I don't know if it was nerves, or terror, or joy, but a laugh that mocked a squeal, sounded from my lips and I pressed my eyes shut tightly, allowing the speed to overtake me. Everything cleared from my mind. The worry of the day fell away. The threat and stress of the letters dissipated, as speed took precedence. I forgot about the bodyguards who'd been commanded to stand in the background of my life, always watching, ever alert and waiting for the need to intervene.
I felt like I was flying...and I didn't have a care in the world.
Surely, this was why Jace loved to race. This had to be the point at which drove him to press for speed. There was liberation in this act that no other could give. It was like a drug...and, I was addicted.
The engine growled and the car slowed. The rubber hummed against the asphalt and I opened my eyes. Jace was looking at me with a smoldering intensity glowing in his eyes.
"Wow," I breathed.
"You liked it." He stated. It was not a question, but I nodded regardless.
"I loved it, Jace." I laughed like a lunatic. Obviously, I was coming down from my cathartic high. At the sound of my laughter, Jace joined, unable to stop himself.
"Did you want to go again?" Jace asked seriously. I pulled my bearings together enough to answer him.
"I would love to." A rush unlike any other flooded my belly as I thought of riding with Jace again. "But, by the looks of Kyle," I pointed to where Kyle stood. If he had hair, I'm certain, he would have pulled every last strand from his head. "I think we should call it a day."
Jace glanced at Kyle who was now jogging across the tracks. Tense relief filled his eyes as Jace rolled the passenger window down. Kyle gripped the hood of the car as he leaned down into the window, looking winded.
"I've never been more worried about a race in my life." He sighed. "And, I've seen some knuckleheads get behind the wheel."
"I would never let anything happen to Olivia, Kyle." Jace reprimanded the man for his worry, and I shook my head, looking up at Kyle.
"Thank you for letting me drive with him. You have no idea what the speed did for me." I grappled for the right words. "It was like everything inside of me, that's been weighing me down, was just tossed away...lost at the start line."
Kyle's eyes flickered with knowing. "I understand, Olivia." He nodded and I knew the speed gave him release, too. "If you ever want to come back, don't hesitate. I have both the license, and the training, to drive with passengers. You can ride with me." At the last part, he glared over my head at Jace.
"I will be back." I ensured.
"She will be back with me." Jace added as he revved the engine. "See you again, Kyle."
Kyle shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. A look of bewilderment flared in his eyes as he watched the car drive away.
I couldn't help but notice as we drove from the parking lot onto the road, a black BMW SUV followed our trail. I knew the men within the vehicle were the appointed bodyguards and, I frowned.
"They're not very discrete." I mumbled and Jace nodded tensely.
"Discretion is not their purpose." Jace stated. "They have one purpose and that is to protect you."
I bristled. "And you."
Jace frowned. "I can take care of myself, Olivia."
I sighed. "Well, you agreed to take a bodyguard and that's all that matters."
"It's pointless." He argued.
"It's not pointless, Jace." I picked at my nails. "Not if they are the difference between you living from an attack and dying."
"I will not be attacked." Jace shook his head and I could see the conversation was getting to him. "I've lived in the limelight all my life. I know how to handle the crazy people who have nothing better to do than stalk and terrorize others."
I narrowed my eyes. "Have you been threatened before?"
"Yes." He stated. "On countless occasions."
"What did you do?" I asked. My stomach tightened, feeling as though a rock had been dropped into the pit.
"Never once did I employ a bodyguard." He replied stiffly and, I stiffened.
"I'm sorry...but, I care for you." I said quietly. "I don't want something to happen to you...and think it was my fault and I could have prevented it. Whoever is writing these letters doesn't want me with you. I'm certain you would be safe if we were to part ways." I pulled in a shaky breath. "I don't want to be the cause of something awful happening to you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Jace's jaw was set tensely. "I understand what you're saying. I took a bodyguard for you, Olivia."
"And, I thank you." I said.