Chapter 76. Staring into His Shocked Face

Athena

I turned to see a man in his forties approaching us, well-dressed but with the weathered hands and confident stance of someone who spent serious time around motorcycles.

There was something in his eyes that made me instantly wary—not threatening, exactly, but calculating.

“Hi,” he said, extending his hand for a shake.

“Hi,” I replied, but kept my hands at my sides. Something about his approach felt too familiar, too presumptuous.

“Fierce. I like that,” he said, apparently amused by my refusal to shake his hand.

“Sam, what do you want?” Derek’s voice had taken on a protective edge as he moved slightly between us.

“Just wanted to say hello to your rising star here,” Sam replied, but his eyes never left mine. “I’m Sam Rodriguez, and I have to say, I was amazed by your performance out there. How come I haven’t seen you race before?”

There was something in his tone that suggested this wasn’t just casual interest. This felt lik