Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
VIOLET
“Griffin. Violet.” Julian’s gaze flicked between us, assessing. “I trust everything is... proceeding as discussed.”
My eyes cut sideways before I could stop them.
I caught myself before Julian could read anything in the silence. He had a talent for sniffing out trouble, and I had no interest in discussing childcare logistics on a video call.
Not that Griffin looked remotely troubled. He straightened in his chair, his casual demeanor slipping into something more professional. “Julian. Always a pleasure.”
The muscle in my father’s jaw ticked at Griffin’s tone, but before he could respond, two more windows appeared on the screen. Selene Voss, Aedris Motorsport’s razor-sharp PR manager, her dark hair pulled back in a severe bun, and a man I didn’t recognize.
“Thanks for joining us, Dominic.” Griffin nodded to the newcomer.
Dominic gave a tight smile. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
Selene cleared her throat, commanding attention. “Let’s get straight to it, shall we? We have a potential situation brewing.”
Griffin’s brows rose. “What kind of situation?”
“Social media chatter,” Selene said, her tone clipped, all business. “Someone thinks they spotted a racing driver at a baby shop yesterday. No photos, thankfully, but one of the store employees posted about it.”
My stomach plummeted to my feet and somehow I resisted the urge to bury my face in my hands. Oh, for the love of—
Griffin side-eyed me, but neither of us reacted. Not outwardly. Inside? I was losing my ever-loving mind.
“Speculation isn’t fact,” Griffin said, his tone flat, unbothered. “People love to talk, right?”
Selene nodded. “Right now, it’s just whispers, but if someone connects you to a baby, especially with Monza coming up, we’re looking at a media circus that could derail the rest of the season.”
“And the team’s reputation.” Julian’s gaze bored into Griffin through the screen.
I shifted in my seat, uncomfortably aware of being caught between my father’s agenda and Griffin’s growing frustration.
Hazel made a small sound, and I reached over to rock the Moses basket.
Anything to not look at the camera and give away the fact I’d been complicit.
My father would go batshit crazy if he found out I’d allowed it.
“You did as you were told?” Julian asked, and my stomach clenched.
Griffin’s head tipped slightly. “Of course.”
Selene crossed her arms. “Then explain how there are rumors.”
Griffin didn’t answer immediately. That fraction of a second of hesitation? Not long enough for most people to catch. But Julian Carter wasn’t most people.
“People are nosy,” Griffin said. “I can’t control what strangers think they see.”
Except we were supposed to.
“Let me be very clear, Griffin,” Julian said, raising his annoyed brows. “The fact that this is already circulating, without a single photograph, suggests either carelessness or stupidity. Which was it?”
I flinched.
Griffin didn’t so much as twitch. “Neither.”
I resisted the urge to kick him under the table.
“Do we know exactly what was said?” Dominic asked.
Selene tapped something on her keyboard. “No direct quotes, but the post implied someone overheard a conversation and put two and two together.”
I barely resisted the urge to groan. Of course. It was never the people who saw things firsthand. It was always someone’s friend who had a cousin who swore they heard something. The internet was a cesspool of unreliable witnesses with too much free time.
Julian’s eyes remained locked on Griffin. “You’re telling me there’s no reason for anyone to suspect anything.”
Griffin held his gaze. “Correct.”
I had no idea if he was lying. If he even remembered every single thing that had been said. But he was damn good at not giving anything away.
Julian didn’t look convinced.
“What exactly do you want me to do?” Griffin asked, his voice even. “Lock myself in the house until the season’s over?”
“If necessary,” my father said without hesitation.
Dominic shook his head. “Julian, that’s hardly practical. Griffin needs to train, to maintain his routines—”
“What he needs,” my father cut in, “is to remember that he represents Aedris Motorsport both on and off the track. His contract is quite clear on the matter of public image.”
Griffin’s jaw tightened, and I could practically feel the tension radiating off him. I caught his eye, giving a small shake of my head. Don’t push him. Not now.
“The point,” Selene said, “is that we need absolute discretion. No more outings. No social media posts that could be misconstrued. And if anyone asks about a baby, the answer is a firm denial.”
Griffin’s fingers drummed against the table. “But why?”
Selene blinked, the first crack in her otherwise composed expression. “Excuse me?”
Griffin leaned back, arms crossing. “I’m just wondering why we’re treating this like a scandal.”
Julian sucked in an incredulous breath. “Because it is a scandal, Griffin. One that could have been avoided.”
Griffin’s fingers flexed against his bicep. “She’s a baby, Julian. Not a drug bust.”
