Nico

I stepped out of the bathroom with my blood running hot. Anger boiled inside me like fuel in an overheated engine, pushing dangerously close to the surface.

For a split second back there, I had almost let my enigma side slip out — that darker, more possessive part of me that wanted to destroy anyone who dared speak badly about Alaric.

I took a slow breath, trying to rein it in, but the fury still simmered just beneath my skin.

I scanned the paddock, my eyes narrowing as I searched for the source of my rage. There he was. Kelvin McRae leaned casually against a Mercedes hospitality unit, laughing with a couple of engineers like he owned the entire place. The sight made my jaw clench so tightly it ached.

He had no right to talk about Alaric the way he did during the media session. No right at all.

I heaved a deep sigh and clenched my fists tightly. I couldn’t take it anymore. With my shoulders squared and my steps deliberate, I walked straight toward him, ignoring the curious glances from people passing by.

The desert sun beat down on my back, but the heat inside me burned hotter than anything Bahrain could throw at me.

Kelvin noticed me coming. He straightened up, that cocky grin still plastered across his face as I reached him.

"Park," he said, sounding amused. "Come to defend your little rival again?"

I didn’t waste time with words. I grabbed him by the front of his team polo shirt, yanked him away from the hospitality unit, and pulled him into a quiet corner where no one could easily see us. Then I shoved him hard against the wall, pinning him there with my forearm pressed firmly across his chest.

My voice came out low and dangerous, barely above a growl. "If you want a great season, Kelvin, stay the fuck away from Alaric. Don’t talk about him. Don’t look at him. Don’t even breathe in his direction. Understood?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Kelvin’s eyes widened slightly, but he tried to play it cool. "What the hell is your problem, man? Didn’t you hate the guy? You’ve been gunning for him since he announced his comeback. Now you’re suddenly protective? Make it make sense."

He was right, but I didn’t care. Kelvin wasn’t allowed to trash-talk Alaric when I was around.

"I’m the only one allowed to hate him," I said, leaning in closer so he could feel every word. "He is the only worthy opponent I consider. The battle this season is between me and Alaric. If you keep butting in with your loud mouth and trying to make yourself relevant when you’re not, it won’t end well for you."

To make sure he understood I wasn’t joking, I pulled my fist back and slammed it into the wall right next to his head. The thin paneling cracked under the impact, sending a sharp sting through my knuckles. Blood immediately welled up from the split skin, but I barely felt the pain. Kelvin flinched hard, his body tensing against mine.

"You’re fucking crazy!" he yelled, eyes wide with shock. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

I chuckled darkly, low and menacing, then wiped the blood from my knuckles across the front of his shirt. I leaned in even closer, my lips brushing his ear as I whispered, "Would you like to know how crazy I am? I know about the orgy parties at your private home in Monte Carlo. I also know how you made one of your omegas have an abortion."

I pulled back just enough to see his face. His eyes were blown wide, and his face had turned deathly pale.

"Wha... that’s ridiculous," he tried to deny, but his voice cracked.

I smiled coldly. "Remember Elodie? Elodie Fontaine from your last orgy party?" I asked, letting out a soft chuckle. "I have everything about you two. Pictures, DM exchanges, and so many things you wouldn’t want leaked out. Imagine I drop one of your messy chats, especially the one about the abortion? Poof — your career is gone." I snapped my fingers right in front of his face. "That is the end for you."

Kelvin’s face went completely pale. His eyes widened in genuine fear, and for the first time, the cocky mask slipped away.

I smiled, satisfied. "That’s right. Stay the hell away from Alaric. This is your only warning. If you try to mock him again, if you try to get on his nerves, I will do whatever it takes to ruin you."

"Why... why the hell do you care so much if you hate him?" Kelvin managed to speak, though his voice stuttered like a fool.

I placed my injured knuckles on his shoulder, pressing just enough to remind him of the pain. "Exactly my point. I am the only one allowed to hate him. Any other person is invalid." I tapped his shoulder once in mock friendliness and stepped back. "Remember, I am always watching you, Kelvin McRae."

I turned and walked away without looking back. My knuckles throbbed badly now, blood dripping slowly down my fingers, but I didn’t care. The satisfaction of putting Kelvin in his place outweighed everything.

I had barely taken ten steps when Dylan, my manager, spotted me. His eyes widened the moment they landed on my neck, and bloody hand. Then he let out a sharp scream.

"Nico! What the hell happened? Are you alright?"

I forced a casual smile, flexing my fingers like it was nothing. "I scratched it on a wall while trying to frighten an annoying pest."

Dylan gave me a long, questioning look, then sighed heavily. "Who did you punch? Do I have to start notifying the PR team on what to write once the headlines come out that you attacked someone?"

I scoffed and wrapped my good arm around his neck, pulling him close. "Oh, don’t be silly, Dylan. I haven’t killed anyone..." I paused, letting the words hang before adding slowly, "yet."

Dylan stopped walking and turned to me with a deep frown. "What the hell is wrong with you? You are not killing anyone! Not on my watch. Let’s clean your knuckles. You look a mess right now."

I chuckled as he dragged me away, still smiling to myself. At least I had warned Kelvin. It was up to him whether he listened or not.

Alaric was mine alone to tease and torment. No one else had that right.