Speed Trap (Chequered Flag Series Book 2), page 11
“For Dani.” I move on with my knife and then finally the last one. “And for Áurea.” It’s funny, but I take more time with this last one, poking my knife even harder into his skin.
He is fully passed out on the floor, so I give myself the satisfaction of saying out loud what I have been thinking for way too long. “For my sister, for Dani’s sister, for João’s sister, and for all of those who don’t have someone to avenge them. You created a monster.”
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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Summer is my favorite season. Not only because of the warm weather and the summer break, but also because it means two months of travelling across Europe for races, which allows me to have more time to be with Sasha in between them.
I scan the group of reporters, until my eyes lock onto her silver mane of hair. Dani is next to her while both interview Fitzroy. I notice her calculated work smile on display, and, for some reason, it brings me joy because it means I can recognize her real smiles, and I am probably one of the few people alive who has that privilege.
We have been taking things slow, much slower than my usual pace. I can’t recall ever going on more than three dates without things becoming physical, but here we are, almost two months after we started dating, and I am still content enjoying small pleasures like spotting her in the distance.
“Focus!” Philip’s sharp command jolts me back to reality. “We are tied in points; you need to focus on what matters.”
“Wait, what?” I say, shifting my attention to him.
“I said, we are tied in—” he starts to repeat himself.
“No, not that.” I stop him. “What are you trying to achieve?”
He looks just as confused as I feel. “What do you mean?”
“You gain an advantage if I stay unfocused. If I finish behind, you will get an advantage in the championship.”
“There are other things in life more important than winning.”
“What is going on with you?” I almost feel scared.
Everyone in the paddock fears him, and I don’t blame them. He’s intimidating. But for some reason, he always gives me advice, sort of like an older, irritating brother.
“I am just trying to help.”
“My point exactly,” I snap, “Why would you help me?”
“Who knows why I do half of the shit I do these days,” he replies.
“That’s a lie! You know it, you just don’t want to say.”
“Then why do you keep asking if you know that I won’t tell you anything else?!” Exasperation is laced in Philip’s voice.
“Because I care! I consider you a friend at this point and your well-being seems…” I struggle for a second, trying to figure out the right words to use “Important? This is not normal behavior for you.”
“What?!” Philip sights.
“I know, I am just as confused as you are.” I massage my temples, my head is throbbing, confused by this conversation.
“Listen.” Philip’s voice turns serious. “Changes are coming our way. This sport might be about to face one of the biggest scandals in its history. So, when that happens, you better stay focused on what matters. Not on Sasha. Not the press. The Championship.”
“What do you know that I don’t?”
“Selene knows something we both don’t.”
I raise a brow at him. “Why are you sharing this with me?”
“I feel like helping you out instead of looking out for myself.”
“Selene really has changed you…”
“Yes,” is the only answer he gives me. “Now, get your head on straight. Focus on today’s race, you will be seeing the back of my car a lot.”
“So do you want me to win or to stay behind you?” I joke.
“Both.” He smirks and I know he means it.
Philip loves to win as much as I do, but he also craves the thrill of competing against an equal. He enjoys overtaking and strategizing, just like I do. He doesn’t know it, but I have always admired him. He used to be my childhood hero, the driver I wanted to become. It’s weird, but I don’t resent him for taking the Cavaglio seat from me. The circumstances of last season pushed me into Volpella’s hands. Sure, I lost against Philip last year, but I am ready to win that trophy this time.
“I’ll see you later,” I say, walking away towards Sasha.
I make sure she’s finished with the interview and the cameras have stopped rolling before approaching her. Daniel is also long gone. She is not expecting me; for all she knows, I won’t be seeing her until after the race.
But how can I resist her after having seen her?
I go from behind, ready to grab her by the waist and hug her, but before I can carry out my plan, she turns around and almost punches me in the throat. My reflexes kick in, and I take a step back just as she stops mid-kick, millimeters away from my neck.
“Jesus!”
“Oh my god!” she screams, startled. “I almost hit you! Are you okay?” Both her hands cover her mouth in disbelief over what she just did.
“I am okay, don’t worry.”
“I could have hurt you,” she says, still shaken.
“But you didn’t,” I say in a light tone.
I don’t think I am even sure of what just happened, but those were some impressive moves.
“I-I have taken a bunch of self-defense classes and I box,” she explains.
That confession doesn’t surprise me. However, it does bother me because I know the motivation behind it. Something traumatic happened to this amazing woman and this is only further proof of it. Whatever it is, she has taken all possible measures to prevent history from repeating itself.
“It’s okay, little ninja,” I reassure her and then take a step towards her, taking her into my arms and hugging her small body.
It’s one of the small pleasures of finally dating her. I get to do this whenever I want, enjoy everything she is willing to offer me. I will never take more than she is ready to give. It warms my heart seeing how recently she has been leaning into my touch, feeling more and more comfortable with me. Just like now, when I place a kiss on top of her head.
