“Listen …”
I shake Drake’s hand off of my shoulder.
“I know you would never do what he’s accusing you of. But people like scandal and sensation. The more scandalous it is, the more people want to believe it for their own entertainment. This coupled with what happened last season?—”
“What about last season?” I ask through clenched teeth.
“He brought up that maybe that loss was intentional on your part.”
“It wasn’t!”
Drake holds up his hands. “I know. I saw how fucked up you were after that race. Even more than me, and I eat, sweat, and bleed Amato red.”
I flex my hands into fists, working the tension through my limbs.
“There is something,” I finally tell Drake after a minute of calming myself. “I’ve been receiving notes …”
I go on to explain to him about the calls, notes, and even the picture of me and Alyssia, and what the caller wanted me to do.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” He sounds pissed, which I wholeheartedly understand.
“I have my uncle, a security expert who’s worked for my family for years, looking into it. He’s narrowed it down to being linked to someone on the Amato team.”
Drake juts his head back, pressing a hand to his chest.
“No, I never thought it was you.” I run my hand through my hair.
My phone starts ringing in my pocket. It’s Norm.
I can’t deal with him right now, especially since I assume he’s heard the news.
“Whoever this guy’s ‘anonymous source’ is, that’s the person behind this,” I say.
Drake nods, agreeing.
I text my Uncle Brutus, who of course has already seen it and is working on it.
I snort as I read his response text.
The roaring of an engine in the distance reminds me that I still have a job to do. My phone buzzes.
It’s a text message from Annalise.
Annalise:I already have Sandra sending a cease and desist to that motherfucker. We’ll have his account shut down by the end of the day.
Her anger vibrates through the message. Sandra is one of my attorneys. I’m more than grateful for my sister who’s back at home with Alyssia but still as efficient as ever.
“I need to get to qualifying,” I tell Drake, pushing out a heavy breath.
“We’ll get through this, Trav,” he says, squeezing my shoulder.
CHAPTER 43
Alyssia
“Can I ask you something?” I question Mrs. Townsend, while I help put the dishes away after dinner.
She and Annalise remained here with me while Travis’ father traveled with him for his Belgium race.
