Beastly (Phoebe Reede: The Untold Story #3)

by Michelle Irwin

When I’d stopped by to check on Mr. Reede and pick up Angel, I’d found a mood even worse than the one I’d left the night before. Angel was ready to go, but the bags under her eyes suggested she’d had the same restless night I had. Phoebe’s daddy did little more than sit on the sofa starin’ at his phone, barely gruntin’ a greetin’ when I arrived.

  Despite that, the taxi to the airport and the flight had been fairly painless. Angel had spent most of it curled against my shoulder tryin’ to get a few minutes of sleep.

  Our first stop when we arrived at the track was to visit Jackson. He’d been my eyes and ears in the pits since I’d started at Richards Racing, and he’d guided me through more scraps than I could remember. I trusted him more than anyone else on the team.

  “Jackson, this is Angel.” I placed my hand on the base of her spine to let her know I was there for her. “She’s a friend of Phoebe’s from Australia.”

  A range of emotions flitted over his face, from lust to confusion and back again. “Hi, Angel.” The way he said her name sounded more like a flirtation than her actual name.

  When he tore his gaze from her, it cut to me and the questions there were abundantly clear. What was happening? Why was Phoebe’s friend there when Phoebe wasn’t?

  “Would you mind givin’ Angel the tour while I find Dale?”

  The questions burned brighter than ever before he shifted his attention back to Angel and gave her a friendly smile. “Not at all.”

  “You’ll be safe with Jackson,” I promised Angel. Despite his light flirtin’, which was only to be expected given Angel’s looks, he wouldn’t lay a hand on her or let her be hurt. “Just don’t leave his side till I come back, ’kay?”

  “Okay. Don’t be too long.” She turned back toward Jackson and asked him somethin’ about his position on the team and how well he knew Phoebe.

  I left them to go in search of Dale. The press release Phoebe’s mama had drawn up was burnin’ in my pocket, and I needed to get it out to the team. I still stood by the choice of waiting until the team knew before givin’ the information to the press, but I was also aware that the sooner the information went out, the sooner there might be a lead that could help us find her.

  When I found Dale, he was in conference with Cash. I pushed through the door, but didn’t interrupt them or announce my arrival—couldn’t because Cash was hootin’ and hollerin’ so much.

  “You have the nerve to call me unreliable when the track princess hasn’t even bothered to show up for two races in a row now. The first two of the season, I should add. Kick her off the team.”

  “It’s not as easy as that,” Dale said. “There are other— Oh, Beau,” he added as he spotted me. “What can I help you with?”

  “Are ya kiddin’ me, Cash?” I screwed my fists up as I stared at the man I’d once called my best friend. Despite my initial misgivin’s over whether he could be involved, he just jumped higher up the suspect list in my mind. With Phoebe outta the way, he could claim back his old position. “How can ya say that about her?”

  “What? Ya can’t deny her attitude is terrible. Not to mention the way she parades ’round the office like she owns the place.”

  I closed my eyes and squeezed my fists tighter. “Cash, ya better shut ya mouth, or I’ll be shuttin’ it for ya.”

  “What’s your problem, Beau?” He practically spat my name at me.

  “My problem is that Phoebe is missin’, and you’re standin’ here actin’ like it’s all a deliberate action on her part.”

  “Maybe it is. Maybe she wanted some time alone.”

  “Just ’cause you ran out on your responsibilities, that don’t mean everyone does. In case ya hadn’t heard, her daddy is in town to look for her too. Don’t that suggest somethin’ a little more untoward than just her needin’ a vacation?”

  Cash shrugged. “So a track princess can’t handle the pressure and goes underground. It’s hardly newsworthy.”

  I was at his side in an instant with his collar balled in my fist. All the fight I’d pushed down when it came to Phoebe’s daddy bubbled to the surface, waitin’ to be released. “If ya ain’t got nothin’ constructive to add, you can get out, ’cause I need to talk to Dale.”

  He raised his hands in surrender and backed away when I released my hold. “Whatever.”

