LENNON
Three days later…
Nashville, Tennessee
The minute I left my parents’ house I went to mine and packed a bag before grabbing my helmet and gloves from my race car back at Tyler Motorsports. Then, I left North Carolina in the rearview as I took I-40 and headed straight for Nashville. I made a call to an old friend who’s not in the loop yet, but he will be as soon as I see him.
I pull up to his expansive house and exit my car before taking off my sunglasses. Almost on cue, he rushes down the front steps and greets me with open arms and a kiss for each cheek. Once he’s done hugging me, he steps back and takes my face in his hands.
“Mia cara amica,” he says with a smile.
I laugh for the first time in days. “Vinny, you know I can’t speak Italian even though I wish I could. What did you say?”
He laughs as his dark eyes twinkle. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen Vincent Rossi. And most people don’t get to see this side of him, so I count myself lucky. That’s one reason I know I can trust him. It’s simple really…he trusts me. And trust for a man like Vincent Rossi is not easily given.
He’s from a wealthy Italian family, and though they have several successful businesses, especially in the music industry, they also have a history of dabbling in things I’d be better off not knowing about.
They don’t have any business tied to the racing world, but they were one of my original sponsors because they simply love racing and took a chance on me. They also have big-time connections here in Nashville. Vinny is several years older than me, but we struck up a friendship as I was making a name for myself.
“I said ‘my dear friend,’” he says with a chuckle.
“Ah. Maybe someday you can teach me how to speak it,” I say with a smile.
“You’re so much like Lennon it’s scary. She used to beg me to teach her when she would race here in Nashville. I’m so sorry for your loss and that I didn’t get to attend her funeral. But I trust your family received the flowers we sent. I must admit, I’m a bit surprised to hear from you. I know we’re friends, but obviously I didn’t know you as well as I knew Lennon,” he says as we walk toward his house.
I stop walking and he spins around to face me. “London, are you all right?” he asks.
I stare out across his manicured grounds before swallowing down the lump in my throat enough to answer. “Is it safe to talk here?” I ask.
“Of course. You can say anything you want. My security isn’t close enough to hear conversation, and even if they were, they’ve all been vetted thoroughly.”
I nod while chewing on my lower lip.
“I have some rather shocking news, and I need your help,” I tell him.
“Okay. What can I help you with?” he asks as he crosses his arms over his chest.
“I’m sure you heard after the accident, I had amnesia,” I say to start off this tale…except this isn’t just a story in a book or a movie on a screen…it’s my real life.
“I did,” he confirms.
“Well, it turns out, I’m not…” I pause, silently shaking my head. Telling the twisted truth is harder than expected, but I’ve got to get over it if I have any hope of my plan working.
“You’re not what?” he asks with his dark brows furrowed and I peer at my shoes.
“I’m not London after all. They made a mistake in identifying me,” I say as I bring my gaze back to meet his.
His lips part and I swear I see tears shimmer in his eyes as he pulls me into an even tighter embrace than his first one.
“Lennon. I can’t believe it’s really you. How? How did this happen?” he asks as soon as he releases me.
“It’s complicated. But long story short, I’ve had someone threatening me for a while.”
He holds his hand up to stop me from going further with narrowed eyes.
“So, are you saying this accident wasn’t an accident at all?” he asks in a clipped, angry tone.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. And to answer your ‘how’ question, when he ran us off the road, he stopped long enough to get out of the car and snatch the only identifying piece ofevidence from London and me. She was…gone, and I lost all my memories,” I say through fighting another wave of tears.
