CHAPTER NINETEEN
Asher
At five in the afternoon, the arrivals terminal at Stetbourg International swarmed with travelers.
Nerves tied my stomach in knots as I scanned the crowd for Javi.
It hadn’t been long since we’d seen each other, but I missed him—and I needed someone to talk to.
He always helped me sort things out without being pushy.
I unzipped my leather jacket and pulled out my phone to check messages when a familiar voice rang through the hall.
“Asher!” Javi paused by the sliding doors, then cut straight toward me, grin plastered across his face. The only change since Spain a few months ago was his haircut.
“Hola, tío.” He locked me in a tight hug. “?Cuánto tiempo!” Long time no see.
“Demasiado,” I said with a smile I couldn’t hold back. “You’re traveling light.” I nodded at his backpack and duffel.
“I don’t need much for less than a week. I’ll just rent something for that gala you mentioned.”
I laughed. “They’d probably give you clothes for free if they knew you were here.”
“Yeah, right.” Javi rolled his eyes, heading for the exit. “Nobody outside Spain knows who I am yet—but that might change soon, so let me enjoy my privacy.”
A seven-figure deal could change anyone, but I knew Javi wouldn’t. “Losing privacy must suck,” I said, following him out. “I’d hate it.”
“Same,” he admitted, frowning. “But I’ll try to focus on what matters. The team. And money. Unreal to know I’ll never have to worry again. Where’s your bike?”
I pointed to Ale’s black Lexus and unlocked it. “I borrowed Ale’s SUV. Didn’t know how much you’d bring.”
I needed my own car. My own place. Especially now that Kaia and I were together. Stolen moments were all we had—Russell and my mother had been around too much these past weeks.
I slid behind the wheel as Javi settled into the passenger seat, half-turned toward me. “So, what did you want to talk about?”
I let out a tight breath, trying to shape everything I needed to say. “Remember I mentioned Kaia?”
“Russell’s daughter?”
“Yeah.”
“What about her?”
Even with Javi—the least judgmental guy I knew—saying it out loud scared me. “We’re together.”
His mouth parted, then closed again as he shook his head, whatever thought he had swallowed back. “Didn’t think you were even considering dating.”
“I surprised myself too.”
A month ago, racing and securing my career were all I thought about. Now Kaia filled my head so completely it scared me.
“I’m happy for you,” Javi said. “But what about racing? If you get offers, you might have to move.”
I brushed at a few specks of dust on the dashboard. “A Spanish team wanted me. I said no.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” he muttered. “Why?”
“I gave Forward Racing my word. Changing my mind would look unprofessional. And I don’t want to leave Kaia.” Whatever we had wouldn’t survive the distance. She still depended on Russell and his money, and she wouldn’t be free to make her own choices until college.
She also needed me—even if she never said it. I was the only one she leaned on, and for the first time, I’d found someone who understood me without words.
“I see,” Javi said after a pause that felt too long. “I hope she’s worth it.”
I started the engine. “She is. Just don’t tell her, okay? I don’t want her feeling guilty or thinking she’s holding me back.”
Staying had been my choice. Only time would tell if it was the right one.
“Does her father know you’re dating?”
I snorted as I pulled out of the lot. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know.” Javi stared out the window. “It’s not like you grew up together. How much time have you even spent together in the last few years? A week? Two?”
“I don’t think Russell sees it that way.” I changed lanes, tamping down the urge to curse at the traffic. “He and my mother already don’t like us hanging out. I doubt they want us as friends, let alone more.”
Javi shifted, burying his hands in the pockets of his gray hoodie. “That sucks, but what they think shouldn’t matter. I’m looking forward to meeting Kaia.”
***
Javi wanted to stay at a hotel, but I talked him into Russell’s. I needed as much time with him as possible—and this way, I’d get time with both Javi and Kaia. Later, when I showed him around, I’d invite her too. She shouldn’t be alone. At least, that’s what I told myself.
After I parked in the driveway, Javi grabbed his bags from the trunk, and we headed inside. The moment I unlocked the door, Kaia appeared in the foyer.
I smiled at her, then turned. “Javi, this is Kaia.”
“Encantado.” He leaned in and kissed her cheeks just as Russell stepped out of the kitchen. Russell’s eyes narrowed, like he didn’t know two kisses were a normal Spanish greeting—nothing more.
“Javier,” Javi said, offering his hand.
Russell shook it, curt as ever. “Welcome. I’m Russell. Asher will show you around. I’ll be in the kitchen.”
Kaia glanced between us, unsure what to say.
As soon as Russell left, I tipped my head toward the stairs. “Let’s go up.”
After showing Javi his room, I headed straight for Kaia’s. Her door was open, as if she’d been waiting. She stood by the window, and I slid my arms around her waist, burying my face in her neck. “Hola, peque.”
