Racing Rivals, Racing Hearts ☆ [Diego Brando x Reader]

Mutual Benefit (62)

Your heart pounded in your chest as Valentine loomed closer, his stern expression unyielding. You could see the determination in his eyes, the demand for the truth. Just as you were about to answer, the door burst open.

"There you are," Diego's voice cut through the tension like a knife. He strode into the room, his eyes scanning the scene. "I've been looking for where you ran off to."

Valentine turned towards Diego, his expression shifting to a more neutral one. "Ah, Diego. I was just showing Y/N a book that might interest her."

Diego's eyes flickered to the book in your hands and then back to Valentine. He didn't look entirely convinced but chose not to press the matter. "Well, the plan is ready to move forward. We need to head out."

Valentine nodded, taking the book from your hands, closing the box and placing it back in the closet. "Of course. Let's not waste any more time." Diego exits the room.

You stood up, the weight of the book still lingering in your mind. Valentine looked over at you, "We'll circle back to this." He walked out the room and you soon followed.

———

The days blended together as you and Diego pushed forward through the harsh terrain of the Steel Ball Run Race— trotting through the 7th stage. The goal was clear: to obtain the corpse parts before Gyro and Johnny.

Diego and you rode in silence for a while, each lost in your own thoughts. Valentine was traveling with his crew somewhere along the route also trying to pinpoint Gyro and Johnny's location.

"Do you think Valentine trusts us?" you finally asked, breaking the silence.

Diego shrugged. "Trust isn't really a factor here. It's more about mutual benefit. As long as we help him get what he wants, he'll keep us around."

You nodded, though the encounter with Valentine still lingered in your mind. There was something unsettling about the way he had cornered you, demanding the truth about your knowledge of French.

Diego glanced at you as you rode in silence, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied your expression. He could tell that you were deep in thought, your mind on something other than the Race.

Diego broke the silence between you, "Something on your mind?"

"Hardly..."

Diego quirked an eyebrow, clearly not buying your response. He knew you well enough to know when something was bothering you.

"Come on, don't give me that," he said, shifting in the saddle to face you. "I can tell when you're not telling me something. Is it something with Valentine?"

You sighed, looking ahead at the terrain before thinking of what to say. "The book he showed me... it was a French book written by Marie Antoinette."

Diego's eyebrows shot up in curiosity as you told him about the book. "Marie Antoinette? That's an interesting choice. Why would Valentine be showing you a book like that?"

"I'm not so sure. A part of me feels he may know something." You explain with a wavering tone.

Diego continues to examine your face, "What might he know?"

You stayed quiet for a moment, formulating an answer. You had an idea what it may be. "Diego, I haven't told you everything about me."

Diego's eyes widened slightly, sensing the seriousness of your tone. He looked at you intently, "What do you mean?" he said softly, his voice laced with both confusion and worry.

"Well..." you began, gathering your thoughts. "To put it lightly, I'm half French and was taught how to speak it fluently by my Mother."

"Half French?" he echoed, his brow furrowing. "Why have you never mentioned this before?"