Chapter 41 Adeline
Adeline’s POV
The starting lights hover above the track like red eyes. My engine screams beneath me, vibrating through my chest and drowning out the roar of the crowd.
To my left is a professional rider named Kael. He’s sponsored by Reed Bull, has a pit crew, and most importantly, has two good legs.
Me? I have a Ducati, a titanium rod in my shin, and Percy in my ear.
"Breathe, babe," Percy’s voice comes through the comms. "You’re tighter than a drum. Loosen your grip."
I wiggle my fingers on the clutch. "I’m fine."
"He's going to push you on the first corner," Percy warns. "He knows about the leg. He’s going to try to intimidate you on the inside line."
"Let him try," I murmur.
The lights turn to green, and I immediately drop the clutch, launching my bike like a bullet.
The force snaps my head back, but I lean into it, tucking my body flat against the tank.
Kael is fast, cutting in front of me to block my line. He’s playing dirty. Just like Percy said. We are neck and neck toward the first turn. At some point, he pressures me so I'd either have to back off and lose my lead or hold my line so we crash.
A normal person would back off, but there's nothing normal about me right now, so I don't brake. Instead, I throw the bike into the turn so hard my knee slider grinds sparks against the asphalt, but it works because I come out of the turn right next to him. The surprise is evident in his face because he thought he shook me off.
"Nice line," Percy says in my ear. "Now finish him." We battle for three more laps in a blur of speed and adrenaline. My leg aches, but I push it down. On the final lap, I'm in his sight, but I wait until the very last second before I push the final gear that has me shooting past him, crossing the line a wheel length ahead.
"Yes!" I scream into my helmet, punching the air.
"That’s my girl," Percy says. I can hear the relief in his voice. "Bring it home, Ghost. Cool down lap."
I slow the bike, coasting around the track, waving to the blur of faces in the stands. The adrenaline crash leaves me shaking. but it’s the good kind.
Before I can even kill the engine, I’m swarmed by photographers and Dante’s people and Sienna. The crowd parts for her like the Red Sea.
She’s wearing a headset and holding a bottle of champagne. She reaches me before Percy does.
"Magnificent!" she shouts over the noise.
She grabs my helmet and helps me pull it off.
As soon as my face is free, she cups my cheeks with both hands, pulling me down so our foreheads touch.
"You were perfect," she breathes, her eyes wide and glittering. "Did you see his face? You destroyed him, Adeline."
I laugh, breathless and high on victory. "I just took the outside line."
"You took the impossible line," she corrects. She kisses my cheek, then pulls back to look at me. "I knew it. I knew you were the one."
"Adeline."
Percy’s hand lands on my shoulder, pulling me back gently to break Sienna’s hold on my face.
"Good race," he says to me, but his eyes are locked on Sienna. "She needs to get off the bike. Her leg."
Sienna’s smile tightens, but she steps back. "Of course. The leg."
She snaps her fingers, and her mechanics rush forward with a paddock stand. They take the bike from me.
I hop off the bike into Percy's arms as he supports me.
"You okay?" he asks quietly.
"I'm amazing," I grin at him. "Did you see Turn 4?"
"I saw it," he says, a small smile finally breaking through his tension. "You’re crazy."
"Come!" Sienna commands, gesturing toward the VIP garage. "We have gifts, and we have contracts. We also have to celebrate."
We follow her into the private garage. It’s air-conditioned and quiet, a relief from the noise outside. On a table in the center of the room sits a large box wrapped in black velvet.
"For the winner," Sienna says, gesturing to it.
"You didn't have to get me a gift, Sienna. The prize money is enough."
"Open it," she urges. I pull off the velvet cover to find a helmet underneath. Except this was not just any helmet. It’s a carbon fiber racing helmet, lighter than air and printed in my black and silver colors. On the other side is the logo of the Apex Circuit, and underneath that, in smaller letters, is "Property of Team Sienna."
I stare at it. It’s beautiful and expensive. It’s also presumptive.
"Sienna," I breathe, running my finger over the gold lettering. "This is custom. It must have taken you weeks to make."
"I ordered it the day I saw the video of your crash," Sienna says casually. "I knew you’d win today. I wanted you to be ready for the qualifiers in Tokyo."
Percy steps forward. "She hasn't signed anything yet."
Sienna ignores him. "Try it on," she whispers. "I had them mold the interior based on your measurements from your medical file."
I freeze. "My medical file?" I ask, looking up. "How did you get my medical file?"
Sienna waves a hand dismissively. "Dante is very thorough. We needed to ensure you were fit to ride. It’s standard procedure for the Apex." She smiles so dazzlingly that I forget the cold chill in my stomach.
"It fits perfectly, Adeline, just like you fit with us."
The helmet is a symbol of everything I want. Recognition and validation.
"It’s incredible," I say honestly. "Thank you."
"Adeline," Percy warns, his voice low.
"It’s just a helmet, Percy," I say, turning to him with a pleading look. "Look at the details. She believes in me."
"I believe in you," Percy says tightly. "I just don't need to read your medical records to do it."
Sienna laughs, a light, tinkling sound. "Oh, Percy. Don't be jealous. There’s enough of Adeline to go around. For now." She checks her diamond watch. "I have a dinner reservation at the estate tonight to discuss the Tokyo contract. Just us girls. We can go over the logistics and the sponsorship details."
"She’s not going to your estate," Percy says immediately. "She’s exhausted. We’re going to the hotel."
"I wasn't asking you," Sienna snipes. She turns to me, her face softening instantly. "Adeline? It’s a huge opportunity. The contract is very generous, and my chef makes an incredible risotto."
I look between them. Percy is protective, and Sienna is offering me the world. I know Percy is right to be wary. The medical file thing is weird, but this is my career. This is my chance to be something other than a victim.
"I can't tonight, Sienna," I say gently. "Percy is right. My leg is throbbing. I need to ice it."
Sienna’s face falls, like a child that didn't get to see Santa on Christmas. "Oh, I see." She says softly.
"But," I add quickly. "Maybe breakfast tomorrow? Before we leave?"
Sienna perks up instantly. "Breakfast, yes. At the hotel by 9. I’ll bring the contract."
"Perfect." I smile.
"Good," Sienna purrs. "Sleep well, Ghost. You have a bright future ahead of you. I’m going to make sure of it."