by Megan Faust
“I can’t find my…” he stopped suddenly.
“Found it?” Chloe asked.
“No. I found these.” He held up a pair of sunglasses that Chloe instantly recognized. And anyone who knew Trey Williams would recognize the oversized black framed mirror tinted sunglasses too.
Chloe’s mind was racing. Trey was in the dining room, arguing with Brant when I came down. Was he wearing the sunglasses? What about in his room last night? He wasn’t wearing them. Did I see them anywhere? The entryway table? The bathroom? Think, Chloe.
Chloe’s mouth was dry as she said, “Who do those belong to? None of us wear stupid shades like those.”
“They look an awful lot like the ones Trey Williams was wearing the other day.”
“Oh, now you sound like Brant. Do we have any real proof it was Trey Williams? Probably two hundred people in New York City alone own a pair of sunglasses like that. And that’s a very small estimate. They could belong to anyone.”
“Anyone? Chloe, how many people have a reason to want Brant out of this race?”
“How many drivers are registered?” she countered. “If Brant wins he takes every single one of them down a rank. That’s a pretty big deal to a lot of people, not just Trey. Other racers, managers…”
“Hey,” Reuben said, walking over. “Aren’t those Trey’s sunglasses?”
Seth shot Chloe a smug smile. “That’s what I said. He must have come down here sometime last night. I’ll really have to check the car over carefully now. I don’t think we’ll have a chance for practice laps but at least we’ll know the car’s safe. I told Brant he should have kept his mouth shut. I need to get to work.”
Reuben had been working for Brant, and therefore with Seth, for long enough to recognize when he was being told to leave, so he grabbed Chloe by the coat sleeve and led her out while she silently seethed. Once out of the shops Chloe shook free of Rueben, and for a moment considered turning around and marching right back into the shop to tell Seth just what Trey Williams had been doing all evening. Then sense beat out anger and a better plan quickly took shape in her mind.
“Reuben, I have a really big favour to ask of you. I need you to look into something without my brothers finding out.”
“Am I going to regret this?”
She smiled sweetly, knowing that Reuben had always viewed her as a sweet kid sister, and said, “Of course you won’t regret it. I just know that you’re not as stubborn and closed minded as my brothers.”
“Flattery, Chloe?” He raised both eyebrows in mock surprise.
“No,” she wheedled. “It’s the truth. Come on, it’s just a few phone calls, gathering a little gossip…”
“This is about Trey Williams, isn’t it? Chloe, you’re asking me to go against your brothers on this one and in a big way. If Brant found out I was sniffing around looking for proof that Trey wasn’t the one who sabotaged him…”
“Then look for proof that it was him. Someone must have seen him leave the hotel after arguing with Brant, after everyone in that dining room would have seen the fight. Or maybe someone saw him walk in here. Then you’re doing what Brant would want you to do.”
“And you believe that in trying to proof it was him I’ll end up proving it wasn’t him?” He still sounded skeptic.
“If you find proof, and I mean definite, beyond a shadow of a doubt, take it to the cops and press charges proof, that it was Trey Williams, I’ll help the cops arrest him.” I’ll do a hell of a lot more than that. “Until then, I’ll keep an open mind that this might have been someone else. Would you be willing to do the same?”
He sighed. “I get the feeling you’re not telling me everything, and no, I don’t want to know. If I don’t know I can’t tell Brant and he’s got a way of knowing when I’m keeping a secret from him. All right, I’ll ask around and see what I can find out. But I’m not making any promises, Chloe.”
“It’s a deal. Well, if I’m not needed for the rest of the day, I’ll just go back to the hotel, maybe check on Brant, and then go see if my friend is free for a little shopping or a movie marathon or something.”
“Fine. But keep your phone handy, and don’t go missing this time, all right?”
“Sure thing Rueben. Call me if you find something, either way.” She waved and jogged off to catch a cab back to the hotel.
* * * *
Brant was sleeping when she got back to the hotel so after stopping to change into something provocative she went up to see if Trey was free for the afternoon. She knocked on his door and waited. And waited. Finally, when she started to feel like standing there in the hallway would make her look like a moron she knocked again.
There was the sound of movement and then a muffled, “Who is it?”
“Room service,” she called back.
“You’ve got the wrong room.”
“Come out here and say that to my face.”
The door swung open and his eyes went wide when he saw her.
“We sound like a bad movie,” she said, grinning. “You wouldn’t happen to have some time to spare for a lonely girl with nothing to do for about four hours?” She batted her eyes at him and smiled her sweetest smile. She might have managed to look innocent except that it was obvious she wasn’t wearing a bra and she’d put on the skirt she’d felt too self-conscious to wear to the club.
His eyes moved down her body then back up in one long, slow, appreciative motion. “You are certainly welcome any time. Now get in here before someone thinks I’ve taken to calling hookers.”
“Hooker!” she squeaked as he pulled her into the room. She swatted him with her purse. “Hooker? How dare you call me…”
The kiss silenced her and then it turned her knees to jelly. When he released her she wobbled and grabbed the table for support. She gave him a dazed, happy, look and smiled. “I’m still angry.”
