Off the Grid (Full Throttle, #1)

by K. Bromberg

“Well, about that. Your driver isn’t coming.”

“No one is here. The others staying here for the even have already left for the gala. I might have a lookout.” I wink. “It’s just you. It’s just me. And a car waiting to take us somewhere.” “Camilla—”

An hour and one helicopter ride later, Riggs stares at me as the aircraft flies off into the sunset and leaves us atop a hill in the outskirts of Champagne.

“Camilla,” Riggs says for what feels like the hundredth time.

“It’s ours for the night. The chef has left food. The sommelier has left the proper wines to go with it. And the suite has the bed pulled down.”

I know I’ve fallen for this man. I’m in love with him.

I step into him and press a tender kiss to his lips. “Because you deserve it.” Another kiss.

We don’t need words. We don’t need to direct. We know each other’s bodies now. We know each other’s minds.

I know that every time I touch her, she only thinks of me now.

My forehead is against hers, and it moves ever so slightly with each thrust. This—us taking sex slowly—is so different. We’re usually a frantic mess.

She gave me this night when I needed it the most—to forget about what I’m about to face. And unknowingly gave me so much more.

Dad. Please protect me. Please direct me. Please make me be okay. I glance up at the sky. At the puffs

She looks nothing like him. She’s petite with blond hair and blue eyes.

We stand side by side and watch the man we love battle lap after lap to finish a race

She must be terrified and proud of her incredible son.

Hell, Riggs doesn’t even know she’s here, but we hold on to each other for emotional support in the private suite I had set up for her.

I take another bite of my candy floss knowing I’m going to finish the game Riggs never got to finish with his dad and is seventeen years in the making.

But he finishes strong. With grit and determination and a little luck, the crowd roars as Spencer Riggs crosses the finish line in P2.

Chaos ensues upon the finish. The media is clamoring over the story of the son finishing the final race his father

I can’t betray Camilla’s trust. I can’t explain a thing.

“I’ve got nothing.” Each word is like a dagger to my heart because I already know what’s coming next.

Grab your shit and get out. You’re no longer a driver for Moretti Motorsports. You’ve just embarrassed this team, this sport, and me as an owner.

Anything to explain why you just beat another team’s crewman within an inch of his life?”

can’t explain. It’s not my story to tell. I can’t hurt her any more than she already has been.

“Being in a relationship has a lot of parallels with being a good F1 driver.

Always maintain your integrity, always show respect for yourself and your wife, and always win for the team. It’s all about the team.”

Until this moment. Because right now, as I hear his words, I realize that is what Camilla and I have become—a team.

So I look him in the eye, I nod, and I whisper, “Thank you for the opportunity.”

“He’s off the team and frankly, it’s for the better. All around.”

“Dad. You can’t. You can’t.” “And why’s that?”

I need to get to Riggs. I need to see if he’s okay. All that blood. His anger.

my dad? His tremors? I refuse to load him with more stress right now by telling him something that happened six years ago.

“He just disgraced this entire team over some school boy stunt for who knows what. I have more than just your boyfriend to think about.”

I do, Camilla. I do and I’m hurt that you kept this from me.”

“You’re wrong for so many reasons. Riggs was defending—”

“The whole world just saw me bash the fucker’s face in. You wanted viral?

just got it with the ten cameras that happened to be filming. Congrats. I’m sure it’s good for the Moretti brand.”

Do you actually think I’m going to make you share with the world what happened? Why I reacted? Do you think so little of me that I’m going to throw you under the bus to save me?” He steps into me.

“You know me better than that.” His smile is reticent and so sad. “You’re okay, right?” I nod.

“I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Even knowing the consequences. Just—don’t follow me.

that I need . . . to figure my own shit out. But just know, Cam, I’d do it again.” His last words are barely a whisper that rip my heart out and coddle it simultaneously.

I’m in love with Spencer Riggs . . . and I think I just lost him too.

But I’m not going to slink away in the back alley. I’m going to do it here, where the cameras are present. Where it’s obvious I’m not hiding.

“Riggs.” I ignore the voice calling my name.

“Riggs,” he commands, his voice closer. I don’t stop. “I watched the tape.” I falter but keep moving.

“I saw what you said to her.” My feet stop.

To be ashamed that you were able to defend my daughter when I didn’t even know she needed it.”

He nods. “I know you don’t. And I respect you for that more than I think you’ll ever know.”

I release his hand and we stand face-to-face. Man-to-man. A dad and his daughter’s lover. A gentleman and a fighter.

two men who love the same woman but in completely different ways.