Page 36 of Red Flag
“Okay,” he started slowly, giving my blood time to start sprinting. “You’re going to need to come back to England.Vinny’strial is going ahead. Three of the newspapers are being sued.”
It took me a second to get over the shiver that cast down my spine.
“They’re what?”
“You’re on the list of witnesses. I thought that, despite everything, I’d give you the heads up. When you’re in town, we should meet up.”
Wow, what a way to dismiss that ‘everything’ was our three-year relationship and the loss of my job. All over because of him.
“Which papers? When? What?” I was no longer sitting. Instead, I was pacing, my slides flip-flopping asSalihawatched with concern, eyes darting from me to the mechanics who had also paused their work.
He started to explain which papers they were suing for wrongful death and defamation, as well as claiming there should have been a trial by courts and not a trial by media. He mentioned discussions with parliament on changing the law, too.
My heart was thundering, the noise of my shoes quickening. With every back and forth of my pacing, my breaths harshened. I tried to reason with myself before the panic hit me.
This could be justice. For those months of anguish, for my job, for my reputation.
I should move on. I should be done with this.
“The lawyers want to talk to you again,” he continued. “I’ve passed on your details and told them you’re working abroad, but… this might be a way to clear your name.”
I halted and snapped, “My name is clear. I didn’t do this. I did everything right. You know I did everything right!”
“It is what it is,” he concluded. Asshole. “Let me know when you land and we can arrange a drink or—”
A fuckingdrink?
“No,itis you sacking me for your reputation instead of standing by me when you should have. Fuck you asking me to come back to England and to meet up with you. I’m giving younothing,let alone some half-ass sex where I count the divots in the ceiling. Fuck you.”
I hung up, shaking my head and pocketing my phone before turning to seeCris,LucaandSalihastaring at me.
Saliha’smouth was parted, her blinks more frequent.
Lucawas the one to step forward and pull my head into his chest. His leathers were soft and cold as he held me to him.
Criswas hesitant, still standing where he had been. “Are you okay,Livia?”
I nodded intoLuca’schest. “I’m fine. The UK police want to talk to me aboutVinny’sdeath.”
Saliha’ssympathetic smile told me she wouldn’t push for details.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that,”Lucasaid, his voice rumbling through his leathers into my body.
I only shrugged but snaked my arms around him to hug him tight.
“It’s no one’s fault,” I grumbled.
Though that wasn’t entirely true.
He snorted. “Well, clearly, it was his. No one should have half-ass sex.”
“You’re a fool,Luca,” I laughed and pulled away to swat his arm lightly, only to see Nixon had appeared at the garagedoor with a frown aimed our way.
I kept my attention on the younger racer. He looked delighted, a happy grin on his face. “The biggest fool.”
Crisstepped forward to offer me his hand. It was rough and warm. Like my dad’s. “So, you’re going back to England?”
“I think I have to,” I said, looking apologetically at him. “I’ll be back for qualifying next weekend. They just want me to make a statement, I think.”
