by Dena Blake
Racing Hearts
For Samantha Kelleher careening around a NASCAR track is treacherous enough, especially after the near-death experience that left her burned, broken, and guilty. When the top team’s drivers start to die from engine sabotage, the cop who is assigned to investigate turns out to be the sexy stranger Sam slept with to get revenge on a cheating ex. At least that’s what she told herself.
All cop, Detective Drew Thompson is bullheaded and arrogant—just the right qualifications to infiltrate the racing circuit as a cocky driver with a serious adrenaline addiction. Except, a one-night stand with the prime suspect isn’t exactly protocol for an undercover operation.
Drew isn’t going to let another cop, or civilian for that matter, die on her watch. Can they catch the real killer before their chance at a future goes up in flames?
What Reviewers Say About Dena Blake’s Work
Where The Light Glows
“I’m still shocked this was Dena Blake’s first novel. …It was fantastic. …It was written extremely well and more than once I wondered if this was a true account of someone close to the author because it was really raw and realistic. It seemed to flow very naturally and I am truly surprised that this is the authors first novel as it reads like a seasoned writer…”—Les Reveur
Unchained Memories
“This story had me cycling between lovely romantic scenes to white-knuckle gripping, on the edge of the seat (or in my case, the bed) scenarios. This story had me rooting for a sequel and I can certainly place my stamp of approval on this novel as a must read book.”—The Lesbian Review
“The pace and character development was perfect for such an involved story line, I couldn’t help but turn each page. This book has so many wonderful plot twists that you will be in suspense with every chapter that follows.”—Les Reveur
A Country Girl’s Heart
“Dena Blake just goes from strength to strength.”—Les Reveur
Racing Hearts
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Racing Hearts
© 2018 By Dena Blake. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN 13:978-1-63555-252-2
This Electronic Book is published by
Bold Strokes Books, Inc.
P.O. Box 249
Valley Falls, NY 12185
First Edition: September 2018
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Credits
Editor: Shelley Thrasher
Production Design: Susan Ramundo
Cover Design By Jeanine Henning
By the Author
Where the Light Glows
Unchained Memories
A Country Girl’s Heart
Racing Hearts
Acknowledgments
Thanks to the BSB team. It’s a long journey from beginning to end, but you all make it seamless. Thank you to Len Barot and Sandy Lowe for being so awesome and giving me the opportunity to share my characters with the world. Seeing them in print will always be a thrill. Thanks to my editor extraordinaire, Shelley Thrasher, for teaching me something new with each book and always making me look so good.
Thanks to my friends Kris, Erin, and Lisa. The constant support you provide is a much needed light at the end of the tunnel. I’m forever grateful you’re in my life.
Thanks to Kate for taking this ride with me and loving me through it all. You have my heart. To my kids for being my rocks and supporting me in every way. I will always love you the mostest. To my awesome family for being my biggest fans.
Thanks to Robyn for reading my books from the very beginning.
Last but certainly never least, thank you to all you readers out there. You give me reason to write.
Dedication
For all the NASCAR junkies out there.
The need for speed is strong in this one.
Chapter One
The shrilling screech of metal scraping pavement pierced Sam’s head. “Shit! Not again!” She watched the number-thirteen car slam into the barrier and immediately took off toward the pit truck. Racing across the Sonoma Raceway track, she couldn’t take her eyes off the crash. No way in hell would she lose her brother today.
“Don’t blow!” she shouted, watching twisted metal rip from the mangled machine and fly across the roadway. The first high-speed impact. The car was moving at an incredible speed, and more collisions would come.
The packed stands cleared as the car shot across the track without slowing, smashing into the side barrier. After skidding across the asphalt again after the impact, the car finally stopped. The engine burst into flames—Sam’s worst nightmare. Soon the whole car would be engulfed. Her heart hammered and her vision tunneled as she sprang into action, speeding to the mangled race car. Dead or alive, she wouldn’t leave Tommy to burn.
Heat radiated through the windshield, the intensity of the blaze unreal. Please don’t die, please don’t die.
She jammed her foot down onto the brake and halted the truck. It bucked as she bolted from it.
Her father’s voice screamed through her headset, “Damn it, Samantha, stay back! Let the emergency team get him!”
She searched the track for the fire truck. “Wait? Are you crazy? It’s gonna blow.” She refused to leave this to someone else. Tommy would be dead before they even got close. She ripped the headset from her head, her scalp stinging as a tangled wad of hair went with it.
Her eyes and nostrils burned as she ran toward the inferno, the scorching heat unbearable. She turned her head down track. The fire crew would never make it in time.
Sam had no choice but to act—NOW. She shut her eyes for an instant, steeling herself for what would come. Then, with no more hesitation, she reached through the window, groping for the harness release.
