Page 45 of Take My Crown

I hold on tight as Archer drives through the streets of King Town. The route of the race changes every time, rotating the start/finish line between each of the four Houses’ territories to keep things fair. Wherever it started, that House had the responsibility for coming up with the route and this time it is the turn of House Navarre to decide the layout of the race. Kept secret until just before the race is due to start, in theory, it gives an advantage to the hosting House, but it still hasn’t stopped Archer from winning.

Once more, I find myself travelling through the industrial area filled with Navarre factories. As we draw nearer to the starting point of the race, I can hear loud music and cheering. Turning down another street, I see a large banner hung across the road to signify the starting point. A platform has been erected to one side of the road and a DJ is spinning discs to entertain the crowd waiting for the festivities to begin. Girls in literally nothing skirts and bras walk around with drinks and I recognise many of them from school. I see Nikki, and her eyes widen as she pats a girl’s shoulder next to her.

As Archer pulls up just before the line painted across the road, there is a lull in sound. The music continues to play but everyone falls silent as they realise Archer isn’t alone.

“Is that…Ivy Archaic?” I hear someone say.

Archer takes off his helmet and twists round in his seat to see me. Mischief flickers in his eyes, drawing me to him. “Shall we give them something to talk about?”

I take off my helmet, shaking my hair out. “Sounds like fun.”

I lean forward and kiss him, and just like every other time, there is a spark of something there. He breathes life into me, like bringing back a bird to life but this bird is still trapped in a cage. He reaches back and caresses my thigh as we take our time exploring each other’s mouths.

“Get a room!” someone jeers when we finally break apart. Archer and I simply look at each other and laugh.

“I guess you think the best man won?” Romy comes over to talk to us, his eyes stormy and his jaw almost ticking in anger. My heart pounds when I see him, not in the same way it reacts to Archer. The feelings I get around both of them are intense, to say the least.

“Like I always do,” shrugs Archer.

“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Romy bites out. “I’ve upgraded to a Dodge Tomahawk. You’re not going to stand a chance out there.”

“It’s all about the rider, not the bike,” Archer counters. “You wouldn’t know how to handle something like that. If I were you, I would go back to the Yamaha.”

“What’s the matter, Archer? Worried you’re going to lose?” Romy cruelly taunts.

“I could be riding a fucking Vespa and I would still beat you,” Archer laughs. Romy looks inches away from punching him and I don’t blame him at this point. The stupid side of me reaches out and touches Romy's arm and I see Archer’s eyes narrow at the move.

Romy turns his attention to me, a small grin brightening up his handsome face. “There’s always room on the back of my bike for you, Ivy,” he suggests, his voice deep and sexy in all the right ways.

I always used to think girls who fell for boys like Romy where completely stupid. I mean he is a man whore with all the shiny perks. He might as well have a giant sign claiming that title as his…but now I know why girls fall for him. He’s hard to resist, the problem is…he knows it.

“I’m saving a space just for you. Come talk to me when you’ve had enough of hanging round with losers. Archer Knight might win the Bomber Derby but he’s still got a lot to learn when it comes to taking care of women.”

With that, he goes over to his bike and makes a big show of starting to check it over.

I notice Archer frowning, he’s watching Romy with caution.

“What’s up?”

“It doesn’t look like Romy’s got someone on his bike today,” he says, still gazing over at his rival.

“And?”

“Romyneverrides on his own. He’s always got to have a woman with him, thinks it makes him look cool. He might not be able to win the race but he can always win someone’s heart. It’s a cheesy line he uses but it always seems to work.”

“Yes, Romy’s pretty good with the cheesy one liners,” I murmur, thinking back to how he had seduced me with words and his sexy face.

“If he’s riding alone, he’s doing it for show.” Archer turns to face me. “Look, Ivy. You can make up your own mind about who you hang around with. I’m never going to try and control you or tell you what you can or can’t do. But I’m warning you now–be careful around Romy. He’s always hustling. He’s the kind of guy who’d try to steal you from me just to prove he can. He’s just like his father–he’ll never settle down with one woman. Did you know Romy’s got eight brothers and sisters, but Romy’s the only legitimate heir?”

I laugh nervously. “It’s the twenty-first century, Archer. The whole concept of a ‘legitimate heir’ went out with the ark.”

“Not in King Town,” Archer reminds me. “Who you are and where you come from matters here. Your blood equals your place in King Town. It’s why your father needed you brought back. Without you, there’s no House Archaic. Without Romy, there’d be a huge fight over who gets to take over House Navarre. It isn’t as simple as who is born first. It can be argued that Navarre’s favourite concubine should have precedence, only his favourite’s constantly changing. It would be a nightmare for House Navarre and a golden opportunity for the rest of us. We can swoop in and take their territory–and business–while they’re squabbling over who’s in charge.”

“You people are nuts,” I say.

“You’re one of us now,” Archer reminds me. “And there are good parts to being an elite in King Town. You just need to look for them.”

There is the blare of a loud horn at the end of his sentence.

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