Checkered Hearts
"Not money, not gratitude, not the story of why your twin was racing a liter bike at illegal speeds on a Tuesday night. I want you functional because functional family members make better medical historians. Selfish motivation. Easier to trust."
Arthur stared at him. In the paddock, he was known for his unreadability—the poker face that made him impossible to rattle, impossible to read during negotiations or rivalries or the thousand small wars of professional racing. But Datu looked back with the same neutrality, the same trained observation, and Arthur felt suddenly transparent.
"You're manipulating me," he said. Not angry. Curious.
"I'm treating you." Datu took another bite. "Same techniq