“Siena,” Harrison says, looking at me intently, “I don’t want to be in different places. Ever again. I want you with me while I get over this little bang on the head. Would you...Would you come to London with me?”
I feel my mouth fall open in surprise. “Come with you?” I ask, “Harrison, how would we ever explain that to people?”
“You can say...you’re there doing research for the next Grand Prix,” Harrison offers, “Say you’re working out a PR strategy for Enzo and you’re gauging public opinion on the ground.”
“You evil genius,” I laugh, “Where the hell do you come up with this stuff?”
“I spend my days hanging around a brilliant, gorgeous woman who inspires all kinds of thoughts in this simple brain of mine. Most of the thoughts are dirty, honestly.”
“You want me to come stay with you for the next...two weeks?” I ask, hardly daring to believe it, “You know the London Grand Prix isn’t for two weeks?”
“I’m aware,” Harrison says, “Do you not want to—?”
“No! It’s not that,” I say quickly, “It’s just...Since we met, we’ve been a pretty strictly hotel room and backseat sort of couple, you know? This whole affair of ours—”
“Is that how you think of what we have?” Harrison asks, “An affair?”
“You know what I mean,” I tell him, “We haven’t had a very traditional relationship so far. It’s just strange to think of living together, now. Even for a little while. After all the scandal and intrigue—”
“You think that you’ll get bored, coming to stay with me?” Harrison asks.
“I highly doubt that,” I laugh, “I’m just...I’m sorry. You caught me off guard, is all. I can’t imagine how I could sell that to my family without them getting suspicious. To say nothing of the fact that we’re one illicit photo away from becoming the next big tabloid sensations.”
“Just forget I asked,” Harrison says, “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Siena.”
“Harrison...” I say, “Come on. You’re taking my reaction the wrong way. Don’t you think I’d love to come play house with you while you get better? I just don’t know how I’m going to swing it.”
“I don’t want you to swing anything,” Harrison tells me, “I just want you to be there with me. I want you to see my home, my city. I want to behave like the man you deserve to be with. You shouldn’t be in a hotel room and backseat kind of relationship, Siena. You’re more to that than me. You know that, don’t you?”
“Of course I do,” I tell him.
“Then let me show you,” he urges, laying a palm against my cheek. “Come to London with me. We’ll figure out our next move there.”
“I’m just not sure...”
“What about us has ever been sure?” Harrison challenges me, “You’ve been taking risks with me since the night we met. I’m asking you to keep it up. This is never going to be some simple, uncomplicated relationship. You know that. We don’t need to tiptoe around that fact anymore. I’m so sick of hiding this away for some bullshit sense of propriety. I just want you, Siena. All the time. Always. Say you’ll come with me.”
“I’ll...” I begin, trying to sort through the flurry of emotions running through me, “I’ll talk to my family. See if I can throw them off the scent. That’s all I can promise right now, OK? I’m going to do my best. I want to come with you, Harrison. I want to know what your real life is like. I want to be a part of that life. I just want to step lightly, here. This means too much to me to fuck it up now.”
“OK,” Harrison says, “I trust you, Siena. Do what you have to do.”
“I love you. You know that, right?” I ask him, drawing his hand down to my lap.
“I know,” he replies, pulling me gently down onto the bed beside him. “I love you too.”
I stay with him for longer than might be wise, just curled up against his side. It’s so hard to keep my hands from wandering all over his body, but after our little incident earlier, I'm sure it’s for the best. The crazy thing is, it’s enough just lying here with him. Feeling his firm chest rising up and down against my cheek. It almost feels like we’re approaching normal, as we lie here together. It might not be so bad, spending the next couple of weeks at his place. Learning what it feels like to share a life with him. Visions of movie nights and takeout curry come galloping into my mind as I try to imagine what a normal life with Harrison Davies might look like...or is that just a contradiction in terms?
