Take Me Series (COMPLETE BOX SET)

by Masters, Colleen

  “Enzo,” I begin, walking slowly toward him, “Listen to what you just said, would you? I’ve always been your good luck charm. By your side. On your team. I know you don’t see it this way, but my whole life has been defined by the fact that I’m your sister. Maybe I’m just feeling like...Like I want to live my life for me, for a change.”

  “There’s no reason for you to be jealous, Siena,” Enzo says, taking hold of my hand and pulling me down to sit beside him.

  “I’m not jealous, Enzo,” I sigh, “I’m so so damn tired. You work so hard for your success, and it pays off. You get glory, and attention, and pride. But the work I do? It just evaporates. It doesn’t amount to anything at all. Imagine putting your heart and soul into something every single day that never culminates in anything.”

  “But the work you do helps me win,” Enzo insists, “Doesn’t that make you happy?”

  “It makes me happy for you,” I tell him, “But aren’t I allowed to track down my own happiness too, Enzo?”

  “I wish you’d spoken up sooner,” he says quietly, pulling me into a hug, “Have you always felt like this?”

  “Oh...only my whole life,” I laugh, feeling a thick knot tighten in my throat.

  I was expecting ire and outrage after missing the preliminary today, but instead Enzo’s here, being kind as hell. I don’t really know what to do with it, to be honest. We’ve never been a share-your-feelings kind of family, yet here we are—curled up the window seat together like the two little kids we were so many years ago. For the first time in quite a while, I feel like Enzo’s little sister, rather than his employee.

  “Don’t cry, Siena,” he says, smoothing down my hair, “We’ll figure this all out, OK? We’re family, after all. There’s nothing you could ever do that would make me stay mad at you.”

  I swallow a sob and bury my face in Enzo’s shoulder. Guilt is twisting at my heart, making it hard to breathe. As much as we may argue and disagree, Enzo’s my flesh and blood. I’ve known full well this whole time that my being with Harrison would absolutely kill him, and yet I continue on. I can’t break things off with Harrison, I can’t tell my family what’s going on, and I can’t bear to rip open my brother’s heart.

  “I love you, Siena,” Enzo whispers, rocking me like a child, “I know I’m hell to get along with, and Dad’s even worse, but we only want the best for you. You’re our angel. Our little girl. No matter how grown up you get.”

  “But what if you hate what’s best for me?” I ask, unable to meet his gaze.

  “That would be absolute shit,” Enzo says, “But we’d work it out, Siena. I’m sure of it.”

  If only you knew...I think, looking out across the city. Enzo plants a kiss on the top of my head and holds me until my tears subside. How can he make me feel so much better and so much worse at the same time? That’s just family, I guess.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Consequences

  The day of the Budapest qualifier gets off to a shaky start for me. My frayed nerves keep me up most of the night before, and by morning I’m an absolute mess. Harrison and I trade a few short texts, but it turns out we’re both on thin ice with our respective teams. Harrison may be a rule-breaker, but he still has to answer to Team McClain. They were just as upset with him for showing up late to the preliminary as Team Ferrelli was with me. McClain had arranged for Harrison to take his turn early in the morning, and we slept straight through it. He’s heading into this qualifier without having tried out the course—bad news for a new driver.

  My team, of course, is ecstatic to have an advantage over Harrison. I ride over to the course with my dad and Enzo, and neither of them can shut up about how wonderful this turn of events is. Dad has yet to say a direct word to me, but my head is full of his arrogant carrying on all the same. I sit beside them, watching the city fly by. I hope that Harrison doesn’t think I sabotaged him on purpose, keeping him in bed all morning. He has to know by now that I’d never do anything to hurt his chances on the track. Well...I’d never do anything on purpose. But I’ve given up hoping that our relationship can continue on without a few casualties.

  I shudder, imagining the possibility of really causing Harrison harm. Enzo lays a comforting hand on my shoulder.

