Page 86 of Hot Lap
"He's made his presence known," Reece says.
Ona pipes up again. "Your son failed to latch his hotel door. Graham barged in to call his new wife a whore."
"Ona!" Reece considers pulling over and making her walk.
"What? Sheyna should know what that man is doing to undermine your happiness."
"He did what now?" His mother’s voice has gone deadly quiet.
"It's handled, Mum."
"Oh, sweetheart, it's not handled until I say it's handled. Maiken, honey, you watch yourself around my ex. He's got teeth like a shark and the morals of a bottom feeder."
"I’ve noticed." Maiken glances at Reece, clearly enjoying his discomfort.
"And Reece? Next time you get married, I want a phone call. Preferablybeforethe ceremony."
"There won't be a next time."
"Good answer," Sheyna and Ona say simultaneously.
His mother adds, “Call me Monday, child.”
“I will.”
“You better,” Sheyna says. “Lovely chatting with you, Maiken.”
“You too, Sheyna.”
“Reece, I love you. Ona, do what you can with my first born. Now, I’m going.” Then Sheyna hangs up.
Ona exhales. "Your mother is still terrifying."
Reece nods. "That’s what it takes to survive Graham."
Maiken reaches over and pats his thigh. "I like her."
"Yeah, well, you would. You're both going to gang up on me now."
"Probably." Her smile is pure sunshine and promises hell for him.
The Lusail International Circuit’s first security checkpoint appears ahead, bustling with team personnel and VIPs arriving for the sprint. Reece pulls into the drivers' lane and they're waved through with minimal fuss. It’s one of the perks of being recognizable. As they approach the paddock entrance, he turns to Maiken.
"Ready?"
She flashes him a smile that doesn't quite hide her nerves. "Born ready."
They park, clear security, and step into the paddock as a unit. Reece keeps pace with Maiken, resisting the urge to reach for her hand. She doesn't need anchoring.
The paddock is a riot of color and movement. Team personnel hurry between hospitality units and garages. Media crews are setting up for pre-race coverage. Sponsor representatives shepherd VIP guests through the exclusive areas. Music pumps from somewhere, crowds flow into the stands, car engines rumble.
Of course Maiken draws attention. Which is perfect because Reece wants everyone to see his amazing wife.
He keeps a subtle eye on her as they weave through the crowd.
She tries not to show it, but he can tell she's as overwhelmed as she is excited by F1's energy.
Mai takes everything in — the noise, the smell of rubber and fuel, the sheer speed of the paddock and garages, and it hits him again: She doesn't know this world, but she came anyway. She's standing beside him, and she went to war to stay here.
