Page 23 of Torqued

I snatch the file from the table, taking out the contract. “Here, sign it or not, but know I’m coming for it, and it will be mine.”

“I’m going to fight you all the way.” Alex snarls through gritted teeth.

“Until I dismantle Mayo Manufacturing and sell it off to the highest bidder’s piece by piece. This…” I toss the papers across the table. “you can thank my father for because I would get rid of your ass the minute I sign the check. You are thinking of no one except your damn self. Way to lead.”

Alex’s jaw sets, defeat written in his face. “Davidson said there was a possibility for health insurance for those left.”

“You have one hundred and fifty coming over, if you agree to change the company name, we can grandfather them in with us. Will that work?”

His mouth opens and closes just as fast. When he looks up again, he agrees. “Perfectly, thank you.”

“We have to bring this in at a price. If I can leave the name, please know I will.” I slide the folder back to me and search for a pen to find Rush handing me one. I take it with a smile. “I’m going to sign off and go to my next meeting. Davidson will continue with any other needs you may have.”

After dropping my signature, I turn on a dime and head for the door. Rush pulls it open for me and follows me out. Rush puts his hand on the small of my back, kicking my endorphins into overdrive.

“You are an incredible woman, Spencer Woods.” He murmurs into my ear, and my lower belly tightens. I tilt my chin in his direction, catching his scruff as I do. Chills sweep over me, and I fight the need to kiss him.

“Thank you,” I stop by the door, turning to him. “and you are an incredible driver. How about we go make some money together?”

He pulls the door wide. “Sounds damn good to me.”

7

Rush

“I can’t believe a week ago I was racing in Infinity Series, and now here we are.” I cross my arms looking out over the Pro Series garage area in Dover. Woods Brothers went all in, now if I could convince Spencer to do the same.

Margo wraps her arm around my waist. “Wait, do crew chiefs give hugs?”

“Not in MAXCAR, only Infinity, but I won’t tell.” I chuckle with her.

“Good.” Margo releases me with an elbow to the gut. “Here it comes.”

Lane Shifter and his entourage are leaving nothing to question as he strolls down the middle aisle of the pits. A reporter has been visiting each driver, interviewing them. He wants to draw as much attention that he can, not like it’ll help his driving.

“Hey, Rush. Lane said you were being brought up.” Lynn Shifter, Lane’s younger sister, slides up beside me. She knows I don’t want anything to do with her, but here she is.

I cut my eyes at her, trying to keep Lane in my sights. “Yeah, got a great deal and a sweet ride.”

“Lane said he’s making more, but between us, I doubt it. Daddy had to sponsor half of his team.” Lynn’s always been sour when it comes to her brother. Pretty sure their father prefers him over her. Now that is a shame.

I crack a sheepish grin. “I think I heard something like that too, although Lane wouldn’t be happy to know it.”

“No, he’s jealous of you. But I mean, what’s not to be jealous of?” Lynn grips my bicep, leaning against me. It earns her a sneer from Margo.

“Eww, stop. Rush doesn’t want you leaching on him.” Margo curls her lip in disgust. Don’t get me wrong, Lynn isn’t as bad as her brother, but I don’t trust either of them as far as I could throw them.

Lynn inclines her head, glaring at Margo. “As if being a grease monkey will get his attention.”

“Maybe not, but here comes someone that will.” Margo turns her head just as Spencer comes into view.

She’s stunning, as always. Her blonde hair lays in waves down her back, swaying with every swing of her hips. Spencer’s in a green pantsuit cut just above her ankles with heels higher than most people’s standards. But it’s the low cut jacket with nothing under it that’s turning every head in the place.

Until she smiles… at me.

All eyes watch with bated breath as her long legs stride my way. Her sunglasses go up and over her hair. Spencer looks like she just walked off a runway, if only they knew she has a killer business instinct.

“Is she coming over here?” Lynn squints, studying Spencer’s every move.