#Swag (GearShark #3) Read Online Free Page B

keep an eye on the other. The fact I had money had always been a sticking point with him.
    But when I started out-driving him and took control of the turf, all the “advantages” I had become too hard to ignore.
    Jealousy was an ugly monster.
    “I think I controlled the street just fine tonight,” I drawled lazily.
    “Letting juniors in your races doesn’t speak of control to me.”
    I rolled my head toward Kurt and levelled my eyes on him. “You know damn well that junior has been around for a while. He’d have been fine if he hadn’t installed a bunch of shit in his car he wasn’t ready for.”
    Kurt glanced toward the cars, then back. “I’m thinking your attention must be pretty divided lately, with the NRR and trying to maintain control here.”
    He had a buzz cut that suggested he didn’t have time to bother with his hair, but on his chin was a goatee he clearly kept trimmed. So my thoughts on his style and maybe some of his problem was premature balding.
    “You got your eye on my place?” I asked, my own eyes narrowing on his face.
    What was it with everyone tonight?
    Couldn’t a man get one night off from someone trying to take something from him?
    “Maybe,” Kurt replied.
    Well, at least he was honest. And unlike the junior who wrecked my car, he actually had some shit to back it up.
    I stepped up to him. We measured each other as if we’d never met before. “My spot here isn’t vacant,” I said evenly.
    “Maybe it should be.”
    I didn’t like the glint in his eye.
    “You should watch yourself,” I warned.
    He didn’t back down, but I didn’t expect him to. I wouldn’t have if I were angling for the top spot. I wasn’t dumb. I knew this was coming. The way some people saw it around here, now that I was driving for the NRR, I didn’t need to be on the streets.
    I begged to differ.
    Never forget where you come from.
    It’s exactly there that made a man who he was.
    I came from these streets.
    I wasn’t some pampered pro driver who had everything handed to them. As far as I was concerned, these streets were the path that led me to the NRR.
    Jones pulled up in a tow truck, followed by another one that looked just like it. People around us burst into action, preparing to pry the Charger off my car and tow them both away.
    I’d seen what happened when men forgot. One victory, one step into a level higher than where they’d been made them arrogant. It made them think they were better than those they left behind.
    In truth, we were all the same. Me, Kurt… hell, even Junior who ruined my car.
    What set us apart was sheer determination. Sheer will… And a heavy dose of hard work.
    Even though the most bitter liked to say it was money and luck.
    Money and luck didn’t hurt. But it wasn’t defining.
    Sometimes not even all of the above was enough. Sometimes we got smacked back down to where we started, and we had to begin again.
    That’s why knowing where you come from wasn’t something you could leave behind.
    If I had to begin again, I would, here, on my turf.
    Until that point, my feet were going to be firmly planted in both racing worlds. This one and the NRR.
    And no one was going to get in my way.

 
    Joey
    There were boys in my kitchen.
    Not just any boys.
    Trent and Drew.
    “How did you get in here?” I scowled. I was happy to see them, but it was morning and I hadn’t had any coffee yet.
    Plus, today was the day.
    “The housekeeper loves us,” Trent said around a bite of an oversized homemade muffin.
    Drew was busy nursing a cup of steaming coffee, but he did smirk when Trent replied.
    The housekeeper did love them. Everyone did. They were practically the most lovable pair of guys on the entire planet.
    And the fact that they loved each other only made them more endearing.
    “My father summoned you here,” I stated as I poured the dark, richly scented brew into a white mug sitting beside the pot.
    Drew appeared soundlessly beside me and shoved his identical