Monique tugs at my arm with trembling hands. ‘Come on, Gia. Let them sort it out. They’re probably just running off the testosterone from the racing and the fight with Erik. They’ll sleep it off and be best friends again tomorrow. Don’t worry.’
She gives a sad smile. I fold my arms across my aching chest, letting her guide me down the hill and through the crowd. I bump into the shoulders of a few people as they rush to be on the sidelines of the next race.
We’re almost at her car when I catch sight of Ryker’s R1. How can it be that just hours ago I was having the time of my life on that bike for the first time and now I’m here? Then that scumbag Erik pops up from behind it, with my brother’s mask resting on top of his head. He laughs with his friends before running off toward his Aston Martin.There’s something in his hand – it looks like a tool of some sort, but I can’t be sure. I squint, trying to blink away the tears to see clearly, but Monique pulls me again and I stumble. When I look back, there’s no sign of Erik or his car.
Everything passes by in a blur, the faint jingle of Monique’s keys mixing with a piercing ringing in my ears.
‘It’s okay, babe,’ she soothes. ‘We can stay at mine. I’ll make hot cocoa.’
Chills break out over my body. I pull Ryker’s jacket in tight, hoping I can return to that warm, safe hug. Monique unlocks her car and opens the door for me. The soft upholstery barely grazes my skin when the threatening rumble of a motorbike fills the air.
I know that sound. It’s the sound I’ve heard leave my house a thousand times. A sound that’s woken me countless mornings. Only, there’s something different. There’s a high-pitched metallic ping at the end of each gear change, instead of its usual throaty growl. I edge toward the sidelines until I can see the R1 charge down the straight.
Each second feels like a lifetime as I watch the bike leave a trail of black smoke behind it. Something’s not right.
And in the distance there’s an oncoming vehicle. An Aston Martin. With other racers flanking him, Jace can’t swerve out of the way. But he doesn’t slow down. He doesn’t stop either.
Chapter 23
Gianna
PRESENT
‘I don’t know how you did it,’ Renny says as he pulls up beside the Hudson Hornet at the front gates, right next to the oldBooker Bay Speedwaysign.
I’d resprayed the Mustang panels and the paint needs time to cure, so Renny’s my chauffeur to Lucifer’s Dream. It’s strange to see the speedway grounds lit up for the first time in years. The track itself is in no condition to host the carnival, but the car park is a different story.
Mr Fernando and I dedicated all morning and some of the afternoon to cleaning up the weeds and scrap metal before the carnival stalls got the all-clear to set up. I’m exhausted.
‘Your pa helped,’ I admit, even though Mr Fernando did more than help. He has a close friendship with the mayor, who I knew would take some convincing.
The mayor argued that people would connect the prized carnival with street racing, and Mr Fernando persuasively explained how it showed a sense of reconciliation, followed by the importance of not losing the economic benefits from the carnival that Booker Bay relies on each year. Besides, it’s also something where everyone can enjoy themselves.There’s only so much sand and sea salt a person can take before they crave something else.
The mayor caved. Mr Fernando sorted all the paperwork and the stallholders didn’t waste any time setting up on the grounds, but the agreement came with a warning: absolutely no racing.
‘Pai’s good like that,’ Renny says.
I roll my eyes. ‘Then why do you give him such a hard time?’
‘The old man loves it.’ A smirk pulls at his lips as his phone vibrates. He grabs it from the centre console and his face drops at whatever’s on the screen. I tilt my head to get a better look, only seeing a flash of what looks like a GPS map before he hits the home button and the screen turns black.
‘Be careful tonight, yeah?’ He sucks air through his teeth, not looking up, his mood completely changed.
‘You’re not staying for the carnival?’
‘I just might be. Maybe I should come in and say hello to my Vermelhinha,’ he muses. ‘I bet she misses me.’
I cut him a look. ‘That is not a good idea. I don’t know what happened between you two, but Monz can’t even say your name.’
I pull the door handle, step out and pick a few stray Chuckie hairs from my skirt.
‘Remember what I said.’ Renny leans across to me. ‘Be careful tonight.’
‘Would you chill, Renny? It’s a carnival.’
After watching Renny drive off, I make my way to the concession line, smiling with the knowledge that I’m getting a percentage split from each entry fee.I’ll have this place back open in no time.
X is collecting cash at the ticket booth, a thin stream of smoke leaving the mouthpiece of hisScreammask. He calls me to the front of the line and lets me through.
