Fragments (The Broken Series Book 2) (4 page)

When the phone rang, he groaned and I started to pull away, but he tugged me closer to him.

“Let the machine get it,” he said in a husky voice.
 

His right arm clamped around my waist, pressing my body to his hard torso. His heated gaze focused on my lips as he lowered his mouth to mine. I held my breath.

The voicemail clicked in with a beep, and a male voice said, “This is Dominic O’Brien, calling for Jack Harding. Call me back, Jack. You’ve got my number.”

Jack froze, and for a moment, neither of us spoke, but he didn’t release his grip.

I turned awkwardly in his arms. “Who’s Dominic O’Brien?”

Jack exhaled and leaned down to rest his forehead against mine. “Dominic O’Brien,” he said, “He was my old team boss.”

“What do you think he wants?” I asked.

“The same thing he wanted yesterday, and the day before,” Jack said. “The same thing he wants every time he calls.”

“And what’s that?”

A flicker of irritation flashed across Jack’s features. “He wants me to go to the Grand Prix race. Apparently, he wants me there as his guest for old-times’ sake.”
 

I paused, thinking about what Maria and Brian had said. Perhaps it would be good for Jack to go and face up to the demons of his racing past.

I frowned and looked up at him. “Maybe you should go.”

Jack pulled away, and immediately I missed the warmth of his arms around me.

“No,” he said, coldly. “He only wants me there for publicity. He wants me to pose for photos, smiling next to the new car, giving my blessing to the new driver. The paparazzi haven’t been able to get my picture for ages, and they’re thirsty. They want to fill their gossip pages. I’ve managed to stay out of the limelight this year, and Dominic doesn’t like that. He thinks it’ll be great publicity for the team if I turn up. He wants me to prove I don’t hold a grudge against the team.”

“Maybe it would be good for you,” I said, and bit my lip. I didn’t want to push him too far.

Jack frowned and when he replied his voice was clipped and cold. “I don’t think so.”
 

I took a deep breath, knowing that I was about to play my Ace card.
 

“I’d like to go,” I said.

The words hung between us for ages as Jack stared back at me.

Finally he said, “So go. I’m not stopping you.”

I exhaled and looked down at the floor. I couldn’t hold his gaze, but I also couldn’t back down. Not if this could help him.
 

I knew I was pushing my luck, but I had to try. “I want to go with
you,
Jack.”

Indecision played over his face, so I continued. “Please, Jack, it won’t be the same if I go to my first Grand Prix race without you. I’d like to see what you used to do...”
 

Jack turned away. “I’ll think about it.”
 

It was obvious from the tension in his broad shoulders that it wouldn’t be an easy decision for him, but I smiled. This had to be a step in the right direction.
 

I don’t know how he knew I was smiling, but after a beat he said, “I didn’t say I
would
go, only that I would
think
about it.”
 

He looked over his shoulder at me.

“I know.” I leaned up to him on tiptoes, and kissed his cheek. “I’m just glad you are thinking about it.”

Jack

It was three a.m. and it was another shitty night where I couldn’t get to sleep. Nothing I tried had worked. In my desperation, I’d even gone to the kitchen an hour ago to make some hot milk. That was a waste of time. If anything, it made me feel even less sleepy.
 

Propped up in bed, I stared at the glowing computer screen, watching a rerun of the Australian Grand Prix. I found the purr of the engines strangely soothing and relaxing.
 

God, I missed it.

I should never have let Dominic O’Brien’s call go to voicemail when Kristina was with me. I should have guessed Dominic O’Brien wouldn’t give up so easily, and I should have snatched up the phone before Kristina heard what Dominic wanted.

For all the years I’d known Dominic, he had never backed down from something he wanted without a fight, and I was sure he wasn’t about to start now. He wasn’t the type to accept my refusal without an argument.

My presence at the race would be good for the team, and that was what interested Dominic. He was a money man, always looking at different ways to promote the team, and what better promotion than having their famous ex-driver, who had almost been killed last year, attend his home Grand Prix like a phoenix triumphantly rising from the ashes.
 

It wasn’t like that, of course. But Dominic wouldn’t want to reveal the truth about my condition. He wouldn’t want the public to know that I was still far from a full recovery. That wouldn’t be good PR for the team.

But I understood Dominic, and I didn’t expect any compassion or understanding from him. I didn’t mind the fact that he was tenacious. I could say no to Dominic as many times as it took. It really didn’t bother me. I definitely didn’t feel guilty turning him down, but saying no to Kristina … that was a whole other story.

I wanted to make her happy. Dammit, if she asked me to tap dance on hot coals, I’d probably do it.
 

I blinked and stared up at the ceiling. How on earth had this happened? Why couldn’t I have met her a couple of years ago when I was healthy? When I actually had something to offer?

But to find her now? It was a cruel twist of fate for me to fall for someone when I was in this state.

I balled my hands into fists and rubbed my eyes. I was so damn tired. Why couldn’t I sleep?

Dominic would probably call again tomorrow. If I actually agreed to go to the Grand Prix, I’m sure he wouldn’t believe me. He’d expect me to barter and come to some kind of deal. He’d expect me to treat it like a business transaction because that’s how he saw the team.

Dominic and I had never really gotten along. We weren’t on the same wavelength at all. To Dominic, it was all business. He’d never really felt any love for the sport. For him it was a job, a career that earned him a huge salary, but for me, it had been my whole life.

I had lived and breathed cars and racing since I was nine years old, when I’d first taken up carting. It had quickly taken over my life.
 