  He took a handful of steps, takin’ him closer to the door, before turnin’ back around. “But I think somebody needs to get laid again. Good thing ya fell for someone so easy, maybe she’ll give ya another pity fuck when she turns up.”

  I didn’t make it to his side before Dale’s hand closed around my arm. “I will not have my drivers fightin’ each other in the lead-up to the races this weekend.”

  Spinnin’ ’round, I growled at Dale. “Phoebe’s your driver, not him. If she has gone away like he thinks, then it’s because of him and the other assholes like him who don’t know when to quit.” The word I’d used was stronger than I normally would’ve levied against Cash, or anyone, but it was necessary in the circumstances.

  “Because of me?” Cash said. “Seriously, if she can’t handle a couple of simple jokes, she’s not cut out to work in this sport.”

  “Simple jokes? You attacked her character. Let her think that everyone hated her. Made her life a livin’ hell.”

  Cash closed the distance between us and poked my chest. If it wasn’t for Dale grabbing my arms again, I woulda swung at him. “No. You did that. You were the one who ensured Cass was at work as much as possible just because you were too much of a pussy to face your ex-girlfriend alone. You were the one who decided to play the hero and try to be a father for Cass’s baby and let Phoebe believe it was yours. If you wanna know why she left, if you want someone to blame for the reason she ran away, look in a mirror, Beau.”

  Halfway through his speech, tremors built in my body because I couldn’t deny any of what he’d said. I’d tortured Phoebe—Cash, Xavier, Angel, and even Phoebe herself had all said as much. As much as I could argue it was unintentional, that wasn’t entirely true. I had specifically asked Cass to help me cope with bein’ around Phoebe. So often I’d need Cass to whisper to me that I was doin’ the right thing. Or to lean across and remind me to stop watchin’ the pretty girl who’d held my attention ever since I’d met her. Especially in her formal dresses, with her hair swept up and all her curves on display.

  At the first meet and greet, when Phoebe had turned up in a stunnin’ floor-length dress that held all the shades of blue hidden in her eyes, it had taken everythin’ in me not to run straight to her side. If it weren’t for Cass forcin’ me to try to have a good time, I woulda been beggin’ at Phoebe’s feet for her to love me and only me. I still might’ve if I hadn’t heard her promisin’ a night of fireworks to someone else. The same line she’d used on me. It had made me want to hurt her, which had in turn made me rely on Cass more than ever.

  Ignoring Cash, who stood snarlin’ at me after deliverin’ his dose of reality, I relaxed to let Dale know I wasn’t about to take a swing at anyone. I shrugged out of his hold to bury my head in my hands. I stalked away from them both, crossing to the other side of Dale’s temporary office as I tried to catch my breath.

  A chill raced through me as I understood more than ever that Phoebe was right. I’d been such an asshole to her, and some of it I’d done willin’ly. Any hurt she felt was deliberate on my part. Perhaps it was a course I wouldn’t have taken if I’d known the truth, but I couldn’t say I didn’t know it would hurt her. There were times I’d wanted it to hurt her—like I’d thought she hurt me.

  By bein’ such an ass, I’d practically forced her into Xavier’s comfortin’ arms.

  Maybe I hadn’t fully understood how much I’d hurt her, but I’d thought we were past it. That we’d found our way through the hurt and made it to the other side.

  But maybe we weren’t.

  Maybe Cash was right and somethin’ triggered Phoebe into runnin’. From me. Maybe I was so desperate to not feel guilty about it that I
was ready to point the finger in any direction possible except back at myself.

  That didn’t explain why her daddy was so worried though. Or why Angel was in the States to look for her best friend. One of them woulda known where Phoebe was if she’d run because of me. Wouldn’t they?

  “What’s going on, Beau?” Dale asked. His voice was closer than I expected.

  “Phoebe’s missin’.”

  “I gathered that by the fact that she’s not here. I meant what’s going on with you?”

  I spun toward him, noticin’ for the first time that Cash must have left after I turned away from the pair.

  “I mean, she’s missin’ missin’.” I handed him the press release that Phoebe’s mama was sending out. I’d read it on the plane, fightin’ back my risin’ panic the whole time. It was an appeal for information. There was no finger-pointin’ but it contained a clear message that they didn’t think she’d just decided to run away. Runnin’ the words over in my head again took away some of the sting of Cash’s accusations.

