RACERS

CHAPTER NINE: The Secrets Behind Closed Doors

I didn't sleep.

All I could think about was the photograph of my father standing beside Axel Moretti's father.

And the message beneath it.

Ask your father what he did.

By morning, I'd had enough.

I found Dad in the kitchen and placed my phone in front of him.

“Do you know this man?”

The moment he saw the photograph, his expression changed.

“Where did you get that?”

“Someone sent it to me. Who is he?”

“Delete it, Isabelle.”

I stared at him. “That's your answer?”

“Stay away from Axel Moretti. Whatever you think you've discovered, forget it.”

“Why? What happened between you and his father?”

“Nothing you need to know about!”

His sudden shout silenced the kitchen.

I picked up my phone, my heart pounding.

“You can't keep telling me to stay away without explaining why.”

“I'm trying to protect you!”

“From what, Dad?”

He said nothing.

And that frightened me more than any answer could have.

....

By afternoon, I'd decided to find Axel.

I found him at his garage, standing beside his midnight-blue car. His expression darkened when I showed him the photograph.

“Your father?” he asked.

“Yes. And mine knows yours. When I showed him this picture, he practically lost his mind.”

Axel stared at the screen for a long moment.

“You need to leave this alone.”

“Why does everyone keep saying that? Daniel nearly died last night, someone stole his car from the impound lot, and now strangers are sending me messages about our fathers!”

Axel's head snapped up.

“Daniel's car is missing?”

“You didn't know?”

He grabbed his keys.

“Stay here.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Isabelle, this isn't a game.”

“Then stop treating me like a child!”

For a moment, we stared at each other.

Finally, he exhaled sharply.

“Fine. But stay beside me.”

Twenty minutes later, we stood at the impound lot, facing an officer who confirmed that Daniel's car had been released to an investigator.

“Who authorized it?” Axel demanded.

The officer checked his paperwork.

Then he showed us the document.

I felt the world tilt beneath my feet.

The name printed on the authorization was unmistakable.

MICHAEL CARTER.

My father.

I shook my head. “That's impossible.”

Axel turned toward me slowly.

“Your father authorized the release of evidence connected to a suspected attempt on someone's life?”

“I don't know what this means.”

He studied me, suspicion hardening his features.

“Then perhaps it's time you found out who your father really is.”

My phone vibrated.

Another message from the unknown number appeared.

He's not the only one keeping secrets, Isabelle.

A photograph followed.

It showed Axel standing beside Daniel's silver car shortly before the race. Someone had drawn a red circle around his hand, which rested near the front wheel.

Beneath the photograph were six words:

ASK HIM WHAT HE WAS DOING THERE.

I stared at the screen, my stomach twisting.

Then I looked at Axel.

He was already watching me.

“What did they send you?” he asked.

For the first time, I didn't know whether I could trust his answer.