chapter351

There was really just one rule everyone knew: don't mess with Connor. If you did, you'd never see it coming.

Why else would Chris's friends look like they'd just seen a ghost when Connor showed up?

Connor narrowed his eyes, giving Nathaniel a look that was pure warning. Nathaniel's mind went completely blank. He tried to cover with a shaky laugh. "Oh, Connor, you're here too... So, uh, what's going on with you two?"

Honestly, he was baffled. Why was Connor with this girl? Wasn't he all about keeping his distance from women? And even if he wanted to get close, didn't he already have a fianc e? Still, Nathaniel wasn't about to ask any of that out loud.

"Aren't you supposed to be racing?" Connor asked, his voice low and steady.

Nathaniel felt embarrassed for being so rattled, but who wouldn't be? This was Connor. Even Nathaniel's dad had to think twice when dealing with him. Of all days, why did he have to run into the devil himself?

"Yeah, racing. Of course," Nathaniel replied, trying to regain his cool. He waved over one of his guys, signaling for him to give up his car, then turned to Lydia. He was all business now, no more joking around. Miss, what should I call you?"

"You don't need to know my name."

Lydia walked straight to the car and pulled open the driver's door. Connor didn't hesitate, sliding into the passenger seat right beside her.

She glanced at him. Sure you can handle this?

Connor leaned over, calmly buckling her seatbelt for her. "Absolutely."

Meanwhile, Nathaniel climbed into another car with Evan, one of his own crew. Evan watched Lydia get behind the wheel of his car, wide-eyed.

Boss, who is that girl? And why is Connor with her?"

Nathaniel just looked frustrated. Who knows what he's up to. Maybe my cousin wasn't enough for him, so he found someone new."

Evan dropped his voice. "Aren't you going to tell the Norwood family about this?"

Everyone knew Connor was engaged to Lucinda Norwood. If the Norwoods found out he was out here with another girl, things would get messy.

Nathaniel shot Evan a look. "What, are you crazy? You think I want to be the one to run to the Norwoods and boss. He does

Shite

Connor's the

whatever he wants."

Evan asked, "So, are you really going to try to win this race?"

Nathaniel fell silent.

Evan pushed again. "If we beat his new girlfriend, do you think Connor's going to make us pay for it?"

Nathaniel gripped the wheel, jaw tight. "A man's got to have some pride, right? I'm going to make Chris call me King before this is over."

Right then, a car horn sounded. Lydia was signaling that she was ready.

Nathaniel didn't even hesitate. He slammed his foot down on the gas.

The two cars shot forward, engines roaring so loud it felt like the world shook. Lydia took the lead in an instant. Her hands were steady, her focus razor sharp. The metalli sheen of her car caught the light as she whipped through the curve, tires screeching and smoke curling up behind her like she was driving a wild animal.

"Holy crap!"

Nathaniel's jaw dropped. He gripped the wheel and tried to catch up, but all he could

see was a blur where Lydia's car used to be.

Evan looked just as shocked. Was

his car really this good? He'd done some upgrades, sure, but it was never a match for Nathaniel's.

Usually, he was!

lucky to even keep

up but now Lydia was making his car disappear down the track like it was nothing.