Burn For You (Boys of the South) (18 page)

Mia squeals, bringing me back to reality. I can’t be doing this with Landry in front of my daughter. Hell, I shouldn’t be doing it in the first place.

Landry sits back in her chair and I do the same, finally grabbing a knife to cut up the apple for my daughter.

“I think I’m going to like being in Monaco,” she says, ducking her head, but not before I see the sweet smile on her face or the heightened blush on her cheeks.

I scatter some of the apple chunks in front of Mia. “Me,too.”

I
’m not
sure what I’m more excited about, racing at Monte Carlo, or spending time with Landry. Right now, they’re equally important to me.

I walk out onto the track and spy a familiar face. It’s not one I want to see. “I thought I told you to stay home.”

Remington crosses his arms over his chest, still leaning against a million-dollar vehicle. “I don’t take orders from you, son.”

I flinch at the word son, just like I do every time he says it. “Get off the car.”

“Again, son, I don’t take orders.”

“You don’t own the fucking car. Romanov Industries does. So unless you want some Russian up your ass, I suggest you get the hell off it.”

That wipes the smirk off his face. He steps away, letting his arms hang at his sides. “Who blew who for this?”

“Are you seriously accusing me of trading sex for a sponsorship?”
Because I couldn’t get this on my own, right
?
Because I’m the bastard you feel guilty about, and it’s the only reason you ever wanted me to come live with you.
I don’t say any of this, because some paparazzi show up with their cameras and questions. They shout at us in a foreign language I don’t understand.

Gritting my teeth and ignoring them, I check out the exterior of the car. It’s dark red, sleek and—I take a look at the engine—faster than anything I’ve ever driven.

“You’re going to have to watch her on the turns. She’s light, not like what you’re used to.” Remington kneels beside the car, inspecting the tires. He’s all about the tires. I have to agree with him on that one. If your tires are shit, then it doesn’t matter the size of the engine or who’s behind the wheel. You’re done before you can even get started. “Tires look good.”

“I know.”

“I checked out the course this morning, while you were wasting daylight.” He whistles as he stands. “Ain’t nothing like what we got at home.”

“Good.” Maybe my abbreviated responses will get him to leave.

“You aren’t thinking about doing this full time, are you? They speak funny over here and eat food my dog would turn his nose up at. Mia wouldn’t like it if you—”

I jerk my head around to stare at Remington. “Are you serious?”

Remington shifts his weight to one side. “Well... yeah, I am. When you didn’t race this season, I thought you were done with me.”

For no damn good reason, my heart beats out a funny rhythm. “I
am
done with you, but I’m not moving over here.”

“Then why’d you do it?”

Bracing my hands against the car, I lean over the engine once more. “Because there are people and things in my life more important than a family legacy of racing. Mia needs me. She won’t be this little forever, and I have enough money to live on for the rest of my life—three times over. This is a dream of mine, always has been, but since you never took the time to get to know me, you wouldn’t know that.”

Remington grunts and I look up at him, squinting a little against the sun. “Just who do you think put a bug in Romanov’s ear in the first place?”

I swallow. “Why?” I ask, just for shits and giggles.

“Because as much as you hate me, I love you, and damn it, I owed it to you.”

A rush of emotion swarms over me, but not over him owing me. This is the first time I’ve ever heard Remington say he loved anything other than racing and women. “You don’t owe me anything,” I snap.

“It doesn’t mean you owe me back, son. Or that I expect you to start loving me.  I screwed up too bad for that to happen, but I appreciate how you’ve allowed Judith and me into our granddaughter’s life.”

“Really, this is too much, even for you. I want the other Remington back,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair.

Remington grabs my shoulder. “Beau, I am not that man anymore. I used to be that man, but I’m not... After your mother killed herself, I stopped.”

“Shut up,” I say softly.

“I loved her, but the two of us... we weren’t right, Beau. What we did to Judith wasn’t right either.”

“Don’t you dare bring her into this. I won’t have you bad-mouth my mother when she’s not even
alive
to defend herself.”

“She’s a part of this, whether you like it or not. Damn it boy, I saw how you killed yourself for Paisley Sawyer. You don’t think I recognized myself in that, in you?”

“I am nothing like you.”

