Page 21 of Bearing Secrets
“I don’t recognize this color scheme,” Natalia said, walking down the side of the hypercar, fingers stretched out to mirror the lines, though she wasn’t actually touching it.
“You know the different color schemes?” he asked, stunned. He’d thought recognizing the car to be a fluke, perhaps, but this? This was something else.
“I do. I also recognize the price tag.” She glanced at him. “This is a three-million-dollar car.”
“Closer to three and three quarters,” he corrected. “It’s actually the ChironSport, if you must know.”
Natalia gaped. “I didn’t know they were even selling these yet. How richareyou?”
He smiled. “My family left me some money.”
That was an understatement. Ursa money was rivalled only by that of the Drakos family, though nobody had heard from them in a century, so they didn’t count. Still, he didn’t see the need to divulge that information to Natalia.
“Still, we must be going,” he said, pulling open the door on her side. “Though we may talk cars more while we’re driving if you wish. I realize this is admitting to judging a book by the cover, but I didn’t expect you to be an expert on hypercars.”
“It’s a bit of a secret passion of mine,” she said, sliding into the bucket seat. “Though I never expected to ever get the chance toridein one. This thing has fifteen hundred horsepower.”
“It does.” He closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side, doing his best not to let the shit-eating grin he felt coming on show through.Composure, Kirell. Composure.
“Oooh.”
The noise Natalia made as the car fired up made his heart race a little bit more. The throaty roar was so unlike that of a muscle car, and yet was deep and powerful, not the expensive whine of some other hypercars. You couldn’t help but listen.
It felt strange to him to be bonding over something as simple as a car, but there was no denying that the little moment here had been just that. A moment between them, brought on by a seven-figure sports car.
He just hoped all moments between them wouldn’t have to be so expensive.
You’re not here for moments. You’re here for a partnership, so you don’t get you and your Queen killed. Keep it together, stop fanboying over her just because she recognized the car.
…And the paint scheme.
“Oh, my goodness,” Natalia yelped as the car sped off, the sudden acceleration pushing both of them back into the seat. “I love it!”
He fell silent for the rest of the short drive, pulling up in front ofLeblancwith a full minute to spare. It had taken several minutes of intense driving on his part, but again Natalia had surprised him, simply whooping in joy each time he’d pushed the pedal down to call for more from the engine.
“That was fun.”
“Good. I hope it worked up your appetite.”
This time, as he opened the door to let her out, she accepted his arm, though she dropped it again once she was upright. A crowd of onlookers had approached, several of the bolder ones trying to ask him questions about the car, but a fierce glare sent most of them on their way, and he ignored the rest, focusing his attention on Natalia.
Whether he truly cared about her or not, she was his date for the evening and he was going to act appropriately.
“I’ve never been toLeblancbefore. It’s a little too expensive for my…budget. You don’t need to spoil me.”
He grinned. “I know, but I wanted to come here. They have an excellent selection of steaks, and I was in the mood.”
“As long as the bill isn’t coming out of my payment, we’ll be fine.”
The smile didn’t leave his face as he walked by her side through the doors, held open by a staff member.
“Mr. Kirell, it is good to see you again.”
He dipped his head in greeting. “Always good to be back.”
“Mr. Kirell?” Natalia asked, confused. “I thought your last name was Ursa?”
“It is. But my family is…large. So, it’s easier to call us by our first names to keep us sorted.”
