Page 39 of Hot Lap
I look down and twist the ring on my finger. It feels strange and heavy. "What if I decide I want an annulment?"
"Then we'll support that, too." Coy’s voice is rock solid. "We'll protect your privacy as much as possible."
I match his even gaze. “No hit pieces? No smear campaigns?"
"Not from Nitro. I can't control the rest of the paddock, Maiken, but you have my word that you’ll be treated fairly by this team."
I exhale hard. "Thank you."
He sits back in his chair, studying me again. Not the way a predator sizes up prey, but the way a good coach studies a new recruit, and I’m pretty sure he’s trying to figure out where my potential lies.
"You're stronger than you think, Maiken."
I scoff. "You don't know me."
"I don't need to. You stood your ground with Graham Pritchard. That tells me you have backbone."
I flashback to that fucking shitshow of a morning. The way I told Graham exactly where he could shove it. It’s not much, but it’s something. “Helluva a way to start my day.”
Coyhmph’sthen stands, and I rise with him. Claudia follows.
"One last thing, Maiken. Whatever you decide, decide for you. Not for him, and not for us." He gestures for us to precede him to the door. "If you stay, make sure it's because you want to, not because you feel obligated."
We reach the door and he shakes my hand again.
"I appreciate that, Coy." Thank god my voice is steady. I like this man. He’s actually treating me like a goddamn adult.
And that?
That’s worth more than all the diamond rings in Vegas.
Claudia gives me a brief, assessing look as I fall into step beside her in the hallway. It feel less like judgment and more like data gathering. I imagine she does that with everything. "You handled that well."
I snort under my breath. "Thanks. I think."
As we wait for the elevator, she consults her tablet and I consult my conscience. When the doors open, we step inside. I watch my reflection in the closing chrome. We’re alone, and I glance sideways at her.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"You've known Reece for a while now, right?"
"Four years. Since he signed with Nitro.” She taps her tablet once before locking the screen and sliding it into her portfolio. Her full attention shifts to me.
"What kind of man is he? When nobody's looking?"
She considers this carefully, and I think she’s not used to answering personal questions. After a beat, she says, "He's loyal. Principled. Stubborn, and sometimes too hard on himself. Reece is fiercely protective of the people he cares about." She watches me, her expression unreadable. "He’s not perfect, Maiken. None of them are. But if he’s chosen you, he didn't do it lightly."
I nod, absorbing that. It fits with what I've already seen.
"He doesn't let many people in. But once you're part of his inner circle, he’ll always be there for you."
We reach the lobby and step from the elevator.
A small group of women waits near a cluster of armchairs, three glamorous ladies, standing out even against the glittering backdrop of the hotel.
Claudia touches my arm. "Come. I'll introduce you."