“Fuck!” She hissed a breath through her teeth. The searing hot metal of the buckle blistered her fingertips. Pain shot across her skin, nearly knocking her off her feet. Fumbling through her pockets, she took out a red bandanna, wrapped it around her hand, and reached back into the car. She popped the harness button and yanked the straps from Tommy’s unresponsive body. She hauled him through the window with all her strength, and his weight took them both to the ground.
“Stay with me, Tommy. We’re halfway there.” Sam pulled herself up, dug in with her heels, and dragged him across the asphalt backward. An explosive pop blew her to the ground again. She knew that sound too well. The car would explode any second. Heaving Tommy to one side, she rolled on top of him to shield him from the blast.
Ow! Pain seared through her. She stared at her leg and panicked. Fire! She slapped the spreading flames, a useless tactic. Sam tugged at her racing-suit zipper but realized her mistake. Without the added protection, she’d be toast. She couldn’t expose herself to the flames.
She fell to her knees and the car exploded again, blowing her to the ground headfirst. Sam raked her hand across her splitting head. Blurry eyed, she tried to see her fingers, barely able to focus. Covered in blood, her hand shook. No hope for them now.
Blinking, she saw the stream of suds spewing from the fire hose. Flames swallowed the foam flying silently through the air before it even touched the car.
She made out
black boots in the distance. More firemen. Raising her arm, she shouted, “Over here.” But they didn’t turn. She shouted again. Still no response. Was her voice working? Only a deafening, high-pitched tone rang in her ears.
Looking over at her brother, Sam stared at his vacant face. She touched his cheek and shivered. It was cold. She was too late. She blinked again, trying to maintain focus. Forgive me, Tommy. Her vision faded and everything went black.
* * *
A constant beep forced Sam to pull her weighted eyelids apart. The lingering stench of heated pavement slowly dissipated, replaced by an antiseptic smell. The new odor produced an overwhelming feeling of relief.
White walls, window, TV. Too much noise. She turned her head, following the annoying sound. Heart monitor. She was in the hospital.
“Where’s Tommy?” Her words were muffled.
“Hang on there, little lady.” Ray pulled the oxygen mask from her face.
“Tommy? Is he okay?” Her voice didn’t sound right. It was low, and rough. Probably from the smoke.
“He’s alive,” he said, his upbeat tone contradicting his sober expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothin’.” He still wasn’t smiling.
Ray was her best friend—he wouldn’t lie to her. Tommy must be alive, but something was definitely wrong.
“Ray, tell me straight. What’s going on?”
Ray’s eyes skittered anxiously. “His neck is broken.”
“Oh my God.”
“He’s paralyzed.”
“Permanently?”
“Not sure. The doc says they have to wait for the swelling to go down. See how bad the nerves were damaged.”
Crazy thoughts flew through her mind. Did I do this? Would Tommy have been okay if I hadn’t pulled him out? Her blood pressure spiked and the machine alarm whined.
“Settle down, Samantha.” Her father’s thunderous voice shot through her. She hadn’t seen him until now. He must have been sitting in the corner chair.
“Where is he, Paddy?”
“A couple doors down.” Ray turned slightly as Paddy stood. “Your dad’s been up with him most of the night.”
“What happened?”
“The crash probably caused the damage, but they can’t say for certain.” Paddy raked his hand down his red-freckled face. “Why’d you rush in there like that, Samantha? I told you to stay back.” His voice rumbled. He wasn’t holding his anger very well today.
“The car was on fire, Paddy.” She held her tone steady, trying not to provoke him. “It was going to explode.”
He grabbed the bed rail, twisting his hands around it. “You should’ve waited for the rescue crew.”
“The fire trucks were nowhere in sight.”
“I know you did the best you could, Samantha.” His tone softened. “But—”
“But what, Paddy? I got him out of the car.” She raised her voice, and his eyes narrowed.
“If you’d waited, he might not be paralyzed.” The bed shook as he released the rail.
“I wasn’t going to let my brother burn up in that car.” The tortured moments in the fire scorched through her again.
“The boy can’t walk, Samantha.” He turned away muttering. “Force him to live like that for the rest of his life or…”
“Or what, Paddy? Let him die?
He let out a heavy breath. “I’m not sure this was the better choice.”
“Tommy would want to live. Paralyzed or not.” Sam couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Would her father really have let him burn to death?
“One thing’s for sure. He’ll never be able to race again.”
“That’s an awful thing to say.” She bolted up in the bed. Her backside burned, a rush of heat flooded her, and she thought she might throw up.
“Maybe we should come back later.” Ray slipped something long and round into her hand. “The nurse said to push this button when the pain gets too much. It’s morphine.”
She sank back against the bed and immediately pushed it multiple times. “When can I go back to work?”
