Page 111 of Wanted
The chill in the air froze even his bones, and all of a sudden, he was back to square one, not wanting Liv to race at all. If something happened to him, how would Knox ever forgive himself?
Wind blew over the flat landscape of the former airport now owned by the MC, making him pull up the collar of the jacket Liv had gotten for him on their first date. His brain was turning intosoup, and he could almost sense it splashing around in his skull as stiff feet carried him to where the competing vehicles were parked.
“Hey Knox, wish Liv good luck from us!” said the owner of a hand that patted Knox’s shoulder out of nowhere. It took him a whole two seconds to focus and see Ros and Shane standing in front of him.
Looking cozy in their winter clothes, they both offered him bright smiles, as if they didn’t understand that Liv’s life was on the line tonight.
“Oh, yeah, just make sure you bet big, ‘cause he’s winning,” Knox said with a grin, because maybe if he said it enough times, he could charm the universe into making it happen. “Is Frank here yet?”
Ros and Shane exchanged tense glances, and in the end, Shane spread his arms, capturing Knox’s gaze. “You know he thinks this is a crazy thing to do, considering that Liv only had two weeks to get used to the ice and snow.”
“Ezra said they’ll come. They’ll be here,” Ros added.
Knox took a deep breath, trying to not think about Frank’s disapproval. “Liv has an instinct for this. When he drives, hefeelsthe car, you know? Sorry, I gotta go. I need to see him before the race,” he said and gave them a quick wave.
The presence of their friends wouldn’t change the outcome of the race, but it was still nice to know someone else cared about Liv’s fate. The brief conversation had also stopped Knox from descending deeper into the well of self-pity and fear. Liv needed support tonight, not doubts.
Knox stepped between the participating vehicles, his gaze pinned to the blue and green flames Ros had painted on their car. Just as he was about to speed up and check why he couldn’t see Liv anywhere, someone shoved him out of nowhere.
“Look who it is!”
He looked back with a scowl, only to meet the gaze of the fucker he’d gotten into a fight with two months back, during his first visit here. Knox spread his arms, happy about this unexpected attack, because maybe this bastard could help him get rid of the steam making his skin feel uncomfortably tight. “You got a problem? Maybe call your friends over, like last time?”
Ha. Knox didn’t see anyone. Bastard was on his own, and if that were the case during their previous confrontation, this guy’s nose might have been crooked today.
The asshole pushed back his limp hair and scowled, taking a step closer. “I eat little worms like you for breakfast,” he said, standing a bit straighter to show that he was taller than Knox.
But that was no biggie. Knox had felled meaner bastards than this one.
The green Honda’s driver looked out of the vehicle. “This fucker again? He got a problem, Bill? You looking for some bruising, pretty boy? So you look even uglier than your buddy’s car?”
Knox shoved Bill on the hood. “He’s not my ‘buddy’, he’s my fuckingboyfriend, and he doesn’t have to endanger anyone to impress people with his driving skills!”
The men stilled, as if they couldn’t believe he admitted to being with another man, but in the end the driver cackled, stepping out of the vehicle. The lamp above made his bald head shine like a steel helmet, and when he squared his shoulders, wrapping his arms on his chest, he appeared almost as tall as Frank.
“You know the stick needs to be polished before each race. For luck. You done that already?”
Blood poisoned with fury flooded Knox’s brain, and when Bill attempted to grab him, he dashed toward the driver. Might aswell eliminate one car out of the competition before it even started.
“I’ll be putting a stick in your skull, motherfucker!” he yelled, grabbing the baldie by the ear and kicking him in the stomach.
“That’s fucking cheating! He’s about to race,” Bill roared, but when Knox ducked, the bastard slipped on the mud and almost fell over while Knox took a few steps back, his blood fizzing with the need that grew ever hotter. He raised his fists, holding them in front of his face and steadied himself on his feet.
“So? Don’t start a fight if you’re afraid of a punch!”
Liv appeared in front of him out of nowhere. The scent of his cologne was so soothing that one deep breath made Knox’s fury simmer down a bit, replacing it with anticipation. It was now two on two, and they could win this scrap. Easily.
But Liv’s hand captured Knox’s fist, and their fingers entwined.
“Nervous?” he asked the driver, who bared his teeth like a rabid animal.
“You’re the one who’s siccing your chihuahua on us. Still time to forfeit and go for some piña coladas.”
Knox took a step forward, ready for blood, but Liv held on to his hand with a mean smirk. “Homophobic jokes. So damn original. You’re afraid you’re gonna lose to me, aren’t you?”
Baldie rolled his eyes and spat on the ground. “Not in that piece of junk.”
Liv shook his head. “I’ll see you out on the asphalt. Where it actually counts,” he said, and pulled Knox along.
