“Cocky ass,” I grumble and shake my head, then pull my cell free, sending a text to Ace.
Me: Check on the employees and lock the business doors. Once everyone is out, leave only one front entry open.
Ace: Okay, boss.
Me: And Ace?
Ace: Yeah?
Me: Be careful.
Ace: Will do. You too, Chevy.
“He’s checking it out and locking the business doors. I told him to leave one business entry open for the police.”
“Good, also let the cops check over the other cars before you let the drivers go.”
I nod. It’s sound advice even if I’m not the one calling all the shots at the moment. I’m glad Mercenary’s here to do it though. I’m feeling scatterbrained, and he’s a calm force if not bossy like myself.
“Uh, Chevelle?” Another racer treks toward us carrying a paper in one hand.
“Are you guys okay?” I ask, peering behind him at the others waiting off to the side, away from the cars. I can’t believe this happened and that any of them could’ve been seriously injured. We have rules in place to keep them safe on the track, and then something like this happens.
“We’re fine, but I found this tucked into the passenger window of the car that blew up. I don’t know if it was for the driver or you or...” He trails off, and I take the paper, flipping it open so Mercenary can read it over my shoulder.
Pay up, get out or die, bitch.
“Are you fucking kidding me with this shit?” The massive man behind me thunders as he reads the note. “O, Torch, check this shit out.”
I hand the note to Odin. He gives it to Torch nearly immediately and pulls his phone out. I overhear him talk to Viking, telling him in detail what happened and what the note says.
“Thank you, Jake.” I acknowledge him by name, grateful. “Once the cops come and clear the cars, everyone can leave. I’m sorry about this. Everyone will have a credit for whenever they’re ready to race again.”
“I’m just glad no one got hurt. This isn’t your fault. We know you’d never let someone do this intentionally.” He waves me off and heads for his girlfriend standing with the other drivers.
Mercenary draws me back into his arms, his finger going under my chin and lifting it until I meet his intense stare. “I’ll figure this out, I promise. I won’t let you get hurt.”
I swallow a bit roughly at his intensity. “It’s not your responsibility,” I argue. “The Pit is mine; it’s my fault we didn’t inspect prior to lining up.”
“Bullshit. You shouldn’t have to worry about this shit. I should’ve stayed last night, so I was here this morning. I would’ve known if someone got to the cars had I been here to watch.”
“You think that’s when whoever was here?”
“I think it was when the drivers pulled their cars in and went to lunch most likely. It was the only time the vehicles were in here unmonitored by someone.”
He has a good point. The drivers have an option to come in early. They can park their vehicles to do prerace maintenance and use The Pit tools for free. It’s become more popular these last few months as the tools have gotten better and better thanks to the increase in sales over the past six months.
“I’ll figure this out,” he promises, and I lick my lips, unsure how to respond. Men have made me false promises before, but I want to believe this one coming from him.
“It’s okay, really.” My life is easier when men aren’t involved.
“I don’t want you to feel unsafe,” he growls.
I swear he’s more stubborn than I am.
“I’m fine.”
“You will be, I’m not going anywhere from now on. Those Fists think they can threaten you, they’ll have to get through me first.”