Page 112 of On The Edge

My body vibrates with the thrill of pulling off a fucking victory. Everything went in our favor. Bustos losing traction after hitting the curb and spinning off into the gravel. Gaining DRS to overtake Finnegan on the back straight with two laps to go to take the lead.

It doesn’t hurt that I raced like a fucking madman with an anger and fire in my belly over what my father did. What he thought was okay to do. And the confusion over the fact that it spurred me on to a victory. He’s going to claim it was because Maddix was nowhere in sight.

The goddamn fucking cocksucker. I just won and he’s going to think it’s because of him.

The checkered flag waved but my eyes were so damn blurry from the tears burning in them I didn’t actually see it.

I pull into the P1 marker, my nose cone inches from it and am unbuckling and climbing out of my car to stand on its top.

I raise my arms in victory as my team roars around me. Not that I can hear them because the grandstands is still cheering too.

When I jump down, my crew is there to greet me. I hug as many as I can as I unbuckle and remove my helmet. It’s a great day for Gravitas with a P1 and P4 for us.

Celebrations all around.

But when I turn from my team, there’s only one person I’m looking for. The one I trusted Amandine to find when I couldn’t. For her to protect when I couldn’t. I needed her to make sure Maddix was here for me . . . when I needed her most.

There’s only one person I want right now.

One woman I need to celebrate with.

My dad stands there with his hand outstretched to shake mine and a partial smile on his lips. Esmerelda stands beside him, smiling, and expectation in her expression. No doubt my dad snowed her into why she was here today too.

Fuck. Him.

Fuck him if he thinks I’ll give him a goddamn inch right now.

I move toward him, meet his eyes. “Vete a la mierda,” I mutter. Go to hell. My only greeting before I walk right on past.

Maddix stands there with tears in her eyes, an unstoppable grin on her lips, and jumps into my arms the minute I’m close enough. Her legs wrap around my waist as she grabs me in the tightest hug ever.

“You did it,” she whispers in my ear and despite the crowd still roaring around us, I can hear every word.

I did do it.

I won, when it’s been so fucking long since I have.

“Madds?” I say when I lean back and meet her eyes. “Where were you?”

“We’ll talk about it later. Celebrate this win. Your win.” She grins. “You did it.”

“I did. Fuck him.”

And before she can respond or react or ask questions, my lips are on hers in a soul-crushing kiss. It’s far from a peck on the lips and, with all of the cameras all around, will be posted on every site imaginable for days to come.

And every time my dad sees it, he’ll get another fuck you.

And every time I see it, I’ll be reminded of what matters most. This. Right here. Right now. This woman. This moment.

Her eyes are wild with excitement when the kiss ends, and she lowers her feet to the ground. “I’m beginning to think you’re my good luck charm, Madds.”

“That’s a label I’ll claim any day.” She kisses me again. “Go celebrate with your team.”

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Maddix

This city.