Page 41 of Kiss & Collide (Racing Hearts #2)

A s Violet slicked on her favorite shade of red lipstick—Stiletto Red—the bathroom door opened behind her. Chase wandered in, wearing just his boxer briefs, with his black hair a sleep-rumpled mess, looking barely awake and hot as hell.

Her phone was on the counter, playing music at a low volume, and he stopped, pointing a finger at it. “Don’t tell me … Poly Styrene.”

“That’s the lead singer. The band is X-Ray Spex.

But that’s very good.” He’d insisted she make him a playlist of her favorite music, and she was embarrassed to admit how long she’d spent on it.

Every song on it reminded her of him, like she was some dumb, lovesick teenager.

She hadn’t thought it would be to his taste, but surprisingly, he liked to listen to it before he had to drive.

He said her music put him in “the right aggressive headspace,” which seemed like a compliment.

“Where’re you off to so early?” He rubbed a hand across his face and stretched in a way that made every muscle in his upper body flex. He was unreal.

She checked him out in the mirror as she unscrewed her liquid liner. “Conference call with Europe. You didn’t have to get up.”

“And miss a glimpse of you all dressed up and ready for work?” He sidled up behind her and set his hands on her hips. “Have I told you how much I like it when you wear suits? You look like a sexy corporate villain. In a good way.”

She carefully touched up her winged eyeliner. “You like it when I wear anything. Or nothing.”

He hooked his hand around her hair and slid it to one side, then leaned in and kissed the back of her neck. “I like it best when you’re wearing nothing.”

“Don’t start that now. I’m late. My car’s already waiting downstairs.”

His hands slid up to her waist and tightened. “Guess I’ll just have to finish it tonight.”

She turned in his grasp and he pressed her back, bracing his arms on the counter behind her.

“I have to go,” she murmured.

“I’m heading to the track for qualifying at noon.”

“I’ll stop by the garage.”

He grinned, that wicked pirate’s smile that made her toes curl. “See you then.”

She hesitated a beat, then reached up and pressed a quick kiss to his mouth. “Bye.” It felt … domestic. Intimate and familiar, which was wildly unfamiliar to her. But she tried her best not to overthink it. She liked this. She was happy. For now, that was enough.

The sun was intense as Violet made her way through the paddock toward the Pinnacle garage. They were between qualifying sessions so dance music was thumping through the loudspeakers, echoing through the track.

In the garage, everyone was bustling around with brisk efficiency. Rabia was discussing something with Imogen, who was busily taking notes. When Rabia looked up and saw her, she waved her over.

“Got an update for you, Violet.” Beside her, Imogen looked positively thrilled.

Rabia cast a quick glance around the garage, but no one was close enough to hear.

She leaned in closer and lowered her voice.

“Leon and I massaged our contacts at Sokia and worked out a deal to get our power unit from them. Imogen slid that contract under Junior’s nose and got him to sign off on it without even glancing at it. ”

Violet looked from Rabia to Imogen. “That is seriously underhanded. It sounds like something I’d do. Imogen, I’m so proud of you.”

Imogen blushed and shrugged. “If it’s got one of those ‘sign here’ stickies on it, he’ll sign anything. He could have read it, if he bothered.”

Rabia snickered. “Yeah, Veben was mad at first, but … Sokia provides units for Lennox, Allegri, and Hansbach. This will give us a much better chance.”

Sure would. They were ranked first, second, and third on the grid.

“Your new design is brilliant, too, Rabia,” Imogen said.

Rabia tilted her chin down and looked at Violet over her glasses. “We couldn’t have afforded that Sokia power unit without that influx of cash from Carillon.”

“That part was all Chase. Carillon wants him for their watch ads and they were willing to invest in Pinnacle to lure him in.”

“And who made Chase? You’re the new power behind the throne, Violet.”

Was she … blushing?

“Oh, hush. I think it might be all of us. Team spirit. Ra!” she said awkwardly.

Oh my god, who was she?

Rabia and Imogen turned back to their conversation and Violet headed out of the garage. Up ahead in the paddock, she saw a familiar face coming from the opposite direction.

“Simon!” she called out when he was close enough. “I haven’t seen you in ages.”

“Violet. You look stunning, as always.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek, and lingered a beat too long before pulling back.

She hadn’t seen Simon since that night on the yacht in Monte Carlo. It amazed her to remember it now, but she’d been halfway intending to sleep with him that night, had things worked out differently. But then Chase had crossed her path and … well, everything had changed.

“How are you?” she asked.

Simon gave an elegant shrug. “Keeping busy with the team. You know how it is. How about you?”

“Same. I’m run off my feet, actually.”

“Right. I’m sure you’ve got your hands full now that your driver’s dumped his movie star girlfriend.”

She fought back the urge to laugh. “It was a very amicable parting of the ways,” she said, quoting the press release Horace had drafted. “No dumping involved.”

“Whatever you say. Hey, I hope you’re not too busy for a little fun.” Simon smiled at her, slow and seductive, and reached out to brush his fingertips across the back of her hand. “I seemed to have lost track of you in Monaco, which is a shame. Maybe I can make it up to you now.”

“I, ah …” She laughed awkwardly and hooked her hair behind her ear. Oh, god, she hadn’t been in this position in a while. She’d almost forgotten how it worked. “Actually, I’m seeing someone now.” The same someone they’d just been discussing, but she’d leave that bit out for now.

