Page 5 of Racer

Kane’s expression broke for just a second, just long enough for me to see the pain behind his controlled exterior.

“Kid’s been with me since before the patch. I straddled my time between here and my hometown growing up. Knew him and his sister since I was sixteen. He helped me build my first garage when I was scrappin’ parts in a shed. All Axle wanted was to be out on the track. And damn,” Kane chuckled, “fucker used to race circles around me in his sleep. His accident—” Kane broke off, his expression turning cold and deadly. He pushed away from the desk and planted his feet wide, crossing his arms over his chest. “I promised his sister I’d find out what the fuck’s happening.”

“He thinks it’s tied to betting,” Storm tossed out.

I looked at Kane, my head tilting. “Throwing races?”

“Yeah,” he answered. “I started noticing patterns in the bets. The losses line up too clean with spikes in betting shifts. Payouts swing hard right before a wreck. Either drivers are being paid to throw races, or someone’s making sure they don’t finish. My tech guy’s been watching it, but then the crashes started. Either someone’s covering fuckups…or they’re escalating.”

Storm’s voice was sharp as a knife. “You think it’s sabotage?”

“I do,” Kane replied. “And not random. It’s clean. Precise. You don’t see it until it’s too fuckin’ late. I have helmet cams on my drivers now and surveillance at the big tracks. Still, whoever it is slips in and out without a trace.”

Fox looked at me, finally speaking. “Kane wants to borrow you.”

My brow lifted. “Borrow me? You sure you’re ready for the responsibility?”

Storm muttered, “Only reason he’s letting you go is ’cause Fox doesn’t want you wrecking too much shit around here without supervision.”

“Fuck all of you,” I said cheerfully. “You know I drive better than any asshole on wheels.”

“You’re not just racing,” Fox warned. “You’re drawing them out. Letting them think they have a new mark. Then we burn them down.”

I grinned. “I get to play bait? Sounds fun.”

Kane nodded. “You have the skills and the name. You’ve got a reputation in both worlds—legal and underground. People remember you. You showing up on the circuit will draw attention. Whoever’s fucking with my races won’t be able to resist taking a swing at you. That’s what I want.”

I glanced around the room, at my brothers. Every one of them had risked their lives for me at one point or another. That included Kane. And I’d do the same in a heartbeat.

“I’m in.”

Maverick chuckled low. “You’re seriously not gonna ask for details first?”

“Nah.” I shrugged. “I trust Kane. Besides, I’ve been itching for a good run. And if I get to break someone’s nose along the way? Even better.”

Fox’s brow arched, dry as sandpaper. “Try not to wreck too much without backup.”

I smirked. “You saying I’m not allowed to have fun?”

“I’m saying if you end up face-down in a ditch with your spine bent sideways, I’ll be pissed I wasted the manpower hauling your cocky ass home.”

“No promises.” I pushed to my feet. “But I’ll make sure to at least get it on camera when I go up in flames.”

Storm snorted. “You wreck, you better make sure it’s on fucking purpose. Otherwise, we’re gonna start calling you Pancake.”

“Fuck off,” I said, flashing them a grin.

Kane extended a hand, and I took it, the grip firm, mutual respect locked between us.

“When do you want me down there?”

“Three days. That’ll give me time to set the roster and brief my crew. I’ll send the address for the compound in Florida,” Kane said. “You’ll crash at our clubhouse. My VP, Edge, will get you up to speed on the track and the drivers. You’ll meet the crew, inspect the vehicles, and begin practicing. One of mine’s gonna drop out with an injury. You’ll take his place. Then you’ll race. You win a few, even if you lose a few, it’ll start making waves. If they’re watching the standings—and they are—you’ll catch their eye and flush the fucker out.”

“If all doesn’t go well?” I asked, curious if he had a backup plan.

Kane’s smile sharpened. “Then we do what we always do. Handle it.”

“Works for me.” I stood and looked at Fox, who gave me a nod.

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