He gets out and goes right around to the hood, lifting it up. Something is wrong with the engine. My palms itch, because I want to go over there and check it out. I know this is all very wrong, but there’s an atmosphere here that is truly thrilling. It’s dangerous and edgy, it’s living on the dark side. I like it, as much as I hate to admit it. What worries me the most, however, is that Tazen could lose everything by being involved in illegal racing. It surprises me that he is allowing that risk to be a part of his life. He’s worked so hard for what he’s created. It seems like a silly thing to put it all at risk for.

I lean closer to the railings and watch as all the drivers prepare their cars. Tazen is busy under the hood, and Sheyenne is leaning against the car still carrying on about something. The final five minutes is called and Tazen doesn’t move from under that hood. When the racers are told to take their places, Tazen steps out and slams it shut. He says something to Sheyenne and she simply snatches the keys out of his hand and gets into the car.

Panic rises in my chest. Is she going to race a car that’s not fit for racing? The way Tazen is now yelling at Murray, it would appear she is. I chew on my bottom lip as the girl with her checkered flags walks out onto the track. We can’t hear a thing over the roaring of the engines, but when she raises her flags and then drops them, no words need to be said. The cars screech off, smoke pouring from their back ends.

Adrenaline and excitement run through my veins, and my skin prickles with delight as I watch the cars hit the corners, sliding perfectly around them and picking up speed on the flats. Beautiful. I rub the little bumps forming on my arms over watching this racing. There’s a certain thrill that comes with watching a car in all its glory, rumbling and growling like a wild, uncaged animal.

I turn my eyes to Sheyenne’s car, and see she’s actually holding well so far. She’s hugging the corners and picking up speed on the flats. The crowd is roaring, and the atmosphere has become electric. I close my eyes and take in the deep, barking sounds of the cars and the way those sounds travel through my body. As they pass us on lap one, the zooming sound of each car speeding past has my body coming alive.

I can’t help it.

I start screaming with the crowd. After that everything explodes. People become frantic, the cars pick up speed and the roar of the crowd and engines combined is a sound I’ll never forget. The cars hit their final lap and I cross my fingers, watching Sheyenne taking the lead. They’re right, she’s an amazing driver when her head is screwed on the right way for the night. She’s got talent and she’s got skill.

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?”