Chapter 1

Ethan Cole gripped the worn steering wheel of his 1970 Chevelle SS, the engine a low rumble beneath him.

He looked like any other guy running a struggling classic car garage, not the founder of AeroCorp Dynamics, a multi-billion dollar aerospace firm.

He was just back, two years off-grid on a government research project he couldn't talk about, a project that had forced him to leave his company, his life, in the hands of his wife, Brenda.

Today, he was heading to AeroCorp to take back the reins.

A flash of brilliant blue cut across his lane, forcing him to slam the brakes.

A brand-new Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.

The driver, some kid, brake-checked him. Hard.

Ethan scowled, easing off. He didn't need trouble, not today.

But the Shelby did it again, then a third time, weaving dangerously.

Ethan' s eyes narrowed. That Shelby.

He' d authorized Brenda to purchase one, a top-of-the-line model, as a "company vehicle" right before he left.

For "executive transport," she'd said.

This kid wasn't an executive.

The Shelby swerved, then slowed for a red light. Ethan pulled up beside it.

He picked up his phone, dialing 911.

"I need to report a reckless driver, license plate..." He read it out.

A cold knot formed in his gut. The implications hit him, sharp and ugly.

The light was still red. The Shelby' s driver was looking at his phone, oblivious.

Kyle Jensen, early twenties, all flashy gym gear and a smug grin he probably practiced in the mirror.

The kid suddenly looked up, saw Ethan looking, and for no reason, tapped his brakes again, a deliberate, mocking gesture even while stationary.

Ethan' s jaw tightened.

His foot eased off his own brake, just enough.

The Chevelle, heavy and solid, rolled forward.

Tap.

The classic chrome bumper connected with the Shelby' s plastic rear. Barely a nudge.

But Kyle Jensen exploded out of the Shelby.

"What the hell, old man!"

He kicked Ethan's front fender, a loud thud.

"You fossil! You know what this is? A Shelby GT500! You'll be paying for this for the rest of your miserable life!"

A small crowd was already gathering on the sidewalk.

Kyle puffed out his chest, playing to them.

"My girl's gonna sue you blind! She bought me this car!"

Ethan got out slowly, his face calm, a stark contrast to Kyle's theatrical rage.

"You were driving recklessly," Ethan said, his voice even. "Cutting me off, brake-checking. I've already called it in."

Kyle laughed, a harsh, barking sound.

"Reckless? I own this road! You probably can't even afford the gas for that piece of junk you're driving!"

He jabbed a finger at Ethan.

"Fifty thousand dollars! Right now! Or I'm calling my girl, and she'll destroy you!"