Page 10

9

LUCIA

T he roar of the engines still echoed in my ears, even though the race was over and the crowd had long since started to thin out. Standing by the barriers with my daughter perched on my hip, I felt the cool wind of the evening sweeping in. Gia was clinging to me, her big eyes wide as they tracked the colorful blur of chaos along the tracks. She might not know much about Formula One yet, but her Uncle Matteo was already her hero, and Alexander was a close second.

Matteo strode toward us, still in his racing suit half folded down, helmet under one arm and a grin breaking across his face when he spotted us. His hair was a mess of loose, chocolate curls, the perfect match to our father’s, all espresso eyed and olive skin. Gia’s little hands clapped with excitement, and I couldn’t help but smile as he lifted her out of my arms, spinning her around in a moment that made the long hours, the travel, and the noise worth it.

“So, what did you think of your first race, G?” he asked, settling her on his hip. She rambled about her day, filled with jittery excitement and joy. Matteo nodded along, the way he always did, like she was speaking the most important words in the world, giving her his undivided attention. I loved that about my brother, how he gave everyone his full attention, made you feel loved and important.

As he did, I glanced around, wondering if Alexander would join us here for the little post-race gathering. Ever since Matteo convinced me to travel with them, Alexander had seemed…around. Hovering just within arm’s reach, his protective stance made sure Gia and I were never caught in the crowds or left vulnerable to the endless flashes of cameras.

Matteo looked over at me, breaking me from my thoughts. “You know, there’s an after-party if you feel like mingling,” he said with a wink. “I talked with Anna and she can take Gia tonight.” He lowered his voice. “And I wanted to surprise Alex and take him out after his big win. This one was really important to him.”

I bit back a smile, he knew he would get me with that. One of my favorite traits about my brother was how intentional he was with his time. I wasn’t sure why this was a big race for Alex, or if there was more going on behind the scenes, like pressure from the team. Matteo had mentioned how his points holding him in first for the Drivers’ Championship were affected by the last few races, that Alex hadn’t secured first in a few races. Last year, and the year before, and the one before that, Alexander had dominated.

I glanced down at my feet. “Matteo, I wasn’t exactly planning on a night out,” I replied, shifting my weight as I looked toward the sleek, lively tents filled with people celebrating the end of the race.

“Oh, please,” he said, laughing. “I know for a fact you were planning on staying in, but this is why you came, to try new things, find your spark again!”

Just as his words left his mouth, I felt a presence behind me. Turning, I found Alexander, fresh from the win, his racing suit pulled down around his hips, a black undershirt hugging his form that looked anything but ordinary. I had seen the outfit on plenty of others, but the whole rippling pectorals and abs that were basically like a shining sign that said look at me was doing something to my brain chemistry. He had changed his hair before race season; gone were the braids, and now a clean-cut fade. The sun makes his dark skin glow. Alexander stood out as the only Black racer on the Formula One circuit; he had fought through unimaginable battles to get here, championed young Black drivers daily, starting programs for them around the globe. Everything about him was attractive, his heart, his new hairstyle, his eyes, his damned godlike body that was basically on display, the rose tattoo on his hand, and the black ink that covered his arms. I shook my head, trying to shake off the rumble of butterflies in my stomach as he walked toward us. His eyes sparkled with something like amusement when he saw my hesitation.

“You’ll come, won’t you?” he asked, his voice low, smooth, and persuasive. He glanced at Matteo and back to me. “It’ll be good for you. I know this isn’t exactly your world, but we’ll keep you company.”

“Did you two plan this?” I ask, mouth agape at Alexander simply entering the conversation, cool as a cucumber, as if he didn’t just win a Formula One race and stand on a podium with a giant golden award.

“I don’t know,” I said, glancing at my daughter and lowering my voice. “Leaving her…” I sighed. “It just feels like a lot.”

“How about we go for an hour then reassess? We can even leave after Gia goes down so you can put her to bed, Anna will just hang out in the living room and call us if she needs anything.” Matteo offered a rather compelling option.

“All right, but only if you promise me I can leave if I hate it.”

He held out his arm, mock-formal. “You have my word.”

I rolled my eyes but agreed anyway. Matteo gave me a playful salute, already retreating with Gia. She waved from his arms, her tiny fingers grasping at the air as we followed behind them.

* * *

Gia went down easily that night, as if the whole world was screaming at me to go out and have fun. It felt so odd to get dressed up to go clubbing. I felt so far from that phase of life, but here I was smoothing down my black dress, the boys on either side of me.

