Chapter 7 - Rivalry

Eric's POV:

“What?! You’ve got to be kidding me… No, Selena.” He takes a worried expression.

“Tell me. I’m in.” She doesn’t give up. I’m shocked at her request. Any other woman just fucks for money. They don’t put their life at risk in car races. The ones Don and we organize, are among the most dangerous, but they bring in good money. The prizes are unequalled to the ordinary ones. But they do take lives.

“Are you sure about that? You haven’t raced since 12 years ago.” His jawline is contracted and has a flushed sight at her. I remember 12 years ago a woman won the biggest race that year. I wasn’t present to see the race and the winner. I had a training in Japan. Yet, I do recall it was a 19-year-old girl that made quite a stunt show. Her file from this morning rings a bell to my mind. It was her. How many times have I missed her presence so far?

“I’m sure. I wouldn’t be here if I weren’t. You know that.” She goes again on that strong attitude of hers…

“Selena? Why don’t you accept my money as a loan? You almost died five years ago. Don’t break my heart. I care about you, love. I was drunk last time, but I was sincere with you. I want you. And not for one night. Don’t drive me crazy with all this.” I wonder how I would have felt to know her and see her like that, to experience the possibility of her death… You what?! No, you don’t, bro! She’s MINE! He drives me crazy and brings out the Alpha in me…

“Don. You know me. I’m iced. I don’t want anyone. I appreciate your care. I want the race. Is there one and how much is the prize?” That’s right, baby. You’ll be mine only. Music to my ears when she rejects him.

Looking at his face, I don’t want to hear what he’s going to say… “Tonight. Midnight. Old road. Five hundred thousand. How’s your car?” Are you out of your mind, Don?! You put my woman into danger?! That much you love her, huh?

“Rusty for drifting.” She replies with a straight voice.

“Fine. I’ll give you mine. It’s latest model. If you break it, you pay for repairs.” He’s looking aside, avoiding her gaze. He’s giving her safety, but I still don’t like or approve it.

“How much is your car?” She asks.

“Selena!” He is outraged. Don’t you fucking yell at my woman if you know what’s best for you!

“Gotta know if it’s worth the race.” She raises her hands and shoulders at him.

“We’ll talk about that later. Police may have info on that. So, it can be dangerous for you. There’s a big crowd and lots of drivers. It’s the biggest race this year. I’ll cover for you though.” Nobody is going to touch my woman and make it alive.

“Alright.” She stands and I walk away from the door and in the direction of my office. I have my back at them faking a phone call at my ear. “I’ll be there 20 minutes earlier. Thanks, Don. See ya’ later then.” She exits his office.

“Don’t tease me, Selena.” Oh! I’m going to kill you.

“Bite me.” I’ll bite you soon enough. Just you wait, Angel. I hear her closing his office’s door and going to the stairs. My back is still at her, halfway the distance between Don’s office and mine. The light is dim, so I don’t draw too much attention. I don’t turn around so that she can’t see my face.

I hear a man’s teasing voice. “Where are you going, sexy?” It’s not Don as he is still in his office.

The sound of a punch and a big bump on the floor make me turn around. I see a guy on the floor with a running nose on blood and Selena yelling.

“Who gave YOU permission to grab MY ass! You son of a bitch!” I put my phone into my pocket and intent to jump on the guy to destroy him, but Don exits his office like a bull, and I stop.

“What’s happening here?!” He’s going to beat the shit out of him. If not, I’ll lose it and expose myself. Nobody touches my woman. I feel fire running through me.

“You damn bitch!” The guy says to her. I’ll kill you. You’re out.

“What did you say?” She screams at him.

“Hey! What did you do to her?” Don is at his limit with that VIP client.

“I grabbed her ass! She punched me! This is how you tell your girls to act on clients?” The guy says, standing up. Girls? She’s not a hooker, fucker! She’s my woman! I lose my temper and make a step but stop at what Don says. It freezes me.

“She’s not a girl! She’s my woman, you fucker!” He starts trashing the guy, but I keep my shocked face on him. What did you say? “You don’t come into MY house and hit on MY woman!” I see blood before my eyes. He’s claiming her right in front of me.

“Don! That’s enough! He’s understood the message!” Selena calms him down, determining me to move my sight on her. She agrees? What? No, you don’t!

Bodyguards come and take the motherfucker from his hands and there’s only us three on the hallway. They haven’t seen me yet. Don doesn’t look at her but breathes with anger.

“Don? Chill. Thank you.” She has the look of appreciation in her eyes. Don’t fall for him. Don’t. You’re mine. “I haven’t said it in front of that man but I’m not your woman. Never have been. OK? See you later.” She wasn’t? She isn’t? What’s happening here then? If she isn’t or wasn’t, Don wouldn’t react like that. She goes down the stairs.

“YOU WILL BE!” He growls. You’ll be dead before that happens.

“Not going to enter that long line of women you have. Bye.” Good girl. I smirk.

“I swear to God, Selena!” He continues his nonsense, but she doesn’t reply. She’s gone.

“Hi, Don. Can we talk?” I give him my ultimate killer look with hands in my pockets and a towering attitude. He needs to know his place…