  “Don’t be nervous,” he says, “Today is cut and dry. And the way things are going, I bet that tomorrow’s going to be even better.”

  It’s breaking my heart, the extra effort Enzo’s putting in to make me feel better. He means well, but he’s so in the dark about what’s actually going on in my life that his attempts are downright laughable. But at least he’s trying to make up for his inconsiderate behavior. My dad, for his part, simply can’t be bothered to even notice my discomfort.

  Just as Enzo’s predicted, the qualifier goes off without a hitch for him. But I barely notice a thing about his performance. Today, I only have eyes for another driver entirely. From the moment we arrive at the course, my gaze is glued to McClain’s fire-red race car. Harrison has yet to test this track out, which means that the chances of something going wrong are at an all-time high. My fingers are clenched around the barrier railing as the cars take off, and Harrison quickly drops into last place. I’m at once relieved that he’s taking it slow and anxious for him, knowing that the disadvantage must be killing him.

  Harrison doesn’t even manage to make it into the top ten by the end of the qualifier, while Enzo sails across the finish line just behind Landers. I halfway suspect that he let his friend go past him, just for the sake of his narrative. If a driver places first each and every time, people become less interested in him. The drama that goes along with F1 is a big component of every championship, a fact of which my brother is sharply aware.

  As soon as the qualifier has wrapped up, I make my way to the Ferrelli camp. Bex joins up with me en route, but remains mercifully silent. She doesn’t even need to ask about what happened yesterday morning. She knows full well where I was, and I have a pretty good idea of what she might have to say about it. I’m undyingly grateful to her for not dredging the subject up once more. I don’t know how much more emotional acrobatics I can take just now.

  The closer we get to the Ferrelli corner of the course, the more my sense of dread begins to mount. There are media types swarming around Enzo’s car, trying to get a word out of him. Bex and I exchange wary glances and dive into the fry, trying to wrest some order from the rowdy group of reporters. I elbow my way through the crowd and finally make it to Enzo’s side. He’s grinning into a microphone, reflecting on today’s qualifier and his chances for tomorrow. I feel my dad step up beside me as we look on.

  “I’m feeling very confident about tomorrow,” my brother is saying, “Especially since some drivers who may have posed a threat are starting to show their true colors.”

  “Are you talking about Harrison Davies?” the reporter asks.

  “I don’t want to toss any names around,” Enzo says with a wink, “But I think we all know who I’m talking about.”

  “Do you have any idea why Davies may have skipped yesterday’s preliminary?” the reporter presses.

  “Look,” Enzo says, “My Dad’s been training me to be a professional since the day I was born. Davies didn’t have that same kind of...presence in his life. Perhaps we can conclude that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?”

  I can hear the blood pounding in my ears as Enzo shoots the cameras a wide grin. I whip around to face my father, who’s smiling smugly at his son.

  “You wouldn’t do what I asked,” Dad says, “So, I passed the buck along to your brother. He’s always looked out for this team.”

  “And who’s going to look out for him, if you’re too worried about winning to care about whether he’s a good person or not?” I shoot back.

  “I don’t give a shit whether or not he’s a good person,” Dad scoffs, “I just want him to be a good driver. A champion.”

  I stare at him, dumbfounded, as the media presses in around Enzo, swarming in to swallo
w him whole.

  ***

  Just as I arrive back at the hotel, I receive a text from Harrison with the name of a restaurant on the far side of the city and a time for us to meet. I stare down at the message, biting my lip. It’s getting harder and harder to sneak off away from my team. After yesterday morning, I feel like I’m on lockdown. Between Charlie, Enzo, and my dad, there are too many watchful eyes trained on my every move to make a clean escape. It’s time to draft some reinforcements.

  Bex knocks on my door mere minutes after I shoot her a text. She’s all dolled up for the evening, looking flawless. Her primped appearance takes me by surprise.

  “Where are you off to, looking so incredible?” I ask.

  “I, uh, may have a date tonight,” she grins, stepping around me into the room.

