PROLOGUE
RYDER
Mybusinesscould be compared to many things. For instance, imagine a dolphin swimming peacefully—unaware—of the five starving great white sharks lurking in the shadows of the deep blue abyss. For as long as I can remember, I was one of the great whites. When you run a multi-million dollar illegal racing operation, the only motive is to be at the top of the pyramid. Much like a mafia, where you may believe you’re the best in the game, until you blink and suddenly you’re the prey.
There’s always somebody lurking above you. Two steps ahead, and you don’t even realize it. Until it’s too late.
For as long as I can remember, I swore to myself I would never fall in love. It was too much of a hassle, and a family wasn’t something I was interested in, especially not after how my parents abandoned my sister and me. They left me in charge of everything while they did fuck knowswhat. Yeah, they supplied us with all the money we ever needed, but they were never around. I can’t even remember what they look like, but I can promise this: if we ever come face to face again, I’ll have them wishing they never returned.
Most of my life, I’ve been bitter and emotionless. I have my parents to thank for that. The only thing I feel is anger and hatred for everyone and everything. The only person to see a different side of me is my younger sister. That’s untilshecame into my life. Knowing the damage it would cause, havingherin my life, I tried to prevent it. Yet, she came in like a fucking wrecking ball. No matter how hard I tried to keep her safe—from me—it turned out I wasn’t the one she needed protection from.
I was naive, and no amount of training could have prepared me for the decades of deep-rooted secrets. This wicked game we’ve all been playing from the start, like checkers. Now, it’s my turn to expose everything and fuck it all up…for everyone.
Four years ago.
“Come on, man. Just leave him!”
Hayden hops from one leg to the other, panicking as the sirens inch closer to our location. Somebody must have reported the gunshots. I pat the victim down, looking for any form of identification. I come up empty, but I locate two cell phones inside his coat pocket and shove them into my own for Teegan to hack later.
I’m used to having to watch over my shoulder every couple of seconds these days. I might as well have a target painted on the back of my head, but I learned a lesson today. I can’t even let my guard down to eat lunch in my car for five minutes without one of my competitors running up on me.
I’d say he learned his lesson, but I have a feeling he won’t get the chance to repeat his offense, considering his brains are oozing out on the concrete flooring of the parking deck. I don’t have time to clean any of this shit up, so I’ll be writing a bonus check to the state governor this evening to cover our asses.
I drop down in the driver’s seat beside a worked-up and fidgeting Hayden. Kick the Audi R8 in reverse and gun it down the parking deck ramp, drifting every curve to get the fuck out of here, but also to leave my mark on the city of Charlotte. People jump out of the way, yanking their kid’s arms, pulling them to the side, because I don’t have time to hit the brakes. If the cops get here before we can breach city limits, we’re done for.
“Call Teegan, tell him to get his ass to our spot.”
Hayden pulls out his phone and starts the call. I tune them out as I keep an eye around us. I weave and dodge oncoming traffic, flying through red lights and stop signs. My years of street racing are paying off as I maneuver the car with ease through traffic.
“He’s headed there now,” He informs.
Blue lights speed past us towards the parking deck. I take that as a good sign that they don’t know who their suspect is. “I got the dudes phones, I’ll need to get them to Teegan so we can figure out who he was and what he wanted.”
“You damn near risked it all, Ryder. The governor said…”
I interrupt him before he can get into his lecture. “But I didn’t, and I know what the governor said.”
The governor laid down a few rules I had to follow in order for him to continue taking my large payments to destroy all evidence related to us, as long as I give notice, which I have already done for today’s mishap.
Passing the city limit sign, I’m finally able to breathe, and I let out a chuckle. Glancing over at Hayden, he has his head back against the headrest and his chest jumps as he starts laughing, too.
“Fuck yeah!” I shout.
PROLOGUE
KELSEY
Growing up, I was called troublesome because I suffered from depression and anxiety, which led me down a path I had to cope with alone. Unfortunately, I still struggle, but have found a different outlet. I didn’t necessarily hate my life, but I always craved more. Life was boring as the only child, and I begged my parents to give me a sibling, but that never happened.
At sixteen, things took a turn. I was tired of being the disobedient daughter who was faking a life to earn her parents’ acceptance. I craved a rush. Adrenaline. I got a job at a little bar on the edge of town. I wasn’t old enough to legally bartend, but Howly—the owner—let me run the bar anyway. Nobody in this little town was going to report me, and I don’t recall anyone questioning my age either.
The majority of the grown men sitting in that bar were more interested in taking me to some abandoned motel for a quickie that their wives wouldn’t know about. Howlyhappily stepped in and shut the bastards down before it escalated.
Thanks to my shifts working at that bar, I learned how to fight. Unfortunately, I had to protect myself on several occasions. Some guys refuse to understand the meaning of “no” and will gladly try to take what they want from you regardless. They assume all women are frail and weak.
Three Years Ago…
Glancing up at the clock above the liquor shelves, I see there’s five minutes to closing time.
