Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Maggie—
The race is about to start. We’re lining up, and I catch sight of Remy and Derek at the back of the pack. Holy shit. I can’t believe they’re here. I thought for sure they’d run while they had the chance.
What fucking morons.
It pisses me off, considering all the trouble and risks I took to try to save them. Maybe my brothers deserve their damn fate.
Keno was right. I should have washed my hands of them. They’re the ones making stupid life choices and soon they’re going to pay the consequences for every mistake they made.
Screw them.
Lola runs over to me, and I flip my visor up. She has to shout over the engine noise.
“My father texted me. That pregnant chick was paid by Remy to say that about Keno.”
“What?” My eyes get big.
“The club tracked her down. She confessed it all.” Lola leans closer and yells. “She said Remy told her he plans to wreck you on the track.”
Motherfucker!
First, he robs my bar, even going so far as to shoot his gun off in the place with no regard to my safety, then tries to come between me and Keno destroying any chance I have at happiness, and now he wants to prevent me from having any chance at winning the prize money?
I’m his sister, for God’s sake, but apparently, I mean nothing to him. If he purposely tries to cause me to wreck, I could get hurt. Seriously hurt.
Obviously, that means nothing to him, because it’s clear I mean nothing to him, and I never have.
Fine.
If that’s the way he wants it, then two can play that game.
I nod to Lola and slam my visor down, glancing over at Remy as Lola gets out of the way.
He’s pure evil, and it's time I realize that.
Our blood means nothing to him; therefore, from now on, it means nothing to me.
Riders begin lining up behind the individual metal gates at the starting line. A thirty-second board is ticking down the time, then a five-second board, after which the gate will fall randomly within five seconds.
I get into position. My nerves are heightened. I take a slow breath and remember Keno’s words. “You can do this, babe. You’ve got the skills. You just have to believe it.”
The instant the gate falls, it triggers the timing system, and I release my clutch and roar out of there, along with every other rider in this heat.
For thirty minutes, we go at it hard, and it's exhausting.
At one point, Remy comes alongside me and tries to cut me in the corner, but I dive low, and he has to back off.
He tries again, kicking his boot out at my bike, but with a sharp move, I avoid him and put him into the hay bales where he crashes.
I barely spare a glance back. I spot Derek farther back in the pack, but he crashes going over a hill, coming down hard.
The next lap around, I see them off to the side, yelling at each other, their bikes too mangled to continue.
Lola’s warning rings in my ears.
If they don’t win, they’re going to rob the ticket office.
I wouldn’t put it past them. I’ve learned the hard way to take their words seriously. If they planned to rob the ticket office, they must have brought weapons with them.
For several laps I notice them move toward the parking area.
When I do a high jump over one of the hills, I see them loading their bikes onto a trailer.
The next time around, the truck and trailer are still sitting there, ready to pull out.
They might be at the ticket office, robbing it right now, but there’s nothing I can do in the middle of the race.
I’m in the top four bikes and battling my ass off to keep up with these guys. They’re good. Really good, and it takes all my concentration. I stick right with them, hoping for an opening, hoping for just a bit of luck to get me into the money as a top-three finisher.
The next lap around, I see a bunch of Royal Bastard patches standing with Lola, Kate, and Isabella.
They cheer as I ride past.
Keno is there, watching me and clapping.
Elation fills me.
I fucked everything up, breaking my word to him, believing that woman’s lies without even giving him a chance to explain, and still he’s here, cheering me on like he’s capable of forgiving all of it.
Is it possible we still have a chance?
The thrilling exhilaration of it urges me on, and I twist the throttle, pushing myself and my bike to the edge, giving it all I’ve got.
I surge past two of the riders, crossing the finish line in second place.
The crowd surrounds us, and soon I’m standing on the winner's podium, receiving my trophy and ribbon. My winning check is still good money that will take care of my payments to Rock and recoup the losses from the robbery.
The club, along with Lola and the girls, stand clapping for me.
When the ceremony is over, someone with a broadcast microphone steps up to me, wanting a live interview.
“Is it true you’re the daughter of Tommy Laroche, the 2001 Supercross Champion?”
“Yes, he was my father,” I say, staring into the camera.
“I’m sure he’d be so proud of you,” the man says.
“I hope so,” I reply.
“Have you made any sponsorship deals?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Well, they’re sure to come calling now.”
“Thank you. But I’m not sure I’ll continue in the sport.”
“That would be a shame, Miss Laroche. For you and for the sport. I bet there are a lot of the younger generation of girls who look up to you. Like those right over there.” He motions to a group of young girls waiting for autographs from me.
We finish the interview, and I move to the group, signing their race programs. I squat to give one little girl a hug and see Keno standing with his phone out, taking pictures of us.
My eyes connect with his.
He’s smiling and gives me a wink, then mouths, “I love you, Six.”
I mouth the words back.
And in that moment, anything seems possible.
I move to him, and he envelopes me in a hug. I burst into tears, letting all the pressure release. “I’m so sorry, Sully. I ruined everything.”
“You didn’t ruin anything, babe. You did amazing. You deserved that win.”
I push back, my eyes widening. “Oh my God, Keno. Derek and Remy are here, and they’re going to rob the ticket office.”
“They tried. Lola warned security, and the police took them into custody.”
My body slumps. “Thank God. It’s over, then. Right?”
He cups my face. “They’re going to jail. For now, that’s all you need to know. I don’t want you to worry about them again, understand me, Six?”
I nod, and he drags me against his chest.
Relief floods me.
It’s my safe place—where I always want to be.
I’ve searched and found a home in Durango, but now I know that my real home is wherever this man is. He’s my home, and lucky for me, he comes with a clubhouse full of good brothers who have his back, and women who’ve become my best friends.
I couldn’t ask for more.