Ryan Hunter

wouldn’t let anyone drive it. Not even Justin when he begged on his knees. That I offered her the exclusive chance surprised even me. But then, she’d certainly enjoy it, and I really wanted to see her happy again. I figured out that I couldn’t handle her sad eyes.
    “Why?” Liza demanded with a startled laugh.
    I shrugged then opened the door on the driver side for her and leaned one arm on it. “Fun. And distraction.” She looked more than a little skeptical, so I added with a mocking tilt of my brows. “Unless you’re chicken.”
    That swayed her. With a broad show-off grin, she planted her butt behind the steering wheel. “How fast does she go?”
    I liked how Liza called my baby a she like me. “I promise you’ll never find out.” Tossing the keys into her lap, I slammed the door shut and walked to the other side. Being the passenger in my own car was a new experience. One that made me a little uncomfortable—not because I didn’t trust Liza’s driving skills, but because I preferred to be in control of things. Always.
    Liza fumbled with the seat, adjusting it to her height, then pushed the button and tipped on the gas to coax out a mighty roar from the engine.
    “Think you can handle manual?” I asked.
    She didn’t answer but just flashed a you-bet grin at me. Without any trouble, she steered the car out of the lot then started a cozy cruise down the road.
    “Is that all you can do?” I mocked her, casting an exaggerated glance at the speedometer. “This car wasn’t made for strolling. It’s a fucking racing car.”
    From her chewing her lips, I could read that she really wanted to try the Audi, but she seemed a little concerned about whatever—tickets, accidents, hitting something.
    “You’re thinking too much, Matthews.” I sneered when she cut a glance to my side. “Let go and ball the jack.”
    It didn’t take any more convincing. With the engine howling beautifully, I was pressed into the seat. That was fun. And I knew she had some, too, as she raced my baby toward to the beach.
    I had her taking a right turn at the ocean. “Have you ever been to Club Tuscany?”
    She gave me an appalled look. “I’m sixteen for another few weeks. Of course not.”
    “Ah, right.” Sometimes she behaved a lot older than that. Sometimes a lot younger…I didn’t care. I’d take her at any age.
    “How old are you?” she wanted to know then.
    “Eighteen.”
    “Since when ?”
    July first. She’d come to watch Tony at training that day and she hadn’t said happy birthday. “Last month.”
    Her brows furrowed to a line. “But that’s still not old enough to go clubbing.”
    “It is when yo ur brother-in-law owns the club.” I had never had any trouble getting in. Paul, the bouncer knew me, and Rachel would always cover for me if anyone was snooping around, demanding a license. “Follow that road for another ten miles,” I gave her directions, then scooted a little lower in the seat and pulled my cap deeper down my face. She handled my car quite well on her own, and there was no need for me to watch like a driving instructor. In fact, it was pretty cool to have a chauffeur for once. It gave me time to study her delicate hand on the gearshift while thinking about her diary confessions. So, she liked it when I touched her. What else did she like about me? I should have pocketed that damn diary and read every little bit she’d said about me in there. It was too damn tempting to know.
    A quarter of an hour later, we reached the outskirts of San Luis, and I directed to her to big building with the dark red façade, that had spelled Club Tuscany in huge beaming letters across the second floor level.
    Liza cut the engine and climbed out. When I walked around the car, Paul had her already captured with his most intimidating glare. “You need to wait till you turn twenty-one to get in, sweetness,” he said and made her back off immediately.
    “Hi, Paul. She’s with me,” I told him and tucked Liza under my arm, realizing with a start how very well she fit in there. “Is Rachel in tonight?”
    “Hey, Ryan. Didn’t know you were coming,” Paul answered and pulled down the evil bounder masquerade, replacing it with a welcoming expression. “Rachel won’t be in until later, but Philip’s here.”
    “Cool.” We bumped fists, then he opened the door for us, and I dragged a shy Liza with me.
    “Is Rachel your sister?” she whispered.
    I resorted to my normal voice when I told