Page 160 of Downforce

She shakes her head, vehemently.

“I was not about to ruin my body again for another kid. He never knew about the pills I took every day to keep from getting pregnant. I knew Severino.

“He loved racing more than anything. He would’ve given up the idea of another kid eventually. But then he died.”

It’s the last sentence that has her sounding even the slightest bit remorseful.

“He left me to raise that boy alone.”

I tighten my fists at my sides, briefly glancing over at Edwin who continues to hold the knife out in my direction. But his shifty gaze moves between me and Max’s mother, as if looking for direction.

“What about you? You’re supposed to be Max’s friend,” I remind him.

He shakes his head. “He’s thinking of firing me. Did you know that, bitch? I can feel it. He wants to get rid of me for Harry,” he states, spitting out his former friend’s name.

Max told me that Edwin and Harry didn’t get along even before Harry’s accident. Edwin stayed away when Harry was in Monte-Carlo a few weeks ago.

“He says I’m not getting him enough opportunities. He’s the one who quit going to all of the parties I worked to get him into. Where’s the thanks for that?”

“He doesn’t deserve you either,” Mrs. Severino says.

I look back at her and then at Edwin. The look they share says it all. There’s been something going on between them, and together they’ve used whatever sick bond they have to embolden their grudge against Max.

A scoff falls from my lips.

“Max is better off without the both of you. He’s earned everything he’s ever gotten.”

“Pssh!”

I look over at his mother.

“Max earned nothing!” she seethes. “He’s lived off of Severino’s name for years.”

“He’s lived off of his hard work,” I correct through gritted teeth.

It’s not until Edwin lunges closer, threatening me with the knife that I’ve realized I moved toward Max’s mother, silently conveying a threat of my own. I don’t like the way she’s talking about Max—my Max.

“Be careful of this one, Edwin,” she says, glaring at me with an evil smirk on her face. “She likes to slap.”

“Still feeling the sting of that one, huh?” I taunt.

Hate drips from every facet of her stare. “Bitch. Maybe I should have Edwin cut you before I finish cutting whatever wire I can in that car.”

She thrusts the scissors over her shoulder at Severino’s car.

A mocking laugh rents the air. It comes from me.

“You’re really a dumbass if you think a pair of scissors and the snip of a wire or two is enough to stop the car from running. What exactly was your plan? To fuck up the car so that Max drives off of the track into a wall?”

I pause, rolling my shoulders back because another wave of anger passes through me at the thought of someone intentionally hurting him.

“Do you know anything about the cars you’ve spent the better part of your life around at all? It’ll take more than those scissors to sabotage anything.”

Her eyes narrow.

“Fuck you!” she screams, obviously insulted just like I intended. “I’m not about to allow Max to destroy my husband’s reputation by getting in that car tomorrow. Besides, he owes me after what he did to me!”

The confusion must show on my face because she answers without my asking.