After long hours, I finally say goodbye to Harrison. It isn’t easy, prying myself from his side, but I promise to call him the minute I know what I’m going to do next. I leave and head back to Enzo’s room, but not before Harrison makes me promise to try and shake off my family and join him in London for the month. He makes a compelling case, lying there half naked. Those bare biceps of his alone are very persuasive.
Just as I arrive back at Enzo’s room, my brother and father are gathering up their things, ready to head back to the hotel. It would seem that Enzo’s scrapes from today’s wreck are not quite as bad as Harrison’s, and I’m glad for it. My brother may have brought the accident on himself, but of course I’m happy that he barely got scratched.
“We’ll leave for Italy in the morning,” Dad says as we pile into the Ferrelli private car. “As odd as it might be to say, this whole thing is rather well-timed.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, staring sullenly out at the city of Moscow as it flies by.
“I don’t know how much longer I can stay on the road this season,” Dad says, “I’m starting to feel it, you know. The fatigue. The aches. It’s getting harder to breathe. That horrible cough is finally starting to take hold...”
“Oh, Dad...” I whisper, taking his hand in mine.
“No, no. None of that pity bullshit,” he grumbles, “I’m just trying to be practical, here. When I get back to Italy...Well, I might just have to stay there.”
“You could make it to a few more cities Dad,” Enzo encourages him, “You’re as strong as an ox.”
“I was,” Dad says sadly, “But not these days, my son.”
I bite my lip, trying to keep from crying. Dad’s going home to settle into the final stage of his life. To be with my mother as his life draws to a close. I can’t even grasp what this really means. He’s hardly shown any signs of sickness since he told us about his diagnosis. But lately, even I can see that he’s getting worn out. Worn down. Sitting out the rest of the tournament is probably the only way he’ll see the end of it.
It’s still impossible for me to fully take in the fact of my father’s sickness. It was sprung on us so quickly, and in the midst of so much else, that I’ve had no time at all to process. On the one hand, I’m grateful to be distracted from the fact of Dad’s cancer. But on the other hand, I know that I can only hold off my grief for so long. And when it finally hits me full on...I don’t know how I’ll be able to stand it.
What am I supposed to do now? Continue on with my plan to go to London, be with Harrison while he recovers? Or go to Italy with the family and sit by my father’s side as the cancer takes hold of his body? I don’t know which of the men in my life needs me most, now. Which one I’m supposed to take care of. My father’s always been the most important man in the world to me. But now...?
“I was thinking, Dad,” I begin, my voice shaking almost imperceptibly, “It might be a good idea for me to keep up with the tournament on the ground. From a PR perspective.”
“You mean, keep traveling with the rest of the teams?” Dad asks.
“Not to Belgium,” I say, “Since we’re not racing in that Grand Prix, I mean. It might be a waste of energy. I thought I’d go on ahead to London. Start doing research, shaping the narrative among the local press. That kind of thing.”
“You want to go to London?” Enzo asks, “But London is terrible. It’s foggy, and expensive, and drab as hell. You love the house in Italy. The whole team will crash there for the month. Charlie, Gus, Bex, the whole crew
. It’ll be just like vacations were when we were kids.”
“But we’re not kids any more, are we Enzo?” I ask, “We’ve got work to do. And I think I could do mine better if I went on ahead to London.”
“I trust your judgment, Siena,” Dad says, “You don’t want to be cooped up with us, anyway. Your mother will probably be worrying up a storm, as ever. You should get out while you still can. We’ll be fine in Italy, and we can meet up with you in London in a couple of weeks.”
Enzo stares at me long and hard. I don’t even have to look at him to know that he’s scrutinizing me, looking straight through me. Why do I get the feeling that he knows exactly what I’m up to, scampering ahead to London without my family? My team?
“You should do whatever you think is best,” he says, his voice hard and quiet, “I’m sure we will get along just fine without you.”
His casual dismissal cuts me to the quick. He knows me too well to be fooled into thinking that I’m giving up Harrison without a fight. And right now, I’m sure he’s well aware of the choice I’m making by not going along to Italy. What I don’t know is exactly how much he hates me for that choice.
