Page 18

Monterey

Oh my god. My eyes slam into the worried expression of my father’s. Danger’s car lays in shambles on the inside lap as firemen try to put out a small flame next to his engine.

Danger’s limp body is pulled from the car and I place both hands over my heart, watching on in complete horror.

This can’t be happening.

My heart hammers in my chest, hoping Danger’s ok. But, it’s more than that. I don’t only want him to be ok. I want him to be well enough to keep racing. I want to keep going through this season with him.

I like being by his side. Hell, I’m afraid to admit I kind of enjoy being his fiancee. I know, it’s silly.

It’s silly to even think about this as Danger lies lifeless on the ground. Tears sting my eyes, as my father and I stare on in horror.

“He’s tough. He’ll be fine.”

I know he’s trying to comfort me, but how can he be so sure? I make my way over to the spot I know they’ll bring him to near the back entrance.

I glance over at the other car, Mandarin’s car, lying in a heap next to Danger’s.

The ambulance pulls onto the speedway, and they lift Mandarin onto a stretcher and put him into the back.

His car catapulted over Danger’s and the two of them had a nasty crash. One of the worst I’ve ever seen.

I fear Mandarin isn’t doing well either, and my father and I make our way down to the track.

“How’s Danger and Mandarin?” my father’s voice barks out when we’re closer to Mike. “What happened?”

Mike rubs the back of his neck. “Not too sure. Danger stopped answering me there near the end.”

Mike and my father stare at me. “Did something happen today? He wasn’t really himself before the race.”

The wind rustles over me, bringing a slight chill to my arms. I shrug, not wanting to mention the reporter from earlier. “Not that I know of. Maybe he was just nervous.”

My father and Mike exchange a glance. “Danger doesn’t get nervous.”

I strain my neck to view the activity out on the speedway with our drivers. Danger sits up, and Mike runs out there, and I’m tempted to follow behind.

“Stay here. He’ll be ok,” my father says, holding me back with a touch of his hand to my arm.

“I can’t believe this happened.”

A man tells us he’s taking both drivers to the hospital, and my father and I leave to meet them there.

My stomach’s a complete bundle of nerves as my father’s driver hurries us to the nearest hospital. The ambulance passes us on the road, and as soon as we pull into the parking lot, I hop out.

I race inside, my father quick on my heels. “Danger Hudson and Mandarin Chase,” I say to the man behind the counter.

“Danger’s down the hall.” He taps at his computer keyboard. “Mandarin is on the third floor being prepped for surgery.” Another woman in blue scrubs and red hair motions for us to follow her, and my heart races as we make our way back to where Danger is.

She pulls back a curtain, and Danger sits on the hospital bed. His face lights up when he sees me, and I let out a relieved breath. “Oh thank god,” I whisper.

“Were you worried?” he asks, a sexy grin on his face.

“How is he?” My father addresses the doctor.

“He’s a tough one. Just a mild concussion,” the doctor says, and then gives his full attention to Danger. “You’re lucky.”

I glance at my phone, typing out a quick message to Lilah to see how she’s doing.

The doctor checks a few more things, and my father heads off to find some coffee.

I step closer to Danger. “Are you ok?” I ask him when we’re finally alone.

He stares up at me with what looks like pain in his eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Why do I not believe you?”

He reaches for my hands, and I place my hands in his. “I promise you, I’m fine.”

“Danger, I was so scared when I saw Mandarin’s car flip over yours.”

“Mandarin? That’s who hit me?”

I nod.

“How is he?”

I pull out my phone from my back pocket, glancing down at it to see if Lilah messaged me back. She hasn’t. “Not sure. We’re headed up to see him after we checked on you.”

Danger tugs me closer, and for a moment this all feels so real. And I like it. I wrap my arms around him, no longer caring about real or fake. This man could’ve died today. He hugs me close.

He nuzzles his head against my chest and I laugh. “What are you doing?” I step back a bit.

Danger gives me that legendary smile of his. “Well, I was there.”

I laugh, and then pull him closer, no longer caring if his face is smooshed into my chest. I’m happy he’s alive.

“Danger, I was so scared.”

He rubs my back. “I’m ok. Promise.”

The doctor comes back into the room and I step away from Danger. “Good news,” the doctor says. “Just let me get you some paperwork, and you can go.”

“Thanks, Doc.”

“You don’t realize how lucky you were.” The doctor smiles before leaving the room.

My phone pings in my pocket. It’s Lilah.

“Mandarin’s not too good. Third floor, if you’re here with Danger,” her text reads.

“Mandarin’s not too good. I’m going to go and check on them.”

“If you wait just a bit I’ll go with you,” Danger says.

My father smiles at me. “Mont, why don’t you head on up there and Danger and I will meet you in a bit.”

I nod, glancing at Danger one last time before I leave the room.

I take the elevator, not really sure what will await me on the third floor. Both our team members were taken out in one crash. I can’t even imagine what my father’s feeling at this moment.

When the lift doors open, I spot Lilah immediately. I wrap my arms around her. “How is he?”