“I’ll take my chances. You don’t look anything like a hooker, by the way. I thought you’d be helping your brother at the track today.”
“Change of plans,” she said, not wanting to mention the glasses and risk ruining a perfectly delightful afternoon. Let Brant and Seth be suspicious and let Rueben do the digging. I’m going to enjoy myself for once, consequences be damned.
“Well then, I guess I’m the lucky one.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her again. Somehow they made their way to the bed and Chloe quickly forgot about brothers and race cars and sabotage.
Their first time was quick and then they snuggled in together to catch up on their sleep. When they woke he dragged her off to the shower to rinse off. Washing turned to foreplay and he chased her out of the bathroom without letting her towel off. She was still amazed he managed to get the water turned off.
They rolled about, exploring each other’s bodies and enjoying light-hearted, mutually satisfying sex until Chloe caught sight of the clock and swore. They had finished, again, and were taking turns nibbling ticklish spots. Chloe slipped from the bed and went on the prowl for her clothing.
“Good luck with that,” Trey said. “There wasn’t much of it and the bed sheets have ended up on the floor as well.”
“You could help!”
He sighed. “Fine. Oh, you can have your bra back from the other day. It’s hanging in the bathroom.”
“I thought you’d keep it for a trophy.”
“I was going to. I’ll keep you instead.” He came up with a skirt and tossed it to her.
“Trey, I know this is definitely going somewhere, and I have no regrets but…” she hesitated.
He peeked over the bed at her. “Trust, Chloe. We promised.”
“I have to help my brother with that race tomorrow. He’ll never believe I’m on top of my game if he knows I’m sleeping with the enemy.”
“Enemy?”
“Figure of speech.”
“So what exactly are you getting at?”
“Well, we’ve managed to keep things a secret thus far. All I’m asking is that we be discreet for
a little longer.”
“You want to keep us a secret.”
“Hey! I did just say I had no regrets about falling in love with you.”
“Are you in love with me?”
She laughed.
“What? It’s a serious question.”
“I know. It’s just that I asked you the same question last night.”
“When?”
“After sex! You told me you loved me. And then you called me a foolish woman.”
“Oh. Well, I guess I get more honest when I’m tired.”
Her eye brows arched.
“Sometimes? Sometimes I get more honest when I’m tired. Sometimes I talk nonsense.”
“Then I guess we’re in love.” She crawled across the bed, half dressed, leaned over the edge and kissed him. “I just don’t want Brant to force us apart.”
He sighed. “All right, Chloe. Until this race is over I promise to keep this relationship a secret. But I’m not going to like it. I love you and I don’t care who knows it.”
“I’ll owe you a very big one. I promise.”
He handed her the shirt he’d been sitting on. “Get going or you’ll be late meeting your brothers.”
Chapter Nine
Chloe was in high spirits as she dressed for dinner. She met her brothers in the hallway and beamed at them though she was met with a somber distracted look from Seth, and an openly hostile glare from Brant. Neither could dampen her spirits and she smiled all the way down to dinner.
Trey wasn’t in nearly as good a mood. He was standing in the bathroom staring at his reflection in the half steamed mirror. His afternoon romp with Chloe had been a delightful surprise and he had enjoyed himself immensely. And then she had admitted that she loved him and he’d started thinking about showing her around Chicago, maybe even introducing her to his older sister, and even possibly his mother. And then she had made him promise to keep their relationship a secret until after the big race, at least, and reality crashed around his ears.
They were rivals, really; she was spotting for her brother after all. As much as he hated clichés and loathed Shakespeare they were quickly turning into a modern day Romeo and Juliet.
“No one is dying,” he muttered and sighed. He looked his reflection square in the eye and said, “A promise made is as good as law. You can’t walk into the dining room and kiss her, but it doesn’t mean you can’t make Brant see the error of his opinions. Lots of drivers are friendly off the track. I just have to tell him he’s wrong about me. I didn’t wreck his car; I’ve never touched another driver’s car. I can make him see reason, even if I can’t make him like me.” He took a few deep breaths. “This is not the scariest thing I’ve done in my life.”
Outside the dining room he paused when he saw Chloe and her brothers were already seated and almost finished their meal. He watched her sip her wine and laugh at something her brother said. She looked radiant.
She glanced up and her smile faltered when she saw him. He winked and walked over to the bar. Chloe returned her attention to Seth who was recounting his day at the track.
“So then this one woman, who must have been sixty if she was a day, she’s driving her son’s car in the Lipstick Laps and nearly takes out four other cars. I swear the old bat was blind. I only hope her son is a better driver or he’ll be humiliated tomorrow.”
Brant was chuckling. “The real race is always between the top half dozen racers. The rest are just there to clutter up the track.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
All three siblings looked up and Chloe’s heart nearly stopped. Trey Williams was standing next to their table with a fresh bottle of beer in his hand. He was smiling and all his attention was on Brant.
“Can I join you?”
“We’re not really interested in company,” Brant said, his smile disappearing and his pleasant demeanor turning hostile.
