The Price of Success by Maya Blake Read Free Book Online Page A

eleven, he discovered mushrooms growing in a field at our vineyard in León and decided to eat them. His stomach had to be pumped or he’d have died. Two years later, he slipped away from his boarding school to run with the bulls at Pamplona. He was gored inthe arm. Save for a very substantial donation to the school, and my personal guarantee of his reformation, he would’ve been thrown out immediately.’
    His gaze focused on her. ‘I can list another dozen episodes that would raise your hair.’
    ‘He’s a risk-taker,’ Sasha murmured, wondering where the conversation was headed but deciding to go with it. ‘He has to be as a racing driver; surely you understand that?’ she argued. ‘Didn’t you scale Everest on your own five years ago, after everyone in your team turned back because of a blizzard? In my book that’s Class A recklessness.’
    ‘I knew what I was doing.’
    ‘Oh, okay. How about continuing over half the London-Dakar rally with a broken arm?’
    His clear surprise made her lips twist. ‘How—?’
    ‘Told you I had nerd-tastic info on you. You own the most successful motor racing team in the history of the sport. I want to drive for you. I’ve done my homework.’
    ‘Very impressive, but risk-taking on the track is expected—within reason. But even before Rafael ever got behind the wheel of a race car he was … highly strung.’
    ‘If he’s so highly strung that you have to manage him, then why do you let him race? Why own the team that places him in the very sport likely to jeopardise his well-being?’
    His eyes darkened and he seemed to shut off. Watching him, Sasha was fascinated by the impenetrable mask that descended over his face.
    ‘Because racing is in our blood. It’s what we do. My father never got the chance to become a racer. I raced for him, but because I had the talent. So does Rafael. There was never any question that racing was our future. But it’s also my job to take care of my brother. To save him from himself. To make him see beyond his immediate desires.’
    ‘Have you thought that perhaps if you let him make his own mistakes instead of trying to manage his life he’ll wise up eventually?’
    ‘So far, no.’
    ‘He’s a grown man. When are you going to cut the apron strings?’
    ‘When he’s proved to me that he won’t kill himself without them.’
    ‘And are you so certain you can save him every single time?’
    ‘I can put safety measures in place.’
    She laughed at his sheer arrogance. ‘You’re not omnipotent. You can’t control what happens in life. Even if you could, Rafael will eventually resent you for controlling his life.’
    Marco’s lips firmed, his eyelids descending to veil his eyes.
    She gave another laugh. ‘He already does, doesn’t he? Did you two fight? Was that why you weren’t at the track this weekend?’
    He ignored her questions. ‘What I do, I do for his own good. And you’re not good for him. My offer still stands.’
    Just like that they were back to his sleazy offer of a buy-off. Distaste filled her.
    She looked around the sleekly opulent room at the highly polished surfaces, the velvet walls, the bespoke furniture and elegant, sweeping staircases that belonged more in a stately home than in a hotel. Luxurious decadence only people like Marco de Cervantes could afford. The stamp of power and authority told her she wouldn’t find even the smallest chink in the de Cervantes armour.
    The man was as impenetrable as his wealth was immeasurable.
    In the end, all she could rely on was her firm belief in right and wrong.
    ‘You can’t fire me simply to keep me out of Rafael’s way. It’s unethical. I think somewhere deep down you know it too.’
    ‘I don’t need moral guidance from someone like you.’
    ‘I disagree. I think you need a big-ass, humongous compass. Because you’re making a big mistake if you think I’m going to go quietly.’
    His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. ‘Rafael told me you were