Full Throttle

by LaShawn Vasser

  Liam scratched the side of his jaw. He wasn’t angry when he responded, just matter-of-fact. “Whatever trouble you’re in, it’s not my problem.”

  Brian was adamant. “Liam, we really need to talk!” he whisper-yelled.

  “No,” Liam said it with finality, and then shooed Brian away.

  Irritated, Harvey said, “Can you two quit your squabbling? I’m trying to concentrate.”

  Brian wouldn’t allow Liam to deter him. He could not and would not leave the room without speaking to Liam first. Brian sat down in the empty chair next to his brother and stared a hole into the side of his head.

  “C’mon. Is that even legal?” Harvey, a balding, older man, whose stomach prevented him from sitting too close to the table, spread his arms wide as he complained. It was evident by the slurring of his words that he had also had one too many drinks. “How the hell do I know that dude ain’t giving you information?”

  Liam raised piercing blue eyes above his cards. His icy glare said it all without having to say a word. But, just to be clear, Liam spoke. “Watch yourself.”

  Harvey wasn’t too drunk to hear the warning in Liam’s words. The air crackled with tension. Finally, Harvey responded in a much calmer tone. “Just play.”

  Since they clearly understood one another, Liam glanced back down at his hand and decided to take his sweet time.

  Brian leaned over and began speaking again. “If I could have found any other way, I would not be here. But I’ve run out of options, and I’m running out of time.” Brian was the spitting image of his older brother, just a younger version. His blonde hair, square jawline, and bronzed skin were like holding a mirror up to Liam’s face, except for the eyes. Liam’s eyes were that of a man who had experienced the good, the bad, and the ugly of life. They were very intimidating.

  Liam continued to ignore Brian and tossed four-hundred thousand dollars’ worth of chips into the large pot of over two and a half million. He smirked, and then placed his cards face up on the table as he leaned back in his chair. “Full house.” Nothing ever seemed to rattle Liam. Not even his baby brother sitting next to him sweating bullets.

  Liam stared down his opponent, but his next words were meant for Brian. “Whatever trouble you’ve found yourself in, you are going to have to figure a way out of it.”

  Brian responded through clenched teeth. “Didn’t you hear me? Why do I have to keep repeating myself? I just said that I wouldn’t be here if I had any other choice.”

  Liam watched Harvey use the back of his thumb to rub above his eyebrow. In that moment, Liam knew he had won the game. “I don’t care how long you stare at those cards. They are not going to change. Give it up so that we can enjoy the rest of our evening.” A small smile started to form at the edge of his lips. “I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather spend my time with a beautiful woman.”

  The older man, who was known as a card shark, tried to keep his features blank, but his cheeks were slightly flushed. Five seconds later, he threw his cards onto the table. “Fuck you and your brother, Lockwood.”

  Liam’s lips curved up into a full smile now that the pot was officially his. “I can only imagine how difficult it must be to lose money and your pride at the same time.” Liam and his team stood. “Markos, settle up with the house.”

  Brian shook his head. “Markos, man . . . you need another job. Being my brother’s personal assistant has got to suck.”

  Markos kept his expression blank. He could have easily been mistaken for one of Liam’s two bodyguards. The man could body double for The Hulk.

  “I don’t think Markos needs employment suggestions from you.” Liam picked up his custom designer suit coat from behind his chair and put it on, then nodded to Harvey as he left the table. Liam strode out of the room with his bodyguards following closely. Brian, however, walked side by side with his brother. He mused about the best way to tell him about his problem. Then he remembered what his father always said, when delivering bad news, just get right to it, and let the chips fall where they fall. “I made a wager with Anthony Luccesse.”

  Those words stopped Liam cold. His head turned slowly toward his idiot brother. “You. Did. What?” He enunciated each word through clenched teeth as if he hadn’t heard Brian the first time.

  Brian detested his tone. It wasn’t exactly a growl, but it was low and menacing and, for a lesser man, very intimidating. However, Brian wasn’t easily intimidated, especially by Liam. He actually admired him and hated to have to ask for his help. “It started with a few not-so-friendly wagers, and it escalated.”

