Fragments (The Broken Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

across Jack’s features. “He wants me to go to the Grand Prix race. Apparently, he wants me there as his guest for old-times’ sake.”  
    I paused, thinking about what Maria and Brian had said. Perhaps it would be good for Jack to go and face up to the demons of his racing past.
    I frowned and looked up at him. “Maybe you should go.”
    Jack pulled away, and immediately I missed the warmth of his arms around me.
    “No,” he said, coldly. “He only wants me there for publicity. He wants me to pose for photos, smiling next to the new car, giving my blessing to the new driver. The paparazzi haven’t been able to get my picture for ages, and they’re thirsty. They want to fill their gossip pages. I’ve managed to stay out of the limelight this year, and Dominic doesn’t like that. He thinks it’ll be great publicity for the team if I turn up. He wants me to prove I don’t hold a grudge against the team.”
    “Maybe it would be good for you,” I said, and bit my lip. I didn’t want to push him too far.
    Jack frowned and when he replied his voice was clipped and cold. “I don’t think so.”  
    I took a deep breath, knowing that I was about to play my Ace card.  
    “I’d like to go,” I said.
    The words hung between us for ages as Jack stared back at me.
    Finally he said, “So go. I’m not stopping you.”
    I exhaled and looked down at the floor. I couldn’t hold his gaze, but I also couldn’t back down. Not if this could help him.  
    I knew I was pushing my luck, but I had to try. “I want to go with you, Jack.”
    Indecision played over his face, so I continued. “Please, Jack, it won’t be the same if I go to my first Grand Prix race without you. I’d like to see what you used to do...”  
    Jack turned away. “I’ll think about it.”  
    It was obvious from the tension in his broad shoulders that it wouldn’t be an easy decision for him, but I smiled. This had to be a step in the right direction.  
    I don’t know how he knew I was smiling, but after a beat he said, “I didn’t say I would go, only that I would think about it.”  
    He looked over his shoulder at me.
    “I know.” I leaned up to him on tiptoes, and kissed his cheek. “I’m just glad you are thinking about it.”

6

    Jack

    It was three a.m. and it was another shitty night where I couldn’t get to sleep. Nothing I tried had worked. In my desperation, I’d even gone to the kitchen an hour ago to make some hot milk. That was a waste of time. If anything, it made me feel even less sleepy.  
    Propped up in bed, I stared at the glowing computer screen, watching a rerun of the Australian Grand Prix. I found the purr of the engines strangely soothing and relaxing.  
    God, I missed it.
    I should never have let Dominic O’Brien’s call go to voicemail when Kristina was with me. I should have guessed Dominic O’Brien wouldn’t give up so easily, and I should have snatched up the phone before Kristina heard what Dominic wanted.
    For all the years I’d known Dominic, he had never backed down from something he wanted without a fight, and I was sure he wasn’t about to start now. He wasn’t the type to accept my refusal without an argument.
    My presence at the race would be good for the team, and that was what interested Dominic. He was a money man, always looking at different ways to promote the team, and what better promotion than having their famous ex-driver, who had almost been killed last year, attend his home Grand Prix like a phoenix triumphantly rising from the ashes.  
    It wasn’t like that, of course. But Dominic wouldn’t want to reveal the truth about my condition. He wouldn’t want the public to know that I was still far from a full recovery. That wouldn’t be good PR for the team.
    But I understood Dominic, and I didn’t expect any compassion or understanding from him. I didn’t mind the fact that he was tenacious. I could say no to Dominic as many times as it took. It really didn’t bother me.