Page 60 of Start Your Engines

“Ralf and Ric said they’ll be in touch when you’re in your holiday home. Jacs made you a secret care package. I sneaked a look at it, and it’s energy drinks and a candy penis. I don’t understand that woman,” he says, shaking his head.

I smile. “Me neither.”

“Everyone else is on holiday or finishing work before the summer break. I’m grateful that you’re looking after my boy while I’m in America. I haven’t seen my family in a year.”

“It’s my pleasure. You deserve a holiday.”

I want to ask if he’s avoided mentioning Senna for a reason. Maybe she’s travelling to Australia to see Mr. Can’t Even Say He Has A Good Personality Because All He Cares About Are His Muscles Vet.

“And you heard about Antoine?”

“No. I’m guessing his dad tried to talk the FIA out of punishing him. How did he spin it this time?”

“Senna fired him. She did it during the race just before he crashed into you.”

I fumble for words, but my mouth is so dry that my tongue has stuck to the roof of it. I thought she would. But fuck. That means something else. She doesn’t need me to protect her anymore. There will be other issues, but she’s starting to handle the board and winning battles.

I can leave.

I scroll through my emails and find the draft of my resignation. My finger hovers over the send button. Fluffers shouts at me. He’s eyeballing me with his eyes half closed.

“You’re so cheeky, Fluffers,” Jimmy says before looking at me. “I’ve got the stuff you requested from your apartment and extra bits. There’s tonnes of food in the car. You’re going to have the best time together. Fluffers is so loving.”

I’m too scared to look at Fluffers. I swear he’s trying to psych me out. I pop my phone into my pocket in case he shouts at me again. “Yeah. And it will be nice to spend time in my house. I bought it five years ago after a recommendation from Filip at Vessa, but I’ve never spent time there.”

“Because you’re usually on a tropical island with Niki and lots of…fans?”

“And the rest,” I say, giving a fake laugh. Most of my summers were spent getting drunk and doing something dangerous during the day and sleeping around in the evenings. “But it will be good to enjoy the quiet this year.”

“I couldn’t cope being completely alone. You’ve got a car for when you’re lonely?”

I give a non-committal grunt sound. I’ve no intention of driving.

“Cool. We’ll be there soon.”

Fluffers shouts and stares at me again. He’s going to kill me in my sleep.

CHAPTER 29

Senna

“How is he?”I ask, jumping out my door as soon as Jimmy parks outside my apartment.

My cuticles are bitten to hell. I’m glad paparazzi can’t get near my place because I’d be plastered over the Internet with my scraggly hair, dirty joggers, and hoody.

Jimmy chucks me my car keys. “He’s shaky. He’s got a black eye and some cuts. But it’s not his body I’m worried about. From what I can gather, he hasn’t got a car down there. I suspect he won’t be driving for a long time.”

I cover my sigh with a nod.

“I’m not surprised.” I can’t ask him to drive for the team again. He needs looking after, but I’m not the person to do it. I’m why he crashed, and I can’t forgive myself for firing Antoine during the race. If I hadn’t done that, Connor would be okay. “He didn’t need this. He was already struggling with driving. I was so stupid.”

Jimmy hugs me, and tears slip down my cheeks. “It’s not your fault, Senna. You didn’t know Antoine would try and hit him.”

“But I should have known. I shouldn’t have let it get this far.”

“We’ve all heard how close he is with your dad.”

“I’m the boss, the person in charge. I let this happen when I should have gone with my instincts. I knew what Antoine was capable of. Connor could have died.”

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