  “A pissing contest?”

  Brian remained silent.

  “Goddammit!!” Liam was struggling to tamp down the rage that was beginning to bubble up through him. “How bad?”

  “It could end with me giving up my shares to our company, or dead if I try to back out.”

  Liam didn’t need Brian telling him how it could end when dealing with the Luccesses. He’d seen it first-hand. At one point, their father and Anthony’s had been friends. Their father had warned both Liam and Brian about wanting money and power at any cost using the Luccesses as an example. Anthony was the youngest, but he was also known as a shrewd kid.

  Liam lost it. Standing in the middle of the private hallway of the club, he yelled, “What in the actual fuck, Brian?! The Luccesses? How many times did both Dad and I tell you to stay away from them? You always have to do shit the hard way!”

  Brian tried to explain. “Anthony and I were drinking, and things just got out of hand.”

  “How the hell were you two even in the same room?” Liam put up a hand. “Never mind. The bottom line is you are twenty-fuckin-nine years old! When are you going to grow the hell up and let that shit about the girl go?” Liam was in utter disbelief. “I can’t believe you bet your shares to our company?”

  “None of this was about the girl.” Brian lied. His underlying anger was definitely about her. “And, yeah, I did.”

  Liam dragged a hand down his face. “These antics make you look weak. Not only that, you’ve put us all in a precarious situation!”

  Right or wrong, Brian had some pride. He wasn’t going to let Liam continue to talk to him that way. “I’m not weak! I made a mistake.” He raised his voice. “Did we not just leave a private room where you raised a bet by four-hundred thousand dollars? How many hundreds of thousands would you have pissed away had you lost? I’m sure you probably had already dropped several hundred thousand in that big ass pot before I arrived.”

  “What’s that to me? I’m worth billions. I would never wager more than I could afford to lose. And, if you haven’t figured this out yet, genius, your bet doesn’t just affect you! If you lose, you’ll be diluting the company with criminals.” Liam tried to gain some measure of control. Although he was ready to explode, he lowered his voice. “If you lose and have to give up your shares to the Luccesses, the FBI, CIA, DEA, and every other government agency will be at our offices within minutes of it happening.”

  Brian’s pride wouldn’t allow him to back down or blame it on a night of drinking. “If I don’t follow through, you might as well call in the order for my casket, and that’s if they can find my body.”

  Liam wanted to wring Brian’s neck as he looked down at his little brother. Liam had Brian’s six feet by about four inches. His fists clenched at his sides as he fought back the urge to smash it into Brian’s face. Liam thought better of it. That’s all he needed was for him to do something stupid that would make the blogs. Liam took a couple of deep breaths and stepped back. His night was ruined. There would be no enjoying the spoils of his win or the body of a beautiful woman. Instead, he needed to get on the phone with his lawyers and business managers to develop a plan in the event Brian had to give up his shares. Liam would be damned if he let that happen, but he still had to plan for the worst-case scenario.

  Liam turned and started walking away from the club’s main floor and toward the parking garage. He barked at one of hi
s bodyguards. “Change of plans. Have them bring the car around.”

  “Are you going to help me or not?” Brian called out after him.

  Liam kept walking. His mind was racing. Brian had most likely been set up and didn’t even realize it. He didn’t have a choice but to help him. The Luccesses had been trying to launder their dirty money through the Lockwood businesses for years. However, their father, and now Liam, had managed to protect their family and companies from it.

  Brian kept yelling as Liam walked farther and farther away. “Anthony’s family has a car in the NASCAR Cup Series in Atlanta. My car has to beat his.”

  Liam stopped walking and dropped his head to his chest. He couldn’t believe it. “You don’t even own a fuckin’ car!”

  Brian quickly jogged over and caught up to Liam. “Actually, I found a car and a driver that I think could win. The good news is that the team he works for is in financial trouble, and I can buy it for about twenty mil. The problem is NASCAR requires a million dollars in fees straight off, and the team upkeep is around twenty million a year.”