She sighed, content. “Hi. And Javi?”
“Showering,” I murmured, kissing her shoulder. “We’re going out. Want to come?”
Kaia turned, smiling so brightly my chest squeezed. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. He was looking forward to meeting you. We’ll grab drinks, maybe dinner.”
“Okay. I’ll wear something nice then.”
Anything on her was perfect. “You’re stunning no matter what,” I said. “But sure—take your time. Come down when you’re ready.”
Ale texted me a list of restaurants while Javi and I waited in the foyer.
Fabric rustled, drawing my eyes to the stairs.
Kaia descended with a shy smile, smoothing her black miniskirt.
My gaze slid lower to the high boots that made her already long legs seem endless.
Her hair bounced with each step, and I couldn’t help smiling at how adorable she looked.
“Preciosa,” I whispered when she reached me. Javi smirked, and Kaia hooked her pinkie through mine.
“Where are you going?”
Russell stood in the kitchen doorway, arms crossed, glowering at his daughter.
“I’m going to show Javi around. Kaia’s coming with us, if you don’t mind.”
“I mind.” His face hardened into a mask. He turned to her. “You don’t have my permission, Kaia.”
What the fuck? My jaw locked. Before I said something I’d regret, Javi squeezed my forearm in warning.
“We’re just going to dinner, Mr. Demeri,” he said evenly. “It won’t take long.”
“Kaia can have dinner at home. She needs to study.”
“Dad, please.” Kaia’s voice trembled.
I hated it. Hated the way her face crumpled and her shoulders sagged when minutes ago she’d been happy. She was sensitive, and Russell crushed her spirit every chance he got. She studied daily and hardly left the house. What else could she fucking do?
“I’ll look after her and bring her home safe,” I promised.
“Go out with your friend, Asher.” Russell leaned against the frame. “Kaia is staying.”
Dick. My fists curled, tongue itching to spit what I thought of him, but one look at Kaia’s stricken face made me breathe deep instead. “Then we’ll stay—”
“No,” Kaia cut in. “Go. Please. It’s okay. Have fun, guys.”
She waved, then rushed upstairs and slammed her door. Rage scorched my veins, hot as lava. I wanted to chase her, hold her, make it better—but Russell’s gaze pinned me like a guard dog making sure I left. Asshole.
“Let’s go,” I muttered to Javi and bolted for the front door. Outside, I yanked at my hair. “?Joder! Fuck!”
“You sure he doesn’t know?” Javi’s glance flicked toward the house. “She’s old enough to have dinner in town. What’s his problem?”
What wasn’t his problem? The urge to smash something throbbed in my chest, and I had to count to ten before opening the driver’s door.
“I hate him.” I pressed my forehead to the steering wheel. “Sometimes I think his whole purpose is to drain the joy out of people. I don’t know what the fuck’s wrong with him.”
“I’m sorry.” Javi set a hand on my shoulder, brief but steady.
“Me too.”
I straightened and started the engine. The drive downtown was silent, Kaia’s devastated face stuck in my head. Guilt gnawed at me—she was surely shut in her room again, alone, while her father didn’t give a fuck.
At the restaurant, Javi skimmed the menu. Cozy place, candles, potted plants—exactly Kaia’s style. Russell had ruined what could’ve been a perfect evening yet again. How the hell were we supposed to date if I couldn’t even take her out?
“I think I’ll have the steak,” Javi said. “You?”
I wasn’t hungry, but I couldn’t sulk. He’d flown across an ocean for me. The least I could do was try. That said, I hadn’t so much as glanced at the menu.
“Yeah. Me too.”
The waitress brought beer, and I nursed mine while Javi browsed.
“Is there a reason Russell’s so overprotective?” he asked. My thoughts must’ve been written all over me.
“It’s not about Kaia,” I said. “It’s about me. He can’t stand the idea of her with me. If he knew the truth, he’d fucking lose it.”
Javi sipped from his glass. “Then make sure he doesn’t. You can’t risk it. Your career’s on the line. If he kicks you off the team now, finding another before the season starts will be tough.”
A lump clogged my throat. “I know,” I said, my voice tight.
Minutes later, the waitress set our steaks down.
Javi thanked her and waited until she left.
“Speaking of career.” He picked up his fork and knife.
“I asked around—no one’s heard from Miguel.
My agent has contacts in racing. He says Miguel isn’t working with anyone right now.
In fact, apparently he hasn’t since your dad died. ”
An ugly weight settled in my gut. “Are you sure? Maybe he joined a smaller team?”
“Carlos is sure. I’ll keep checking once I’m back, but it looks like he retired. Who knows where he is now?”