“Let’s not worry about that,” her father said. “Ray can handle things for now.”
“How’s the car?”
“Totaled. We need a new one.”
“I have to get it ready.” She tried to swing her legs to the side of the bed but couldn’t. They felt like bricks.
“You’re going to stay right here for the next few days,” Paddy said.
“And Tommy?” Her words slurred. The medication was kicking in.
“I’m afraid he’ll have a much longer stay.” She saw the disappointment in Paddy’s face. Had she done the wrong thing? Was it her fault Tommy was paralyzed? At the time she was so sure she was doing what had to be done.
Her mind faded into a haze, her eyelids heavy again.
* * *
The warmth was gone. She reached for the blanket. No blanket. She forced her eyes open. Large nurse, hovering above.
“Time to get you up and out of bed.” The nurse took Sam’s hands, gently pulling her into a sitting position. “Can you swing those legs off the bed for me?”
Nodding, Sam took in a deep breath and searched the bed for the morphine button to squelch the pain. No button. She followed the tube in her arm to the saline hanging from the pole. No morphine.
The irritating beep was gone, but Sam was still on edge. “What time is it?” She hauled her legs to the side, found them much lighter now.
“It’s almost nine. You slept well last night.”
After wrapping a light cotton robe around Sam’s shoulders, the nurse prompted her to lift her dangling feet before sliding a pair of slippers on them.
“Can I see my brother?”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” The nurse transferred the IV bag from the bed to a portable IV pole.
“Please. I need to see him.” A young woman dressed in purple scrubs and a white lab coat slid the glass door aside and entered the room. Sam wasn’t sure who she was, but this was overkill. “I can get out of bed myself.”
“Go for it.” The woman raised her eyebrows. “I’d like to see what you can do.”
Sam eyeballed the nurse. “Nice attitude.”
“This is Jade Barnes, our resident physical therapist.”
Sam took a double take. The woman didn’t look old enough to be out of high school.
“She wants to see her brother,” the nurse said.
Feeling Jade’s gaze rake across her, Sam shot her a demanding stare.
Jade gave her a subtle smile. “Maybe for just a minute.”
Sam stretched her legs to the floor, and pain shot up her backside. Fighting to catch her breath, she stumbled forward, grabbing the IV pole.
“Take it easy.” The nurse held her steady. “You need to do things a little slower for a while.”
She sucked in a deep breath, letting it shudder out. “Which way?”
“I’ll take you.” Jade tried to grasp her arm, but Sam flinched.
“I don’t need your help.” As she pulled herself upright with the IV pole, her stomach roiled and lodged in her throat. “Just tell me where he is.”
“Out the door and to the right.” Jade offered her arm to steady her.
Sam ignored it, leaning on the IV pole instead.
“I heard you were a tough one.”
Sam glared at her.
“It takes a lot of courage to pull someone out of a burning car.” Jade’s tone softened, the admiration in her voice sounding sincere.
“He’s my brother.”
“You saved his life, you know?”
“I paralyzed him.”
“No, you didn’t.” Jade stepped in front of her. “His neck was broken in the crash.”
“But I made it worse.”
“You couldn’t have done anything to prevent it.”
“Do you know that for sure?”
“Ninety-nine percent certain,” Jade said, moving to her side, co
ntinuing down the hallway.
Sam almost believed her. There was still that one percent.
Jade stopped before they reached the door. “You need to know a couple things before you go in.”
“I’m all ears.” Sam propped her shoulder against the wall for support. Walking wasn’t as easy as she’d thought it would be.
“He’s wearing what we call a halo vest. It’s a little daunting at first sight, but it’s not a permanent fixture. It’s only there to keep him immobile.”
“That’s all you can do for him?”
“The only other option was to do surgery right away and fuse the broken bones with metal pins, wires, and bone grafts. He was in pretty bad shape when he came in. The doctor didn’t want to risk surgery.”
It was more serious than Sam thought. Her brother would probably never walk again.
“We’re hoping he’ll regain some upper-body movement by letting some of the nerves grow back together. In order to do that he has to stay perfectly still. Understood?” She raised her eyebrows, waiting for a response.
“Understood.”
Rounding the corner, Sam saw her semi-conscious brother. No burns or scrapes. He appeared to be perfectly normal except for the rigid frame locked around his head, neck, and chest. Sharp spikes twisted through his scalp into his skull. It had to be painful.
“I sure did it this time, didn’t I, Sammy?” Reality dampened her brother’s usual playful tone. “I guess Lucky Thirteen’s good fortune ran out.”
She couldn’t stop the tears. “I’m so sorry, Tommy.”
“I’ll be okay, sis.” He gave her a loving smile. “But from now on, you’re gonna have to do the driving.”