Danger (The Driven World)

I think it boils down to DNA. My genes are swimming with trouble.

Mindy sets a plate in front of me and Monterey tells me to eat up. And I do. I could get used to having someone make me breakfast every morning.

No one’s ever been around long enough to wake up with me.

“So, what’s first on the agenda?” I let the word roll off my tongue, wondering what Monterey and Luther have in store for me.

“First, there’s a press conference to talk about the race yesterday at Long Beach, and then we’ll head off to Indiana and try to get to the hotel by late tonight. You’ll travel with Monterey.”

“Great.” I give Monterey a quick smile while Luther continues on about the press conference.

“I’m thinking we can announce your engagement in Indy, that way we have time to get our stories straight.”

“What about a ring?” I ask.

Luther beams, staring at his daughter. “You’ll propose with her mother’s ring.”

“Daddy,” Monterey gasps, tears filling her eyes.

I can tell this is special to her. “Maybe I can propose after the race.”

Luther puts his fork down, his eyes swimming with approval. “I love that idea. It’s settled.”

“Wait,” Monterey’s teary eyes are replaced with fire as she interjects. “Don’t I get a say?”

I smirk, spearing my fork into my eggs. “The woman doesn’t get a say in the way a man proposes to her.”

“Well, let’s hope I say yes.”

“Oh, you will.” I laugh.

Chapter 4

Monterey

I wish I could slap that smug smile off Danger’s face, and then kiss away the pain. Is it sick that ever since my father hatched this hair-brained idea for Danger and I to pretend to be engaged that I can’t stop thinking about Danger sexually?

It is sick. And I hope to cure this infliction the longer I hang around him.

It’s already helping. He wants to propose at a race?

I can’t imagine what a proposal from Danger Hudson would even be like. I can picture him, his cocky grin, and him saying the words, “Want to get married?” No romance. No nothing to it.

I bet he doesn’t even have a romantic bone in his body.

My eyes travel down to the bulge in his pants at the mention of the word bone. Oh my god, I’m staring right at his...bone.

Eyes up.

I lift my eyes to meet his. “Always so full of yourself.”

His eyes never leave mine while he stuffs some eggs in his mouth and chews, and then he says, “This is one thing I know you’ll say yes to.”

I smile, putting a little more butter on my toast. Two can play this game. “Only because I’m being forced.” I give my father the evil eye.

“Oh come on, Monterey. It really is the only way.”

My stepmother flutters into the kitchen, dropping next to my father with her hands outstretched like she’s sporting wet nail polish, and knowing Lindsey, she most likely is.

“What did I miss?” Lindsey’s bubbly personality stops as she stares around the table. To say she married my father for his money is an understatement. But, it’s ok that she and I are nearly the same age and that most of her parts are fake, including her personality, because my father had a clause put into the prenup, and if they ever divorce she’ll get nothing. But, she came from nothing and really has no other option. So, she’ll play the part of doting wife as long as the money keeps flowing.

“I’m thinking of asking Monty here to marry me,” Danger blurts out.

Lindsey’s bright blue eyes grow wide as she tries to determine if he’s joking or not. “I… well, congratulations.”

“Yes, apparently they’ve been secretly dating for a while now,” my father says. Very interesting that he doesn’t trust his own wife with the fake plan.

But I guess the fewer people who know the truth the less chance of it getting leaked to the press.

Showtime.

I smile, leaning in closer to him. “Yes, and we’re so happy.” I’m trying my hardest not to sound so fake, but I know I’m failing miserably.

“That’s great,” Lindsey says. “Just great. Danger and Monterey, I would have never put the two of you together, but now that I see it I see how well it works.” Lindsey’s a sheep. Anything anyone says she’ll blindly follow along.

My father puts his arm around her. “Dear, why don’t you have a little breakfast.” That’s my father’s way of telling Lindsey to shovel some food in her mouth and shut the hell up.

I’m not saying I don’t like Lindsey, but well, there’s really nothing to like. She’s an empty shell.

I’m not even sure why my father married her.

Danger’s quiet as he eats and I remove my arm from around his shoulders. There’s a time and place for PDA’s and right now at family breakfast isn't it. His eyes meet mine as I shift myself back into place.