I make a beeline up to my hotel room the second we’re back. I’ve finally come to my decision about London. Closing the door tightly behind me, I whip out my cell and punch in Harrison’s number—the only one I have committed to memory. He picks up immediately, and the sound of his voice puts my raw heart at ease.
“I was waiting for you to call like a bloody school boy, perching by the phone,” he drawls. “You’re making me soft, Lazio.”
“Funny, I thought I did just the opposite,” I say, smiling into the phone.
“Did you talk to your family?” he asks, refusing to beat around the bush.
“I did,” I answer.
“And?” Harrison asks.
“And they’re going back to Italy through Enzo’s suspension. My, uh...My dad probably won’t leave again for the rest of the tour, once he’s there. He’s starting to feel his symptoms. You know.”
“Oh, Siena...” Harrison says, “If you want to be with him—”
“I will, in time. And he has plenty of people surrounding him,” I say, “You, on the other hand, need some company. And I need to be with you, right now. I want to be with you.”
“I want that too, more than anything.”
“It’s settled then,” I tell him, “I’ll be seeing you in London, Mr. Davies.”
Chapter Thirteen
A Split Allegiance
“Are you sure you won’t reconsider?” Charlie asks, pouting dramatically as the Ferrelli jet sidles up the runway.
“I’m sure. This is for the best, Charlie,” I tell him.
We stand together in the airport terminal, far away from the bustle of baggage and team members scrambling for a seat on the plane. Team Ferrelli is headed to Italy for a little R and R before the London Grand Prix. But despite the fact that they’re shipping off to relax, the tension in the air is thick. Missing one race won’t kill Enzo’s point count, but it’s hardly something that anyone can be happy about. Right now, my brother and Team Ferrelli are both in first place while Harrison and McClain hold second. But those outcomes were forecasted from the beginning—it’s third place that has everyone in a tizzy.
After the Moscow wreck, Rafael Marques secured first place, moving ahead in points above both Sven Landers and Alexi Rostov. Marques is a relatively new driver himself, and no one had him pegged as a contender this year. But he’s quietly been racking up the points along the season so far. If anything goes wrong and Enzo or Harrison is forced out of another race, Marques might be able to unseat them for good.
“You don’t really think Marques will take the Luxembourg Grand Prix, do you?” I ask Charlie, thinking aloud.
“I don’t know, Bex,” Charlie says, “He’s a sneaky one. I barely even noticed him moving into third place. And he’s a decent driver too. Not the fastest, but an opportunist if I ever saw one.”
“And a disgusting, arrogant chauvinist,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“Ah, she’s sweet talking me!” says a rich voice from behind us.
Charlie and I turn and spot Rafael Marques making his way across the terminal, flanked by teammates and admirers. I feel my face fold into a scowl at the sight of him. Marques has never said two words to me that didn’t make me want to punch him in the throat.
“What did I tell you about the Moscow race, eh?” Marques says, coming to stand before me and Charlie. “I took first after all. Wish you could have been there to share in the champagne.”
“I was a little busy making sure my brother wasn’t dead,” I drawl, “He’s doing fine, by the way. Thanks for your concern.”
“I knew he’d be fine,” Marques sniffs, “He caused the wreck, after all, he was in control of it. Damned foolish thing to do, if you ask me. And very peculiar, intentionally crashing into another driver for no reason at all. Don’t you find that strange, Siena?”
“What are you driving at, Marques?” I snap.
“Just that it’s curious,” he smiles, “Very curious. Anyway, we must be off. Have a few press appearances in Luxembourg lined up. Everyone wants to talk to the man who’s going to win this tournament out from under your brother, apparently.”
“Get a grip, Marques,” I say.
“Gladly,” he sneers, moving his hand mockingly toward my ass.
“Hey,” Charlie growls, knocking the driver’s hand away, “Watch your step, buddy.”
“I’m sorry. Who are you?” Marques asks Charlie, smiling condescendingly.
“I’m Charlie Spano. Son of Augustus Spano. Friend of Siena’s.”
