AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He’d left Carson’s condo in a haze of worry and devastation. And before he even realized what he was doing, he was withdrawing money from the bank machine and making the solitary ride along the highway to the hidden drive that led to the deserted train tracks.
The goon greeted each rider as they crossed the threshold and when Neil arrived, the dumb-as-a-stump look on the guy’s face turned into a sly grin.
“Rich boy.” He took his smartphone from his pocket and his fingers typed quickly over the keypad. Obviously he was giving Diaz a heads up. “I didn’t think I’d see your smug face again.”
“What can I say, I missed our witty repartee.”
The goon stared blankly. He’d remember for next time to use smaller words.
Neil reached into his pocket and pulled out the envelope. “I want in.” He slapped it in the goon’s hand just as his phone beeped.
He leafed through the money. “It’s only a two grand buy in,” the goon said. “This is too much.”
“I’ve got more to lose tonight.” But he wasn’t talking about the money. He had money, too much money, and no amount of it could fill the gaping hole in his heart. Vivian was gone, and he’d never hear her voice again. And then there was Carson. He needed to make things right. To prove that she was more than Kelly Designs, that she was more than what her father and Martin made her believe. But he couldn’t do that without proof.
He’d wanted to tell her. That’s why he showed up at her door. But she’d taken his worried demeanor and mistaken it for anxiety. She wasted no time fulfilling her promise and before he realized what was going on, he had an erection and the rest was history.
But her quick reaction to his act of aggression against Martin was his worst fear realized. Deep down he was nothing more than a goon. Just like the one standing in front of him. She was too good for him. He would always be the man who let her down, who flew off the handle. Like a bull in a china shop, he ruined everything in his way.
She proved she was more than capable of handling Martin on her own. She didn’t need his help or his investigation. She didn’t need him… for anything.
“This doesn’t change the return if you win.” The goon chuckled as if he didn’t believe the last words out of his mouth.
Neil nodded.
“Mr. Diaz is waiting for you.” He gestured with his head toward the crowd.
Hector stood in his usual spot on the sidelines, a woman on each arm.
“Son of a Madewood,” Hector joked. “I thought we’d scared you off for good.”
“I want in on the next race. I paid your man.”
“What’s the hurry?”
Neil growled. “Do you have a spot for me or not?”
Diaz didn’t like being questioned. Neil recognized the look of simmering anger that passed across his face. But he wasn’t here to make friends. He was here to forget.
“Join the boys at the start line. I’m sure they won’t mind another rider.”
Neil rode to the start line. The revving of engines a soothing sound to his brain. When he arrived, one of the riders looked familiar. He’d beaten him last time. Neil grinned. This guy had something to prove. The other two riders looked him up and down before they turned their attention back to the track.
The flurry of bets happening on the sidelines didn’t surprise him or faze him. It was why Hector had invited him back.
This time, a buxom blond crossed the line and took position twenty feet ahead. Her blue bra peaked out from the top of her shirt. That would have appealed to him two weeks ago. But not now.
With helmets in place, the four of them took position. The wind kicked up some dust in front of them and tiny pieces of clay clinked against his helmet.
His heart thudded in his chest and he’d give anything to be able to wipe the sweat from his brow. But he stared ahead, his hand gripping the brake, his foot just waiting for the moment to touch down.
Blue bra held up her scarf. Engines revved on either side of him. He whispered a prayer inside his helmet and when the blue scarf came down, he took off.
Three of them were neck and neck for most of the race. The rider to his right even skidded closer trying to bump him out. But Neil punched it into a higher gear.
His bike surged ahead thirty feet from the finish. His lips curled up in a smile as he noticed the riders were no longer in his peripheral vision. But his pre-celebration was cut short when he rode over a divot. The bike wavered. He righted it in unison with a gust of wind and he overcorrected. He spun out and hit the ground, the excessive speed scraping him across the red clay. His head bashed against the ground and Carson’s tortured face flashed before his eyes.
And then everything went black.
