Chapter 4

Chapter Four

C olby hadn’t been able to catch her breath since crossing the finish line and losing a race she knew she’d won. Not when she had been surrounded by a bloodthirsty press pack, NASCAR handlers afraid she’d say something that would cause a backlash, rabid fans, her own security, the likes of a presidential detail, and, of course, her team.

A coldness swept through her after the press conference as she beat back the feeling of anxiety. She could only imagine the stories that were going to be written about her loss and the stupid hot takes of talking heads on sports shows and podcasts.

Being under the microscope nonstop was taking its toll. Everyone watched her like a hawk for their own reasons, but Colby knew they all wondered the same thing, including her own team. When will she break? Was this it? Was this the moment?

Breathe. Just get to the elevator. Colby put one foot in front of the other. Using pure muscle memory, she walked through the hotel lobby.

For a split second, she, too, wondered if this was the moment she’d break. Then Rodney’s face flashed before her. She could hear his voice as plain as day. You’ve got this .

It forced Colby to stand just a little taller. If not for herself, then for him.

Her knees might feel a little wobbly, but the simple answer was she would not give them the satisfaction of watching her have a breakdown. The past year had been hell, and the emotional scars were adding up, but she was not built to break.

The noise started to fade as she and Liam stepped onto the elevator. The second the doors closed, she released a deep breath and briefly closed her eyes. She had never been more grateful for the silence.

As if a switch she hadn’t known was on, it finally shut off. Colby didn’t have to fake it, not with Liam.

He sensed what she needed and automatically pulled Colby into his arms, almost crushing her into the wall of his chest.

Colby relaxed into his body, allowing Liam to support her weight. As he held her, he quietly watched the numbers change on the panel above the door. Thirty-six more floors until they reached the privacy of the penthouse suite, and it would just be the two of them.

Colby was exhausted, but Liam’s blood was still boiling. His nerves were shot. How many times was he supposed to watch helplessly while other teams tried to physically harm her?

The elevator dinged, signaling that they had made it to their floor. As the doors opened, they walked out arm-in-arm.

Colby’s voice lacked the strength from earlier. “I’ve never in my life been this happy to be back inside our private little paradise.”

“Me too. Today was rough.”

Colby kicked off her shoes. “It was a total shitshow. Now I’m fighting for the last playoff spot.”

“That’s what you’re concerned about? The last playoff spot? Not the reckless driving that could have landed you in an early grave, but the playoffs?”

Colby blinked several times. It took her muddled brain a second to catch up to the anger radiating off him. “Why wouldn’t I be thinking about it?”

He was fit to be tied and unloaded on Colby, knowing his anger was misdirected. “How much longer do you plan on doing this?”

The bite in his voice took Colby by surprise. “What do you mean?”

“This!” Frustrated by fear, Liam ran his hand through his hair. “Every time you get in that goddamn car, you put your life in danger!”

Was he serious? Colby couldn’t believe her ears. “You’re talking as if being a professional driver is a hobby, and I can just stop because I’m ‘over it.’”

“You could have been killed today! Don’t you understand that?”

What is wrong with him ? It clicked in Colby’s brain that Liam was lashing out because he was scared. She would do her best to give him grace. She couldn’t imagine trading places with him.

Calmly, Colby responded. “Anytime either of us walk out the front door could be the last time we see each other alive.”

“Colby, that’s bullshit, and you know it. You are not just driving fast. You have enemies who are actively trying to hurt you, and there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it.”

“I understand your concern?—”

“My concerns? You say that like we’re discussing changing your hairstyle. You got clipped twice and almost spun out into a wall. Chris was injured because of their antics.”

“That might be stretching things a bit.” Colby understood the reason for Liam’s outburst, but she was quickly losing patience. “And it was just his ankle,” she muttered.

Liam’s volume increased. “I’m stretching things? Then tell me why we had to hire more security?!”

Colby’s own emotions boiled over. She pressed her hands against her chest. “Excuse me? You knew I was a driver when you met me!”

“Technically, you weren’t a professional.”

“What exactly are you saying? Are you seriously asking me to give up my career and trade it in for...what? A nine to five?”

Angrily, Liam took off his jacket and threw it on the bed. “I just want you safe!”

Colby backed up and away from him. “I’m a James! Asking me to give up driving is like asking me to cut off a piece of my body. I can’t do it!”

Her words hit Liam square center mass. His head dropped low as his chin touched his chest. He ran a tense hand down the back of his head . Liam knew how important racing was to her. He could see the hurt and betrayal in her eyes.

I just fucked up.

The silence between them grew louder. He had to make it right.

He walked the small distance to Colby and reached for her. She gave him more grace than he deserved but willingly came into his arms.

Liam held her tight and placed his lips on the top of her head. “I feel helpless and don’t know what to do about it. Especially since it’s not a feeling I’m used to, but lashing out at you is not the answer.”

Colby whispered into his chest, “I need you to believe in me.”

Again, her words cut deep. Liam was a world-class jackass. “I do believe in you. It’s just...I’ve never loved a woman the way I love you. Hell, I’ve never loved any woman before, and the possibility that you could get hurt, or worse, makes me crazy. Colby, you’re an incredible driver. I would even say one of the finest ever to do it, but those bastards are not playing by the rules.”

Colby pulled back slightly and looked up at him. “But...that’s the story of my life. Rules are for people like you. They don’t apply to me and never have. I’m an expert at learning how to maneuver around the bullshit. Both in life and on the course.”

“I just want to keep you safe.”

