Chapter 160

Ella

My eyes followed Logan as he wandered around his humming race car. It was a sleek black model with dark red stripes along the sides to match his suit, and the number ‘six’ painted in white on the hood. I stood off to the side, watching, still in shock from everything.

Suddenly, a shadow towered over me, and I turned to see the man from earlier in his orange coveralls. He was wiping his hands on a rag, eyeing me with a sort of appraisal that made me shift uncomfortably.

“Who’s the newbie?” he grunted at Logan, nodding in my direction.

“Ah, Ella, meet Miles. Miles, Ella,” Logan said. “She’s my… fiancee.”

Fiancee. I knew it was all fake in our world, but I guess I never thought that we’d have to keep the ruse up here. Although, this was Logan’s world. And now, it seemed like it might just become mine.

Miles extended a grease-stained hand, which I shook tentatively. His grip was firm, his hands rough with callouses from hard labor, but his hand was warm and oddly comforting—almost fatherly, in an unexpected sort of way.

“Nice to meet you,” I said, trying to sound confident despite feeling completely out of my element.

“Don’t let the gruff exterior fool you. He’s a big softie,” Logan said with a laugh, earning a scowl from Miles that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Miles let out a huff, although there was a hint of a smile on his lips nonetheless. “Yeah, well, don’t spread it around. Got a reputation to maintain,” he said, winking.

I couldn’t help but smile at that. “Your secret is safe with me, Miles.”

Logan turned his attention back to his car, while Miles took a step closer. We watched for a few moments as Logan slid under the car on a creeper to inspect something out of sight.

“So, what do you think of all this?” Miles asked, motioning to the garage bustling with activity. “You haven’t been back here before, from what I hear.”

I nodded and took a deep breath. “You’re right, I haven’t. And it’s… it’s a lot to take in, I’ll admit,” I said, glancing around at the frenzy of cars and pit crews and drivers, all backed up by the sound of the crowd humming with anticipation in the distance. “I had no idea Logan was into… this.”

Miles nodded. “I’ve been doing this for ten years, five of which I’ve worked with Logan. He’s one of the best in our circle. Races under a pseudonym.”

“Sounds thrilling,” I said, still at a loss for words from it all.

“Yep. But don’t let me fool you; it’s dangerous work.”

“Oh, I’ve gathered that much,” I said, my eyes lingering on Logan, who was now discussing something with another member of the pit crew. “But he insists he knows what he’s doing, so…”

“He does,” Miles assured me. “Kid’s got a natural talent. Quick reflexes, stays calm under pressure, and knows cars inside and out.”

I watched Logan as he laughed at something one of the crew said, the sound carrying over the noise of the garage. He caught my eye, and his grin widened before he turned back to his work.

“Plus, he’s got a good crew around him,” Miles continued. “We all look out for each other.”

There was a warmth in his voice that seemed to soften his earlier gruffness. It was clear he cared deeply for the team—Logan included.

As I stood there, surrounded by the cacophony of the prep work, the purring engines, and the shouts of the crew, a part of me could understand the appeal. The energy was infectious, and something about the scent of the air was intoxicating.

My wolf stirred inside of me, her voice a husky murmur in my mind. “You’ve got to admit, there’s something really hot about this secret side of Logan.”

My face grew hot with an unexpected blush, and I turned my gaze to the rough cement floor, hoping that it would somehow hide the redness in my cheeks.

“You alright there?” Miles’s voice was tinged with amusement.

I cleared my throat, forcing myself to look up. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

With a gruff grunt, Miles sauntered off. Logan’s laughter echoed again, and this time, I allowed myself to really look at him.

The focus, the intensity, the knowledge that he held about every inch of his car. He wasn’t like some of the other drivers, who just stood by while their pit crews took care of everything. He was hands-on, testing every little thing.

Then, his gaze met mine, and time seemed to stop as he jogged toward me.

“Ella,” he said, stopping in front of me, “if you look down on me now, I’d understand. This isn’t exactly the safest hobby in the world.”

I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms as I leaned back against a cool metal railing. “Well, it’s not like there’s any stopping you now.”

He let out a short laugh. “You’re right. But you’re not mad at me, are you?”

“Just don’t get killed, okay?” The words came out more sharply than I intended, but they carried the weight of my sudden concern for him. “And remember, I’ll be watching from the sidelines.”

His lips twitched into a grin, a flash of something tender in his eyes. “Trust me, I’ll be fine so long as I have my lucky charm watching me.”

I opened my mouth to retort, the heat rising into my cheeks again, but a voice suddenly boomed over a loudspeaker through the garage.

“Contestants, please take your positions.”

Logan made a face. “I gotta go. Miles will walk you over to the stands. Oh, and tell the vendors you’re with me. You’ll get a free pretzel.”

I chuckled, a dizzying combination of humor and terror in my voice. “Okay. Sure thing.”

With that, Logan began to jog back to his car. But he stopped halfway, as though considering something, then turned back to face me. Time seemed to slow as he shot me a wink, his clear blue eyes gleaming from beneath his helmet.

Then, just as I was processing my tumultuous feelings, he flipped his visor down and hid his face from view. All I could do now was watch as he slid into his car and pulled out of the garage behind the other contestants.

“Ready?”

Miles’ voice suddenly broke me through my reverie. I met his gaze, and my own eyes must have betrayed my emotions, because he lightly punched my arm.

“Hey,” he said, his voice softer than before, “your man is gonna be just fine. He’s an expert. You’ll see.”

I swallowed. I didn’t have the strength at the moment to even consider his words. Your man. Was Logan mine, despite everything, despite what we said?

“I’m fine,” I said suddenly, my words going against how I really felt.

Miles shot me a knowing look, but said nothing. Instead, he shoved his hands in the pockets of his coveralls and jerked his head toward the bleachers, a smile coming across his face.

“C’mon. I saved you one of the best seats in the house.”