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Then her car makes a loud explosion and my head jerks to see her spiraling out of control. My eyes widen and I find myself jumping over the railing in a frenzy as the car spins and then slams into the railings at the side of the track. The crowd goes silent and real panic spreads through. It’s an illegal race, which means paramedics aren’t here. It’s a risk, but it’s a risk you take when doing something illegal.

I run towards the car, which is smoking. Sheyenne climbs out of it and I sigh in relief. She’s fine. This becomes clear when she starts laying into the car, kicking and punching it like a maniac. I reach the car and her eyes find me and widen. Then she spits. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” Then we’re surrounded by people. Voices call out and arms start grabbing. It’s chaos.

“Get the fuck back!”

That’s Tazen.

“Move or I’ll use force.”

Murray.

The people back off and then Tazen and Murray come into view. Tazen’s eyes flick to me and flare with rage and confusion, but most of all with concern. I ignore him and turn to the smoking car. The loud sounds of the other cars can still be heard as they complete their final lap. I rush over to the hood and pop it. Grey smoke bellows out and I start coughing as I wave it away.

“You let me drive a dud,” Sheyenne screeches.

“I didn’t fucking let you drive anything. You took the keys even after I told you not to,” Tazen barks.

“Your cars are meant to be the best, this shouldn’t have even happened.”

I ignore them, as I start frantically checking over everything. The color of the smoke indicates an oil leak that has possibly gotten into parts of the car it shouldn’t. This can easily cause an engine fire. Sheyenne is stupid for getting in after Tazen told her not to. I manage to clear some of the smoke. I need something to cover my hand so I can check the engine. Left with little choice, I unbuckle my coveralls, hold them at my waist and remove my tank top from underneath them.

I have a bra on, so I pull my coveralls back over that. Wolf whistles flow in from the crowd and then suddenly Tazen is by my side. “What the fuck?”

“Don’t what the fuck me,” I mutter. “This car needs my attention.”

“This car is fucked.”

I look over to him, and he’s now leaning down with me.

“No car is fucked, Tazen. It’s just not treated with the respect and love it deserves.”

“What did you say?” Sheyenne demands.

I stand and turn to face her. “Did I stutter, Sheyenne? If you treated these cars like the pieces of beauty they are, you wouldn’t have so many problems. Instead you’re a hotheaded, careless bitch and you take that out on these cars. If you want to be a true racer, learn some respect.”

Her face swells red and Murray steps in front of her, glaring at me.

“What?” I say, crossing my arms. “It’s the damned truth. Protect her from it all you like, maybe that’s the problem.”

Tazen is by my side, curling his fingers around my arm in warning. God, why are they all protecting this woman who does nothing but treat them all like trash? It makes me angry, because she’s walking all over them and they’re letting her.

“You better watch yourself,” Sheyenne threatens.

“Or what?” I say. “You might have these guys by their dicks, Sheyenne, but I owe you fuck all. I say it how it is. If you can’t handle it,” I wave my arm towards the crowd, “I’m sure you know the way out.”

“I’m going to hurt her, Murray!” she yells, stepping forward. He turns and curls an arm around her, holding her back.

I roll my eyes and lean underneath the hood again. I cover my hand and start checking everything. I’m right, there’s a major oil leak and it’s damaged a lot of parts. Not to mention this engine has been flogged. She’s treated it badly. I can tell by the wear and tear. Why Tazen would ever sell this dragon a car is beyond me.

“It’s got a massive oil leak,” I say to Tazen, straightening. “It caused some serious engine damage. It needs a lot of work.”

“It needs to be burned,” Sheyenne snaps.

“I could say the same about you,” I mutter.

She bares her teeth at me, in a feral hiss. Jesus, issues much?

“It might not need to be burned,” Tazen says. “But it needs close. It’s fucked, Quinn.”

“It’s not fucked,” I say. “It just needs a rebuild.”

“And I don’t have time for that shit,” Tazen says. “Close the hood, I’ll get rid of it.”

“No.”

He turns to me, eyes flaring. “What?”

“I said no. You’re not getting rid of it. That bitch destroyed a masterpiece, and I’m not going to let it go to waste. Let me have it. If you’re just going to dump it, then at least let me have it.”

He studies me, then shakes his head and shrugs. “Fine, whatever.”

“Good. Oh, and if that new car is for her to destroy, I’m not helping you build it. I’d rather gnaw my own arm off than to see that disrespectful cow get behind another one of your cars.”

His eyes widen and Sheyenne lunges forward, but Murray catches her again, pulling her back.

“Let me teach her a lesson, Murray,” she screeches. “Stupid bitch, let me rip her hair out.”

I open my mouth to reply but Tazen clamps a hand over it and says in a low voice, “Be very careful, Quinn. There’s a lot you don’t know, things that can get you hurt. If I could tell you, I would, but you need to trust me okay? She’s bad news. Just simmer down, okay?”

“I know enough to have followed you here, where you’re involved in some pretty stupid stuff. If you want to risk your career to please that spoiled brat, you go right ahead.”

I turn and walk towards the crowd. I look back over my shoulder before I reach it. “Oh, have the car delivered for me. Will you?”

Then I blend in with the people.

Shit just got real.

*   *   *

“Stop, Quinn.”

I keep walking towards my car, parked in the darkness. Tazen is following me. Of course he is. I’m ignoring him.

“Jesus, stop, will you?”

I’m just about at my car when he takes hold of my hand and spins me around. I lose my balance and slam into his chest. It takes me a moment to gather my footing, but when I do, I push him backwards and shoot him a menacing glare.

“What the fuck did you follow me here for?”

I cross my arms. “I knew you were up to something, I wanted to see what.”

“It’s none of your business.”

“Considering I’m your employee, I’d say it is. Oh, and there’s the fact that you’ve fucked me.”

“Fucked plenty of women.”

Ouch.

I flinch and anger bubbles in my chest.

“You know what?” I say. “Fuck you. I’m done with you. You’ve done nothing but play games with me from the start.”

“Me?” He snorts. “I think you’re the fucking game player.”

“Whatever,” I say, opening my car door. “I’m done.”

“No, you’re not. We’re going to talk.”

He takes hold of my arm, but I spin around and shove him backwards. “There’s nothing to talk about. I’m finished with you and your psycho girlfriend.”

“She isn’t my girlfriend,” he growls.

“No, you just make her car after car, so she can trash them. I thought you cared more about your work than that.”

“Listen, Sheyenne is…”

“A spoiled brat who you all keep making excuses for.”

He sighs and runs his hands through his hair. “She’s not right in the head, Quinn.”

“No shit.”

“I’m being serious,” he yells. “She’s nuts and it’s getting worse. We don’t know what’s wrong with her, but she’s having massive episodes where she just loses it. She’s taking it out on her cars, on her friends and what little family she has left. She was my girlfriend for a while, and I noticed it was happening. When she tried to run me over after a fight one night, I knew it was spiraling out of control.”

I shake my head. I feel sorry for her, if that’s the case, I do. But them spoiling her is not helping anyone. All it’s doing is teaching her to be a bigger bitch. If they wanted to help her, they’d take her to a doctor.