Page 91 of Rear View
My grin was soul deep.
Xavier and Alec had held their lead, winning the final stages of the race and I’d bounced in place like an idiot while I’d happy-clapped my celebration.
The media had speculated about the drama at the junket the day before, but that’s all it’d been. Speculation. Which was good, because the last thing I—or anyone—needed was a scene on my behalf.
Zoya chucked her purse onto the counter. “Was it fun?”
I exhaled wistfully, long and slow. “So much fun.”
She wrapped a finger around several strands of my hair and tugged. “You look lighter, girl. Better.”
My brow lifted. “Better?”
“You just look,” she said, her voice soft, “happy.”
God, I really was. Still scared, but there was…hope there too. As if maybe I could get through this. And if things with my rally driver and me worked out, maybe I could get away fromhim. Maybe I could be free. Finish my education, become a counselor and start my own practice. Help other women in trouble. Maybe I could have a normal life. And maybe I could have it with Xavier.
Her hand fell to her chest. “You’re falling for that man, aren’t you?”
I couldn’t find words, so instead, I bit my lip, swished my shoulders and shrugged.
She beamed and pecked my cheek again. “I can’t stay,” she said, scurrying to her room and calling through the open door, “I’ve got a hot date of my own.”
“Ooh la la,” I teased. “Who this time?”
“Her name’s Andrea. We met at an ax-throwing competition.”
I jerked my head back. “Why were you at an ax-throwing competition?”
“I’m a woman of intrigue!”
“Ha!” My gaze narrowed on a wonderfully impish thought. Or intriguing, as it were.
Pulling out my phone, I sent off a message and snickered.
Me: I should let you know, I’m going out with someone this Saturday.
It buzzed with an immediate response and my heart did a skippy dance at the name on the screen.
Xavier: You best be joking, dream girl.
I grinned.
Me: Oh, I’m quite serious.
Me: He’s taking me to this race over at Hawthorne Circuit. I hear some hotshot local driver’s competing.
Xavier: Who do I need to kill?
Me: You can kill my brother if you like, but I suspect he’d be a bit put out by it.
Xavier: Christ. Don’t scare me like that, darlin.
My cackle bordered on cartoon villain.
Xavier: You two want in the Parc Ferme?
Me: That’s okay. I’d kinda like to watch with the commoners. Catch the action from there.
