Page 68 of Too Fast To Fall
“Remember, I’m the one who didn’t like the idea of Gus as a social media star in the first place.”
The tension surrounding them had crept into Piper and Emilio’s dynamic, which she hated. She prayed a good performance inqualifying might make things better, but that didn’t pan out, either. Emilio only made it as far as Q2 and would be startingthe race in P12. He was not happy.
“Another race with no points,” Emilio said in his driver’s room as he was about to head to the garage to get into the car.
Piper couldn’t argue. Monaco often wasn’t araceso much as it was a procession. The track was too tight and twisty for many overtakes, so most drivers finished in the sameposition they started. “Try to stay positive. You never know what might happen.”
A knock came at the door. Another interruption, although Piper was thankful for this one.
“Come in!” Emilio called.
Isabel poked her head inside. “The good news is your dad made it. He just came through the swipe gates and should be hereany minute.”
“Does that mean there’s also bad news?”
“Your mom and her boyfriend are also coming.”
“It’s not her weekend. She and Rico didn’t even come to the race in Spain.” Anger and frustration radiated off Emilio. Itwas so palpable it practically perfumed the air. He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll call and tell her not to come.”
“I’ve already issued her passes,” Isabel said. “Both of your parents have standing orders. If they call us, we fulfill therequest.”
Emilio began pacing. Gus walked over to offer some comfort, which Emilio accepted. “This is a nightmare. There will be dramaif they’re in the same place at the same time.” He looked at Piper. “You saw how my mom acted in Spain. The divorce has madeher erratic. The same is true for my dad. It’s a miracle he made it today at all.”
“I’ll help keep them away from each other,” Isabel offered.
“In Monaco? Where everything is crammed together and people are tripping over themselves? How? Plus, my mother just had tobring... Rico.” It was as if Emilio couldn’t stand to utter his name. “My father is going to freak out.”
“Oh,” Isabel said. “I guess that is a problem.”
“Look. I can help,” Piper said. “You take your dad to the garage, and I’ll take your mom and Rico to the VIP suites. It’swhere I would go with Gus anyway. It’s not a problem.”
“You’d do that? I’m not paying you to be a Rico nanny.”
The reminder that Piper was Emilio’s employee hurt in a way she couldn’t describe. She wasn’t making the offer as the dognanny. She was offering as someone who cared about him and his problems. But she couldn’t get hung up on that. Emilio wasn’thimself right now, and it was too close to race time to rock the boat. “It’s no problem. I’ll brush up on my crypto lingo.”
There was yet another knock at the door. In walked a man who looked strikingly like Emilio, only a few inches shorter andwith a touch of gray at the temples.
“You’re here.” Emilio’s voice was thick with emotion.
Emilio and his father immediately fell into an embrace that took Piper aback. Aside from their time with his grandmother,this was the most demonstrative expression of affection she’d ever seen out of Emilio. No wonder he’d been upset when hisdad had to miss the race in Imola.
Emilio stood back with a smile that was effortless. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Me, too.” Emilio’s father zeroed in on Piper. “You must be the new girlfriend. I’m Andreas.”
Piper shook his hand, feeling nervous. “It’s so nice to meet you. Emilio and I haven’t put a label on anything. The mediablew things out of proportion.”
Emilio looked at Piper questioningly, like he wasn’t sure what she’d just said. “Piper is a very good friend, Dad. Let’s leaveit at that.”
Andreas nodded. “Whatever works. I’m just here to watch you race.”
“I’m headed to the garage. Come with me?” Emilio asked.
“It’s my favorite place to watch,” Andreas replied.
“We should get going, then.”
Isabel held the door for Andreas, then she slipped out of the room, too. “You’re going to do great,” Piper said to Emilio.