“Look, I’ve heard some of the rumours and I can understand why you’re not exactly thrilled to see me.”
“You’re right, we’re not thrilled. You can leave now. “
“Brant, I didn’t do anything to you. Whatever people are saying, it’s nothing more than rumour. Why would I do something that could potentially kill a man?”
“I don’t know,” Brant snarled. “But because of you we have to waste at least an hour every day just checking our car over for signs of sabotage.”
“I have never touched another driver’s car, and I have never set foot in your shop bay.”
“No,” Seth said. “Would you care to explain these?” He dropped a pair of oversized mirrored shades on the table.
“Me explain? I’ve been looking for those since yesterday. It’s one thing to accuse a man of, well, anything. It’s another to take his personal possessions.”
“I didn’t take them,” Seth said calmly, pocketing the glasses again. “You left them in my tool box last time you came in to tinker with Brant’s car.”
“I did no such thing and a pair of glasses in a tool box proves nothing. They could be anyone’s.”
“Even you seemed sure they were yours,” Brant said. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Anyone could have put them there,” Trey went on.
“Okay, guys, we’re starting to attract a lot of attention here,” Chloe said. She turned pleading eyes to Trey. “Maybe that’s enough arguing for one day.”
“Hey,” Brant said. “This asshole wants to come over here and lull us into a false sense of security right before the big race. I’m not going to fall for this crock of bull…”
“Watch your language,” Chloe snapped. “There are children in here. And stop being so…so…gosh-darned suspicious. Maybe he’s telling you the truth.”
“Can it, Chloe,” Seth said. “The glasses are pretty damn good proof.”
“They prove nothing or you would have taken them to the local racing authorities,” Trey said softly. “You’re a fool, Brant. While you’re busy chasing my shadow someone else is trying to take you out of this race.”
“I’m supposed to take you at your word?” Brant sneered. “Come on. If this joker won’t get lost then we’re leaving.”
“I’m not done with my wine,” Chloe snapped.
Seth grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet. Trey’s temper flared and he was about to set down his beer and punch Seth for handling his girl so roughly. Chloe pulled free with a slight snarl and violence was averted. She grabbed her purse, forced a smile in the waiter’s direction, and said, “I’m sorry. I guess you can dress them up but you can’t take them out.”
She stormed out of the room, her chin held high, longing to stop and apologize to Trey or at least give him some sign that she really did believe him. With Brant and Seth waiting, their tempers too close to boiling over, she had no choice but to walk out.
Trey watched her go. Silently he cursed himself for putting her in the middle but what could he do now? He forced a nonchalant shrug and went back to the bar to finish his beer.
The elevator ride was silent. All three siblings were fuming and fully aware of the security cameras. Chloe tried to go straight to her room where she could throw the chain and lock her pig-headed brothers out until tempers cooled but her brothers had other plans. From the elevator she was forcefully marched to the room the boys were sharing and tossed in one of the padded kitchen-style chairs.
“What are you doing?” Temper edged her voice but she kept the volume reasonable. “I’m going to my room until you two jerks cool down a little. I can’t believe you would make a scene like that in a packed restaurant! What would Mom say?”
“You sit right back down,” Brant said, doing his best to imitate the brute force, thunder-deep voice their father used to demand obedience. “What the hell is wrong with you? Did Trey’s handsome face and leather jacket catch your fan-girl fancy? Or did you just decide to throw family loyalties aside for the hell of it?”
He’d cut too close to th
e truth and her feelings of guilt for her liking and she said, “I beat him in the trial laps, didn’t I? I’ll beat him tomorrow too. He’s just another rival racer. You’re the one making a fool of yourself, accusing a man of sabotage, in a crowded dining room, with no solid proof. If he’s innocent you could get in serious trouble for saying those things!”
Seth stepped closer. “The glasses…” he started.
Chloe growled, “No one cares about the damn glasses, Seth. They could belong to anyone! And even if they belong to Trey anyone could have put them in your tool box. It’s not real evidence!”
“It’s enough for me,” Brant snapped.
“And you’re judge, jury, and executioner!” She threw up her hands in frustration. “You’re also a close-minded, pig-headed, spoiled-brat, jerk-faced asshole—and you know it.”
“Don’t say something you’ll regret,” Seth hissed as Brant’s eyes flared.
“And you’re no better!” She turned on Seth. “What happened to not acting without proof? What happened to not tipping our hand? What happened to not giving him, or anyone else, reason to act against us?”
“I agree with Brant. The glasses are fairly damning.”
“Oh, no jury is going to convict a man solely on rumour and a pair of mirrored glasses that you can buy at any gas station on the interstate. You can’t be sure it was him.”
“And you can’t be sure it wasn’t,” Brant shot back.
“Brant, pull your head out of your ass. Trey Williams did not sabotage your car.”
“You can’t know that!”
“Yes, I can, Brant, because I saw Trey Williams last night after your first argument. He never had a chance to visit the garage last night and leave incriminating evidence.”
“You went to visit,” Seth said. “Even if you saw Trey Williams in passing that proves nothing. He’d still have had lots of time to get to the shops and back.”