I dug my nails into my palm hard enough to hurt.
Dominic cleared his throat. “The issue is timing. With the contract renewal still pending, we don’t want any distractions,” Dominic said, his tone mild but laced with warning. Don’t make this a fight.
“Right.” Griffin smiled and Julian’s jaw tightened.
“Exactly.” Selene nodded enthusiastically. “The priority now is managing perception. We need to ensure that this remains speculation and nothing more.”
“And if it doesn’t?” Griffin asked, deceptively casual.
Selene steepled her fingers. “Then we control the narrative.”
I bit down on my tongue. That was Julian’s philosophy on everything. Control the story before someone else did. Control the people in it.
Control me.
Hazel stirred, a tiny noise escaping her, and I reached for the basket instinctively, pressing my palm against her front.
Julian’s gaze flicked toward the movement, eyes narrowing. “Speaking of control, where are we with legalities? Have you met with Cormac?”
Griffin tensed. “The paternity test confirmed what we already knew. Hazel is mine.”
Julian inclined his head, his mouth pressing into a thin line. “And the legal paperwork?”
Griffin exchanged a quick glance with me before looking back at the laptop. “I’ve decided to use different representation.”
The silence that followed was deafening.
Julian’s jaw shifted and what I’d dubbed his murder eyes made a quick appearance. “Excuse me?”
Griffin met his gaze, unwavering. “I appreciate the recommendation, but I’ve retained a lawyer who specializes in family law.”
Julian’s fingers tapped once against his desk. “Cormac specializes in family law.”
“Cormac specializes in you,” Dominic said with a lazy sort of amusement in his tone.
Julian’s gaze snapped to Griffin’s manager. “I wasn’t aware you were involved in this decision.”
Dominic smiled, all sharp edges. “Griffin’s personal matters fall under my purview. And as his manager, I advised him to seek counsel that prioritizes his best interests.”
“Griffin, I strongly suggest you reconsider,” Julian forced out between clenched teeth. “Cormac Steele has handled delicate matters for the team for years. He understands the importance of discretion.”
“I’m sure he does,” Griffin said, not backing down. “But I need someone who’s looking out for Hazel’s interests first. And mine.”
The implication hung in the air between them.
Dominic cleared his throat. “As fascinating as your misplaced interest in Griffin’s paternal rights is, I’m sure Griffin has things to get done before he leaves for Monza tomorrow. Was there a purpose to this call outside of rumors?”
“Thank you, yes,” Julian said, his tone clipped. “Travel arrangements have already been sent over, along with the press schedule Selene prepared. I trust there are no issues?”
Griffin shook his head. “None.”
“Good. Then we’re finished here.”
“No, we’re not. There were no tickets for Violet or Hazel. Did those get sent straight to Violet?”
My father’s gaze flicked to me, then back to Griffin. “Violet will remain in London.”
Relief flooded through me so fast it left me dizzy. The last thing I wanted was to spend four days in the paddock.
“I’m not leaving Hazel.”
Julian smiled, the expression all bite and false sympathy. “Given the circumstances, it’s the most practical solution. You need to act like your old self. No attachments, no distractions. Business as usual.”
Griffin’s fists tightened in his lap.
Selene grimaced. “A baby in the paddock raises questions we’re trying to avoid.”
“Right, but Hazel needs consistency. And Violet is the only one who knows her routine.”
Shut. Up.
What the hell was he doing?
My glare burned into the side of his face.
I didn’t want to go. Couldn’t think of anything worse than a weekend in the Monza paddock. I wanted the silence, the four days of pretending my life hadn’t imploded. Monza was a nightmare of noise and exhaust fumes and Julian breathing down my neck.
I was finally free of my father. Kind of. Temporarily. With strings.
And Griffin was dragging me back in.
“What Violet wants isn’t your concern. Focus on your race.”
“It is my concern if I’m up all night trying to figure out why the baby is crying.” Griffin didn’t even look at me. “If Violet stays here, who handles Hazel? Because if it’s me, I’m not sleeping. And if I’m not sleeping, I’m not racing well.”
Oh, you calculated prick.
Julian had explicitly banned the baby from the paddock five seconds ago. Griffin clearly didn’t care. He moved straight to rostering the staff for a trip that wasn’t happening. He treated my presence like a forgone conclusion.
“Because I’ve made the decision.” Julian’s gaze shifted to me. “Violet. You stay in London with Hazel while Griffin races. Clear?”
For once in my life, what I wanted aligned perfectly with what Julian wanted, and I couldn’t even enjoy it.
Which immediately made me want to change my mind.