“They’re not saying much.” She pulls out of the hug, her eyes watering with sadness. “How’s Danger?”

“He’s ok. Concussion, nothing too bad.” We make our way to two waiting chairs, and she sits next to me and I grab her hands. “Mandarin’s strong. He’ll be ok.”

She smiles. “You’re right. He will be.” I give her another hug, trying to be here for her.

Her blue eyes hold sadness as I stare into them. “He’ll be ok.”

I nod at her words. “My father will be here soon. Hopefully he can get some answers.”

The waiting room swarms with the pit crew and Mandarin’s manager, Harry. Everyone waits to hear anything from the doctors.

Five minutes later, Danger and my father exit the elevator. Danger wraps an arm around me when I stand to greet them.

My father crosses the room to speak with Harry. Danger pulls me closer. “He’s strong,” he whispers into my ear.

“I’m worried about Lilah, too.”

Danger releases me so we can both head in her direction. Lilah stands and gives Danger a hug, telling him she’s happy he’s ok. Most likely hoping Mandarin has the same great news.

We take a seat, and I can tell Danger’s tired, but I know he can’t sleep with a concussion.

After a few more minutes a doctor enters the room and my father and Harry greet him. Lilah rushes forward to hear the news, but I hang back a bit with Danger, holding my breath.

“He’s in surgery now. He punctured his spleen.”

Lilah gasps, and my father and Harry ask the doctor a few questions about the surgery.

I move closer to wrap an arm around Lilah.

And as I hold Lilah close, I realize how much she loves him. She can pretend that it isn’t that serious, but I can see it in the way she’s holding her breath with fear. It’s almost the exact same way I felt when I watched the accident.

I know Danger’s been through a lot today, but I need to ask him if his accident had anything to do with the reporter. Why did he let this one man get to him?

Danger never gets nervous. That’s what Mike said. That Danger wasn’t himself today, yet he was fine when we left the hotel.

I remember thinking he was a bit too calm. And now this. Now he let some reporter get the best of him.

I stare back at Danger.

His head hung low, his elbows resting on his knees. And when his eyes meet mine I can see there’s something hiding underneath, but I can’t figure out what it is.

I let go of Lilah’s hand and sit next to my father. “Dad, I’ll take care of everything.”

He stares at me, blinking wildly. “How?” he says the word like he’s lost all hope.

“I’ll find someone to drive as a replacement for both Danger and Mandarin if they’re both not able to drive next week.”

My father reaches over and squeezes my hand with his. “Thank you, Monterey.”

“I’m on it. I’ll handle everything.”

I stand up, heading back to Lilah to wrap her into my arms for another hug. “He’ll be fine. Everything will be fine.”

“I have to call his mother,” Lilah says, pulling out her phone from her pocket and I spot Danger seated near the back of the waiting room. “Are you ok?”

“This is all my fault.”

“Danger, you can’t think that way. You have split second decisions to make when you’re out there on that track.”

“I let that motherfucker get to me.” He won’t face me, keeping his head hung low.

“The reporter?” I ask him.

“Yeah.”

“Danger, what happened?”

Danger shakes his head, still not meeting my eyes. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“I wish you would. You can tell me anything.” I tug at his chin, bringing his face so I can see his eyes.

They’re dark, and there’s no happiness there. “No, it’s fine.”

“It’s not fine. And this is not your fault.”

He gets up and walks away, pressing the elevator button with his thumb. I watch as he steps through the lift doors and then he’s gone.

I stand, heading back to give my support to Lilah. “Did you get a hold of his mother?”

Tears flood Lilah’s eyes. “Yes. What was going on with Danger? He just didn’t seem like himself today.”

I shrug. “I’m not sure.” I stare at the closed elevator doors Danger just stepped through. “Lilah, call me and let me know how Mandarin is. I need to check on Danger.”

Lilah hugs me. “He shouldn’t be alone tonight.” And she doesn’t say it in a snarky, sexual type of way. She’s right, Danger shouldn’t be alone right now.

I need to figure out what is going on with him. He wasn’t himself today, and I want to find out why.

I press the button on the elevator panel and the doors swish open. Danger stands there, eyes trained on the floor, his arms resting on the bar behind him. He glances up and our eyes lock.

“Danger.”

He grabs me, yanking me into the elevator with him, and he presses the ‘door close’ button. He kisses me before I even think the doors shut.

His tongue begs my mouth to open, and I do for him as his arms hold me tightly against him. Tighter than I think he’s ever held onto me before. Almost needy with a raw passion. I wasn’t expecting this, but am so glad I’m here in his arms right now.

He turns me on as his tongue traces over mine. This man knows what he’s doing, and I swear I really want more and more from him.

The lift doors ping and Danger pulls away from me. “I don’t want to talk about today. I just want to go somewhere.”

“Well, you have a concussion. So, sleeping is out of the question.”

“Will you go somewhere with me? Just the two of us.” He holds out his hand, and I take it. Because wherever this man goes, I go too.