Page 144 of Hot Lap
Graham lifts a brow. “I’m just saying optics matter. Your wife comes with baggage.”
Reece steps closer. “So do you. But Ichoseto be related to her.”
And damn if that doesn’t make my throat burn.
Graham’s eyes narrow, but I cut in before he can say something worse.
“I didn’t marry your son for optics. I married a man who sees past headlines. Which is lucky, because your name’s always been printed in bullshit.”
Graham stares at me like he’s never been spoken to that way before, but he recovers fast. He scans my gown, my pearls, and my lipstick. And I know that look. It’s not admiration. It’s inventory.
“Nice necklace. Bet that wasn’t cheap.” His gaze flicks to Reece. “Though I suppose if you’re going to buy the performance, you might as well pay for the costume.”
Reece lets go of my hand.
Slowly, he steps closer to his father. He’s not being loud or dramatic, just shifting gravity. He grips Graham’s shoulder and leans in close enough to speak directly into his ear. I can’t hear what he says over the music and murmur of conversation around us, but I see the old man flinch.
He jerks back, face gone pale.
“You’re bluffing.” I’ve never heard his voice that tight.
Reece straightens, calm as stone. “Go on then.”
There’s a beat where neither moves.
Graham’s jaw locks down so hard, I see the muscles jerk. He considers his eldest son, not with his usual arrogance, but withcaution. Then he gives a single sharp nod and walks away.
Reece turns back to me, face still unreadable.
I lift a brow. “What was that?”
He exhales, loosens his shoulders and leads me through the crowd, unhurried, but obviously seeking a quiet corner. We find one at the bow near stairs that lead to a motherfucking helicopter pad (I shit you not). Still, he keeps his voice low as he leans close. “A Nitro team member on our hotel floor recorded him the morning he barged into the room in Vegas.”
My eyes go hella-wide.“Seriously?”
“Every word. Every insult. All on video. Starting with him pounding on the door, then letting himself in, until you walk out, head held high and I threaten to throw him out the window. We’ve got all of it.”
My jaw drops and I stare at my husband. I might be even more stunned than when he told me he’s a friggin’ hojillionaire. “How long have you been sitting on this?”
“A few days. Think of it as an insurance policy. He’s never going to fuck with us again.”
I gape at him. “How can you be so sure?”
He grins, wicked and gleaming. “I sent a copy to Sheyna. And to Frankie.”
I burst out laughing so hard I almost choke.
“Oh myGod. You gave the nuclear codes to ourmothers?”
“Just in case.” His eyes dance. “They’re bloody terrifying compared to me.”
I wipe tears from the corners of my eyes. Thank fuck for waterproof mascara. “Marrying you was the best drunken decision I ever made, Reece Pritchard.”
He pulls me close and kisses me, warm and sure. “Same, Maiken Lange Pritchard.”
We smooch a little more, then he pulls me back toward the party. “If I keep putting my tongue down your throat, I’ll need to find a more secluded spot.”
I giggle. “Did you really threaten to throw him out a window?”
