Page 123 of Start Your Engines

“But I’m here for another reason,” Dad says. There are five laps to go, my last five as team boss, but I still glance at my dad and return to my chair. “I don’t love owning the team, and I want to spend time with your mum and do everything I missed. But Ralf and Connor devised a better plan than selling the team to Antoine and his dad.”

My gaze flicks between the drama on screen and the drama in front of me. I rub my forehead with my thumb. “What are you saying?”

“I am giving 51% of the team to you. It’s not just that I missed so much of your life, including your graduation.” I glance at Niki, who nods. These bloody Coulter men. “But because you can run this team as it should be. It’s a family business and needs to stay in the family with a leader beyond all leaders at the helm. It needs you.”

“And the other 49%?” I stutter. His words warm my heart, but I need to know who I’ll be fighting against when I make decisions.

“Niki will get 24%, Connor and Ralf 10%, and you can have the remaining five if you want. You might want to invest to ensure it feels fully yours.”

I pull him into a hug. “You know me more than you realise, Dad. I love this. But you’d get more money by selling it.”

He laughs. “I don’t need money. Your mum manages our finances. We’re all set for our holidays.”

I gulp air into my mouth and squeeze him tighter. “Thank you. This means everything. But what about Antoine and his dad? They won’t walk away easily.”

“Leave that little bastard to me,” Dad snarls.

“Dad,” I gasp.

“I’m so sorry for those years I didn’t believe you. That shit terrorised you, made you crash, and then I hired him. I can’t forgive myself for that.” He takes a breath, and I grip his hand between mine. “But you’ve given Coulter a new name. No longer is this a team that bullies to get results. Coulter Racing celebrates good, honourable people because of you.”

“Because of all of them,” I reply, referring to my team. “And we do get results. We might finish top six if Connor doesn’t do anything else stupid.”

Niki points to the screen. “Too late for that.”

I spin so fast in my chair that I wobble.

“What the fuck is he doing now?” I shout at Macca.

Macca chuckles. “What he does best, and if he does it well, we’ll be top five in the Constructors.”

It’s the last lap of the race, and Connor drives head-to-head with Billy, the race leader. There’s no point shouting at him about tyre wear, the risk to his life, or stupidity, as anything I say will distract him. Instead, I watch with my fingers on my tattoo and my jaw tight.

My dad grips my shoulder as Ralf and Niki cheer Connor on.

The pit crew are screaming as Connor levels with the race leader. They’re metres from the finish line.

“My tyres,” Connor shouts down the radio.

I’m shaking, and my dad grips my shoulder tighter.

“He’s not going to make it,” Niki shouts.

“Yes, he fucking is,” I whisper. “Come on, Connor.”

Everyone screams their support as Connor flies over the line, a car length in front. Tawny is third.

“That was for you, Senna!” he shouts. Whatever he shouts on the radio today will probably be repeated on sports coverage for the rest of the week. “You’re the best boss ever, and now you get to go on the podium, too.”

“He adores you, doesn’t he?” my dad says.

“He does,” I reply, choked with emotion. “And I adore him. I always will.”

CHAPTER 58

Connor

Five months ago,I’d have given anything never to drive again, and now here I am, in the top spot on the podium, with my palm against my heart as the British National Anthem plays. I stand straighter than I ever have in my life. I’ve listened to this before from the top of the podium, but this is the sweetest rendition I’ve ever heard.

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