  “No way,” I breathe, catching her hands in mine, “I didn’t even know...”

  “You’ve been a little preoccupied with your star-crossed lover thing,” she shrugs.

  “I’m sorry, Bex,” I tell her, “You must think I’m such a shitty friend.”

  “No, just a really shitty sneak,” she laughs, pulling me into a tight hug, “How the hell did you manage to sleep through the preliminary?”

  “If you only knew the night we had, you wouldn’t be surprised,” I grin.

  “Ooh, I love naughty Siena,” she giggles, “But that can’t have gone over well with your dad and Enzo. Are you and Harrison still OK?”

  “I don’t know,” I tell her, “After all that shit Enzo spouted to the press...”

  “Harrison won’t hold that against you,” she says, “That would be crazy.”

  “There’s not much about this situation that isn’t crazy, is there?” I sigh.

  “Nope. Not much.”

  “Listen Bex,” I say, skirting past her to lock the door, “He wants to see me tonight, at this restaurant across town.”

  “Well, that’s great!” Bex exclaims, “Look at you two, acting like a normal couple and all. This is more than sex, isn’t it?”

  “I think it might be,” I tell her, “Something’s changed between us. He...he told me that he has feelings for me.”

  “Shut. Up,” Bex says, her eyes wide. “What did you tell him?”

  “That I’m falling for him,” I say softly, “In so many words of course.”

  With a shriek of joy, Bex launches herself at me. For a moment, I’m totally swept up in her excitement. It feels so good to be able to share this with someone, after so many nights of feeling guilty and anxious. I’m falling in love, for god’s sake. It should be wonderful!

  “Someday, when you two are happily married, this is going to be an awesome story,” Bex tells me.

  “Whoa, put on the brakes,” I say, “I have a feeling that things are bound to get much darker before the dawn.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The whole letting the world know thing? How the hell is that supposed to work?”

  “Witness protection?” she suggests.

  “Great,” I mutter.

  “Well, look at it this way,” Bex offers, “Harrison fell behind in the qualifier today, which means that Enzo won’t feel so jumpy about him. Maybe they’ll forget about how much they hate each other now?”

  “Not if Enzo keeps dragging Harrison through the mud just to make sure he never gets back up,” I say miserably.

  “Well, you’re going to see him tonight. I’m sure you guys will figure something out.”

  “About that...” I begin, smiling hopefully.

  “Uh-oh,” Bex sighs, “I sense a favor coming down the track...”

  “Just a little one,” I tell her, “There’s no way I’m going to make it out of this hotel without someone trying to get in my way. Could you...maybe escort me?”

  “Are you serious?” Bex asks.

  “Please,” I beg her, “You don’t have to come all the way across town with me. I just need to get out of here without anyone stopping me.”

  “But...What about my date?” Bex pouts.

  “Can you push it back a little?” I plead.

  “I...It’s just...” she stammers, “I might not be the best alibi, Siena.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “Because...Oh Jesus, this is kinda awkward,” she giggles nervously, “My date...might be with someone...who has a keen interest in your whereabouts.”

  “What the...what?” I splutter, “Bex who are you...?”

  “Charlie,” she says.

  I stare at her, uncomprehending. “Charlie Spano?” I say, “As in, my built-in chaperone who’s been harboring a crush for our entire lives?”

  “That’s the one,” she sighs.

  “But Bex...why the hell would you want to go out with Charlie? He’s—”

  “A Siena Lazio fan boy. I know,” Bex says, “But what can I say? We’ve gotten to spend a little time together, since the tour began. He’s a really nice guy, Siena.”

  “He’s a controlling, Ivy League stool pigeon,” I say.

  “Eh. He’s cute anyway,” she shrugs.

  “Bex, what can you possibly see in him?” I demand.

  “Company,” she says, “Some of us aren’t lucky enough to have a shot at true love and hot sex right off the bat, Siena. But that doesn’t mean we stop looking.”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound like a tool,” I tell her, “I’m just...surprised, is all.”

