High-Sided (Armed & Dangerous #3)(18)

He nodded. “I know, but I never stopped loving your mother. It was my extracurricular activities that broke us apart.”

I felt the bile rise up my throat. Did I want to know? “Were you into hookers? Drugs?”

“Hell no,” he exclaimed. “Although, what I was involved in might be considered worse to some.” He took a deep breath. “I had a problem with gambling. There were times when I lost everything and didn’t have the money to pay it back. I had to sell your mother’s jewelry and other things around the house just to help.”

I closed a hand over my mouth. “Oh my God. Is that why you got rid of my toys?” I remembered when he went through mine and my sister’s rooms, packing up some of our belongings. He’d said he was giving them to a charity for other kids. When he told us that, I let him take my favorite bicycle. I thought another child in need would want to have it, even though I loved it more than anything.

Tears pooled in his eyes and he nodded. “I’m still ashamed of what I did to our family. I’ve tried so hard to make it up to you ever since.”

“When Ethan said you had enemies outside of the racing world, he was right, wasn’t he?”

“Yes,” he choked out. “There was one night they’d beaten me up pretty badly. Your mother told you I was in a car accident.”

My knees grew weak and I felt sick. I melted into a nearby chair. “I can’t believe this. Does Maddie know?”

He shook his head. “No. I didn’t want you or your sister to find out. Your mother helped me keep the secret.”

As a kid, I thought he was superman. There was nothing he couldn’t do. I understood his reasoning, but I didn’t like being lied to, especially from my mother.

“It wasn’t until Logan joined our team when I was able to pay back my debt. I owe him so much.”

“What about now? Do you still have debt?” I asked incredulously.

“No, of course not. I cleared that up almost nine years ago. I don’t know what’s going on now. I just don’t want anyone getting hurt. That’s why—”

The door to his office opened and Angela strolled in with a stack of papers in her arms and earbuds in her ears. She was dressed in her yoga pants, most likely about to go on her morning run after she filed our expense receipts in the file cabinet. Her eyes went wide and she shrieked when she saw us.

“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry,” she said, taking out her earbuds. “Usually, no one’s in here at this time.” She held up the papers. “You had these in your completed pile, so I thought I’d file them.” My office was on the other side of the shop. I was probably going to have to look into working from my house for a while, until everything settled down.

I waved her off and started for the door. “It’s okay. I’m leaving.”

“Kassidy, wait! I’m not done,” my father hollered.

Stopping at the door, I took a deep breath. “For now, you are. I don’t think I can handle anymore today.” I hurried out, drawing the attention of everyone in the shop. The last thing I wanted was to be childish, but I couldn’t handle Levi’s death, Logan’s return, and my father’s lies all in one day.

Sean looked up from his motorcycle and he knew I was pissed. After being friends for so long, he knew to leave me alone. I bolted outside and closed my eyes, taking in the fresh mountain air.

“Kassie,” Logan murmured.

His voice startled me and I jerked around. He leaned against the building, his arms crossed at his chest. I got a good look at his motorcycle, and realized why it looked so familiar. It wasn’t the same one he had years ago, but the paint job was the same. What made it hurt worse was, it was the design we had fabricated together. It was different from everyone else’s. The blue wasn’t just metallic, but iridescent.

“Don’t ever call me that again,” I snapped.

He held up his hands and stepped forward, his striking blue eyes full of regret. “Okay, I won’t. All I need is five minutes of your time. Will you please give me that?”

Eyes burning, I had to leave before the tears fell. “Sorry, but I don’t have the time.” Hurrying to my car, I got in and sped away. I wasn’t ready to hear him out.





Logan


It was beginning to look like I would have to make her listen to me by force. Kassie was a stubborn girl and I knew how to handle her, only I couldn’t see her enjoying me wrestling her to the floor like I used to do. I’d get a swift kick to the nuts if I did that now.

Walking into the Bennett Racing shop, everyone turned my way. I’d met the other Bennett racers at the track and they seemed like cool guys. Sean glared at me from where he sat, but that was to be understood. If Kassie hated me, then I had no doubt he would too, even though we were friends back in the day.

Ben slid away from the bike he was working on and smiled. “How ya been, Chandler? I would shake your hand, but I’m covered in grease.”

Ben was a good guy, always on top of things when it came to work. I wasn’t surprised to still see him working for Bennett. “No worries, man. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”

“I hope so. The boys said you were on fire today.”

“Hell yeah, he was,” Trey shouted. “I’m ready for him to teach me a thing or two.”