“You know, Philip and Selene have this thing,” I mumble against her head. “Selene always touches his helmet before the races, for good luck.”
“Don’t even ask me to copycat that.”
“I won’t,” I tell her, but before I can continue, Sasha takes a step back.
I feel a little empty without her body touching mine. She looks down at herself then touches the necklaces she’s wearing. I’m certain she is going to give me one of them, but instead, she wrinkles her nose and looks at her hands.
She takes one of them off and extends it towards me. “The regulation says you can’t wear jewelry while you’re inside the car, but married drivers are allowed to wear their rings.”
I take the ring in my hand, observing it. It’s a simple, small, silver ring, so small that it only fits my pinky.
“You are not my spouse, but maybe I can give you this ring before the races,” she suggests with an insecure voice.
“I love it.”
“Let’s see if that gives you some good luck.” Sasha steps onto her tip toes, holding my cheeks between her small hands, right before she presses her plump lips to mine.
It is so hard to contain myself. I need more, I want more. But I make the effort and remind myself I won’t take anything she isn’t ready to give yet. I notice how she presses her body impossibly harder to mine, getting the reaction from my dick she desires.
“Greedy,” I whisper into her mouth.
Sasha puts one of her hands over my chest trying to put some space between us, but I grab her wrist and pull her closer instead.
“Who is being greedy now?” She smiles.
That smile, the genuine one that melts my heart.
My phone starts ringing. I don’t need to look at it to know it’s someone from the team wanting something from me, either PR stunts or interviews or who knows what.
“Go, I will see you after the race.” Sasha waves me off.
I grunt a little, not wanting to get away from her. “This ring better give me luck.”
“Boa sorte.” Good Luck. I can hear her speak in my mother tongue while I walk away from her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
A silly smile is plastered all over my face while watching João walk away. It’s strange feeling my heartbeat faster for any other reason than panic attacks or fear. I don’t have that. I never had it, but he has managed to change everything.
“Sasha Valine?”
I turn around to see Elizabeth Davis’ toned figure, her black curly hair slightly longer than the last time I saw her, but still perfectly trimmed. I haven’t seen her since that one time when she came asking about the previous two murders. I was expecting her to show up sooner, especially after what I did to Arnoult almost two months ago. But again, the man is convinced I was a ghost.
“Agent Davis,” I answer, putting on my best performance. “Are you here for that drink?” I smirk at her.
“Rumor has it you are dating one of the drivers.”
“I won’t tell if you don’t.” I lie because I would never do that to João. “But yes, the rumors are true.”
“Aren’t you a too old for him?”
“I am only a few years older,” I answer. “Anyway, what can I help you with since you are not here to take me out on a date.”
“What do you think about Arnoult?”
I raise my brows at her, surprised about how bold she is with her question. This woman is skipping all sorts of protocols, but it does not surprise me, actually, I respect that. Women like us, playing in a field mainly dominated by men, need to play outside of the rulebook to get ahead.
I take a moment to think of the right answer, not wanting to give away too much. “I haven’t had the pleasure to work with him closely…” I pause, “and I am thankful for that.” I can only hope she will be able to read between the lines.
“Why?” Elizabeth presses.
“I don’t think any woman would feel comfortable working around him. The paddock is small enough to hear rumors and gossip.”
“I thought you would call us if you heard gossip and rumors…”
“Yes,” I stop her. “About the killer.”
“What are the rumors about Arnoult?”
“None of his assistants lasts longer than a couple of months,” I observe. “It’s clear to all of us that he doesn’t respect women.” I know how hard he makes life for Selene, Sarah, and the other lesser employees working for him. “Rumor has it, he isn’t a great accountant either.”
“How do you know that?” she asks.
“I have friends who work in Cavaglio.” Technically, it isn’t a lie. I am only giving her little crumbs, so that she can piece the puzzle together on her own.
“Thanks for the information.”
“Have you looked in his past?” I ask suddenly.
I wasn’t planning on voicing the question, but there is something about her that tells me she will look harder than anyone else will. That she might be the missing piece I need to take them down.
“What do you mean?”
“Part of my job is to investigate. I am a journalist; I am always behind a good story.”
“And what is the good story?”
“I haven’t found it yet. There are too many paths leading nowhere, too many ghosts that won’t talk.”
“Funny you should use that word.”
“Which one?”
“Ghost,” she says drily “Arnoult claims to have been attacked by one.”
“Oh? Do you believe in ghosts?”
It’s hard to avoid smiling when all I can picture is Arnoult running to God knows who, crying about the ghost that assaulted him. The only evidence of my work is all over his skin, and he wouldn’t be able to use it without incriminating himself.
“What is dead, is dead,” she replies. “But there is something we don’t know yet and he isn’t telling the full truth either.”
