Page 34 of Break My Heart

“I’m an adult. When I told my mother this, she said to suck it up. No one’s coming to save me. If we’re going to be sad, let’s talk about that, why don’t we?”

Marcus grins. “That’s awfy sad.”

“I’m sorry, David, but your loss of reality isn’t anything new,” I quip.

That’s enough to have the four of us snickering. I gasp, “We must look like party crashers. Here we are in formal attire and we’re completely lowering the standard of this event.”

Marcus leans forward and whispers loudly, “Then they should’ve thought aboot their attendee list.”

David straightens his cuff. “They can have a good cry tomorrow.”

I faux dab at the corner of my eyes. “This conversation makes me happy.”

“Then our work here is complete,” Alessandro smiles.

After that, the conversation shifts naturally to the beginning of the racing season. I can’t suppress the pride that wells up inside me when I’m included as a peer. The devil on my shoulder taunts me, Leo thought you’d disappear with this crowd? Puh-lease. I earned my place here, I realize. Not because of being Lewis Porter’s daughter, but because of my own hard work.

“So you wound up at Castor?” David asks.

“Yes.”

“Which office?” At my look of surprise, he expands, “My cousin, Kevin, flies private jets for someone associated with the firm.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Good to know as I work out of both.”

Alessandro crosses his arms. “More importantly, what are these rumors about you joining Apex Orion?”

If Alessandro has heard about it, I wonder if Leo has. “It’s just a temporary engagement.”

Marcus raises a brow. “Ye dinna dae temporary.”

“I do when the problem is interesting enough.” I take a sip of my drink before I add, “Also, there’s the benefit of being able to remind people I’m there because they decided giving up is an option.”

“Lewis would like that answer, ken,” Marcus says.

“I’m not him,” I remind Marcus.

Alessandro doesn’t soften his words. “We know, but you are his daughter.”

“Yes, I am. But I’m also hers,” I remind them gently. My mother, Loren, had a knack for seeing the details everyone overlooked.

Marcus studies me for a second longer. “Good, because the sport dinna need anither Lewis Porter.”

David adds, “It needs someone who understands what he did and what he couldn’t. Not because he wasn’t talented, but because of limitations.”

Marcus agrees, “We need someone whae can break through the barriers.”

I tilt my head. “Not setting the bar high for me at all.”

Alessandro’s mouth curves as he shakes his head.

“This is what I love about this sport—camaraderie that lasts throughout the years,” I sigh.

“Are ye callin’ us auld?” Marcus demands.