  “What is this?” he asked as he leaned against his desk to read it.

  “That’s goin’ out at one today.”

  “All official team communication must come through me, Beau. I haven’t approved this.”

  My lips twisted. Why wouldn’t he want it released? Unless he was involved. Conspiracy theories chased each other around my head. What could he gain out of her disappearin’? Even as I had the thought, I pushed it aside. At this rate, I’d be accusin’ every one of my friends and workmates.

  When did I become so damned paranoid?

  “With all due respect, sir, it ain’t your place to decide what happens when it comes to this. Mr. and Mrs. Reede are not only the team owners she was racin’ for, but they’re also her parents. I think that trumps everythin’ else.”

  He stopped reading and glanced up at me. “I guess you’re right. I just don’t like being surprised with things.”

  “Talkin’ of bein’ surprised. Ya got about a half an hour before this goes to the press. So if ya wanna talk to the team before they find out in other ways, it’d be a good idea to do it soon.”

  He sighed. “This is the last thing I need with the Duels tomorrow and the 500 this weekend.”

  I pressed my jaw together at his attitude. It was like Phoebe’s disappearance was nothin’ more than an inconvenience to him. Did he not understand that she could be anywhere? She could be hurt. She could even be . . .

  My breath quickened as I pushed the thought from my head. She had to be okay.

  Wherever she was.

  “I understand that, sir,” I seethed. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that the sarcasm in my voice was shinin’ through. “I’m sure Mr. and Mrs. Reede are real apologetic that their daughter’s goddamned disappearance came at such an inconvenient time for ya.”

  He jumped back to his feet. “Of course that’s not what I meant. If she’s genuinely missing, then that’s a terrible tragedy. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’ve got to field two cars in some major races between now and the weekend, and I’m in the shit because I have one driver who’s disappeared and another whose head isn’t in the game.”

  Any respect I’d had for him—which was considerably less lately after havin’ to argue so hard to get him to let Jase go—was fast slippin’ away. “Rest assured, when I hit that track, I’ll have my head in the goddamned game. Until then, I’m sorry if I’m a little more concerned about someone’s life than a freakin’ race.”

  He blinked at me as his jaw fell open. There’d only been one other instance where I’d lost my temper at him, and that was when he’d said Jase was too valuable to lose over the petty allegations of a virtual stranger.

  Once my breathin’ returned to normal, guilt seeped in. It wasn’t really fair for me to be unloadin’ the anger and anguish twistin’ in my gut on him. “I’m sorry, Dale. I just lo—really care for her, and I want her back.”

  He nodded and grabbed the sheet of paper with the press release again. “I understand. I’ll get the team rounded up for a meeting now.”

  Within ten minutes, the team was gathered up in our pit. An excited tremor ran through them all, no doubt thinkin’ it was going to be a meetin’ to rev them up for the comin’ event.

  When she spotted me through the crowd, Angel moved from Jackson’s side to stand beside me.

  “How’re ya holdin’ up?” I asked her.

  “Being here is tougher than I thought it would be. This sort of thing was Phoebe’s element. I can see her everywhere here. She’d be in the pits with the rest of the crew doing what she could to make sure the car was 100 percent.” Tears pricked at her eyes. “She wouldn’t be missing this for anything.”

  I nodded because her words radiated with the truth I knew of Phoebe too. Even at our most heated and hateful, I’d been dyin’ to see her in action on the track.

  “We’ll find her,” I said to reassure Angel before wrappin’ my arm around her shoulders. She willin’ly stepped into my embrace and practically melted against my chest as her tears grew. I rested my chin on the top of her head and stroked her hair to try to calm her. Our actions drew a little attention from those closest to us, but it didn’t extend far enough to cut through the general excitement.

  “I have no doubt you’ve all noticed the absence of the newest member of our team,” Dale started. Angel’s tears turned to quiet sobs that broke my heart as he spoke.

