Page 155 of Crash Course

“No, it’s not.” She smiles sweetly. “Well, Shay. You’re officially a WAG now. How does it feel?”

“Sweaty,” I say honestly, shielding my face from the sun with a hand.

Luca’s probation has been extended since the renewed inquiry surfaced files at ARI that cast more doubt on his business practices with not only federation guidelines but possibly state and federal laws.

Jameson told the police his father was behind my crash. They claimed to take it seriously, but it was difficult to turn up evidence of sabotage in the hollowed-out Fastback.

Still, he’s not ready to give up on justice for my birth parents and me.

I’m not, either, but it helps that control of ARI now sits with the board. In some ways, removing Luca from the company he lied to, manipulated, and almost killed for feels like the cruelest punishment.

Despite the warmth of the day and the excitement of my friends, someone’s missing.

I text Theo. You coming today?

“He’s probably drinking his feelings,” Eden says, not unkindly. “I’ll keep tabs on him. He’ll bounce back.”

The grid takes their warm-up lap, then lines up for the start of the race.

Jameson’s in the car, his expression grimly determined. I can feel how badly he wants this. But more than wanting it, he’s earned the right to race the best in the world. I’m so proud of him.

My fingers dig into the railing.

One.

The first light blinks on.

Two.

My heart hammers in my chest, too fast to be healthy.

Three.

Four.

This is just the beginning. The start of a new act for ARI. For Jameson. For me.

Five.

My hand grips the ring around my neck.

The starting lights go out.

Theo

“That’s another win,” the dealer proclaims as poker chips form a small mountain in the center of the table.

“Sir?”

Finally, I sweep them.

The pile in front of me is growing by the minute.

Don’t ask how long I’ve been here. I can’t remember a time before my ass was in this seat, surrounded by the air conditioned red and gold backdrop of the finest casino in the world.

“You don’t look like someone who won big.” The woman next to me is perfectly put together in contrast to my disheveled, undone bow tie look, the collar of my shirt unfastened.

There are casinos where you don’t have to wear a suit. Monte Carlo isn’t one of them, but they give me some leeway.