Simon stared at her for a beat, then he let out a bark of laughter.

She scowled. “What’s so funny?”

Simon’s laughter trailed off. “Oh, shit, are you serious?”

“Yeah, I’m serious. I’m seeing someone.”

Simon shook his head and let out a low whistle. “I never thought I’d see the day when someone managed to put a rope on Violet Harper. Never took you as the monogamous type.”

Her face flushed with unexpected anger. “You don’t know me, Simon—”

He put his hands up in mock surrender. “I meant it as a compliment, Violet. It’s all good. I’ll see you around.”

He gave her a smile and walked off. But his I’ll see you around had undertones. Like he expected her to blow this up. Like he knew what she would do.

How dare that fucker? But her fury mixed with a wriggling doubt, and a horrible recognition.

Up until now, that was exactly who she was and how she operated. And Simon had been around the track. He’d seen it all.

Yes, relationships had felt like a trap, but part of her also feared she’d be bad at it.

She and Ian had always been a little dysfunctional, so maybe normal relationships were just beyond her.

Maybe an endless string of hookups was the most she was capable of.

The most she could give. And she had a feeling Chase could give a lot more.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Carter Hammond. Of course. Just what she needed right now.

She swiped to answer, ignoring the flush in her cheeks. “Mr. Hammond, hello.”

“Hello, Ms. Harper. Is my son with you?”

“No, he’s entertaining some corporate sponsors over at hospitality.”

“That sounds like Reece,” Carter grumbled. “That’s fine. I wanted to speak to you alone. I understand my son had some … unexpected guests at his little party in Las Vegas last week.”

Violet closed her eyes and cursed silently. Fuck, fuck, fuck . She’d thought she’d managed to bury that incident, but Savannah and Brook must have blabbed to someone.

“How did you hear about that?” she asked when she’d recovered.

“Now that you know Reece, it probably won’t surprise you to know that I have eyes on him all the time. Just to be safe.”

“That’s … good to know.” It was horrifying to know. Carter had a spy on Reece? What had Carter’s spy seen? What had he reported back?

“My source informed me that you dealt with Reece’s … ill-advised female guests very efficiently. There wasn’t so much as a whisper about it anywhere. Reece isn’t always easy to manage, I know. You did well.”

“Thank you.”

“And I understand you’ve been hard at work raising the team’s profile. This new driver my son chose … Chase Navarro. He’s getting quite a lot of positive press.”

Did he just call her to compliment her? What was going on?

“Strategically, I felt it was important to push Chase forward. He plays well to the media. What’s good for Chase is good for Pinnacle. Every time he’s mentioned, Pinnacle is mentioned, too.”

“I agree. You’ve done a lot of good work in a short period of time. Ms. Harper, you’ve clearly got a good head on your shoulders. That’s why I’ve called to let you know that I’m nearing a deal to sell the team.”

All the air rushed out of her lungs in a whoosh, leaving her lightheaded. Suddenly the sun felt like it was just inches away, baking the world and everything in it. “You’re selling us? To who?”

“Howard Capital.”

She frowned in confusion. “I don’t know them …”

“They’re a private equity group. If they decide to go ahead with the sale, they’ll be looking to cut operating costs while they maximize return on their investment, before eventually selling the team on to other owners.”

Violet closed her eyes and pressed her hand against her chest. Her heart was pounding like a bass drum. Fuck. A private equity firm. Yes, they’d sell the team on, but they’d sell it for parts, after they’d starved it of resources and sucked every ounce of value from it.

Affinity Motorsport had been bought by a private equity firm a few years back.

They fired half the staff and cut salaries for the rest, so the best and brightest from the team all took jobs elsewhere.

They invested almost nothing in development, and their performance was accordingly dismal.

Limping along, Affinity had been sold on to someone else before finally folding entirely.

Being sold to private equity was a death sentence.

Her throat felt like it was in a vise, but she managed to spit out, “I see.”

“Ms. Harper, I’ve been very impressed with your performance. I doubt Pinnacle would look nearly as appealing to Howard without your hard work. They’re not particularly interested in entering sports management, but the team’s increased profile excited them.”

She pressed her palm to her forehead as she suppressed a bubble of hysterical laughter. Wasn’t this just fucking ironic?

“Should the sale go through and Howard Capital restructures as I expect they will, I’d like you to come to work for me. It would be a shame for your considerable skills to go to waste.”

“That’s … thank you for the offer, Mr. Hammond,” she said, because this was still her boss and she wasn’t stupid enough to say what she was really thinking.

“We’ll talk more once things are settled. In the meantime, I’m sure I can count on you to keep this information strictly confidential. Pinnacle’s worth right now rests in its public image. We wouldn’t want that tarnished.”

“I understand.”

“Thank you, Ms. Harper. We’ll speak again soon.”

Then he was gone. Violet stared at her phone, dread settling in her limbs like concrete.

She turned back toward the garage, but stopped abruptly. Up ahead, she could see Leon pointing something out to two of the mechanics, and behind him, Rabia laughing at something Imogen had just told her.

Everything she’d done here … everything everyone was doing to turn this team around, to give them a shot at becoming serious contenders … it was all about to be wiped away. And there was nothing she could do to stop it.