Chapter Ten
Danica had exactly one day to explain to everyone what was going on and wrap up things so she could leave. The Race Games were in less than two weeks and Phi had been adamant that she needed to be with them to practice and go over all the things she needed to be prepared for. She understood why she needed to practice. After having barely raced in the last five years, she’d be rusty. She needed time to practice as well as get acclimated to the car she’d be driving.
It was with all that knowledge floating in her mind that she walked into the shop and moved straight over to Leo. He was currently hanging over the quarter panel of a Firebird, the car a source of frustration. There was an electrical problem in it, and it was just a game of chase at this point, replacing one wire at a time in the hopes it was the fix. She knew Leo would eventually just change the whole wiring harness, just to make sure the job was done.
“I need to talk to you, kid,” Danica said by way of greeting and Leo poked his head from beneath the hood.
His brow wrinkled at the look on her face, and he immediately set down his tools and started wiping his hands on his red towel. “Sure, boss. What’s up?”
“Let’s go into the office.”
Danica didn’t wait for him to say anything. Instead, she led the way into her office and closed the door behind him once inside. She didn’t want the others to hear all the details, but Leo would know everything she was allowed to speak on.
“Is everything okay?” Leo asked. He was worried. It was shining clear in his gaze.
“I’ve been offered a deal. A private race team has offered to pay off the debts of the orphanage if I race for them.”
Leo’s eyes widened. “But that’s great news! You’re going to race again! And the kids are safe!” He slapped the top of his head and gasped. “You’re going to need a crew!”
Danica shook her head. “They’ve already taken care of all that.” Leo’s face fell and she took his hand in reassurance. “If I could, I’d take you all in a heartbeat, but. . . this race isn’t like a NASCAR race.”
Frowning, Leo squeezed her hand. “What do you mean?”
She grimaced. “There’s a chance I might not be back,” she whispered. When Leo’s mouth popped open to object, she held up her hand. “Regardless, the kids are taken care of. If I win this race, they’ve agreed to fully fund the orphanage for as long as it exists and have funds set up for all twenty-one kids, Leo. Do you understand what that’ll do for them?”
“Jesus. This is serious, isn’t it?” Leo seemed shocked, and Danica didn’t blame him. It was a lot to ingest. “And you could. . . what? Die?”
“It’s a dangerous race. High stakes. With high rewards if I win.” She sighed. “I leave tomorrow, and the race is in a few weeks. So, I have to prepare for it. While I’m gone, you’re in charge of the shop, and if something happens to me. . . the shop is yours, kid.”
“Danica—”
“I’ve already had it drawn up. Had it done a few years ago, just in case. The only thing you need to do is sign the papers if something happens.”
“But Danica—”
“I need you to be okay with this, Leo,” she said, meeting his eyes. “If I win this race, when I win it, the kids will be taken care of, and the orphanage will stay open indefinitely.”
“Forever?”
Danica nodded. “No matter what. These people have money, and I’m sure they have power. They have personal stakes in the race, and if I win, everything in the world will work out as it should. So, I’m going to win this race if it takes everything in me to do so.”
Leo studied her for a moment, and then before she could protest, his arms were around her, wrapping her in a hug almost too tight to breathe. She didn’t complain. Instead, Danica hugged him back just as tightly.
“You best get your ass out there and practice, girl. I know you’ve been driving the Indy car when no one sees but you’re rusty.”
Danica’s eyes widened. “You knew?”
Lips quirking up at her, Leo shook his head. “You think I didn’t notice every little movement of the car, or the moment you fixed it up, or the fact it seemed to always run smoothly? I learned from the best, just like you did, boss. Will you be practicing here, or somewhere else?”
“They’re flying me out to Utah,” Danica replied, shaking her head at the fact that she hadn’t been able to hide her actions from Leo as well as she thought she was doing. “Apparently, that’s where the race is.”
“And I won’t be able to see it?”
Biting her lip, she pulled something out of her pocket. “Don’t show this to anyone. I’ll probably get in trouble if they find out I gave it to you since it’s kind of like a private type thing.”
“Like a cult?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. But you can tune in by going to this website. You have to enter in the password to watch, but you’ll be able to see.” She hesitated. “There might be things there you wouldn’t understand. They aren’t exactly. . . normal people.”
Phi had given her the card to give her a way to do research on the race, but she hadn’t needed to. She’d made her decision without looking, but maybe it would help put Leo at ease. . . or terrify him. There was a possibility of both.
“I’ll be cheering you on, Danica. Don’t you worry.” He tucked the card away in his pocket. “You going up to see the kids before you leave?”
“Of course. I just had to come explain to you first.”
Leo pulled her into another tight hug, and she did the same. For long moments, they simply held each other, both refusing to say goodbye. Leo had been her best friend since she was a kid learning how to crank down bolts properly. To think this might be the last time she saw him hurt, but Danica tried her hardest to think positively. She was smart, a good driver, and her instincts were born from a long line of race car drivers. If anyone could pull this off, it would be her. She’d die trying if she had to.
“You make sure you come back, Dani,” he whispered, using the nickname from so many years ago. He’d stopped using it when they were adults except for a few select times. “You win that race and come back home.”
“I’ll try my best,” she promised. “If something happens to me, make sure the kids have somewhere to go when they turn eighteen.”
“You know we’ll always take care of them. Now go. I’ll take care of the shop and explain to the guys what’s going on. I’ll even call Mr. Lee and explain what’s happening and why you can’t continue your wager for now. He’ll understand.”
“Thank you, Leo. For everything.” Danica released him and stepped back. “Tell him I’m sorry I won’t be there for Lasagna night.”
“Don’t thank me, boss. Just win.” He winked and opened the office door. “I’ll see you on the screen.”
Danica just hoped he didn’t have to watch her die. . .
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