Page 56 of Start Your Engines

He sighs and holds his hands up. “Your mum has told me that I must walk away from the team before it’s too late. But I don’t want to watch you get hurt again. After your accident,I thought about how to protect you, which included keeping Connor away from you.”

My jaw tightens. “Antoine was responsible for the crash. He and some other lads were trying to hurt me, and Connor was saving me from them.”

“By crashing into you? Don’t be ridiculous. What they were doing was tactical, a bit of roughhousing to make you drive better. Connor hurt you. If not for him, I’m not sure where you’d be, but it wouldn’t be here. I know racing was important to you, but it was a bit of fun for you, not a career, unlike Niki.”

I throw my head back and grunt.

“Don’t be so dramatic, Senna. You’re a team boss now.”

“Exactly. And I have another half of the season to prove to you and every other fucker out there?—”

“Language.”

I fist my hands as my rage threatens to overwhelm me.

“I can swear in my office. You always did.” I quickly continue before he says something about girlie tantrums or petulant children. “Give me until the end of the season. Niki trusted me with this team, so you should, too. Have you spoken to Mum about it?”

“Your mum sings your praises. She doesn’t know I’m considering selling it. I’ll tell her when I’m ready. We don’t need any more theatrics.”

I shouldn’t have to beg my dad to believe in me, but I have my entire life. Begging him to let me drive, race, and join the company as a marketing intern. Why can’t I say this to him?

“Please let me show you what I can do, and if we’re in the top six in the Constructor’s Championship, don’t sell it, okay?”

His shoulders slump. “Fine. You win. For now.”

I’ve promised something I’m not sure I can deliver.

“And about Antoine,” I add. My dad’s shoulders tighten again, and I ready myself for another fight. “I don’t like theguy. He takes things too far, shows me no respect, and is a misogynistic bastard. I’m used to some of that in this industry, but it’s a risk to the team, and I don’t care what you say about the crash; he caused it.” And lied to me about Connor.

My dad leans forward, pinning me with his stare. “Where is this going?”

“I reserve the right to make any decisions about him I need to make as the boss. I don’t care if you’re keeping him and his dad sweet so you can sell to him. I need to know you’ve got my back if I have to make a difficult decision.” My nerves have jangled about Antoine for most of the season, but they continue to escalate. “Have you got my back, Dad?”

A knock sounds at my door.

“It’s your mum,” Dad grumbles.

I shout to her to enter, and she rushes in, kissing me on my forehead. “Hello, darling. I’d stay and chat, but your dad has a hospital appointment.”

“Just a check-up,” my dad snaps before I can ask if I should be worried.

“I saw Connor outside answering your assistant’s phone. Your team really do support you. Millionaire drivers acting as secretaries—whatever next?” she says, sensing tension and smashing it out of the room, like she’s always done. She doesn’t get enough credit for the successful parts of Dad’s career. “It would be lovely to see you when you get a break. There’s always a pasta dish ready for you.” She scans the papers littering my desk as my mobile buzzes from my drawer.

I hug her tightly. “Yes, Mum. I’ll visit when I can.”

As Dad approaches the door, he turns. “Any news from Niki?”

I shake my head. “He’s not called me recently.”

“Okay. Hopefully, he’ll come back to us. I miss him.”

“Me too,” I reply. “And Dad, about Antoine—have you got my back?”

“Just don’t do anything rash, and don’t let Connor get in the way of this team’s future.”

My mum waves as she pushes Dad out the door.

Before I can contemplate anything else, Jimmy rushes into the room. “A couple of things.” He reels off messages, but one catches my attention. “And your vet friend called because he wasn’t sure you were getting his texts.”

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