Page 36 of Full Throttle

Asher sat down at the long conference table. “While you’re cleaning, you need to get rid of that comedy of a crew out there.”

Brian raised a brow and asked, as if genuinely interested, “Really? I’ve only heard good things about them.”

Asher snorted. “I bet you haven’t heard that they win races.”

“Didn’t Daughtry qualify top five in a couple of races?” Brian didn’t wait for Asher to respond. “It doesn’t matter. I plan to change all of that.” Brian took a seat opposite Asher. He didn’t like Asher one bit, but he didn’t need to like him. He just needed him to win. “Let me cut to the chase. You’re contracted with Daughtry, and now, Lockwood for one more race. What can we do to change that?”

Asher sat up in his chair and stared the brothers down. “Are you serious about winning?”

“I’m investing millions of my fortune to make it happen. So, yeah. I’d say I’m pretty damn serious.”

“Lots of people have money. It’s going to take a lot more than that.”

“Ok. School me. Like what?” Brian asked.

Asher wanted to confirm the new owners were serious. “You really want to win?”

“I just said that I do.”

Asher stared hard into Brian’s eyes. “Then get rid of that nigger who calls himself a crew chief and his employees.”

His words were jarring. It hit Brian right in the chest, and an image of Lila came into view. Brian clenched his fist and was about to hand Asher his ass, but Liam responded first.

“The word on the street is that Cyrus Jones is one of the best.”

“You know damn well that those people are good at running and jumping. But driving? It requires too much thinking. They are not capable of that at a high level. Nobody is going to take you seriously until you get rid of them. Not only will they not take you seriously, they are going to put up roadblocks at every turn.”

Liam leaned back in his chair. “Is that so?”

“The bottom line is I ain’t driving for no more niggers or nigger lovers. You want me to stay with Lockwood racing? Get rid of the tar baby crew.”

Asher sat back and linked his hands behind his head. He spoke as if he held all the cards.

Brian stood. “Let me tell you what you can do—” He was ready to tell Asher to take his racist ass right to hell when the door opened. Markos peeked inside. “You requested to see the other drivers?”

“What?” Brian was seething with rage. He’d completely forgotten as Jordan and Chris walked into the room.

Liam sat back, calmly watching Asher. “Brian, didn’t you say you wanted to make some changes in the driver lineup anyway?”

Asher’s grin slipped. Liam could see thewhat the hell are you talking aboutlook appear on his face.

Brian wasn’t following.

“Allof your drivers are not here. Maybe you should make the announcement once everyone arrives.”

Baffled glances were shared around the room, but it was Jordan who voiced what they were all thinking. “Everyone is here.”

Brian lifted a corner of his lips into a devilish grin. “Oh, you mean ournewestdriver?”

Liam nodded. “Yes. No reason to have to repeat yourself.”

Asher dropped his hands. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

Brian ignored him. “You’re right.” He smirked as he walked away from the conference table and out onto the landing.

Impatiently, Brian called out, “Colby James, where are you? I requested a meeting with all Lockwood drivers.”

Asher shot up out of his chair. His face reddened. “Colby James is not a Daughtry driver!”