by Dena Blake
Ray chuckled but seemed to see Sam’s dead-serious expression and quickly stifled his laughter.
“You drivers are all alike. Stupid, self-absorbed—”
“Hey now! I may be a bit self-absorbed, but I’m not stupid.”
“Then why don’t you listen?”
Drew dropped her helmet onto the seat and headed out of the garage. “I’ve had enough of this conversation.”
“Get your ass back here and fight with me, damn it!”
“You’ve got the wrong person for that,” she shouted without breaking stride. “When you’re ready to talk to me civilly, you know where to find me.”
Brad strolled in through the side door with his usual smug manner. “Sounds like you and your girlfriend are having a little spat.”
“Leave it alone, Brad.” Sam tried to stifle her cough but failed. “I’m not in the mood for any of your crap either.” Swiping the bottle of cough medicine from the bench, she swallowed a big gulp.
“At least I’m man enough to stand up to you.”
“Is that what you call it?” She tugged open the refrigerator, took out a bottle of water, twisted the top off, and took a big gulp. “You’re a real piece of work, you know that?” she said, her cough settling for the moment.
“Let me know when you’ve got the car ready for me.”
“The car was ready an hour ago. Drew took it out. I don’t need you now.” She slapped the water bottle to the bench.
“Don’t get used to that. Thompson isn’t going to replace me.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. At least she can perform.”
He gave her a splintering stare and started toward her. Sam heard the clink of Tommy’s wheelchair coming through the entrance, and Brad stopped.
“Watch out for your sister. She’s in rare form today,” he said, spinning around and whipping past Tommy.
“Why do you let him treat you that way?”
“Stay out of it.”
“I know of at least one person around here that would treat you a whole lot better.”
“I’ll choose who I want to be with, Tommy. I’m not a victim.”
“Victim.” He let out a short breath. “That’s your word, not mine. But if you’re not, stop acting like one.”
“Just leave me alone.” She put her hand to her head and felt the fever radiating. “I’m not up for this right now.” She felt dizzy, and everything went black.
* * *
Sam tried to move, but everything hurt. Ignoring the pain, she pulled herself up in bed. Where the hell am I?
Drew sprang to her side. “Hang on there.”
Sam studied her face. She seemed groggy. “Is this your room?”
Drew nodded. “I told Paddy I’d keep an eye on you while he’s at the track.”
“How did I get here?”
“You passed out in the garage.” She brushed a curl from Sam’s forehead. “You promised me you were going to take care of this. See the doctor.”
She rubbed her forehead. “I went, but he wasn’t there.”
Drew shook her head. “I should’ve taken you myself.”
Sam threw the covers back. “I don’t have time for this. I’ve got a race to prepare for.” Her vision faded, and she grabbed the corner of the nightstand to steady herself. “Whoa.” She fell back against the pillow.
Drew lifted her legs onto the bed and pulled the blanket across them. “You’re on the brink of pneumonia. The doctor gave you a shot. Now just lie back and rest.”
She rubbed the tender spot on her hip. “That’s what that is.”
“You also took a good bonk to the head when you fell.”
“How long?”
“At least a day, maybe two.” Sam sat up again, and Drew smiled as she steadied her. “Your health is more important than any race, Sam. Ray can take care of the cars until you’re up again.”
Sam sank back down into the pillow. “Ray. Yeah. He can do it.” She closed her eyes and everything faded again.
Chapter Twenty-three
Sam clanged the side door open and caught a glimpse of Ray. “Hey, sunshine, you’re back,” he said. “I missed you the past couple of days.” She could see by his moist brow and grease-stained coveralls that he’d already been hard at work this morning.
“Sorry about that, Ray. I feel much better now.” She threw her arm across his back and gave him a soft pat. “How are things coming?”
“Right on schedule.”
“Thanks for picking up the slack. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You know I’m always here for you, Sam.”
Even though she’d heard that statement from him a million times before, Sam detected something different in his voice this time. “Is everything okay? How’s Jenna? I haven’t seen her around the track lately.”
“Jenna’s good. Remember, I told you she’s got a new job and doesn’t have much free time.”
“Oh.” She scrunched her nose. Sam didn’t recall him telling her anything about Jenna and a new job, but then again, she hadn’t been running on all cylinders lately. “Tell her I said hi.”
“Sure thing.”
She ducked her head under the hood. “Where are we at here?”
Sam heard Drew’s voice echoing into the garage from just outside. She hoped she was only passing by, but could tell by the distinct pattern of her footsteps that she was headed inside.
They’d made their peace about the misunderstanding, and Drew had taken excellent care of her over the past few days, waiting on her as well as keeping her warm at night. Sam had been thrown back into the fire again. With constant thoughts of being locked together smoldering in her mind, she’d ached to feel Drew inside her again. Drew hadn’t crossed that line again until last night when Sam had kissed her softly, touched her intimately, and begged her to make love to her. She’d done it, making her come repeatedly throughout the night. It was all Sam could think about. This mesmerizing state Drew kept her in had to cease, or she would never get any work done.
“Can you give us a minute, Ray?” Drew said.