Remington smiles, but it’s not cocky or arrogant, or any other word I usually associate with him. “You are exactly like me where it counts. Neither one of us could save her, Beau, and that’s all we want to do for the people we love.”

“I don’t love Paisley.”

“You used to.”

“I used to do a lot of things.” I stand up, brushing off his hand. “If you don’t mind, I need to practice and then get back home in time for supper.”

Remington chuckles. “Home, huh? I can see why you’d want to rush home. That nanny got you twisted inside out, with those big eyes and—”

“Stop right there.” Holding up my hand, I shake my head. “Yeah, I’m all twisted up inside, but it’s because Paisley fucked me up good, not Landry. Landry’s better than us. She didn’t live a fucked up life like we did.”

“So, she’s like Judith,” he muses.

“And this is why you are so fucking wrong about me and her. For one, if she were mine, I wouldn’t do the shit you did to Judith or to my mother. I would have picked one and stuck with her, not this chasing skirts bullshit. But Landry’s not mine, so I’m staying the hell away from her.” I slam the hood of the car down.

“That why you hired her, so you could stay the hell away,” he mocks.

“Jesus, Remington. I do not want to have this conversation with you, especially not here of all places. Go back to your latest piece of ass and leave me alone.”

“Can’t do that, son. I left you alone for far too long as it is.”

I smirk at him, wanting to smash my fist into his face. “I don’t take orders from you.”

“You be careful around that girl. If she’s so pure and good, unlike the rest of us, you best be keeping your dick in your pants, else you’ll end up with another kid.” Remington makes a noise, like he’s laughing at his own joke. “Then again, with her, I’m pretty sure you’d be taking care of your own blood this time.”

“Enough,” I shout, shoving my finger into his chest. “Keep that shit up and you won’t see Mia again. I swear to God, Remington. Do. Not. Push. Me.”

Remington’s lips thin for minute, and then he smiles and waves at the paparazzi. “See you tomorrow, son,” he calls out as he leaves.

“The hell you will.” I grab my phone from my pocket and text my contact with Romanov Industries.

Me:
DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, LET REMINGTON MONTGOMERY PAST SECURITY AT THE TRACK.

Her response is quick.

Yvette Petrov:
Of course, Mr. Montgomery. Anything else?

Me:
Thank you, but no
.

Yvette Petrov:
Is the car to your liking? Any suggested changes?

Me:
So far, it’s amazing. I will let you know after I take her out.

Yvette Petrov:
Very good. A representative will be in tomorrow to speak with you. Thank you for allowing Romanov Industries to be your corporate sponsor.

“No, thank you for sponsoring me,” I say as I tuck my phone into one of the pockets of my racing suit. I put on my helmet as I walk around to the driver’s side and climb in.

“Time to shut up and drive, Montgomery.” I crank up the engine and smile.

***  ***  ***

L
andry

After Mia’s afternoon nap, I slather sunscreen on the both of us and then head down the pool, armed with baby floats, snacks, and towels. I’m dragging already, but I know we need to stay awake for the rest of the day and not take another nap.

I snap the straps of the hat she’s wearing under her chin as we wait for the elevator. The doors open, and Henry’s standing there. His eyes go wide, and he looks like he’s about to puke.

“I’ll wait for another one,” I say, though I don’t feel the least bit of pity for him.

He nods, keeping himself busy with the cart in front of him. The doors close and less than a minute later, they open again. Luckily, this elevator is empty, and we get to the pool in no time at all.

Mia looks so cute in her ladybug print bathing suit and matching hat that I snap a picture and text it to Beau and Paisley. Immediately, my phone rings.

“Can you swim?” Paisley asks, her face etched with concern.

“Yes. And I have a float for Mia, too. One of the pool boys, er... guys is blowing it up for us,” I say, and most of the worry leaves her face. “There are lifeguards stationed around the pool, too.”

“Where’s Beau?”

“Practice.”

“You don’t feel comfortable talking about him to me, do you?” she asks.

“Not really,” I say honestly.

“It’s a good thing I don’t have the same problem. Look, you’re a nice girl, but he’ll always be tied to me. Do you want that? Do you want a man who could never be completely yours, because he had a child with another woman?”