“In that case, I wish you the best of luck finding it. Maybe you will be more successful than me. After all, you do have the resources to find what I couldn’t.”
She runs a hand over her dark hair, trying to give herself time to find the right words. “Any idea where I can start the search?”
“Mmh. He is an old man, with old values,” I start. “He thinks he is above the law. That’s why all I have are rumors and not facts.”
“Get to the point, Sasha,” she urges me.
“His house, that’s where you should investigate. It’s so predictable.” I know she will find the nice evidence I left for her.
“Seems like you know him more than you claim.”
“I told you; I am a journalist. My job is to observe and investigate. In this sport, all of that becomes much easier.”
“If you say so…”
“Can I ask you something?” I rush, fearing that she will turn around and leave now since she has what she came for.
“Are you going to ask me out again?” Elizabeth smirks.
“Why? Are you finally going to say yes?” I tease.
Elizabeth rolls her eyes at me. “No.”
“Will you tell me if you find something?”
“Why would you like to know?”
“The possible victims deserve to have a voice,” I answer truthfully.
I want revenge for those who I knew or meant something to the people I know now, but I also think about the countless of children and women who have nobody to fight for them.
“And you are willing to give it to them?”
“If no one else will, yes.”
“I will think about it. Have a good day, Sasha.”
“You too.”
She starts walking away, but she stops before she makes it too far and then turns around again. “Call me if you ever break up with João.” There is a glint of mischief in her hazel eyes that I can’t help but enjoy.
“I will think about it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“Ladies, gentlemen and non-binary folk,” Dani starts with his trademark phrase. “Welcome back to the Spielberg Circuit.”
“The Austrian Circuit has been a fan-favorite since it made its comeback in 2014. Featuring high-speed straights and challenging corners, Spielberg is a dream come true for the drivers. Now, for those with faint hearts, buckle up because the race is about to begin.”
On the screen, some cars are shown in their respective places, ready to go for the formation lap. João is starting from the third position this time, right behind Philip and Munguia. The latter has finally achieved his first pole of the season and, even if it is a great achievement, I am sure that either Philip or João will beat him in no time. Those two cannot afford to come in third. Either of the two could be the winner this year, and I am hoping it’s going to be João.
The last drivers make it to the starting line, zig-zagging the last couple of meters, doing some burnouts to warm up their tyres.
Everyone is in position when the red lights start turning on. I hold my breath for a second, but it feels like an eternity.
“The engines roar, and the race is on!” I scream when the lights go out.
“Look at that, Munguia has a terrible start to the race. It almost looked like he was asleep there,” Dani says, excited, when we see the images of the start. “The Volpella boys have done it flawlessly. But the Cavaglio Nero car is faster in the straights. Munguia manages to maintain his first position up to turn one, even if he had the worst start out of the three first drivers.”
I stay silent for a second, holding onto the desk and watching how João tries to overtake Philip in the first straight, unsuccessfully so.
Come on.
But João still doesn’t make it. He is almost there, but it’s not enough. It doesn’t help that Munguia is pulling away from them either.
“Munguia is in the lead. Second is Philip, followed by João” I narrate, getting out of my trance. “Philip is already putting pressure on Munguia, ready to overtake him in the exit of turn five, but Munguia is still resisting and João is getting closer to Burton.”
“Oh, there is a safety car!” Dani yells right in my ear.
“It seems like one of the Blue Cheetah cars is having an issue…” I observe while images of what happened get displayed on the screen.
The virtual safety car stays on for a couple of laps while they try to get the car off the track. Everyone has to slow down and drive at a determined speed to avoid any further incidents.
“Oh, look at that,” Dani points as soon as the virtual safety car comes to an end a couple of laps later.
“João is trying to overtake Philip on the outside in turn one,” I scream.
My emotions get the best of me. I can feel my heart beating faster. I am living the moment almost as if I were the one sitting in that car instead of him.
“They almost touched,” Dani announces. “Philip has to go through the outside of the circuit to avoid a collision with his own teammate.”
“Philip leads, but João is right there, both cars parallel to each other.”
“What a beautiful battle.” I couldn’t agree more. It’s magnificent to see this kind of overtaking, with smart drivers who respect each other and know how to have fun while competing.
“On the inside goes João Querinho, getting ahead of his teammate Philip and he seems ready to take Munguia down too.”
“What a race!”
I lean into my seat, feeling like I can finally breathe for the first time since the race started. But that feeling doesn’t last long. Not two laps have passed before Philip is trying to recover the second position.
I am rooting for João. I can’t help but enjoy the spectacle these two drivers are providing. One of them will use a corner to overtake, and the other will manage to regain their original position a few laps later.
“Strange that we are not getting any team radios,” I point out.
“Both Volpella racers have practically the same timings, but they are wasting seconds battleing with each other instead of going after Munguia,” Dani comments. “The team should be checking which car is faster and give orders to attack Munguia.”