  “You’re throwing around millions like it’s not a lot of money.”

  “You just said ‘what’s a few hundred thousand when you’re worth billions.’ ”

  “I’m worth billions, Brian! Not you. ME! Basically, you’re asking that I sign-off on almost the entirety of your trust fund over a stupid ass bet?”

  “I know it sounds crazy, but I’m positive this team can win.”

  “I’m supposed to take your word for it when you’ve already proven that you have bad judgment?” Liam looked heavenward. This had to be a joke. He couldn’t believe Brian would be this foolish, not just with his own money but with their family’s company. “This can’t be real.”

  For the first time, Brian looked guilty. “I wish it weren’t.”

  Liam shook his head in sheer amazement of the stupidity of it all. “You do realize you have to pay to enter the race in Atlanta? Those races are not free.” The boy had no idea what he was doing, and what pissed Liam off even more was that Anthony probably knew it. They were toying with Brian, which meant they were toying with him.

  Brian could see the wheels turning in Liam’s head. That was a good sign. “This team qualified in two Majors last year. I have a shot at fixing all of this. But if I’m going to buy the team, I have to move on it right away.”

  Have mercy. Brian didn’t know the first thing about cars, racing, or anything else in that world. Liam started walking again. He needed to put as much distance between him and his younger brother as possible before he did something he would regret. “I didn’t say I was going to help you. As a matter-of-fact, if I can’t figure something else out . . .” Liam’s bodyguard held open the elevator doors that led to the parking garage. Liam pivoted to face Brian. “Get prepared to swim with the fishes, and it won’t be at the hands of the Luccesse family.”

  Chapter 3

  It was strange sleeping in her old bedroom. Colby had been home for a visit a little over six months ago, but that was different. This time she had come back to live. Her father needed her. With her mother gone, she was all he had. So, Colby dropped everything, took a leave from her job, and high-tailed it back to East Moline, Illinois.

  She had only been in town a few days but apparently not a moment too soon. Her father, the most even-tempered man she had ever known, was mentally all over the place. He was almost too irritable to be around. She would deal with whatever mood he threw at her. He had always been her rock, and now, it was Colby’s turn.

  Her dad was trying unsuccessfully to hide the stress of the moment and downplay what was going on around him. He ambled into the small kitchen. Colby had gotten up early and beat him there.

  “Morning,” he grumbled.

  “Morning.” Damn. He needed a shave. She said brightly, “Want some breakfast?”

  “Nah. I’ve got to get to the garage early.”

  He was dragging, and she could see the exhaustion on his face. “How about some coffee? I made a fresh pot.” Her parents’ kitchen would never win any awards from Better Homes and Gardens. It was as old-fashioned as it got. There wasn’t a modern gadget anywhere in sight. She even had to make the coffee using the percolator. The kitchen was just one giant metaphor for her father. The man did not believe in modern technology and fought fiercely against it.

  “Maybe I will have a cup.” Casually, he asked, “What’s on your agenda for today?”

  Colby handed the strong dark brew over to her dad. She lifted a shoulder. “I figured I’d drop by the garage and visit with the fellas. I hear Zander is in town. It’s been a while since all of us have been home at the same time.”

  “You don’t have anything else to do?” Ever the protective father. Colby was sure he just wanted to keep her from the shit show that had become Daughtry Racing. His head waffled from side to side. “Today might not be a good time.”

  Colby’s gaze was pointed as she lifted her cup to her lips. “Why would I want to do anything else?”

  Cyrus couldn’t maintain eye contact. “It’s just going to be crazy. Our lead driver and his little entourage will be there.”

  “Asher?”

  “Yep.” Cyrus took another sip of his coffee.

  “You know, he’s been with Daughtry for a few years now, and I still haven’t met him. He’s been all over the news and really raising his profile. Didn’t he qualify top five for the starting lineup in the last race?” Colby had been impressed.

  “Yep. The last two. You’ve been following him?”