As they guided me toward the celebratory tent, the atmosphere shifted. The pulsing lights and upbeat music hit me, but Alexander’s steady presence kept me grounded, even as Matteo was quickly pulled aside by other drivers, already having his attention split a million ways. Alexander, however, he stayed close by, always one step ahead to ensure I wasn’t swept up in the bustling crowd or that I didn’t feel out of place.

Inside, there was an electric excitement, a mix of race crew, VIPs, and fans clinking glasses and toasting the day’s events. Matteo’s eyes found me from across the way, still managing to keep me within his sight and nodding at me occasionally to check in.

When he finally made his way back to me, he offered me a glass. “Not too overwhelming, is it?” Alexander appeared beside me, his cologne wafted over my senses. He smelled like a cozy cabin during Christmas, or like some candle labeled Leather and Brandy . I wanted to wrap myself up inside it.

Woah, calm down, Luc, this is Alexander. Brother’s best friend, the one the tabloids are obsessed with? The most eligible bachelor on the Formula One circuit. Not the person to have a crush on, get it together.

“Honestly, it’s a lot.” I laughed, but the admission made me feel lighter. “But I’m glad I came.”

“Good,” Alexander replied, his gaze warm as he watched me. “You deserve a little fun, plus this is just the first stop.”

I looked away, trying to keep the blush from creeping up my cheeks at his tone, it was so soft and doing things to my insides. “What do you mean?”

“This is the fake party, where we show up for the sponsors and the reporters while they take their posed pictures. The fun part is after.” He looked on, as if surveying the crowd. “Honestly, we could leave now, no one would notice.”

“You literally won the race, Alexander,” I said, nudging his shoulder. The small touch seemed to jolt him, and his eyes collided with mine. Sharp and observant.

“I win a lot of races.” He shrugged as if it was nothing, but the playful smirk was playing at his lips all the same.

“Let’s get out of here.” Matteo reached out, taking my drink from my hand and placing it on the bar next to us.

“Hey!” I protested.

“Relax, I’ll buy you whatever you want.” Matteo rolled his eyes at me, as a brother does. “Literally anywhere but here.” The boys were both surveying the crowd, as if waiting or watching for something. I followed their glances, noticing a bunch of the drivers were seemingly silently communicating through looks. Soon we were shuffling out of the back and into a black town car being escorted to a new location.

* * *

I smoothed down my dress for what felt like the hundredth time, tugging the hem nervously. The after-party was buzzing with the energy of the race and the excitement of Alexander’s victory, and while I was proud and thrilled, I also felt like a fish out of water. This was the real party, the dark room, the loud music. Matteo and Alexander were right at home among the flashing lights and lively crowd, while I clung to my drink, already on edge from the attention swirling around them. They were engulfed in conversations, being pulled into other groups, and being congratulated. I had migrated to a corner for a small breather, giving myself a mental pep talk.

Matteo noticed from across the room and began weaving his way through the crowd to reach me. “Lucia, come on, loosen up! You’re here to celebrate, not stand in the corner looking like a deer in headlights,” he teased, nudging my shoulder, then his expression softened. “You’re with us—you’re safe.”

I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my nerves. “Easy for you to say, Matteo. You’ve been doing this for years. I’m not exactly used to being in clubs.” I glanced toward Alexander, who was surrounded by other drivers.

Matteo gave me a reassuring smile. “You’ll be fine. And don’t worry, I’ve seen Alexander keeping an eye on you all night,” he said, nodding toward the crowd where Alexander was excusing himself and heading our way. “It’s like he’s got a radar for you or something.”

My cheeks warmed as Alexander approached, his eyes finding mine with that familiar, steady gaze. He looked relaxed, but as soon as he got close, I could see the hint of concern in his expression.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice low so only I could hear.

I managed a smile, feeling my nerves ebb slightly. “I’m fine, really. Just…still getting used to this scene.”

He chuckled softly, eyes glinting with humor. “Well, we can’t have you hiding all night.” Alexander reached for my hand, giving it a comforting squeeze, making a zing run through my fingers. “Let’s dance, Lucia.”

Before I could respond, he was already pulling me toward the dance floor, our fingers intertwined. I threw a helpless look over my shoulder at Matteo, who grinned and gave me an encouraging thumbs-up.

As Alexander led me into the middle of the dance floor, he kept his hand on the small of my back, guiding me with a gentle firmness that eased my nerves. His gaze softened, a hint of warmth beyond the usual calm exterior he wore around the cameras.

