“A step back?” I ask. “What–”
My dad puts his hand up, and I stop mid-sentence. “As of today, I will be the Chairman of Vanstone Racing…and nothing more.”
No one says a word.
No one breathes.
The table freezes.
Naturally, I’m the first to break the silence. My lips slowly part. “But…what does that mean?”
With sad crinkles around his eyes, my dad glances at the five of us before answering. “That means the future of Vanstone Racing is in your hands.”
Chapter Two
ROME
I’ve managedto fly under the radar for the last two months, and it’s been refreshing. In Montreal, I couldn’t even go out with a baseball cap on without someone noticing me. But here, on US soil, not a single person has given me a second glance.
The strip is too busy to be noticed. Las Vegas is packed full of tourists, showgirls trying to make a buck, and a load of people who should check themselves into Gamblers Anonymous. Or it could be because no one expects to see me here unless I’m behind the wheel of my car.
Or worse, no one has noticed me because Rome Pierce is obsolete after the crash that left F1 fans stunned to the point of silence. It didn’t take long for my spot to be filled.
My father came out with a statement shortly after the wreckage:My son is recovering well, and he will be back to racing at the start of next season. The crash was due to a malfunction with his brakes, something the Pierce team is working diligently to avoid in the future. For now, my stepson, Beau Pierce, will be stepping in to drive. Thank you for your concerns.
A malfunction with my brakes.
What a load of fucking bullshit.
I tug my hat down farther as I step out of the Uber in front of Vince Halston’s home. It’s not as big as I thought it’d be, but Vince never was one for flashy things.
I glance down both sides of the sidewalk, skeptical that this meeting is just the two of us.
Everyone knows that Vanstone is a family-run team. Vince is the owner, naturally, but all four of his sons work closely together with him.
Then there’s Tessa Halston.
Vanstone’s Princess.
I rap my knuckles against the door, my chest tight.
It opens within a couple of seconds, like he and Rose were waiting for me.
“Rome.” Rose smiles, and it’s quite honestly a slap in the face.
Beatrice, the woman who stepped in to be my mother just months after my own passed, has never smiled at me like this, with warmth and love.
Actually, I’m not sure she’s ever smiled at me unless a camera was present.
“Mrs. Halston.” I nod at her, my voice cold.
My guard slides into place. I’m on edge.
Rose’s warmth stays intact as she ushers me inside their home. The door latches behind us, and I give her a tight-lipped smile before she leads me down the long hall. I take the opportunity to scan my surroundings.
Framed photos of every Halston spawn over the years line the wall, mocking me all the way to the dining room where Vince is waiting for me.
Our eyes meet, and he stands from the table.
