Twisted Cravings (The Camorra Chronicles 6)

“I’m a part of the camp, because I’m one of the best drivers, Dinara. If I’d join the qualification race, that would only mean that fewer new drivers would get a chance to qualify.” The racers who participated in all the main races in the season were part of our racing camp, which was what the name promised: a camp where we all lived in the months of the races.

She leaned closer, giving me the chance to really admire the blue-green of her eyes, a shade I’d never seen. “Then why don’t you join the race today? Show off your amazing driving skills. Let’s see what you got, Falcone.”

I usually wasn’t easily baited but Dinara had me on her hook. I wanted to impress her, and I wanted to know why she was here. What her endgame was. “All right,” I said, grinning. “I’ll race today but don’t come crying to me afterward because your brother didn’t make the cut.”

“Dima’s a big boy. He can handle himself. Don’t underestimate him.”

“I don’t underestimate either of you. But you better not underestimate me either. I’m a Falcone, winning runs in my blood.”

“Arrogance too?”

I smiled. “I think you and I both don’t lack confidence when it comes to racing. Now let’s stop the chitchat and prove we aren’t just words.”

Dinara stood on her tiptoes, leaning even closer and bringing her lips close to my ear. “Yes, let’s do that, Adamo.”

She stepped back and turned around, walking away, giving me a perfect look at her ass in her tight pants. I ran a hand through my hair. She was a hot piece of ass, but I preferred less trouble in my sex life. Hooking up with grid girls or the rare racer girl had proven a hassle in the past, so I’d stopped reacting to advances. Business and pleasure better stayed separated.

I hadn’t participated in a qualification race in forever. Twenty-five drivers were set in the racing camp and five more could qualify to be part of it through a qualification race, but only the racers with the best positions throughout the year stayed in the camp for the next season. I was always among the best racers, had been for years, so qualifications hadn’t been necessary. Yet, I had to admit I felt a giddy kind of excitement about being part of a qualification again. The atmosphere was different, less dominated by money and bets, more free-spirited.

I grinned. This would be fun.

Dima’s face flashed with disapproval. His go-to mood lately. “We’re good to go,” I said.

“So, we got the official blessing of the Falcone clan?” he scoffed in Russian.

“Don’t know about their blessing but they don’t mind us racing. Or rather Remo Falcone doesn’t mind because he’s the one pulling the strings.”

“He’ll have his little brother keep taps on us. They have to suspect there’s more behind this than playing racers.”

“Of course, they do. I’m sure Adamo will do his best to extract information from me.”

Dima regarded me, gray eyes slanting to slits. “Don’t let his charm lower your guards.”

I burst out laughing. “What charm? Only because you have the sunny-boy persona of frozen bread doesn’t mean any guy capable of smiling is a Casanova on the hunt.”

Dima didn’t crack a smile. I bumped my shoulder against his. “Don’t worry. I can handle myself.”

“I know you can, but don’t underestimate the Falcones, not even the youngest. They don’t take it lightly if they’re being played, and out here we’re in their territory. Grigory would send the cavalry but it wouldn’t go over well with our men.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t conjure up ghosts, Dima. There won’t be a reason for the cavalry or any other rescue missions.” I kissed his cheek. “And I got you, don’t I?”

He sighed. “Just be careful. You know what your father will do if he finds out about this. One day he’s going to dump me in an oil-barrel.”

“He likes you too much for that. He’ll give you a quick end,” I said with a twisted smile.

Dima let out a sharp laugh. “Glad you find it funny.”

“Everything will be all right.”

“Eventually, you’ll have to put the past to rest, Dinara, or it’s going to swallow you.”

“It’s already chewed me half up. The only way I can put it to rest is to find the full truth. We both know my father was selective when he told me what happened.”

“He wants to protect you.”

“He can’t, nor can you. Nobody can. This is my fight.”

The roar of engines filled the air. I’d always loved speed. The thrill of it. Dima and I had raced against each other, bikes at first, later cars, but never on a professional level, or with as many competitors.

Adamo pulled up in his car beside mine, flashing me a confident smile.

Unlike most of the other guys, he didn’t look at me as if I was delusional for thinking I could race a car. Most of the girls who were part of the racing camp wore hotpants and lolled about on car hoods. Their only goal was to get in bed with a racer and better yet: become his official girlfriend.