“You are worth it to me,” said Isaac. “You’re worth everything to me.”
“You don’t really know me.” Anna trembled all over. “There are things I don’t tell anyone.” About her parents for instance.
“After five months, I know enough.” Isaac wrapped his arms around her, sharing his heat, but more importantly, making her feel wanted.
He kept his voice soft—soothing. She hadn’t realized that she was crying again but everything was a blur when she looked up. “I’ve never felt like I’ve been worth it. When I’m with you, I forget sometimes. I left Adam, quit my job, and came to Europe to write. I wanted to treat myself like someone important. I’m trying to live up to what I want and work toward making a living doing something that I love. But it’s hard to break old habits of self-doubt.”
“You still want to be with me?” Isaac’s voice had become more confident.
“Yes, but I have two conditions.”
“Let me hear them.”
“Ask questions. I’ll tell you the truth about anything you want to know. Not just right now, but from now on. I’m just not good at knowing where to start. Sometimes I’ll be scared of my memories, but I’ll say so, and try.”
“I can do that.” He kissed her temple. “What’s the second?”
“Leave Spencer alone unless he does it again.” Isaac’s body stiffened. “I’m not ready for the fuss it would make to report him. I want to avoid him and forget about everything he said and did. It’s just for a couple of months—for the rest of this racing season. Then, I’ll report him and we’ll be gone.”
“I’m going to be upset when I hear what else he did, aren’t I? That’s another reason you kept it from me.”
“Yes. I was afraid to throw you off your season. Do you promise that you will let it go? At least for now.”
“I love you. I don’t agree with this, but if it is what you want, I will. We can avoid him, and I’ll abide by your wishes.”
“Thank you,” she said, turning into his arms while he held her close.
Safe in his arms, she told him everything that Spencer had done.
“I want to hurt him. Or to have him arrested.” Isaac’s words were at odds with his soft voice.
She remained silent. While she wanted Spencer behind bars, she wasn’t ready to accuse him in public.
“We got this.” Isaac held her for several minutes before she undressed and tucked herself into bed, lighter inside than in a long time. Isaac kissed her, slow and tender, and wrapped his arm around her. He still radiated warmth and acceptance. As her head hit the pillow, her last thought was that, with Isaac’s help, she would let him know all of her. The good, the bad, and the insecure.
...
The next three weeks flew by in a flash with races each weekend. A whirlwind trip to Austria, Italy, and then back in Spain for Aragon—one of the two races the Vasquez brothers considered home races, and the fans had turned out in droves.
Every couple of days, Anna made a point of sharing something new with Isaac about her life, and they used it as a starting point for more conversations. She found it difficult to share about her parents, but she was working up to it and told bits of her childhood. The more she did it, the easier it became to let Isaac in, their connection becoming deeper.
The championship remained up for grabs as Isaac finished second in all three, while Vince won two and finished third in the other. They were both riding more consistently than ever. On race weekends away from the garage and the track, Anna ensured that she was never alone.
CHAPTER 20
Isaac
Anna’s revelations about Spencer’s obscene behavior hadn’t left Isaac’s mind. Rage filled him whenever he thought about them, but he’d made a promise, and he stuck to it. Spencer had kept a low profile since their talk, but deep down, Isaac didn’t believe this ugly business was over. Sooner or later, Spencer would do something again. Isaac just needed to bide his time, and then he’d make sure the asshole landed in jail.
Isaac parked his car in front of his new house. The offer Isaac had put in had been accepted two weeks ago, at the beginning of September. It was hard to believe that he now had his own home, where he and Anna could plan their future. Their place had a gorgeous deck, an updated kitchen, and spacious airy rooms. He’d hired a local company to paint the interior in soft browns, blues, and greens that he and Anna had chosen.
He glanced at his phone, checking the time. His mom and Anna were late meeting him, but should be here soon. They’d gone for lunch together to get better acquainted, and Anna had texted to say that they were on their way. He stepped out of the car and wandered over to the fence that separated the parking area and the garage from the lower property. The gently sloped property with an expanse of flatter area below was perfect for his planned riding academy.
When his mother’s car arrived, it was clear that the two of them were getting along from the way they chatted back and forth as they headed toward him. He’d seldom seen Anna so relaxed around anyone other than himself or Catarina. Having Anna comfortable and accepted by his family, including Vince, made his plans feel that much more attainable. They didn’t have to accept her, but it was better that they did.
He welcomed the women, unlocked the house, and held the heavy wooden door open. His mom patted his cheek on the way past into the open entryway. Was she up to something, or just thinking of more embarrassing stories? He’d hoped she’d gotten that out of her system at lunch.
“Anna can give me the tour,” she said with a cheerful smile. “You can go check where you’re going to build a track. I can practically see you mapping it out already. Run along. We brought cold drinks, so join us on the patio when you’re done.” She continued into the house.