“Awfully protective, for just a friend,” Marques sniffs, “Not like I give even the slightest shit. See you around, my darling.”
“God, I hope not,” I say to his retreating back.
“What an ass,” Charlie says, shaking his head.
“Don’t worry about him,” I say, “Just take care of my dad and Enzo for me while I’m in London, OK?”
“Of course.”
“And do your best to keep an eye on Bex as well,” I wink, “Think you can handle her?”
“I’m up for the challenge,” Charlie grins, “That’s about as much as I can promise you.”
“Did someone call for me?” Bex asks, bounding up beside us. Her arms are loaded with airplane snacks of every shape and form.
“Just wanted to say goodbye,” I tell her, wrapping my arms around the candy mountain she’s lugging around. “Have a good time in Italy.”
“Have a good time in London,” she says pointedly.
We can’t talk much about my decision to stay with Harrison while Charlie’s here. I made Bex promise not to breathe a word of my relationship with McClain’s top driver to Charlie. Even though it would be hard to imagine that he’s behind those illicit pictures at this point, you just never know. I don’t want to take any chances with Charlie liable to fly off the handle over my secret.
I give Charlie a quick hug and watch him make his way onto the tarmac with Bex. Just as they’re about to disappear from my sight, I watch as he cups her hand in his. The sweet gesture almost breaks my heart for wanting to be with my own man, as soon as humanly possible. All I need now is to say goodbye to Enzo, and then I can be on my way to London. I look around the terminal for him, hoping to catch his ear before he leaves. When my eyes finally alight on that brother of mine, I let my eyes roll mightily. He’s standing across the long terminal from me, deep in conversation with a certain voluptuous blonde.
“Yo! Enzo!” I shout across the lofty space.
My brother manages to rip his eyes away from Shelby, McClain’s resident social media whiz. He gives me a quick wave and turns back to his lady friend, undeterred. I spot a few other McClain team members milling about—their jet must be leaving from here as well. I want to make sure to catch a glimpse of Harrison setting off. If we’re both seen at the airport this morning, people will b
e less likely to imagine that we’ve headed off to be together.
I look on in disgust as Enzo pulls Shelby into an embrace. They kiss as passionately as any long lost lovers in the movies. What the hell is this girl up to? I still haven’t dismissed that she too, might be responsible for my blackmail after all. She’s got no business in my brother’s bed, that much is for sure. Enzo finally detaches himself from a tearful Shelby and makes his way over to me.
“You’re going to see each other in two weeks,” I remind him, “Do we all really need to watch your gross PDA?”
“Are you trying to lecture me on decorum, little sister?” Enzo snaps.
“Don’t throw that in my face every time I speak,” I tell him.
“Sorry,” Enzo says, “It’s just awfully ironic, I guess.”
“Will you take care of Dad for me?” I ask, ignoring his dig.
“Sure,” Enzo says, “At least one of us will be there for him in his hour of need.”
“I’ve got work to do. Dad understands, and if anything happens I can be there in a quick plane ride.”
“Oh please,” Enzo spits, “We both know why you’re going to London, Siena. It’s to spend time playing nurse with that cocky pretty boy of yours.”
“Keep your voice down,” I warn.
“Oh, I will,” Enzo says, “I’m ashamed of you for being with him. I wouldn’t want anyone else to know. So please, for the love of god, try and be discreet while you sleep with the enemy. You owe all of us that much, especially Dad.”
“Why are you being so cruel about this?” I ask him, “Why can’t you at least try and see things from my point of view?”
“Because you betrayed me, Siena,” Enzo says, “We’ve always been best friends. Partners in crime. And you kept this from me.”
“Are you just upset that there’s another man in my life? Someone else to be my best friend?” I ask.
“Of course not,” Enzo snaps, “I’m just embarrassed for you, Siena. You could do so much better than that dumb jock.”
“One day, if you give him a chance, I think you might really grow to like Harrison,” I say to Enzo.
Take Me Series (COMPLETE BOX SET) Page 30