Page 55 of Redeemed (Dirty Air 4)

Maya winces. “Sorry.”

“How did she orchestrate this plan in less than a few hours?”

“That’s Mami for you. I’m pretty sure Papi was already driving her back to the airport while she chatted with Marko. She’s quick. I’ll give her that.”

“Great. Just great,” I groan. This is the repayment I get for taking care of Marko for two weeks. The last thing I need is more obstacles in my way, especially if it’s my mother.

Maya shrugs. “Try not to worry about it too much. She seems very excited about Chloe. Especially after Marko told Mami all about how Chloe took care of him when he was sick.”

I can’t exactly get mad at my nephew for not knowing any better. “Whatever. It’s just for one day.”

Maya’s eyes focus on something behind me. “Well...”

“I’m afraid to ask, but I don’t have much of a choice. Spit it out.”

“You didn’t hear it from me, but Mami wants you to attend the Prix with us next weekend.”

I release a stream of curses, switching between English and Spanish. The air in the room thickens as the walls around me inch closer. A swell of something ugly and weak blooms in my chest, feeding off my anxiety. Returning to the one place that I promised myself I would avoid at all costs brings about a new wave of panic. I try to gain control over my breathing, but short breaths escape my lips.

Shit. I run a shaky hand through my hair.

Maya’s eyes grow wider. “No one expects you to go! Just tell her you can’t because you’re busy.”

“Busy doing what? Watching my investments add up and taking a stroll by the lake? Yeah, amazing lie, Maya. I’ll tell her to ask me in another thirty years when my busy schedule frees up from watching the clock tick by.”

She looks down at her sneakers. “True.”

I pace across the room. “Why does she want me to go?”

“Probably because it’s Noah’s last Italian race with Bandini. You know that’s a big deal.”

“He’s retiring after this season? What changed?” Holy shit, everyone is going to be after his F1 seat. Noah’s been racing with Bandini for over a decade already.

“He was planning to retire after next year, but things…well… He wants to focus on his family, and that’s hard when we’re moving around all the time. Marko’s getting older, and he’s starting school and all. We want to grow our family somewhere that’s a bit more stable than a private jet or a motorhome.”

Damn. I guess Noah plans on retiring early because of her and everything that happened. He gains another ounce of respect from me at this latest admission.

Now I have to go to this race. Monza is a huge deal, and if it’s Noah’s last one, I’d be the biggest dick on the planet if I stayed home. The selfless notion doesn’t sit right with me because it’s the last thing I want to do, right up there with getting a colonoscopy or becoming a vegan.

“I’m fucked, aren’t I?” I whisper to the ceiling as if it can respond back to me.

“Well, if you’re set on going, you could always bring your girlfriend along with you to make it more bearable.”

Now, that’s an idea I can work with. Taking Chloe could ease some of the anxiety I have about showing up at a racetrack again. If I concentrate on her and our fake relationship, then I won’t have time to harp on the past.

Sorry, little wildflower, but I’m not sure you’ll survive my deadly storm.

“Chloe, tell me about America.” My mom links her arm with Chloe’s. Maya and I follow behind them, hugging the curve of the lake’s shore.

“Mami is seriously going to pretend she’s never been to America?” I mumble under my breath.

Maya elbows my side. “She’s being polite. You remember being that way, don’t you? You know, back when you did more than growl at people?”

I glare at my sister. Maya laughs and focuses her attention back on Marko.

“Well, New York is way more crowded than this town,” Chloe offers.

“Oh, yes. But other parts of Italy are pretty crowded. Have you been to any other cities in Europe yet or has my son been hiding you away from the world?” Mami smiles at her.