I don’t answer her. My chest grows tight, and it becomes hard to breath. I know this about Beau, and I thought I didn’t care, but...

“Good girl. Now you’re thinking with your college-educated brain, instead of that soft heart.”  Then she switches subjects. “Is Mia doing okay? I bet her schedule is off.”

Pausing for a moment, I gather my thoughts. “She’s a lot better today. Even ate like a little pig this morning. I’m trying to keep her up until dinnertime, so she’ll adjust to Monaco time.”

Paisley smiles at me. “Thank you so much for taking good care of her. Beau needs all the help he can get so he can concentrate on winning.”

Mystified by her, I shift Mia to my other hip. She grabs onto my bathing suit top’s strap.  “You’re welcome.”

“You’ve probably heard all sorts of things about me,” she says flatly.

“Uh.”

“Don’t worry. They’re all true.”

My eyes widen. “Okay.”

“Which is why I’m warning you away from Beau again, and not because I’m jealous. I’m not. You’re a sweet girl, Landry, and you don’t need your life screwed up by the two of us. He’s not the guy you think he is. He’s just as bad as I am, maybe even worse because he denies it.”

“Hmm,” I say noncommittally, but on the inside, I want to shout at her for trying to ruin my time in Monaco, and hang up the phone.

“Mommy loves you Mia,” Paisley chirps.

Mia grabs my phone, nearly taking it from me, and tries to cram the thing into her mouth. “I’ll work with her on blowing kisses. Might be less messy.”

Paisley laughs. “You do that. Thanks for sending me that picture.”

I end our call right as the pool guy brings the float to me, all blown up. “Do you need some help getting into the pool?”

I eye the stairs. There’s no way I can balance a baby, a float, and myself for the very first time without assistance. I smile gratefully. “Yes. That would be wonderful.”

A couple of minutes later, I’m standing waist deep in the pool and Mia is floating. I adjust the little canopy so that she’s shaded. “I don’t think all that pink skin has seen this much sun before.”

Swimming out into the deep end of the pool, I hold on to the float while I think about what Paisley said. If she’s not jealous, then why is she warning me away from him? She doesn’t seem the type to help another person out just because she doesn’t want their life screwed up by them.

“Too bad they’re already in it, huh, sweet pea?” I say to Mia.

B
y the
time I get back from practice, Landry and Mia are passed out in bed together. Pillows surround Mia on all sides while Landry lies on her side, one leg hitched up on a pillow. They look so natural lying there together that I can’t take my eyes off them. Both have tan lines and red cheeks, but Mia’s aren’t as bright.

Though I’m sweaty and starving, that doesn’t stop me from staring at the two of them for a good ten minutes.

Landry stirs, her dress moving higher up her leg.  Bare skin tempts me to touch, and I flex my fingers. I know how soft her skin feels and wonder if the rest of her would feel that way too. Of course she would. I let my head fall back.

You’re so fucked, Montgomery.

A little snore captures my attention, and I gaze at the girls in my bed, taking a deep breath. The entire room smells like sun block, baby shampoo, and Landry’s body wash. I laugh a little at the sight of towels and bathing suits, of toys scattered everywhere and suitcases open but not unpacked.

We’ve been here for less than two days, and it already looks like a bomb went off.

Landry still hasn’t moved her things to her room. A part of me wants to think it’s because she wants to be in my bed, that she wants to share my room... not because she’s too exhausted or doesn’t know to call the desk for help.

My stomach growls, and Landry’s eyes pop open.

“What time is it?”

“Six.”

She slaps a hand on her forehead. “Oh no,” she cries softly. “I wasn’t supposed to let Mia sleep this long. And the room is a disaster. I was going to clean our mess up before you got back.”

Landry looks so sad that I can’t help but want to comfort her. “It’s okay, really.”  I sit on the side of the bed, one hand braced on the mattress. “How did my baby girl like being a mermaid today?”

“Oh gosh, Beau. She loved it. You got the picture I sent?”

“Yes. Thank you. I showed it off to my pit crew.” They had wanted to see Landry, but I didn’t have a picture of her. Even if I did, I don’t know if I’d want them to see her in a bathing suit. Hell, I hadn’t seen her in one.