Redeemed (Dirty Air 4)

“Hey, James. How are you?”

Chloe’s eyebrows dart up.

“I have some good news and some news. Which one do you want to hear first?”

“Good or bad?” I grip the phone.

“Depends. How do you feel about meeting with the Formula Corp in two weeks?”

I choke on my sudden intake of breath. “Two weeks?”

“I pulled some strings so they could meet with us sooner. I didn’t want to wait until January, and they were willing to compromise for you.”

“Did you threaten them?”

“Only in a nice way.”

I laugh, but the sound is off. Holy shit. I’m going to finally defend my case after years of hiding.

“You still there?”

“Yeah. I’m just shocked. You really want this to happen, don’t you?”

“Don’t you?”

I look over at Chloe and imagine her cheering me on at a race. Her in a Bandini shirt with my name written across it, smiling and enjoying herself with my family. There’s nothing I want more than to race again and have her be a part of the journey. Well, maybe to have her love me, but I don’t doubt she does. She only needs to realize it too.

James coughs, gaining my attention again.

“Yes. I want it.”

“Great. Then you better get ready for all the preparations we need to do. It’s going to be a crash course of questions and answers. Noah and I will guide you through the process so that way the Corp has nothing to challenge.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Honestly, I’m very proud of you, Santiago. No matter what they decide, you’re one of the strongest men I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”

I clear my throat, trying to ease the tightness. “Oh, shucks. You’re going to make me cry.”

He laughs. “I’m just saying. You shocked me this summer. I didn’t think you’d actually want to pursue this after everything you’ve been through, but you did. You have a way of surprising me lately.”

I lean back in my chair and smile. “I like to keep you on your toes.”

“Then how about I keep you on yours and offer you the best news. Bandini is willing to extend a racing contract to you. It’s only for a year as a trial run because the investors are picky bastards, but if I have it my way, they’ll see how successful you are next season and offer you a permanent deal. You could be in a Bandini race suit as early as two weeks if the Corp says yes.”

The phone slips out of my hand and drops onto the floor.

Chloe looks up at me. “Are you okay?”

James continues speaking, but his voice comes out garbled because of the rug blocking the speaker. I remain seated, staring down at the floor.

Chloe stands and picks up my phone. She places it back in my trembling hand, wraps my fingers around it, and brings it to my ear.

“Did you get all that?” James continues.

“No. You’re going to have to repeat everything after ‘Bandini is willing to extend a racing contract.’ I think I just had a heart attack.”

James chuckles.