Ray glanced at Sam and she gave him a nod. “Sure thing. Be back in ten.”
Ducking her head back under the hood, Sam shook when Drew slid her hand up the back of her shirt. The feeling was so unnerving, she popped up and smacked her head hard against the hood.
“Damn.” She winced, holding the back of her head as she waited for the pain to subside.
“You okay?” Drew moved forward and Sam backed up. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
She sucked in a deep breath, hoping the ringing in her ears would stop soon. “What’s up?”
“You snuck out early this morning. I just wanted to come by and make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine.”
Drew reached for her head. “Why don’t you let me check that?” Sam pushed her hand away.
“I said, I’m fine.”
Ignoring her protest, Drew slipped her arm around Sam’s waist and tugged her close. “You know what the doctor said.”
“Yeah. Well, I think he’s in cahoots with the competition.”
Drew pulled, Sam pushed, and with a fading smile, Drew released her. “What’s wrong now?”
It was time to focus on the car. Over the last forty-eight hours she’d had a lot of time to think. Racing was the only concrete thing in her life, and she was screwing it up royally. Her health, her emotions, everything was out of control. Something had to give.
“I can’t do this anymore.”
Drew’s full, dark brows pulled together. “Do what?”
“Him, you, me, us.”
“I thought things were good between us.”
“They are.” She sighed, shifting uneasily. “But I can’t live like this.”
“What? Happy?”
If she was going to do this, it had to be now. She closed her eyes and blew out a deep breath. “Have you ever had that all-consuming feeling when you’re with someone
?” Drew smiled and touched her cheek. Sam put her hand immediately on Drew’s and removed it. She had to do it. She had to bare all and then cut clean. “I can’t think straight when you’re around, and when you touch me like that, I can’t function at all. I can’t afford to be in this helpless state all the time.”
Drew slipped her arms around her waist, and she reacted with a jolt. “You’re sick, Sam. That’s what’s messing up your focus. You’ll feel differently in a few days.”
“No.” She fixed her gaze on Drew’s and pried her arms away. “I won’t. I can’t.”
“You’d rather be miserable than be with me?”
She’d hurt her. Sam could see it clearly in her eyes. It made her stomach rumble, but she had to do it. “At least my heart would be safe.”
“What about my heart?” Drew’s expression was still and sober. She backed up and stared before turning around. “I’m going to suit up, and then I’m going to take the car out. If you’re not here when I get back, I guess I’ll see ya ’round.”
She watched Drew walk out before picking up the wrench and clanking it down onto the air-filter cover. No, I can’t see you around. That’s the problem.
* * *
After numerous attempts to restart, the pit crew rolled out and pushed Drew and the number-fifteen car back into the garage. As Sam stood watching through the office window, a wave of relief whooshed through her. She could tell by the way Drew was slamming things around, she was pissed.
Drew gave the office door an open-palmed whack, and it bounced against the wall and back at her. Sam held her chuckle when it popped her in the face.
“What’s the matter with it now, Samantha?” Paddy’s tone was strong, demanding her attention.
“Same thing.” She shrugged. “I’ve been fighting that flat spot since the beginning of the week.”
“I thought you had that fixed.” Drew gave her a dead-serious stare, making no attempt to hide her suspicion. “The car’s been running smoothly for two days, and now all of a sudden this problem is back?”
Sam could see Drew thought she’d done something to the car, but she hadn’t. It had been a fortunate coincidence. If there was no car to drive, Drew wouldn’t be around as much.
“That’s the problem.” She lifted her cheeks into a fake smile. “It comes and goes.”
Ray hollered from under the hood. “Hey, Paddy. Can you come here for a minute?”
He scowled, pushing away from the desk.
After Paddy went out the door, Drew gave it a nudge. The old wooden plank swung around but stopped just short of closing. “I don’t buy it, Sam.”
“You don’t buy it?” She let out a short laugh. “Since when do you know anything about engines?”
“Since I’ve spent the last week leaning over your shoulder.” Her gaze swept Sam’s body. “Memorizing each and every move you’ve made.”
Sam shifted uneasily. “I thought we were talking about the car.”
Drew moved closer into Sam’s space. “We are?”
“Don’t.” Sam gave her a pleading stare.
“Will you take a look at this?” Paddy came back through the door rolling a bead of black goo between his fingertips. “Somebody put gasket seal in the fuel line.”
Sam widened her eyes, and she brushed by Drew. “What?”
“Luckily Ray found it before it made it to the engine.”
She was concerned now. Someone had done something to the engine.
Paddy turned back to the garage. “Let’s go check that injector, Samantha. You need to give it the once-over to make sure it wasn’t damaged.
“Surprised Ray found it?” Drew said, stepping in front of her.
“I’m glad he did.” She truly was surprised. “I don’t care what you think, but I would never compromise these cars.”
“I wonder who did?” Drew’s stare burned so deep into her, Sam had trouble keeping eye contact, but she didn’t flinch. She wasn’t giving in on this one. She would never deliberately sabotage any race car and refused to let Drew think she had.
