Page 48 of Austin

“Then again,” she adds, “you weren’t a man back then. I bet you’ve put a lot of miles on those tires. I’d be interested in taking a test drive.”

“I wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole.”

She inches closer. “Come on. What better way to piss off your dad than to take his hot young wife to bed?”

“You’ve got a lot of balls, coming in here and talking like that. My father would divorce your ass so fast, you’d be right back in Salinas before the prenup was in effect.”

My threat doesn’t seem to thwart her as she steps back with a laugh. “I already own a quarter of the company, Austin. There isn’t an attorney in the world who can take that from me.”

I punch the wall at the thought of my fucking father and his stupid, goddamn lack of willpower. It’s one thing that he had to go out and marry the town slut, but to hand over half of everything he owns? Hand over what my mother worked twenty years to create? He’s a fucking disaster.

And, to think, my mother put stipulations on her children’s shares to keep us out of trouble. Little did she know that her husband was going to be the one to blow up the entire business.

“I’ll buy you out,” I bite.

“You have money, Austin, but you don’t have enough to buy me out. Not with the offers we’re getting.”

“Then, keep the shares and live the high life. You don’t even have to work. Bryce, Tanner, and I will make sure you have everything you need. Go to Saint-Tropez or St. Barts. Rent a yacht and go sail away for a few years. Just leave us the fuck alone.”

“I don’t want the yacht!” Her tone is deadly. “I don’t want to be some housewife living on a million dollars a year. I want my fair share.”

“Fair, my ass. You’ve done nothing to deserve a payout!”

“I’ve done plenty!” she shouts back as her pupils dilate, and her cheeks turn ravenous red. She looks wild and unhinged, and it makes me wonder just what exactly she’s done to feel she deserves it all.

My chest is heaving with anger, but my breaths come out controlled. “Get out of my garage.”

“What are you gonna do about it”—she takes a step back and raises her chin—“Falcon?”

I knew it. I knew she was aware of my involvement in the races. How? I have no idea. But Missy has a vendetta against my brothers and I that is far greater than anything I can imagine.

I tear my gaze away from hers, knowing that she can see just how fucked I am. She has me by the balls. Why she hasn’t tried to get me arrested is beyond me. Maybe she doesn’t have anything of substance. Maybe she’s waiting for me to fuck up so bad, there won’t be any way for me to get out of it. Whatever it is, it’s unnerving, to say the least.

“Good night, Missy.” I dismiss her with the simple phrase.

She seems disappointed to end the sparring session. If there’s one thing about Missy, it’s that she’s a fighter. Her morals might be fucked up, but she won’t back down until she wins.

Her mouth curls on the sides as she turns around and heads toward the steel door. When she’s gone, I close it behind her and lock the dead bolt. This is why I like to go on the roof. There are no distractions when people don’t even know it exists.

I run my hand inside my back pocket and pull out the license plate number. Next, I pull up my phone and text the only person I can deal with tonight.

12

JALYNN

When I see Beckett’s name flash across my phone, I drop my head against the couch, not sure if I’m ready to deal with him yet. We haven’t spoken since I left him standing on the sidewalk. Feeling guilty about our last interaction, I sigh and swipe the phone to answer.

“Hi,” I say, trying to act nonchalant.

“Are you still mad at me?”

“I’m not mad at you. I’m disappointed in you. There’s a difference.”

“Then, are you going to help me?”

“Help you what?”

“Tell me who he is, so I can get my car back. I’ve tried to get a name on my own, but I can’t find anything on him. I signed the pink slip over to Gregg. He seems to be the only person who knows who he is. I’ve even followed Gregg a few times to see if he might meet with him, but he’s only been at work and with his girlfriend.”