Chapter 354 Unwanted Company

Ella

We settled into the hard plastic seats, the cacophony of engines and crowd noise enveloping us like a heavy blanket. Even from our spot, I could see the intensity on the drivers’ faces, their concentration palpable even from a distance.

There was something both exciting and terrifying about it, and something addictive, I was sure of it. This was a place for adrenaline junkies, for people who loved thrills and danger, even just as casual observers.

Logan leaned closer, his clear blue eyes not leaving the spectacle unfolding on the racetrack. “See that guy in the blue car? His gear ratios are off. He’s gonna lose speed on the straights.”

I looked at him, eyebrows shooting up in surprise. “Gear ratios? That’s an oddly specific observation.”

He flushed slightly, a sheepish smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “You know how much I love cars. That’s all.”

I peered into his eyes, looking for a hint of deception. I could tell that there was something he wasn’t telling me, something beyond just loving cars, but I let it slide. If he wanted to share, he would, in his own time. And frankly, it wasn’t really my concern.

Soon, though, the race completely captured my attention. The swerving of the cars, the high- pitched roar of the engines, even the palpable tension in the air-it was intoxicating. I found myself cheering as cars zoomed past the finish line, lap after lap.

“Looks like someone’s getting into it,” Logan chuckled, handing me a cup of soda.

I took a sip and smiled. “It’s… growing on me. Never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually having fun.”

He beamed, and I sensed a kind of pride in his eyes. “Told you so. Aren’t you glad that you came out instead of eating pizza and watching true crime?”

I blushed. “There’s a time and a place for everything,” I found myself saying. Then, maybe thanks to a little unwarranted push from my wolf: “I’ll have to introduce you to my guilty pleasures as payback.”

Logan smirked, his blue eyes flashing with something I couldn’t quite read. “I’d love that,” he murmured. His voice was almost husky over the sound of the roaring engines. “True crime and pizza with you sounds…”

off before he finished, but I decided not to push. Instead, I let myself get swept up by the race again. The sound of the engines, the crowd cheering, the cacophony of sights and

just a moment, I pictured the two of us here in the future, sucked into the spectacle of it all. But I quickly pushed that thought away. One time would be good enough. There was no

one of the vehicles whizzing past us. “He’s gonna face some serious

Logan spoke. And, just as he predicted, the car’s engine sputtered and lagged behind the other cars. The driver

really know your stuff. Do you come to

I thought he was about to offer up some juicy tidbit about his mysterious relationship with car racing. But then, he seemed to think better of it. “Yeah, I try to come every weekend when I can. It’s just another hobby of

suspiciously but decided not to push it. Still, I couldn’t help asking: “Ever consider doing this yourself? Racing, I

faster than one of the cars zooming around the track. But

at my almost empty cup, realizing only then how thirsty the excitement had made me. “It’s good. Almost

another,” Logan

but he just rolled his eyes, snatched the empty cup from my

here,” he said. “Save

but let my eyes linger on him. He looked particularly handsome tonight, his jeans and tight t-shirt emphasizing all the right muscles. For a split second, I felt the presence of my wolf, as if she were drawn to him, too. I had to consciously tear my gaze away, a low growl sounding

vanished into the crowd, and a strange void settled where he’d been sitting.

a hint of teasing in her voice. “Anyone

defended, rolling my eyes internally. “I’m allowed to

Ema purred. “Don’t think I didn’t notice

“Yeah, well, hearts can be

the soul? We’re fated mates, you

pull away from a life of crime, but we don’t know if

You’re thinking about the long term, about

of life would that be? Constantly looking over our shoulders? Not to mention, the fact that

family?” Ema probed. “You’re worried about how they’ll

course. They’ve got strong values too, Ema. To them, learning that I’m ‘dating’ a mobster would be like dropping

a rock and a hard place,” Ema acknowledged. “But, Ella, you don’t have to decide everything now.

The possibility of monumental disaster?

countered. “Remember the guy you

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