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I wanted to laugh. “Oh, you weren’t being an asshole before?”
“Rafe is right. You’re beginning to sound and act like Flynn.”
“Good, then the brainwashing is complete.”
Blake’s grasp on my arm remained, and he pulled me closer, our faces only inches apart. “You’re going to look back on this day and wish you’d listened to me.”
I broke free from his grip. “I highly doubt that.”
I stormed away, fighting back tears as I made my way out onto the patio. My chest was heaving with anger when I felt a light hand on my shoulder. My Uncle Dario stood at my side.
“Are you all right?”
I turned to see him and fell into his hug. Then I related the whole Blake Carlton tale. Everything, from my conflicted feelings about Blake to the revelation about Paige. I hadn’t realized how much I needed to talk this all out. I only hoped no one else was within earshot.
He listened as he always had, to my problems. We sat at one of the empty tables as music from inside quietly enveloped us.
“I just want to be left alone,” I said with frustration.
“Do you think that maybe he’s partly right, and that’s why it bothers you so much?”
“Maybe,” I admitted. “Blake said Devin had skeletons to hide. It took him eight months to tell me he had a daughter. What if there is so much about Devin I don’t know, and it does come back to haunt me?”
“You can’t live your life worrying about what might happen. If that were the case, you would still be in Cortese bagging groceries.”
“And this is just the beginning, Dario. I have a whole year to worry about Blake Carlton and his incessant attempts at ruining me and Devin. And what if Devin is right, and one day I give in to Blake’s charms? I promised Devin I wouldn’t, but how do I know I can be that strong?”
Dario held both of my hands. “If you have your doubts, Luna, they didn’t come from Blake Carlton; they came from deep within you. If you give in to the guy, it will be because you want to. Maybe you’re angry because he knows you’re vulnerable, or that he has simply found your weakness. If you think you love Devin, then working with Blake Carlton shouldn’t matter.”
My uncle was making too much sense. “Are you trying to be my conscience?”
“I’m just trying to help you understand your feelings.”
“Here you are,” Rafe said, coming out onto the patio. “We need you inside. We are about to make the announcement.” He frowned at me. “Maybe go fix your face first, though.”
I rolled my eyes, but he was probably right. I’d fought back tears, but my face was probably blotchy. I inhaled and exhaled before taking Dario’s arm and going back inside. After a quick stop in the bathroom, I followed Rafe to a small podium where Blake and Carlos were standing. I took my place next to Blake but didn’t look at him.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Rafe said into the microphone. It took a few moments before he had the attention of all in the room. He cleared his throat. “Tonight we asked you here to celebrate the Perez team and to let you all in on a little secret—or a not-so-little secret.”
Polite laughter rang out. Photographers and reporters had begun to scramble around the podium, and camera flashes blinded everyone.
“The last few weeks have led to speculation about the other Perez driver for next year. Well, on behalf of my sister, Luna, my Uncle Roberto, and myself, I would like to welcome Blake Carlton to our team.”
Applause thundered as Blake smiled for the cameras and took the microphone from Rafe.
“Well, ladies and gentlemen, I’ll make this quick because I know you all want to get back to the party. First of all, I would like to thank Perez for the opportunity to drive for a new team with amazing prospects for the future. I’d especially like to thank Rafe and Luna for allowing me into this special family.” He turned a toothy grin on me. I turned my own forced smile out to the listening crowd. “I look forward to next year, and if this party is any indication, it should be very entertaining.”
Reporters insisted on photos of us, which we knew would happen. I smiled mechanically, and when it was finally over, I slipped away into the crowd and went straight to the bar. I ordered a glass of red wine and stared in disbelief as I caught sight of Erich Riedl, his wife, Monica, on his arm. I set down my glass and walked over to them. I said hello to Monica, then turned my attention to Erich. After just having it out with Blake, Erich was about to be my next victim.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in Rome doing a television show?”
“I had another engagement.”
“What engagement?”
Erich smiled and said reasonably, “This engagement.”
I couldn’t hide my rage. “Thiswas your engagement?”