  Colby leaned up against the counter. "Of course. I still keep up with Daughtry news even though my own daddy doesn’t like to give up any juicy details.”

  “If you mean keep up as in ‘Gonzo can’t keep his mouth shut,’ I can see that.”

  Colby tried to hide her smile behind her cup. She mumbled more to herself than to him. “That too.”

  Cyrus turned somber. “You said you were done with this life. I don’t give you details because I figured you didn’t want any.” There was an edge to his voice.

  Colby had to agree. “That’s what I said. I just needed . . . some time.”

  Her father was skeptical. “You were very adamant.” She didn’t know that he’d known about her every move from the moment she moved away. Hearing about it from others was hurtful.

  “Things change, Dad. I’ve changed. I’m home because . . .” She didn’t want to say because she never felt fulfilled with her work and friends in Washington, or that she continued to race in her free time. Although, she was pretty sure he’d known that. Instead, Colby switched subjects. “Isn’t there an important practice run or something today?”

  Cyrus tensed up. “Something like that.”

  It was more than something. Colby already knew what was going on. Her father was right about one thing. She had kept in close contact with Gonzo. He was her best friend, and they had remained close throughout the years, even though life had taken them on different paths. Gonzo was the one who told her that the very existence of Daughtry Racing was on the line—that it was solely dependent upon impressing one potential buyer. Daughtry Racing was her family. It was also an organization that her father had given not only his life but his blood to. Most of the people surrounding the team had seen Colby take her first steps. There was no way she wouldn’t be there for them. Nor would she allow her dad, or this team, to go through this situation without her.

  Colby could help. She knew it.

  Her father finished his coffee and put his cup in the sink. “Yeah. Like I figured. Gonzo and his mouth.” He sighed. “You sure you don’t want to go to the mall?”

  “Really, Dad?”

  “Maybe you can save that for tomorrow and go with your cousin. Don’t forget she’s coming into town tomorrow night.”

  Colby had already forgotten. “She and I are as different as night and day. Why is she coming again?”

  “She’s coming because I’m her favorite uncle, and she want
s to see me,” he said cheekily. “You might be a little older, but that girl worships the ground you walk on. She seems to only come to visit when she knows you’re going to be in town.”

  Colby grimaced.

  “Are you sure you two are so different now? I think you’re both cut from the same cloth.” Cyrus added sarcastically, “With all those fancy clothes you’ve been wearing, I’m not so sure.”

  Colby rolled her eyes. “I’m still the same girl. I just grew up, and now, I have a few designer outfits in my closet, mostly because of work.”

  He grunted. “Mostly, huh?”

  “I will always be more comfortable rocking jeans, a t-shirt, or a good old pair of coveralls. You know that.”

  “If you say so. Just remember, no red bottoms are allowed in the garage.” He laughed. It was the first one she’d heard since returning from Washington.

  “What do you know about bloody shoes anyway, Dad?” Colby laughed.

  “I might be getting older, but I still know what’s going on around me even if I don’t like it.” He walked over, leaned in, and kissed her on the forehead. “I’m going to head out. There are a few things I need to do before the run. Are you sure you don’t need to be somewhere else?”

  “Yeah. Pretty sure. So, I guess I’ll see you there.”

  *****

  Colby pulled up into the full parking lot. Just about everyone who’d ever been connected to the organization seemed to be there. Apparently, she wasn’t the only person who had come back into town for the event tomorrow. That many people at the practice run was an indication of just how serious things were.

  Colby’s heart warmed as she got out of her burnt orange classic 1970 Chevelle SS with an upgraded 427 Corvette engine. As she glanced around the lot, she spotted many familiar vehicles. If nothing else, folks around her hometown loved their muscle cars. They kept and restored them for years, eventually passing them down to the younger generations of their families.

  Colby wasn’t an official part of the Daughtry Racing team, but she showed up wearing the uniform. It was a pair of white coveralls with Daughtry Racing stitched above the breast pocket, a matching baseball cap with her afro-puff ponytail hanging out of the back, and mirrored sunglasses. Today, she would be working in either the Pit or the booth.