl right back at him.

They’re in my garage now, and with my team by my side and my boyfriend next to me, I can take anyone on.

CHAPTER 56

Senna

My fingers danceacross my tattoo as I side-eye my guests. “What are they doing here?” I ask Jacs under my breath.

We’re several hours into race preparation, and Dad and Niki have silently judged everything we’ve done so far.

“What have they said to you?” Jacs replies. She’d left my side to chat with her team and do checks, but she’s back again, and a multitude of lines cover her forehead.

I grip the desk. “Nothing. I nodded at them eventually, but that’s it. They’re both in my bad books, so I’m not going to them.”

“Have they killed Connor? I haven’t seen him in a while.”

“He scarpered pretty quickly after they caught us in the middle of our dramatic love declaration. It’s probably for the best, although I’ll tease him about it later.”

“Fair. But what are they up to?” she says, pointing towards Dad and Niki, who sit at the side, their gaze flicking around the room at the bustle of engineers discussing strategy and finalising plans. Occasionally, their heads dive together and they whisper something.

They’ve done that several times in the last hour, and I desperately wanted to stare at where they’d looked before theirsneaky chats to decipher which part of my team they were judging.

“What’s this now?” Jacs shouts, drawing my attention to Connor and Uncle Ralf, who stride into the garage and make a beeline for my family.

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