“We have some—” Beatrice sputtered, still trying to catch her breath.
“Thing to tell you,” Sofia added, trying to catch her breath as well. “We’ve been looking all over for you.”
“Most definitely and to be sure,” Beatrice said. “It’s important.”
The two girls looked over at Nico and quickly looked away.
“We need to talk to you. Now,” said Sofia, casting another swift glance at Nico.
“Okay,” Rocco said. “What is it?”
“We can’t say,” Beatrice said, rolling her eyes in dramatic fashion toward Nico. “It’s private.”
Rocco frowned, looking over at Nico, who was staring at the girls. He saw red flames ignite on her cheeks.
Suddenly, Isabella appeared. “There you two are. I told you not to bother your uncle Rocco before a race.”
Shoulders slumped, drooping mouths, the girls both sighed and allowed themselves to be dragged away by their mother.
Suddenly, Beatrice broke free and ran back. “Don’t worry, Saturn Girl,” she whispered to Nico, but still loud enough so Rocco could hear. “We’ve got your back.”
“Beatrice!” shouted Isabella.
After his niece was gone, Rocco stared at Nico, but she wouldn’t meet his gaze.
“Did she just call you Saturn Girl?”
Nico waved her hand and gave a little laugh. “Private joke. Well, remember …”
“‘Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary … That’s what gets you.’”
She blinked, looking surprised. “Right.”
She made a move to give a bro-hug, but they both pulled back from the sudden spark.
“These suits,” she said.
“Yeah, these suits.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
ROCCO AND NICO
ROUND 24: RACE 24: AUSTIN, TEXAS
Race Engineer: We go as planned, Rocco. Three more laps.
Rocco: I haven’t gained anything on him.
Silence.
Rocco: Did you hear me?
Race Engineer: I heard you. You haven’t lost anything either. You’re holding steady; you both set the same pace on that last lap.
Anker had started on pole and had shot out fast from the start. He’d held on to first from the beginning. Clarke had started in second, Rocco in third, and Nico in sixth. But a few laps back, Rocco had managed to slip past Clarke into second, and Nico had gone up two positions to fourth when the two cars up ahead of her made contact and spun out, hitting the embankment with enough force to bring them to a complete stop.
Nico: Am I on pace to catch Clarke?
