Page 61

CHAPTER SIXTY

_____________

WHO IS VANCE LENNON?

With his granddaughter in the spotlight, one of the greatest drivers of all time has reappeared. A three-time world champion, Vance Lennon was a ruthless and driven driver, much as his granddaughter has turned out to be. The stories he could tell about our favorite characters in Formula 1 would shock us, I’m sure. There’s no better person to mentor you in racing. So as far as Vanessa goes? We’re jealous.

Rumor has it the legend is here. If we have a chance, maybe we’ll steal a story or two.

Vanessa was curled up on the sofa, her head in Vance’s lap, when I opened the door. Her stillness told me enough. I asked with my expression and he nodded once. My Omega was asleep.

I sat in a chair nearby. Her eyes were red, and the tracks of tears had dried on her skin. Dread sank in the middle of my chest.

When we started planning this, I’d arranged this space so he could have medical care. Apparently that preparation was more important than I’d known.

“It’s not good news?”

“No. It’s not.”

Fuck .

What he told me…

“Since the sixth race?”

Vance winced. “Longer than that. I know I should have told her.” He stroked a hand over her hair where she leaned against his leg. “I didn’t want to burden her.”

“How long do you have?”

He shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. I feel all right, but cancer’s a weaseley bastard. Thank you. For bringing me out here.”

“Of course. We have you all set to be right on the starting line.”

A small smile. “Good.”

“I could pull some strings and see if you can wave the checkered if you want.”

Vance waved his free hand. “I don’t need that. I’ve done it.” Then more quietly. “Don’t know if my arm would hold up that long anyway.”

I rested my elbows on my knees, watching them together. “She loves you.”

“And I love her,” he said, looking up at me. “But like I told her, I’m relieved she has you. The last thing I want is to leave her here with no one when it happens.”

“The others stayed behind to give the two of your privacy, sir. They still wanted me to tell you how much they respect you and what you’ve done for Vanessa. And how much they care about her. How much we love her.” Heaviness sat in the air. “I promise we’ll take care of her. No matter what happens.”

“Good.” He nodded to a table in the corner of the room. “There’s a folder on the table. It’s for you.”

“What is it?”

“It’s everything she needs after I’m gone. Everything goes to her. Arrangements are already made for everything. From the funeral to the estate.”

I shot him a humorless smile. “Getting a little ahead of yourself. You’re not on your deathbed yet.”

“I’d rather be ready. When her parents passed, I wasn’t. It was…” He shook his head but tried to smile. “All there was to deal with on top of the grief. She doesn’t remember because she was so young, but I barely made it through. I don’t want that for her.

“Not because I think she can’t handle it. I know she can.”

I nodded. “She just shouldn’t have to.”

Vance swallowed. “There’s a note in there too. For her. You can pick when to give it to her. But wait for a while. It will be too raw, and she won’t understand.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am.”

He looked down at Vanessa, his gaze softening. “I think it’s time you took her home. She needs everything tomorrow, and I’ll see you there.”

Taking my cue, I crouched beside Vanessa and touched her shoulder. “Time to wake up, little one.”

Vanessa’s eyes flew open, and she jerked back, twisting around to see her grandfather sitting there. She blew out a breath in relief, seeing him. My chest ached, knowing her first thought was to check if he was gone. “Time to go home and to sleep,” I said. “Grandpa’s orders.”

My Omega stood and brushed her clothes off, still quiet. “You’ll be there tomorrow?”

“Right on the starting line,” he confirmed, reaching out for my hand to help him stand up. He was so light, it felt like lifting air.

Vanessa hugged him around the chest, burying her face in his sweater. “I love you.”

He closed his eyes, and a tear slipped down his cheek. “Love you more, Sticky. Leave everything on the track. Right?”

“Right.”

She wove our fingers together when she came to me. Nessa’s eyes didn’t leave her grandfather until the door closed behind us. As soon as it did, I swept her up into my arms, holding her tight. The small, quiet sobs she tried to hide made my eyes sting with emotion.

I held my Omega all the way home, and after, until we were all there, piled into her bed as she finally slept.