Page 70 of Full Throttle 2

Everything was all set. In less than an hour, at the team dinner, all of his hard work was about to either go boom or bust.

Brian felt good about the race but was more nervous about what was about to go down tonight.

Lila could tell that something heavy was on Brian’s mind. He’d been cagey ever since they arrived in Phoenix.

As they dressed for dinner, she caught him staring at her through the mirror.

She walked up behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her cheek on his back. “You know everything is going to be okay, right?”

Initially, Brian didn’t respond, he just stared at their reflection in the mirror. After a moment, he turned into her embrace and stared deeply into her eyes.

Nerves started to get the better of Lila as she watched him study her. It was as if he were looking for something, but Lila didn’t know what. She was just about to ask when he spoke.

“You look beautiful.”

Suddenly, bashful at his intense scrutiny, Lila glanced away. “Thank you.”

Brian placed the tip of his finger underneath her chin and lifted her face until she once again was holding his gaze. “Do you trust me?”

His words seemed to come from nowhere. “W-w-why would you ask me that when you know that I do?”

Brian touched his forehead to hers. “I really need you to trust me.”

Alarm bells were chiming. Lila stepped back. “What’s going on?”

He sighed. “I’m tying up loose ends and executing a plan.”

Lila tilted her head slightly so she had a better view of his eyes. “That’s vague. Can you be a bit more specific?”

Brian shook his head. “Not yet.” He took her hands in his. “I just need you to know that some things are about to go down, and initially, you won’t understand, but Ineedyou to trust me and have my back.”

“I do, and you should know that I’ve always got your back.”

He hoped so because this plan could completely blow up in his face. “Okay.” Brian released a long breath. “Then that will make it easier to do what I’ve got to do.”

“That sounds ominous. Should I be worried?”

He lifted the back of her hand and kissed it. “You don’t ever have to be worried about me. I will always safeguard you and protect your heart.”

His words warmed her, and Lila’s smile was brilliant.

“You should know that Carrington might show up tonight.”

Lila’s face drained of all color. She stammered, “W-why would he be here tonight?”

“Because I hate what he tried to pull with you, and I don’t ever want to have to deal with his slimy ass again. I have a plan to put an end to all of it.”

“I don’t want to see him.”

“You said you would trust me, and I’m telling you this so you’re not blindsided. If all goes according to plan, you won’t ever have to hear from him again.”

Lila felt uneasy. “I’m not thrilled about whatever you have planned, but I do trust you.”

Brian leaned in and kissed Lila. Initially, she was tense but relaxed into his body.

Her faith in him was just what Brian needed to know that he was doing the right thing. “Let’s go down to dinner. We have a date with destiny.”

Colby was not in the mood for dinner with the team. She had hoped a long hot shower would put her in a better mood, but it hadn’t. She still wanted to crawl into bed, watch a horror flick, and wallow in her broken heart. Fortunately, the hotel had a bed sent from heaven. It made it easier to do just that.

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