“You’re really good at this,” I murmured, letting myself relax in his arms.

He leaned in close, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. “At winning or at dancing?”

“Both, apparently,” I teased, laughing softly. “But mostly the dancing. I didn’t know that was in the skill set of a five-time champion.”

There was a playful glint in his eye. “I’ve been known to have a few surprises up my sleeve.”

We swayed in comfortable silence for a moment, and I felt myself forget about the crowd and the flashing lights as I focused on him. There was something grounding about Alexander, something steady and unwavering.

After a while, he murmured, “As much as we want you to try new things, you don’t have to do anything you’re uncomfortable with, you know. If it’s too much, I can get you out of here.”

I shook my head, giving him a grateful smile. “No, I’m okay. As long as you guys don’t leave me alone again, that was awful.”

He looked at me, his gaze filled with something deeper, a quiet promise that melted any last traces of tension. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Lucia.”

The bass thumped through my chest, and for a second, I let myself get lost in the beat, feeling a tiny pulse of excitement under all my nerves. I glanced at the bar where Matteo was deep in conversation with people, looking like they’d walked straight out of some high-fashion ad with their suits and easy smiles. How was I the one overthinking every move while they just blended right in?

Enough of that, Lucia, I told myself, determined to shake the anxious thoughts. If I was going to be here, I might as well be here . I reached out my hand, pulling Alexander behind me, taking both me and him by surprise. I marched us over to the bar and to my brother, feeling the music push me forward, and raised my voice just enough to get his attention.

“How about some shots?” I said, trying to channel a boldness I didn’t quite feel. “One round, just to…you know, help me get out of my own head.”

Matteo’s face lit up instantly, clearly thrilled at the idea. “Now that’s the spirit! Little sis wants shots? We’re doing shots.” He was already motioning at the bartender, ordering some top-shelf, way-too-expensive tequila.

Alexander’s eyebrows lifted, a slow grin spreading across his face as he looked at me. There was that familiar spark of amusement, but something else too—something that felt like he understood exactly why I was doing this. “Here you go.” He grabbed the shot glass as soon as it touched the sleek metal bar surface, and held it out for me. I didn’t let myself overthink it, I grabbed it quickly and threw back the liquid. It burned down my throat, but before I could even acknowledge it, I dropped the glass onto the counter with a clank and swiped the shot glass out of my brother’s unsuspecting hand. With one breath, I tipped it back, feeling the sharp burn of the liquor slide down my throat, igniting a warmth in my chest. I made a face as the aftertaste hit, but as soon as I opened my eyes, I felt lighter, like I’d broken some invisible barrier.

Matteo slung his arm over my shoulder, pulling me close. “I am so proud of you right now,” he said with an exaggeratedly solemn tone, as if I’d just solved world hunger. “First time you’ve ever suggested shots in your life, probably. Alexander’s a good influence, huh?”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hide my smile. “Yeah, yeah, don’t get too excited. It’s just one round.” But it felt like something. A step away from my usual careful, too-aware self.

“All right,” Alexander said, raising his own shot glass and handing one to my brother. “Here’s to…getting out of our heads?”

I laughed, nodding. “Exactly.”

Matteo held up his glass, and Alexander followed suit. “To Lucia, who’s finally learning to let loose,” Matteo said with a smirk.

They clinked their glasses.

“You okay there?” Alexander asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he watched my expression shift from surprise to amusement.

I laughed, a little too loud, a little too free, but it felt amazing. “Better than okay,” I said, giving him a grin.

“Then let’s go for another!” Matteo said, already waving to the bartender. Before I could think about it, another shot appeared in my hand, and the three of us were clinking glasses again. By the time I took that third shot, a buzzing warmth had settled in, spreading through me like confidence.

Someone pulled Matteo onto the dance floor, and I was left with Alexander, who watched me with that steady gaze, his smile softening as he took in my slightly tipsy grin. “Having fun?” he asked, leaning in close to be heard over the music.

“Yeah,” I admitted, feeling the words slip out without hesitation. “A lot more than I thought I would.”

“Well, let’s keep it that way,” he said, holding his hand out to me. “What do you say? Dance with me again?”

I took his hand without thinking twice, letting him guide me into the crowd, the bass thumping, the lights flashing all around us. And for the first time in as long as I could remember, I didn’t feel the need to look over my shoulder or worry about what anyone else thought. I was just…here. With him, in the middle of it all, and for once, I felt like I belonged in this moment.