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I blinked. “Why?”
“Because I don’t trust him.”
“You don’t trust him, or you don’t trust me?”
That silenced him for a split second. “I don’t trust him,” Devin said.
“Obviously, you don’t trust me, otherwise you wouldn’t be worried.”
“This is a game, and he wants something he can’t have.”
“So I’m just a prize to be won?”
His face was blotched with anger. “That’s not what I mean.”
“Then what do you mean?”
“Look, ninety percent of those bastards think I should be cleaning the tracks, not competing on them. I’m the poor one, without a rich daddy. I’m the one who has actually had to work to get where I am. I’m the one with the blistered hands who doesn’t always remember to curtsy to royalty. But look at me! I have money and fame now. Add you to the mix and it’s too much for them. Something must be done about it. If he wins you, then it just goes to show that I don’t deserve you, I don’t deserve this life, and I certainly don’t deserve the fame.”
I frowned. I wanted to hug him, but I was certain he’d reject that. “Blake isn’t like that,” I said in a whisper.
“Like hell he isn’t! His father is an oil baron! He’s dated royalty! If you aren’t a millionaire, he won’t even talk to you. Not unlike your buddy Riedl. Carlton didn’t say a word to me until my third year of racing! He would just walk past me as if I wasn’t there. One time he actually asked me to fetch him a mineral water! Don’t try to tell me he isn’t like that!”
He was so worked up, his face was now completely red, and I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t think he’d want to be comforted.
“He used to have lavish parties in Monaco and invited everyone but Webb and me. Did you know that? Rafe does. He got all the invitations because he’s Marco Perez’s son. And now that Carlton is getting older, I guess he wants to settle down. What better way than to land Luna Perez. He could have a houseful of little racers to carry on the Carlton name. He’s superficial, and your brother fell right into his little trap.”
“You don’t know him the way I do.”
He shook his head. “You’re right. I know him better! He’s already told you all these lies and half-truths to discredit me. He wants you for himself, and he’ll do whatever it takes to show the world that he stole you away.”
“What do you want me to do? The contract’s signed. He’s going to be part of my life for the next year,” I said, trying in vain not to cry.
“I don’t know what I want you to do!” Devin took a deep breath, visibly trying to calm down. At last, he admitted, “Maybe I’m feeling a little insecure right now. I can’t keep you from seeing him, and I don’t want you to sneak around when you do see him. Maybe I just want to know where I stand in all of this. If it’s just work, I can handle it, but Luna … do you care about him? Have feelings for him?” Devin asked, his eyes wide open, expecting the worst from me.
“No,” I said, wiping the tear that had escaped down my cheek. “I love you! You’re who I want, Devin.” I went to him and wrapped my arms around him tightly, no longer caring if he tried to shrug me away. He didn’t, but he didn’t hug me back either. “I’m going to vow to you that I will never leave you for Blake Carlton,” I said. “I won’t keep anything from you no matter how I feel or what I think.”
He was stiff in my arms. “You can’t say and know those things.”
“Why not?”
“You don’t even know if you mean them.”
“I do mean them,” I said vehemently, pressing my face into his chest. “And I’m going to tell Blake that we can’t see each other socially. That I’m devoted to you.” Ihadtold Blake that, but I’d also let his flirtation flatter me. I’d never really been serious until now.
“He probably sent the pictures.”
I grimaced. “You’re probably right.”
“Luna, he won’t give up.”
“Then we’ll have to do something drastic,” I said.
He choked back a laugh, but his arms finally wrapped around me. “Like what, have him killed?”
“I was thinking more like get married.”
ChapterTwenty-Five
