Rex pushes off from his bike and walks toward us. The crowd parts automatically. His boots strike the asphalt with purpose, leather creaking with each step. Up close, he's bigger than I remembered. Gray-blue eyes that don't miss much
“Rhodes. Haven't seen you here in a while.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Yeah?” He glances at Logan and Ethan. “These your boys?”
“Logan, Ethan, let me introduce you to the asshole who won the last race.”
Rex grins smugly. “Always ready to relieve you of your money, pretty boy.”
“I’m in too,” Logan says, meeting his eyes. “Unless you're worried about the competition.”
Rex's mouth curves into a challenge. “I like confidence. Just make sure your riding backs it up.”
“Always does.”
Rex turns his attention back to me. “Word is you've been making moves. Building something legit.”
I tense. The Wolves have eyes everywhere in Silverpoint. “We’re trying to do good by the community.”
“Noble work.” He says it without mockery. “Your old man must love that.”
“My old man can go to hell.”
Rex grins and claps me on the shoulders. “Heard that too. Hammond's boy going rogue.” He crosses his arms, leather stretching across his shoulders. “Must be complicated, trying to build something new while carrying that name.”
“You know I changed it.”
“We’ll see if it sticks.” He doesn’t blink.
I shift the conversation to neutral ground. “When can I bring you the R7 for the custom paint?”
Rex looks at his crew, then back at me. “We're booked until next month, but I can squeeze you in for a surplus fee, of course.”
“Worth it. Should we race for a discount?”
“You wish.” Rex's grin widens. “That business is all above board. You'll even get an invoice.”
He walks back toward his men. They part and reform around him like water.
Ethan stares after them. “Damn, their paint jobs are incredible.”
“Yeah,” Logan agrees, “But I don't feel comfortable being so close to them. They're not exactly tame.”
“Pretty much.” Rex swings his leg over the Harley with the ease of someone born on a bike.
Logan's watching the Wolves mount up in formation. “You think he knows about the Hammond situation? Your father's games?”
“Rex knows everything worth knowing in this city.” I tear my gaze away. “That's what makes the Wolves dangerous and useful. They keep in touch with whatever affects the city.”
The horn blares. First race. Emma's face won't leave, the way she looked at me. Like I deserved it.
I need speed. Nothing else has worked tonight.
“I’m in,” I say, heading for the garage I keep on-site. “And I’m not here to place.”
Logan and Ethan exchange a look. They know what that means. Tonight isn't about winning. It is about going fast enough that I cannot think.
