Page 49 of Knot So Lucky

Cale's smirk is pure wickedness.

"I'm only questionable when it comes to the Lanes, but I haven't decided which brother is the better option."

"Fuck off," Roran and I say in perfect unison, our voices overlapping in identical cadence.

The synchronized response just makes Cale's grin wider.

He bows with exaggerated formality, arms spreading wide.

"See? Such a difficult choice. They even reject me in stereo."

A few of his racing buddies—other drivers who've wandered in to watch the drama—start teasing him mercilessly.

"Hart's finally come out of the closet?—"

"About damn time?—"

"Does this mean you're off the market?—"

"He needs to focus that energy on the track," someone else calls out, "not on fighting with the Lane brothers."

Cale shrugs, still looking entirely too pleased with himself.

"Why don't we test all three models and see what the actual issue is?"

Richard pinches the bridge of his nose like he's developing a migraine. "Because if we fuck up all three prototypes, we're completely screwed for the competition."

"Why doesn't Cale test out speed?" I suggest keeping my tone casual and professional. "That's his specialty. Dante and I can test the mechanics since he's one of your 'star' drivers." The air quotes around 'star' carry just enough sarcasm to sting. "And I'm going to diagnose the problem."

"No." Roran steps in immediately, his protective instincts flaring with Alpha intensity that I can smell even through his scent blockers. "I can drive. Not you."

I roll my eyes so hard I practically see my own brain.

"I'm not going to find the problem without being in the car. Nice try."

"Then why don't we both be in cars?" he counters.

"Because then you're going to get hurt if something does fuck up." My voice is flat, stating facts rather than arguing.

"Thenyou'regetting hurt!" His voice rises, frustration bleeding through.

I laugh—short and sharp and utterly without humor.

"What? You want to rock-paper-scissors this despite this being literallymy job?"

"Well fuck yeah, because protecting my family is far more important than any job!"

The raw honesty in his voice makes something in my chest squeeze tight.

Because he means it.

Every word.

Roran would throw himself in front of danger for me without hesitation, would sacrifice his own safety and career and everything he's worked for just to keep me out of harm's way.

Which is exactly why I can't let him.

"You're being a protective douche all of a sudden," I mutter, but there's no real heat in it.