I gritted my teeth. “My times are fine.”
“For now.” His scooter drifted closer as we rounded the sweeping left. “But all I need is a second and everything you’ve worked for can disappear in an instant.”
My hands tightened on the handlebars. He wasn’t talking about racing.
“I don’t make those kinds of mistakes.”
“Everyone does eventually. Especially when they’re trying to protect something precious.” He tilted his head, studying me like I was some interesting specimen. “The key is knowing when to make the smart choice before circumstances force your hand.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just thinking about what really matters when the checkered flag drops.” Callaghan’s smile was all teeth. “Some things are worth more than any trophy, wouldn’t you say? Like family.”
I pedaled faster, done with this mindfuck of a conversation. He just sped up.
“Shame not everyone sees it that way.” The scooter’s motor hummed as he kept pace effortlessly. “Some people think they can just take what they want and call it theirs.”
“Don’t know what you mean.”
“Course you don’t. Just like you didn’t know what you were doing when you shagged my sister.” Venom dripped from every word despite his pleasant expression. “Funny how that works. You seem to have a talent for not knowing things.”
“We’re not doing this,” Liam said firmly.
“Doing what? Having a conversation? Two professionals discussing racing?” Callaghan’s grin spread wide and satisfied. “Because that’s all this is, isn’t it? Just shop talk.”
“Right,” I muttered.
And if I kept repeating that, maybe I’d manage the restraint to avoid my own disciplinary hearing when payback time came.
“If I weren’t such a professional,” Callaghan said, voice taking on that sing-song quality he used in press conferences when he was particularly pleased with himself, “I might point out how some people are raising their sister’s child instead of their own family.”
I scowled at him. He needed to stop baiting me.
“Hazel’s exactly where she belongs.”
“Is she?” He cocked his head, staring at me, half-amused, half-daring me to react. “Lawyers tend to agree that children belong with their real family. People who actually wanted them from the start.”
Liam paled.
“I’m her father.” And Izzy wanted nothing to do with her.
“On paper, maybe. But family courts look at the bigger picture, don’t they? Stability. Support systems. People who can provide what a child really needs.” A slow grin crept across his face. “Not someone juggling a demanding career.”
“And you’re any better?” I laughed. “Isolde doesn’t want her, dipshit, and she already signed the custody papers. Take your threats and fuck off.”
Callaghan’s mask slipped completely. Raw fury flashed across his face before he could control it.
“She didn’t know what she was doing.” His voice turned deadly quiet. “Not that it matters. Blood always trumps paper when it comes to what’s best for family.”
“She made her choice.”
He shrugged. “Cormac Steele thinks I have an excellent case."
My jaw clenched.
“You’re mental if you think?—”
“I’d call it practical.” A cold smile curled Callaghan’s lips.
