ALICE Ch 158

The command center is a little weird with only two people. The computers are all on and the screens are still lit up with data from Monaco. Setup is still underway; they’ve hardly arrived in Barcelona. The paddock is in chaos, but this room is all but silent. This is where truly sensitive matters and critical strategizing take place. It’s very much like a war room.

Glynda sits across from Alice, who settles her headset into place.

“Did you call me here to yell at me?” Alice asks warily.

“No,” Glynda replies coolly. “Alice, my daughter’s quite taken with you.”

“I like her too,” Alice replies, although there’s something odd about how she says it. As though she can’t quite believe it herself.

“You have responsibilities to this team. I can’t tell you not to see my daughter, but I can tell you to do your job. Inside the car and out.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“I think you do. I would never ask you to do anything that weren’t comfortable with. But I need you to remember your priorities. There’s a difference between work and pleasure, and if it comes to it, I’ll help you manage. Faye will understand.”

Alice snorts. “You’re saying that if I have to bone a billionaire to keep us funded, you’ll cover me?” She flinches as Glynda bangs her fist on the table.

“Alice,” she says dangerously.

Alice swallows, suddenly anxious.

“You’ve just won a grand prix and brought home good points that we can use. You’ve also driven a lot of scandal and created a situation that puts the entire team at risk. You’ve known my daughter for a matter of months. I am well aware of her virtues, but do you mean to tell me that you have fallen in love to such a degree that the interests of this organization are no longer relevant?”

“OK! OK! Jesus. Chill.” Alice waves a hand in surrender. “You are too intense right now. I get it. Me and Faye will be low-key, and I’ll do what I have to do.”

“You’re the face of FUTA now. For now,” Glynda adds, holding up a finger as a warning. “Provided you keep driving this well. We’re prepared to offer a better contract if you’re prepared to hold up your end.”

“I am! Just don’t beat me up. Fuck.”

Glynda scowls at her for a moment. “You really went to bed with Irina Orlova?”

“Uh, yeah. And her daughter. You thought I was kidding?”

Glynda’s expression makes it clear that she did. At least about Sasha.

“Yeah,” Alice says, shifting uncomfortably. “It was weird. They have a weird relationship. I mean, it was fun… but weird.”

Glynda shakes her head. “Fuck me.”

Alice snorts. “F1 is so fucking weird,” she says.

“I know,” Glynda admits tiredly. “Am I understood, Alice?”

“Yeah, boss.” Alice gets up, rolling her eyes. She sticks her hand out and Glynda shakes it. “We have a deal.”