Chapter 5

 

 

Dani

 should stay out of this. He's none of my concern. I’m not working for Shriller anymore. I’m not his sister's best friend. We aren't lovers.

But still, here I am.

Along with the rest of the crowded racing stadium, I witnessed the altercation outside with Brandon. But it seemed handled. I went about my day, talking to Cash about the next races and the flight that scheduled for Sunday evening, and that’s when I saw Brandon skulking, seemingly unnoticed, toward the locker room area.

It’s normally heavily guarded, but this event has pulled a large crowd, and the racers are all supposed to be out on the track.

I made myself wait, warring with myself until I couldn’t take it any longer. I made my way to the locker room and was just in time to see Brandon leaving. A cold chill slid over my body as he walked past me. A worn-down young man, ruined by an abusive father and victim of a predator.

The same cold bitch that preyed on Michael.

Michael stands, staring at me as if he isn’t shocked to see me at all. His mouth sliding into a strong confident smile that I hate, because I know it’s fake. I know Brandon stirs up horrendous memories in his mind.

He does look damn good, though. This last year has only been kind to him. He's wearing his racing gear, but sweet Jesus, he fills it out.

Damn it. Shake it off, Dani.

My eyes focus on a half smoked joint on the ground near his feet, and my head lifts to focus on him. “Please tell me you weren’t in here getting high.”

He laughs at me briefly and turns up the sarcasm. “You caught me. That whole argument with Brandon was a hoax so I could sneak in here and get high, while my entire fucking family stands outside. Genius plan, right?”

I take another step toward him, but I know I can't get too close. I can already smell his insanely masculine, yet clean scent, and I’m afraid it'll make me weak.

“Cut the shit. Are you high or not?”

He takes a step closer. “Wanna do a piss test for old time’s sake?” I straighten my back. My breathing has increased just from being in his presence, and he notices. I see his eyes taking in each breath, eyes locked on my chest until they slowly slide upward to meet mine. “You aren't my babysitter anymore. It’s really not your business what I do.”

“Cash put his ass on the line for you. I work for Cash. So yes, it is.”

He moves toward me, and I hate to do it, but I take a step back.

Fuck. There was a time I went toe to toe with this asshole, matching him with every step.

That got me into trouble.

He stalks me, forcing me to retreat until my back hits the solid concrete wall of the small locker room, and I can feel his breath on my face as he looks down at me. “And what, exactly, does Cash have you doing these days?”

I know what he's implying, the same thing Luke implied. I’m sure they all think the same.

“You know exactly what the job entails, Michael.” I can play his games. His face is in mine as I glare up at him, begging my body to calm down and not let on just how much his close proximity affects me.

“Is that so?” His finger drags along my jaw, and I shiver at his touch. I wish I could say it’s repulsion, but it’s not. It’s want, a sheer need for him I’m afraid is forever embedded deep within me. “So, you do everything for him you did for me?”

Part of me hates him and his cocky arrogance. I lift my head, a devilish smirk on my lips. “Happily.”

His gaze slides over my face and down to my chest as I breathe heavily, panting like a fucking dog in heat. Why do I let him do this to me?

“So, you are fucking him?”

“As if that’s any of your fucking business.”

He smiles, arrogance dripping from him as he states surely, “I’m gonna say you’re not.”

“How can you be so sure?”

His full lips move to my ear, filling my senses with his raspy voice. “Because of the way your body is already responding to me, and I haven't even touched you yet.”

Yet.

That word rings in my ears as his finger trails down my neck. I swat it away, stepping away from him and out of his spell. He's using sex to deflect, and like a total dick-whipped twit, I almost let him.

“Dream on, asshole. Those days are long gone. Tell me what happened with Brandon.”

He studies me and must realize I won’t relent, because he finally drops the flirty act. At least, I’m almost certain it was an act.

“Nothing happened, Dani. I’m not your responsibility anymore. Don’t worry about it.”

“You might as well tell me. I already know more than most.”

He sits on the metal bench in the middle of the room. The stress from the day finally showing on his face. “He's fucking with me. He's trying to get Gabby on his side. And he told me Julia is dead, which is probably true, but he wanted to see my face. He wanted to see if she still affects me.”

My heart aches for him, but I don’t sit next to him.

“Does she?”

I know she does.

His sad, broken eyes meet mine, and I see a glimpse of the vulnerability he only showed me briefly in our time together. “She may be dead, but she'll always be in my head no matter what I do.”

Don't fall for it. Do not sit next to him. I only know one way to comfort him, and I can't go back down that path.

We used our bodies to escape the tremendous pain that threatened to crush him.

Damn it.

I take a seat next to him, too close, and turn my body to face him directly.

“Maybe you should go to a meeting.” The words are a soft whisper, knowing he won’t take my suggestion.

His face inches toward mine, and I feel his soft lips brush over my jaw. “Maybe you and I should have a meeting right here.”

The sound of the door creaking pulls both of us out of the intoxicating trance, and I hear a silky smooth, feminine voice float through the air. “Sorry to interrupt, but Leslie Adamson is looking for you.”

My head turns, and I see it’s the same chick from earlier. The blonde bombshell I saw at the track today talking to the guys.

She's exactly Michael's type—confident, beautiful with an edge, black fingernail polish, ripped jean shorts, and a few tattoos. It irks the fuck out of me that I feel jealousy surging through my body.

“Thanks, Morgan. What would I do without you?” Michael's lips curve up in a knowing smirk. The words were directed at her, but they were meant for me.

I stand up from the bench, not giving him a second look as I stride for the door.

I stop and size up the blond, certain she thinks I’m just another dumb track bunny. I stand up straight, noting she's got a few inches on me. Who is this chick? “Hi. I’m Dani. I work for Cash Phillips.”

She nods, crossing her tanned arms. “I know who you are. It's my job to know.”

This is where you insert your name dumbass. “And you are?”

A bitchy smile forms on her hot pink lips. “I’m Morgan.” She nods her head back at Michael. “Michael's assistant.”

Holy shit. She works for him?

I don't look at Michael. I don't want to give him the chance to read my expression. “You poor thing.”

I don't give her a chance to react as I brush past her and out the door.

What the fuck? I go work for Cash and he grabs a new piece of ass to work for him?

I need to shake this off. I need to do my damn job and get the hell out of here.

No more weakness allowed.