“Looks like you have more problems than not racing me tonight, doll.” Ace whistles under his breath at me. Something tells me he knows about my little meeting with the boss this morning.
I’m already moving forward like a bull seeing red. Star makes a grab for me but misses the sleeve of my leather jacket by mere centimeters.
“Remember, aim for the jugular,” she says.
“Aren’t you going to stop her?” Ace asks someone. Maybe Bedlam because he’s the one who answers.
“And risk being caught in the crossfire? No, thank you.”
Beyond pissed, I don’t hear the DJ starting up the techno or the commentators ogling the Zagato. I charge the car and put all my weight into the swing I send Goose just as he notices me coming. My fist connects with his chin with a gratifying thud. The blow sends the mechanic easily twice my size stumbling back. He grabs on to the car to keep from falling to the ground. Not slowing down, I grab the front of his overalls and slam him against the hood.
“Why did you bring her here?” I ask through bared teeth. I should have known Zamara would pull something like this. Goose is the son of the boss’s chief mechanic. He helps out at the Bitterblade garage, maintaining their fleet of vehicles. Sometimes on his days off, he’d hang out at my place, comparing notes with Screw. Betrayal oozes out of my pores.
“RC, please!” he chokes out.
A hand rests on my tense forearm. “Please let him go,” the voice that grates on my nerves says.
I turn my head toward Zamara slowly and snarl. “Wait your turn, Princess. You’re next.”
“RC, please,” she pleads.
“Miss Zamara,” Goose says around the crushing force of my arm across his throat. “Let me handle this.”
My knee slams between Goose’s legs. A collective “Oh” from all the guys drowns out his pathetic yelp as he cups himself. I let him go. He slides off the Zagato and falls to the ground.
“Handle that, asshole,” I spit. Then I grab Zamara’s wrist. I yank the passenger door open and shove the insolent boss’s daughter in none too gently. Before she can protest, I slam the door shut. Striding to the driver’s side, I slide in and press a button. The locks engage. When I reach for the ignition, the key is missing.
“Zamara,” I bark.
She dangles the key in front of my face. When I lunge for it, she drops it into the cleavage of her V-neck sweater. I yank my hand away before my palm makes contact with her left breast.
“This isn’t a joke,” I hiss. “Give me the damn key.”
She arches her eyebrows. “And why would I do that?”
My molars ache from gritting my teeth hard to keep from cussing the stupid girl out. “The key!”
“Or what?” she challenges. “Unless you’re willing to feel me up, I’m staying.”
“The Gathering is no place for you.”
“Who says?”
“I do.”
Zamara sits back and crosses her arms. “Some authority you are.”
I lean into the seat as well, refusing to acknowledge the excellent setting of the bucket seat. Goose knows his stuff; I have to give him that. I also have a feeling the engine is in excellent condition just by the way it purred when they arrived. I take three calming breaths and count down from ten in my head. When I reach one, I open my eyes and meet Zamara’s curious stare.
“What?” I snap.
“Like my car?” she asks, delight twinkles in her jade eyes. “I’ve been working with Goose for months to get her ready for tonight.”
“You can’t be here, Zamara. I’m serious.”
“Yes, I can.”
Disgusted by the determination in her eyes, I glare at Goose, who finally manages to stand on both feet. At least he has the good sense to flinch and say nothing. It scares me to think how far Zamara will go to get what she wants. She’s been content to lurk in the shadows for years until her stupid eighteenth birthday. She knows her father can’t do anything if she decides to be a part of the races short of locking her in HQ. Although, I’m all for that idea.
“I’m only saying this one more time….” I breathe in. “You don’t belong here.”
“The hell I don’t. Ace and Star are here.”
Referring to the underboss’s daughter and the adopted son of the counselor pisses me off even more. They are nothing like Zamara. They can take care of themselves. Heat creeps over my face the moment I lock gazes with her. The fire behind her eyes stirs something in me I don’t understand. Beyond the brown ringlets and spoiled princess facade hides a mysterious sensuality I’ve never seen before. From the sexy pout on her lips to the challenge in her lifted eyebrow, Zamara exudes an aura well beyond her eighteen years. Embarrassed at being turned on, I flick my gaze away and breathe out a curse.
“Let’s do it this way,” I say, making a snap decision I’m sure I will regret later. “Ace and Bedlam are about to race. I’m not going to miss that.”
“So I can stay?” The excitement returning in Zamara’s tone makes me nervous. Shit. She is going to be the death of me. I can feel it like a deadly premonition.
I lift a staying hand. “I’ll drive the Zagato down to the corner where I believe the battle will be settled. If you don’t faint before then, I’ll consider taking you along during the IC.” I touch Zamara’s lips to stave off her response. She nods frantically, rubbing her lips against my fingertips. I pull away before I forget myself and move my fingers to other places on her body. She shouldn’t have worn a skirt so damn short. “The key?”
Chapter Five
I ATTEMPT to focus on Goose as Zamara straps herself in. But I’m failing. The Y-straps trace down the curve of her breasts and fasten between her