Drew shook her head and blew out a short breath through her nose. “I have a couple of things to do this afternoon. I should be back for dinner, if you want to talk.”
“Talk about what?” Sam got the feeling Drew didn’t believe her.
“About this.” Drew pulled Sam to her and pressed her mouth hard to hers.
“Dinner…uh…sure.” Sam’s mind raced as her body flew into overdrive, and the words just rolled out. She stumbled back against the wall and didn’t move until the office door clicked shut. Damn. She did it again. She whirled around and paced behind Paddy’s desk. She’d meet her, but there would be nothing more than dinner. She took in a deep breath. That was a lie. Thinking about her crooked, cocky smile, Sam slumped down into the chair. She’d had a taste of her, and Drew was running hot in her system. She wouldn’t be able to flush her out until she ran the full extended course.
Chapter Twenty-four
When Sam had brushed her off this morning, the feeling of loss rolled through Drew like a tidal wave. She’d felt the sting of rejection before, but it had never stung quite so deep.
Knowing Sam could barely think when she was around was the only thing keeping her sane right now. It confirmed that she meant something to her. Drew’s biggest obstacle now was the way she felt about Sam. Drew knew exactly what helpless state she was talking about. It was an unmistakable sensation that crashed into her whenever Sam was around, and it was getting in the way of her job as well.
“Hey, Thompson.”
Drew spun around and found Lieutenant Barnes standing right behind her. “Good morning, sir.”
“How’s everything going on that black-widow case of yours? I hear she’s pretty good at sucking them in.”
“Where’d you get that information?” Drew was suspicious. The lieutenant’s transfer from Narcotics to Internal Affairs had happened so quickly, it led Drew to believe they had something on him. Now that he was in I.A., Barnes seemed to be in Drew’s business all the time.
“I didn’t get it from my daughter, if that’s what you’re insinuating.”
Drew shook her head and gave him a cold, hard stare. “Jade’s not a snitch. I would never imply that. I have too much respect for her.”
“You just make sure you back her up. I’ve already lost one daughter because of you.”
“I lost her too, Jack.” She didn’t want to get into this discussion again. Drew knew who was responsible. He couldn’t blame her any more than she already blamed herself.
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Better be careful. I won’t be there to cover your ass this time.”
Drew creased her forehead “Were you there last time?” He hadn’t backed her up at all. Jack had claimed he’d had car trouble and hadn’t made it to the scene until after Drew and her partner were already down. She’d concluded that someone must have tipped them off. When she went in, things just didn’t feel right, the old warehouse strangely still. It was supposed to be an easy meet, but everything went bad before the transaction even started. Drew hadn’t seen the gun or the shooter. If she had, she couldn’t remember.
Drew suspected Barnes had had her transferred. She could feel it in her gut. He’d wanted her off the case from the very beginning, said she was lucky she’d only gotten a shoulder shot. And he was right. If she went back undercover in Narcotics, she would’ve been dead in a week. Barnes had thrown her to the wolves and then switched sides to save his own hide.
“Maybe you’ll be her next victim,” Barnes said.
“You’d like that.” Drew turned and continued down the hall to the lab.
Next victim, hmm…That was a definite possibility. Someone had rigged the injector line, but Drew couldn’t find it in her heart to believe it was Sam. Yet she was acting way too cool, and Drew didn’t know why.
* * *
As Sam waited for Drew in her room, the incessant buzzing edged her out of her drowsy state. The room was completely dark n
ow, and she tried to focus on the analogue clock. She didn’t know how long she’d been asleep, but her worn-out body was demanding more rest. She didn’t want to move. She rolled over and pulled a pillow over her head, but the buzzing continued. Unclear about what she was hearing, Sam sat up and searched around the room, trying to locate the sound. As the room came into focus through the darkness, she swiped her fingers across her eyes. She moved to the side of the bed, and the buzzing got louder.
Opening the nightstand drawer, she found the phone creating the noise. The message displayed across the screen from the Bureau of Forensics Crime Lab said, “DNA 1 positive, DNA 2 negative.” She stared at it as if that would make the message more comprehensible. After the screen went dark, she touched the button to make it visible again.
Crime lab. DNA. Sam suddenly felt sick. Who in the hell was this woman she’d been sleeping with for the past week? She bolted off the bed and pulled open every drawer in the place. Finding nothing, she flopped back down on the bed. Where would she put something she didn’t want found?
She slid off the bed, fell to her knees, shoved her hands under the mattress, and felt the stiff edge of a file folder. As she scanned through the pages it contained, her nerves puddled. She’d never seen these pictures before—horrifically graphic ones of all the accidents that had occurred over the past year on the racing circuit. Some of them showed men with whom she’d been intimate and who were now dead. She closed the folder and sucked in a deep breath.
The folder also contained personal information about her and everyone else on Paddy’s racing team. And it wasn’t just the team. It was loaded with facts about everyone in her life.
She flipped it over and read the front cover. In small bold print on the front of the folder it said, California Bureau of Investigations. She’s a cop? The emptiness crashed into Sam like a two-ton truck. She picked up Drew’s phone and typed in something she knew she’d regret.