“I don’t want to be one of the greats without you by my side.” It feels utterly fucking pointless to achieve victories without anyone to share it with. That probably contributes to why I was so checked out for a good long while, and why my head’s firmly back in the game now. I don’t just want to succeed for myself, I want to succeed forher,and for the entire team.
Her eyes shimmer, and pain flashes across her expression. It tears my heart right out my chest. “I have to go,” she murmurs, and side-steps me, striding away as quickly as possible.
“Victoria?”
She pauses, but doesn’t turn back to look at me. “Yes?”
“Do you want to… run simulations with the new car?”
“I’ve… inputted all the data into a file.” Her voice is choked. “Ethan should be able to pull it up and plug you right in. All the race iterations I’d recommend are modeled and ready to go.”
“Sweetheart, I don’t fuckingwantEthan—” but she’s already gone, turning the corner at the end of the hallway, and leaving me with the bitter, acrid taste of rejection.
A long conversation with my manager reveals that William, the investor I courted at the gala, made the decision to sponsor me. He’s sinking a dizzying amountof money into my career, regardless of my bad crash. Evidently, his money is the reason I was able to get my upgrade package implemented without issue.
Naturally, he invited me to another charity event to discuss business. This time, the event is meant to raise money for the refurbishment of priceless ancient art. I have no desire to support the arts in any way, shape, or form. My father’s addiction to art and his passion for his muse—my mother—has always made me disinclined to offeranyattention to the art community as a whole. But, as I force myself into a goddamn monkey-suit and drive to the overly fucking prestigious hotel where the gala is being hosted, I remind myself that I’m not here to support art—I’m here to supportmyself.Even though going out of my way to help my career is a new and not altogether enjoyable sensation… I know it’s the right thing to do.
Victoria left her mark on me, even from afar. I continue asking myself what she might suggest or how displeased she would be if I backslid into Old Asher. I’m not perfect and I still have a long way to go, but I’m fucking trying. I can only hope she’ll see that.
I can only hope that she’ll forgive me. But, even if she doesn’t, it won’t change how I feel about her. And it won’t make me revert into the idiot I was.
I must be conjuring her with my thoughts, because I see her as soon as I walk into the gala. She’s theonlything I can see… and a mixture of possessive envy and pride fill me. She’s standing with Sterling and Barbie—one of them must’ve invited her, or she could’ve been sent by Ilya. Ilya favors representatives who are good-looking, well-spoken, and intriguing, and Victoria hits all of those markers in addition to being brilliant.
She also looks…fuck. If I don’t get a hold of myself, I’m going to be walking around the gala with an erection the size of Texas for the rest of the night. She wears a strappy, shimmering, silvery silk dress that hugs her every curve as if it wasmadefor her. She looks like she was poured into it, or like the silver was poured over her, morphing so perfectly to her silhouette I find myself getting jealous of a goddamn dress.
“Asher, my boy.” William steps in front of me, cutting off my view of perfection. I grit my teeth against the urge to rearrange his face. I’m here forhim. He’s just given me an obscene amount of money, and he’s the first bigshot to really put support into my career. I might not like his fondness for my father, but I appreciate him betting on me. It feels nice to be chosen.
“William.” I smile, trying to keep it sincere. “Thank you for inviting me tonight. The gala looks lovely, and the cause happens to be quite close to my heart.”
That’s a load of utter bullshit. I couldn’t give less of a fuck about the gala or it’s mission, but I’m playing the game. Sometimes, the game requires talking out of my ass to flatter a sponsor. It’s something I should’ve been doing for a long time.
“Happy to have you here,” William nods. “Now, regarding this sponsorship business…” He leads me to the bar holding court in the back of the room. We spend a half hour in a huddle, talking details, expectations, and desired outcomes. William is much sharper than I gave him credit for—he tells me in no uncertain terms that if I fuck around or revert to poor behavior, he’s out. But he also seems to be genuinely rooting for me.
That’s new. Only one other person hastrulyrooted for me.
My eyes flick over to Victoria,again. She and Barbie have drifted away from Barbie’s father, and now they’re talking to…
Goddamnit. Elio.Of course, he’s here, as well. He’s long-since made a point to show up to every high-society event he can wrangle an invite to and bedazzle the crowd with his charming smile, suave accent, and sellout tendencies.
Be nice, Victoria’s voice warns in my head.
And now I’m hallucinating.Wonderful.
As if she can feel my gaze, she looks up, and our eyes lock. She freezes, lips shutting mid-sentence, and something mournful fills her gaze. She stares at me like she can’t live without me, but also like I’m a ghost. A spectre haunting her from her past; not a figure in her present.
It’s like a razor being dragged across my heart, slowly and methodically, with the utmost intent to harm. I momentarily lose my breath.
“Asher?” I forgot all about William. I try my best to clear my head and offer him a smile. “My apologies,” I say. “I just saw a few members of the team.”
William casts a glance around the room, recognition dawning. “Ah, Elio. Promising young man, though still a bit unpracticed. He is, however,verygood at amassing support.”
“He has the ability to charm anyone, living or dead,” I agree easily.
“Sterling’s daughter, as well. And that Gaston’s new tech intern.” William turns to look at me again, speculation in his eye. “I understand that she’s been helping you behind the scenes. I caught that interview when you mentioned her a while back.”
A lump lodges in my throat, but I manage to speak around it. “Yes, she’s been integral to my support system.”
“Mm. I’d like to remind you that I take decency very seriously. I wouldn’t want any rumors of an affair tainting our relationship.”