For years, I’d had it easy. The top teams had bid against each other to secure me as their driver. Sponsorship deals had fallen into my lap. World Championships had been mine for the taking.

I’d spun out on the track a few times and had a couple of near misses, but nothing major, nothing really bad…until last year.
 

I used to think I was untouchable.

I closed my eyes. Last year’s crash hadn’t been my fault. Every time I thought of Carlos’ smug face, I was filled with rage.
 

Carlos Dalton, that jealous piece of shit, had wanted everything that was mine. Well, he’d gotten his wish. He was on course to get the championship this year
and
marry my ex-girlfriend. He was welcome to Joanna. My ex was a vindictive piece of trash just like him. They were perfect for each other. But the idea of Carlos having the championship made my blood boil.

I pummeled the pillow and scrunched it into a ball. Dammit, I needed sleep. Brian would be here in less than four hours, determined to put me through my paces, and he wouldn’t listen to any of my excuses.

I put my head on the pillow and shut my eyes. I
would
fall asleep. It was just mind over matter, that was all.

Five minutes later, my mind was still spinning. I flung back the sheets. I was beginning to regret telling Kristina not to stay with me tonight. I figured it wasn’t fair to keep her awake all night as well.

I groaned as images of Kristina in a skimpy nightgown flashed through my mind.

Of course, now that I’d pictured Kristina like that, I had no chance of falling asleep.

I picked up the glass of water on my bedside table and drained it. It was so hot tonight. I lifted my legs over the side of the bed. They were much stronger now, but I still felt a little unsteady and took my time standing up, as if I thought they would give way under me at any moment.

I walked towards the air-conditioning control unit and turned it down a few degrees.
 

We were having an unusually hot spell in Monaco. Usually the temperature was pleasant for most of the year – not too hot, nor too cold. Maybe everyone was having problems sleeping tonight. Maybe Kristina was actually awake right now…

I looked toward the doorway. I could just check on her. I wouldn’t wake her if she was asleep, but if she was awake there wasn’t any point in both of us remaining awake alone.

I reached for my jeans, pulled them on and walked quickly towards the door.

I paused for a moment with my fingers around the handle. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I shouldn’t put all my troubles on her. She helped me enough during the day.

I was taking advantage of her kindness. I had to remember this was her job, and she was entitled to normal working hours.
 

Then, I reminded myself I didn’t have to wake her. I would just check to see if she was awake.

I stood there for a moment, silently arguing with myself. Then I opened the door and walked quickly along the corridor before I could change my mind.

Kristina’s bedroom was upstairs. I hadn’t brought my crutches, but I was feeling pretty good these days, and I hardly ever needed to use them.

But then again, I didn’t often take the stairs. I stared up at the huge staircase that led up to the galleried landing and took a deep breath.

Brian’s physiotherapy sessions had helped me more than I had realized. I was surprised at how easily I managed the stairs. It made me feel pretty good.

I knew Kristina’s bedroom door was the second on the right. I knocked softly, but there was no answer.

I should have just turned around and gone back downstairs. I promised myself I wouldn’t wake her, but something compelled me to open the door. I turned the handle softly and eased the door open then stepped inside.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, and I could just make out Kristina’s outline on the bed. She must have been feeling the heat too because her covers were thrown back, revealing her long bare legs.

I stood there for what felt like ages, hungrily drinking in the sight of her. I shouldn’t have stayed. I should have just turned around as soon as I realized she was asleep.

But of course I didn’t.

I moved across the room until I reached the side of her bed.

“Kristina,” I said, keeping my voice soft.

She was in a deep sleep. Her breathing was steady.

I didn’t want to stand over her while she slept, that struck me as a little creepy, but something compelled me to stay.

Her face was lit up from the silver light of the moon. She looked so unbelievably beautiful and peaceful. In that moment, I decided I would go to the Grand Prix, and I would take her with me.

She wanted to help me, and maybe it would help. Maybe it would be good for me.

I leaned forward and gently kissed her cheek.

As I quietly left her room, I began to make a plan. I would call Dominic O’Brien tomorrow. Hell, it would make the guy’s day. Dollar signs would appear in front of his eyes as soon as he took my call.

I wouldn’t pin my hopes on the idea that attending the race would magically make everything okay. That would be dumb. But maybe it would help me accept the fact that part of my life was over.
 

Things weren’t so bad really. At least, I had Kristina.
 

For now.

Kristina

The brilliant sunshine flooding through my bedroom window woke me up at six-thirty.

I flung back my sheets and smiled. It was one of those unusual days when I’d actually woken up in a really good mood. That didn’t happen often. I wasn’t a morning person.

Sunshine always made things seem brighter. I got out of bed and raised the window, staring out at the beautiful lush gardens and the shimmering sea beyond.
 

I was so lucky to be staying here. It was going to be another hot one, although the day hadn’t yet warmed up, and the sun was still soft and gentle.
 

The air was fresh and cool on my face, and I felt a delicious shiver run over my skin. It reminded me of Jack. I’d dreamed about him again last night. I was in danger of becoming overwhelmed by him.

I wanted to stay with him all night. It felt strange having to go back to my own room each evening after everything that had happened between us.
 

He said it was because he didn’t want to keep me awake. That was the first time he told me he’d been having trouble sleeping.

He was constantly surprising me. For someone whose face was an open book and who wore his heart on his sleeve, Jack was unusually good at hiding some things.

Now that I’d grown so much closer to him, I could see what Brian had meant. Physically, Jack’s recovery had been amazing, but his insomnia indicated he was still suffering from the after-effects of the crash.