Page 36 of Red Flagged
Callum choked on a laugh, running a hand over his jaw as his expression darkened deliciously. “You mean your feminine wiles?”
I grinned. “That one. My wilds.”
“Wiles, love.”
“Whatever. As I wassaying,” I retorted, gesturing vaguely toward the ceiling for dramatic flair. “Half of them think they’re untouchable; the other half just want to be patted on the back. I’ve learned to weaponize being underestimated. If I look harmless, they let me into the room. If I look competent, they let me speak. If I look beautiful while I destroy them—well, that’s power.”
His smirk faded into something darker. His eyes narrowed slightly as he muttered, “I’m well aware of just how powerful you are. You’ve put a goddamn spell on me, for Christ’s sake. And that’s why you won’t be using them on anyone but me.”
“Oh, mon Dieu,” I teased. “You get so jealous when I talk about strategy. You’d think I was plotting an affair, not a PR play. First, it was that you didn’t want me brainstorming with Kimi yesterday because you think he has a crush on me—which isweird,by the way, because he’s my teammate and it’s definitely not true.”
He arched a brow, clearly remembering. We both knew the truth. Me and Kimi had shared a few clumsy teenage kisses before either of us had our licenses. The kind of thing that didn’t matter now but still made Callum’s blood pressure rise.
“Exactly my point,” he muttered. “You probably put a spell on him too. Kimi’s just too dumbstruck to figure out it’s not reciprocated.”
“It’s not,” I agreed quickly, shaking my head. “If anything, I think he likes Ivy.”
Callum gasped, scandalized. His blue eyes went impossibly wide, and I smothered a giggle. “Absolutely not. Marco likes Ivy.”
“Please.” I flopped back on the bed dramatically. “Marco isn’t ready for a long-term commitment. He just wants in her pants. And if Ivy were going to choose anyone, Kimi’s the safe option.”
“Safe,” Callum scoffed. “You think Kimi’s safe? You do remember the time he almost set that cabana on fire because he bumped a gas lamp into the curtains?”
I laughed, rolling onto my stomach. “That was one time!”
We devolved into full gossip mode, grinning like we were both seventeen again. But between every teasing jab, every accusation, we were sneaking glances, biting lips, and getting closer without even realizing it.
“Why?” he suddenly asked. “Because you know howKimisays ‘bonjour’ with that stupid little eyebrow thing?”
“What? You’re bloody mad, Callum!No!” I shrieked with laughter. “Because Marco’s the type to make you forget your name, but Kimi’s the type toaskfor it first.”
Callum groaned. “Oh, and Ivy’s some saint? Be so fucking for real right now.”
I giggled, and he was beaming, totally enjoying himself as much as I was. That rare dimple of his was out on full display, and something about it just made me melt.
It was one of those rare, golden moments where we got to be normal. No cameras. No pressure. No crash looming over us, no bleeding or bruises or pain. Just him and me—bickering and gossiping and flirting like we didn’t rule the paddock or carry the weight of this sport on our shoulders.
I loved him. God, Ilovedhim. The way he thought three moves ahead even when he was teasing me, the way his jaw feathered when he was trying not to smile, the way he burned hot but held me gently. I loved his stubbornness, his dry humor, the way he made me feel seen even when I was trying to disappear.
And more than anything, I loved that this—this exact moment—felt like a glimpse of what life could be like off the grid. Our future, if we survived all of this. A soft morning. A bed full of sunshine. A world where I got to wake up to his stupid smirk and his unbearable commentary on the state of my wardrobe for the rest of my life.
“You’re right,” I said with a dramatic sigh. “Ivy would chew them both up and spit them out. But I will say—they’ve both been side-eye flirting with her since Spain. But I think something’salready happeningwith Marco and Ivy. Ivy only ever lights up whenMarcowalks into the room. It’s so obvious, even though she thinks she’s good at hiding it.”
He nodded slowly. “He was furious before the race yesterday. Almost attacked Morel right alongside me after quali. Marco told me Morel put his hands on Ivy. But when everything went down in the Orion garage… Marco stayed behind to comfort her. After I left you in the medical tent, she was crying in the Vanguard hospitality area, and Marco refused to leave her side until she’d had a whole bottle of water and a cold towel.”
“Hebrought her a towel?” I gasped, clutching my chest like it was Victorian-era courtship. “Be still my beating heart.”
Callum snorted. “You’re all menaces.”
“The worst,” I agreed proudly. “But Iknowhe likes her. He gets this weird quiet protectiveness around her. Helingers.And you know Marco—he doesn’tlinger. If he’s there, it’s because he wants to be. But I think he’s too scared of messing it up. So he’s either waiting for Ivy to make the move, or he’s trying to keep it professional.”
He gave me a sideways look. “Why’s that?”
“Because she has a five-step plan for seducing enemies and a backup plan for allies,” I said, deadpan. “And Marco is neither. He’s her match. She doesn’t know what to do with that.”
Callum’s smirk slipped again, replaced by something almost reverent as he stared at me like I’d just peeled back his ribs and tucked a secret inside. “Stop trying to distract me.” He leaned in, pressing a kiss to my temple, voice low and husky. “I know how you play, love. That’s what terrifies me.”
“Oh?” I tilted my head, smug. “And how do I play, Fraser?”
