Page 77 of Redline Baby

I actually did it. I tested him. And now I have to find out what happens. I roll off the throttle. The engine note drops. The KTM settles beneath me. Docile again. Much more obedient than I was thirty seconds ago.

I fall back behind Soren and stay there. We ride another mile without another signal between us. No glances. No gestures. Nothing. The tightness in my chest gradually changes shape. Then Soren signals and pulls into a gravel turnout near the tree line. I follow. Kill the engine. Take off my helmet.

My hand is not entirely steady. The grin starts forming before I even look at him. Old habit. Old armor. Ha-ha, wasn't that—

It dies the second I see Soren's face. He's still seated on his bike. One boot on the ground. Helmet resting against his thigh. He isn't angry in the explosive way I'm used to people being angry. His face is calm. That is significantly worse. His eyes hold mine.

"I know what that was."

I swallow. I’m so fucking nervous.

"And I know you were testing the boundary, baby boy."

My stomach drops. No escape hatch there, apparently.

"I—"

"No."

Not harsh.

Just final.

"You deliberately pushed on a public road after we agreed you wouldn't. Then I gave you a direct instruction to fall back, and you chose to ignore it."

I look at the gravel.

"I know."

"You put yourself at risk because you wanted to find out whether I meant what I said."

Fuck. He does know.

"You don't need to endanger yourself to test whether the structure is real."

My throat tightens.

"There will be a consequence for this."

I swallow again.

"Yes, Daddy."

"We're going back to the shop."

That's all.

He puts his helmet on.

Starts the bike.

Pulls back onto the road.

He doesn't check whether I'm following.

He already knows I will. I stand there for another few seconds with my helmet in my hands. My heart is hammering for a completely different reason now.

I'm fucked.