Page 80 of Full Throttle

“Secrets that will affect Oasis?” he questioned.

“No, because they have nothing to do with the woman I am today, Lee. I’m here because I want to be, not because of Cain,” I explained, looking up at him.

“If we fall apart, it will be from the inside. You know that, right?”

A chill slithered up my spine like a venomous snake, ready to strike. “You’re really mad at Jer, aren’t you?”

He shook his head. “Jer and I have always been able to work our shit out. That’s not what I’m saying. Secrets are poison, Nikki.”

I shook my head. “These won’t affect Oasis.”

“You want my advice?”

“Not really.”

He jerked his chin. “When all this over, when the Bratva is done and Oasis is now longer under a threat, you and Cain need to have a conversation.”

“I already—”

“Leaving my boy without telling him and running off to my sister was a low-blow, Nikki, and you know it,” he scolded. “Cain lost his fucking shit. If it were me, I would’ve dragged you back.”

“Lee—”

“Whatever hell he put you through before, Nikki, I need you to forgive him,” he ordered, cutting me off.

My mouth snapped shut as I stared up at the man, dumbfounded.

Leon’s features softened. “He’s been through enough.”

I felt my flinch before I could stop it, and Lee pulled me to his chest again.

I don’t know what it was—what compelled me to spill years of pain—but I did. I told Leon everything—from start to finish, including New York.

By the time I was done, he was leaning against the desk, watching me as my chest heaved with sobs.

A familiar engine roared outside, and both of our heads snapped towards the screens to find Cain’s Silvia pulling into the back. My stomach dropped, but nevertheless, I stood straighter, wiping my tears as I looked back to Leon.

“I’m going to clear my head.”

His eyes flashed with understanding. “Be safe.”

“Aww, come here, bumblebee,” the obnoxious driver to my left taunted as he puckered his lips and blew kisses.

My wrist rested on top of the steering wheel as I slowly turned my head to him, blowing a bubble with my gum. When it popped, I looked at his car, but said nothing.

“Yeah, I know you like that,” the jerk boasted, smiling at me.

I felt the corner of my lips tug up as Shayla made her way to the front starting line. I looked away from the stupid boy, inhaling a deep breath. When Shayla started her thing, raising both arms, I exhaled, bringing my fingers to the wheel, while the other hand found the gear stick.

The race was two miles, and I’d bet five grand.

“Ready,” Shayla shouted, looking at all of us individually. I was on the end, and when her eyes finally landed on mine, I gave her a nod.

“Set!”

I looked straight ahead, focusing on my car and the low purr of her engine. Everything around me faded away and, like always, it was just me, my car, and the pavement.

“Go!”

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