Chapter 40 Adeline
Adeline's POV
The VIP lounge Sienna leads me to is a different planet from the crowd below. It is even more exclusive than the paddock below.
Now that I'm up here, I take note of the nice smell over here compared to the smell of asphalt and sweat. Up here, it smells of chilled orchids and old money.
The walls are floor-to-ceiling glass, offering a panoramic view of the track where the other riders are still struggling to beat my time. This is such an ego boost for me.
Sienna guides me through the crowd, her hand resting warmly on my lower back. She steers me away from the noise of the main bar and toward a secluded booth in the corner, draped in soft curtains.
"Champagne," she snaps at a passing waiter without looking at him. "The vintage and bring water for the talent."
She slides into the booth, patting the seat next to her. "Sit, Adeline. Rest that leg. You must be exhausted."
I sit, feeling a flush of gratitude. "Thank you. It’s a lot. I’m not used to this part of the racing world. I’m used to garages and street races, you know?"
"You belong here," Sienna says firmly. She turns in the seat to face me, her dark eyes shining with genuine admiration. "I watched you down there. You have a natural grace that can’t be taught. Most riders fight the bike, but you? You dance with it."
I smile, ducking my head. It’s heady, being seen like this. After months of being the victim or the patient, being recognized as a talent feels like crack to an addict.
"I just love the speed," I admit.
"I know," Sienna says softly. "I looked into your history, Adeline. I know all about the crash and the long road to recovery. To come back from that? To ride like that after someone tried to kill you?" She reaches out and covers my hand with hers. "It shows incredible strength. I admire strength above all else."
I don't pull away, not when she looks and sounds so proud of me. "It was hard," I confess. "But Percy helped. You met him, he's my boyfriend."
"Percy," Sienna says the name like it’s a mild inconvenience, picking up her champagne flute. "He’s very... devoted, but I wonder if he understands what you really are."
"He does," I defend him quickly. "He’s my biggest supporter."
"Is he?" Sienna tilts her head. "He looks at you like you’re made of glass. Like he’s waiting to catch you. I look at you, and I don't see glass. I see a weapon. " She squeezes my hand. "I want to help you sharpen it, Adeline. Come ride for me. Not just this weekend, mind you. I have a team. I have the best mechanics in the world. We could make you a legend. A proper diamond in the rough."
My heart skips a beat, but I remind myself not to get too carried away.
"I have a job," I tell her. "I’m a lawyer."
"You can be a lawyer anywhere," Sienna dismisses my excuse with a smile. "But you can only be the Ghost here. Think about it. We could be great friends, you and I. I don't have many female friends who understand this life. It gets lonely at the top."
She looks vulnerable for a second, and I relate strongly with that. It's like she took the words out of my mouth.
"I’d like that," I say honestly. "I don't have many friends either, especially not ones who know the difference between a piston and a spark plug."
Sienna beams, and it transforms her face to a softer and younger version of herself. "Then it’s settled. We will start with this weekend and then..."
"Adeline."
Percy's deep voice cuts through the moment, and I look up to find Percy standing at the entrance of the booth. He hasn't changed out of his jeans and t-shirt, and up here, he looks out of place among the suits, his jaw set hard.
"Percy!" I wave him over, smiling. "Sienna was just telling me about her team. She wants to sponsor me."
Percy doesn't smile. He looks at Sienna coldly.
"Is that right?"
Sienna sighs, leaning back and swirling her drink. "Mr. Akilov, you have a terrible habit of interrupting."
"And you have a terrible habit of cornering my girlfriend," Percy shoots back. He holds out his hand to me. "Let's go, Adeline. You need to ice the leg before the swelling starts."
"I’m fine, Percy," I say, a little embarrassed by his gruffness. Sienna is being so nice, and he’s treating her like an opp.
"Adeline," he says, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Now."
Not wanting to cause a scene, I turn to Sienna.
"Thank you for the drink and for the offer. "I really appreciate it," I say warmly.
Sienna stands up too, ignoring Percy completely. She reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, her fingers lingering for a second. I guess this is her way of getting back at him. For some reason, the two of them don't get along at all.
"Rest well, Ghost," she whispers. "Tomorrow is the head-to-head. I’ll be cheering for you."
I smile at her, then take Percy’s hand. He pulls me out of the lounge fast, marching me through the crowd without stopping. We get into the elevator, and we are alone.
Percy releases my hand to hit the button for the lobby with a little more force than necessary.
"You were rude," I say, crossing my arms.
"She's a shark," Percy growls.
"She's nice," I correct him. "She’s intense, sure, but she’s passionate. She researched me because she wants to invest in me. That’s how business works, Percy. You of all people should know that."
"That wasn't business," Percy says darkly. "The way she looked at you? That wasn't an investor looking at a portfolio. That was a predator looking at a meal."
I roll my eyes. "Oh my god, stop being so protective. Not everyone is out to get me. She said she’s lonely. She wants a friend who understands racing, I do, too."
"She doesn't want a friend, Adeline. She wants a toy."
"You’re reading too much into it," I insist, stepping closer and resting my hand on his chest. "She's just a powerful woman who knows what she wants. It’s intimidating, I get it, but she’s harmless."
Percy lets out a harsh breath and wraps his arms around me to bury his face in my hair.
"I don't like her," he murmurs against my scalp. "I don't like her near you."
"Well, you’re going to have to get used to it," I say softly, hugging him back. "Because if I win tomorrow, I might take her up on that offer. Imagine me, a professional racer."
Percy stiffens, but he doesn't argue. He just holds me tighter.
"Let's just get through tomorrow," he says. I know this is as far as I can push him tonight.
As we walk to the car, I feel a buzz of excitement. I have a win under my belt, and I have a new friend who actually gets me. Percy is just being overprotective and paranoid. He will come around once he sees how great Sienna can be for my career.
Finally, things are looking up.