  “I was too, when he asked me out tonight,” she admits.

  “You don’t think...” I begin, “Never mind. Sorry.”

  “Say it,” Bex drawls, “We might as well get it out in the open.”

  “What if...He’s trying to make me jealous by going out with you?” I suggest.

  “Then I get complimentary drinks for the rest of the tour and a shot at getting the marrying-for-money thing out of the way,” she laughs. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll be able to sway his interest away from the incomparable Siena Lazio. Maybe I’ll go brunette?”

  “You’re a piece of work,” I tell her.

  “Tell me something I don’t know,” she grins. “Get your things. We’ll head out together to ‘grab a drink’ before my date, and if Charlie asks I’ll say that you struck up a conversation with an interesting gentleman at the bar. It won’t be an utter lie, after all.”

  “What would I do without you, Bex?” I ask.

  “I have no earthly idea,” she shoots back, “Now come on. Let’s pick out something pretty for you to wear on your illicit little rendezvous.”

  Under Bex’s supervision, I choose a backless burgundy minidress and pile my curls into a loose up do. No one questions us as we stroll out of the hotel, and in no time we’re off toward the restaurant that Harrison’s picked out for tonight. I step out onto the sidewalk as we reach the agreed-upon address and look back anxiously toward Bex.

  “I’ll do some laps around the city before I head back. Have a good night, my darling,” she says, blowing me a kiss as the car pulls away.

  I turn toward the cozy hole-in-the-way restaurant and take a deep, steadying breath. Gathering my courage, I push open the front door. The dining room is minuscule, with perhaps six tables scattered about. And Harrison is nowhere to be seen. I’m about to turn and wait for him outside when the hostess hurries toward me.

  “Are you Mr. Davies’ companion?” she asks, in heavily accented English.

  “Y-yes,” I stammer.

  “Follow me,” she says, and leads the way into the back of the restaurant.

  I follow her through a turning maze of corridors and doorways until a light begins to glimmer ahead. We step out into a secluded terrace, lit from above by strings of white lights. A single table is set at the center of the patio, and Harrison stands to greet me. It’s hardly been 48 hours since I saw him last, but the surge of relief I feel setting my eyes upon him again propels me across the space, into his arms.

  “I missed you too,” he laughs.

  “Harrison, I’m so sorry,” I tell him.


  “For what?” he asks, pulling me toward the table.

  “For making you miss your preliminary,” I say, “For all the shit Enzo was spouting after the qualifier, and...why are you laughing?”

  “I’m sorry,” he says, “It’s just...Things are going just the way we wanted.”

  “Who’s ‘we’?” I ask.

  “McClain,” he says, “We’ve been gearing up for a coup since my first race. Siena, missing the preliminary was a brilliant accident. I look like an incompetent amateur playboy! And your brother’s pathetic smack talk is only helping.”

  “I don’t understand...”

  “We’ve been luring everyone into a false sense of security,” Harrison grins, “Now everyone will be blindsided when I start to win.”

  “How can you know that you’ll start to win at all?” I ask.

  “Trust me,” he says, “Come tomorrow, I’ll have secured my first win of the season. You can count on that.”

  “Does knowing you ever get less surprising?” I ask.

  “Nope,” Harrison smiles, “I’m afraid not.”

  Our waitress returns to fill our glasses with wine. Harrison raises his glass to me and says, “To my impending victory.”

  “Someone’s awfully confident,” I say, clinking my glass against his.

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” he asks, “I’m in my prime! I’ve been waiting for your brother’s defenses to fall since this season started.”

  A twinge of annoyance takes me by surprise. Something about Harrison’s brazen manner is rubbing me the wrong way, all of a sudden.

  “You do realize what a tough spot I’m in, don’t you?” I ask him. “You haven’t forgotten, in the light of your ‘impending victory’, that I’m totally going behind my family’s back to be here with you right now?”

  “Of course not,” he says, raising his eyebrows, “You can’t blame me for being excited about the race, though.”