  “I have here a press release her parents are going to issue soon confirming that she is missing. Thankfully, we’ve got another driver who is able to step into her place again this weekend and for as many races as necessary.”

  Angel stiffened in my hold, and I understood the reaction because my own fingers curled into fists. Once ag’in, he was making it all about the team, about the race. Phoebe deserved more than that.

  “Until more information comes to light, Cash will be driving the number eight car again. Thank you all.”

  “You’ve got to be kiddin’ me!” I released my hold on Angel as every eye turned toward me as I shouted the words from the back of the pack. “That’s not what this meetin’ was supposed to be for.”

  “The biggest concern isn’t about who’s going to drive the fucking car!” Angel screeched over the top of my words.

  Dale narrowed his eyes at her. “Who is this woman, and why is she in my pit?”

  “This woman is Phoebe’s best friend, and she is here to help with the investigation,” I said. “And if you’ve got a problem with that, I can accompany her from the track back to North Carolina, but I ain’t gonna be returnin’ to race if I do.”

  Angel glanced up at me with a look of surprise on her face. I don’t know what shocked her so much. I’d promised Mr. Reede I’d keep her safe. If she left the track, it was gonna be with me or not at all.

  “Very well,” Dale said. At first I thought he meant he was happy for me to leave, but then he continued, “If you two want to take the floor and say a few words before we get back to work, go right ahead.”

  I nodded and reached for Angel’s hand, holdin’ it in mine before leadin’ her to the table Dale had put the press release on.

  “As Mr. Richards has already said, Phoebe is missin’. She was last seen at Richards Racing headquarters when she did her interview with the Racing Hub. If anyone has any information concernin’ her disappearance, her family asks that you please contact them, or Darnell Banks, the private investigator they’ve brought in to help find her.”

  Angel’s hand never left mine as I said the words. She even offered me a reassurin’ squeeze. I gave her a quick glance and nodded in thanks.

  “Please take the time to read this press release, so that y’all are informed about what’s happenin’. And please remember to not comment when the press start askin’ questions. Aside from findin’ Phoebe as quickly as possible, the most important thing at this time is to help give her family peace of mind. This means not talkin’ to the press about rumors or speculatio
n. The NDAs y’all signed when startin’ here extends to this situation, and I’m sure y’all understand how important her family’s privacy is on this matter.”

  There were a few nodded heads, but mostly there were trickles of conversation among different people in the small crowd.

  “I also want to take advantage of this meetin’ to introduce Angel. She’s my guest here and I ’spect her to be treated with the utmost respect at all times.”

  Angel stepped forward. “I know you don’t know me, and I know not all of you got off on the best foot with Phoebe, but I can tell you she’d be devastated to be missing all of this.” She gave a little sob, and I put my hand on her shoulder to support her. “She’s my best friend and I just want her safe.”

  I followed the line of her gaze straight across to Xavier. His eyes pinched at the edges as he glared at her in response. When he caught me starin’ at him, his lips twitched upward for the briefest moment. That look made me wonder whether perhaps she was right that he’d been involved. I vowed to watch him closer than I had before, and mention my suspicions to Phoebe’s daddy again when I spoke to him next.

  “I just want her home.” Angel’s voice broke as she said the words.

  “Thank ya, everyone,” I said to try to break up the gathering. As people started to walk off, or talk louder among themselves, I twisted her around and grabbed her shoulders. “Angel, I want ya to stick with me or Jackson the whole time you’re here. I know it’s a couple of days and y’all probably be sick of us both by the end, but it’ll keep my head in the right place.”

  Despite the circumstances, Angel offered me a smile. “I can’t lie. This protective crap could really get a girl hot. It’s no wonder she loves you.”

  I chuckled at her frankness. It was startlin’ how similar her personality was to Phoebe’s. At times it was like they were cut from the same cloth. It shouldn’t have surprised me though; they’d been friends for years.

  At least, that’s what Phoebe had told me as she’d sat with me in the days between her arrival after Abby’s death and the night she arrived on my doorstep. During that time, she’d shared little bits about her life and listened to little bits of mine. And at the last campfire, Phoebe had said Angel was a piece of her soul.