“I understand, but that’s not what I need.”

Her words were hard to hear. Liam had money. He could buy Colby anything, but that’s not what she wanted from him. “What do you need?”

“This.” She stood on tiptoe and tilted her head back so he could kiss her.

Liam tightened his hold. “I can do that.” He covered her mouth with his and kissed her hard. She melted into him. Holding her body in his arms only strengthened Liam’s resolve to love and protect her even more.

Lockwood Racing had to get their arms around this problem. He didn’t want to get in Brian’s business, but Colby was his business.

Breathless, she spoke softly, “I don’t want to spend the night before you leave for the next six weeks fighting.”

“Me either.”

“Good. I know it’s hard, but will you be back in time for my last qualifying race before the playoffs?”

Liam placed his arms underneath her legs and scooped her up. “Yeah, but I don’t want to think about that right now. I just want to focus on you. You’ve had a helluva day.”

Colby snuggled closer into the crook of his neck and breathed in the sandalwood and his natural scent. “I’m exhausted but getting a second wind.”

A corner of Liam’s mouth edged up. “Oh yeah?”

“Mmmhmm. I need to release some pent-up energy. Have any ideas on how I can do that?”

“I can think of a few, but you’ve had a long day. I’m content with just lying in bed together.”

Colby lifted her head slightly to gaze into his ocean-blue eyes. “Do you think for one minute that I’m going to send my man off for six weeks and not give him a little something to remember while he’s gone?”

Liam could already feel his body responding. “It would be nice... very nice , but not necessary. I’m not a Neanderthal.”

“Six weeks is a loooooonnnng time, and I need you.”

“You?”—Liam raised a brow—“need me? You don’t need anyone.”

Colby touched the side of his face. Her voice softened. “I always need you.”

When he reached the bed, he set her down gently, joining her as they sank into the mattress.

They kissed. Playful at first, but gradually, the intensity softened. Colby’s eyes grew heavy, and her laughter faded as she sighed contentedly. Colby couldn’t recall the moment she drifted off as her head nestled onto Liam’s shoulder, her breathing soft and even.

Liam looked down at her, a smile tugging at his lips as he positioned Colby’s body to make her more comfortable.

He pulled the covers up over both of them, tucking her in close. With one last kiss to her forehead, his own eyes started to close as he drifted off to sleep beside her.

It was barely eight o’clock in the morning, and Brian was already knee-deep in a strategy session with his newly assembled executive team.

The anger he felt from the shenanigans of yesterday’s race was still pulsing through him. He couldn’t sit still and got up from the conference table. He was forceful and firm as he stalked around it. “What happened to Colby yesterday will absolutely never happen again!”

“You’re damned right, it won’t!” Unannounced, Liam burst into the meeting.

Brian wasn’t surprised that Liam had shown up. What had surprised him was that it had taken him this long. Irritated, Brian responded. “This is a closed-door meeting for staff only .”

Liam didn’t want to usurp Brian’s authority, but they needed a heart-to-heart. He glanced at his watch. “My flight leaves in two hours. I only need ten minutes. Is now a good time for a break?” He wasn’t really asking.

If Liam wasn’t going to be gone for more than a month, Brian would have made his ass wait in his office. Instead, Brian turned to his team. “Let’s take five .” He stressed the word as he gave Liam a stern glare.

They waited for the room to clear out before starting their discussion.

Liam could finally unleash his anger. “What the fuck, Brian?”

“Look, I know you’re upset, but I’ve got this.”

“Do you? Because from what I saw, Colby was almost splattered against a wall.”

“From my perspective, yes, things got out of hand. Colby definitely needs better blocking, and Cyrus and I are looking into that, but what was also reconfirmed is that your girl can handle whatever they throw at her on any course.”

“She shouldn’t have to. You know goddamn well you’d be shitting a brick if this was Lila.”

“You’re right. I would, and Colby shouldn’t have to deal with half the shit she does, but we’re handling it both officially and unofficially.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that we’ve been getting calls and messages from other drivers who weren’t cool with the bullshit. There might be one or two willing to make a few deals.”

Liam was skeptical. “How do you know you can trust them?”

“We’re figuring that out.” Brian had some compassion for Liam but needed him to take a step back. “As your brother, I get it. I really do. But as the owner of Lockwood Racing, you’re overstepping. You cannot come busting into my office in front of my team making demands.”

Brian was right, but Liam would never admit it. “What would you do?”

“If this was a year or two ago, I might have tried to blow some shit up. But I’m not that guy, and I’ve had the best mentor.” He tipped his head to Liam. “Give me some space and some room to work. I promise I’m going to get a handle on this.”

The two men stood eye to eye, firm in their positions, until Liam finally gave Brian a slight nod as a sign of respect. “Keep me posted.”

“If there’s anything you need to know, I will tell you.”

There were three quick successive taps on the conference room door.

Before Brian told his team to come back into the room, he needed to make sure he and Liam understood one another. “We’re good?”

Begrudgingly, Liam nodded. “For now.”

That’s all Brian needed to hear as he yelled over his shoulder, “Come in.” His small team began to file back inside as Liam turned to leave.

“Liam?” Brian said.

Liam half-turned.

Brian had some compassion for him. Love had made him act irrational once too. “I promise I’ll take care of her.”

Liam responded as he continued to walk out the door. “You better, or else I’ll be the one blowing shit up.”

Inwardly, Brian grinned. He had never been able to get Liam to stand down. He’d mentally mark this day as a much-needed win. However, he didn’t doubt for one second that Liam meant every word.