Page 137 of Redline Baby

“You work for me because you’re an excellent mechanic, not because I needed an excuse to keep you in my shop.”

My chest hurts.

“You live with me because I want you in my home.”

Harder.

“I love you because you’re you.”

I make a horrible little sound against him.

“The bike was never the reason, Kit.”

“I know.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, crying so much now.

“For what?”

“For taking Vera. For riding like that.”

I swallow.

“For breaking the rule. I know I did. I’m not even gonna pretend I didn’t.”

“I know.” There’s no anger in his voice. “We’ll talk about that properly later, once you’re steady.” I nod against his chest. “That conversation is still coming. It doesn’t disappear because you’re upset right now.”

“Okay.” Something inside me settles. Not dread. Relief. Of course the conversation is still coming. There is still a later.

The structure hasn’t vanished because I fell apart. Daddy hasn’t vanished either.

Soren strokes my hair.

“You’re safe.” I breathe. “I’m not leaving you.” Another breath. “Daddy is here.”

We stand there for a long time. Gravel beneath our boots. Cold air on my wet face. The road stretching empty in both directions. Soren doesn’t rush me. Eventually my breathing finds something resembling a rhythm again. My hands loosen from his jacket. I wipe my face with the back of one glove.

Soren kisses the top of my head.

“Ready to go home, angel?”

Home. I nod.

“Yeah.”

He steps back just enough to look at me.

“Can you ride safely?”

I check. Really check. My hands are still a little shaky, but the pressure in my chest has loosened. The violent need to outrun something is gone.

“Yes.”

“If that changes?”

“I pull over.”

“And?”