Page 47 of Take My Crown

We are comfortably ahead of our two rivals when we hit the first long stretch. Just as Archer had predicted, this gave Romy an advantage and this time he manages to edge past us, taking the lead for the first time.

I feel rather than hear Archer swear as we fall into second place. He drops down a gear, pushing his bike to go even faster than before. His machine is no match for Romy’s doped up Tomahawk though, and on the straight road Romy pulls ahead, putting more distance between us before he hits the next turn.

Archer’s skills close the gap between us, but Romy chose a route which gave him another long, straight stretch to speed down and by the time he hits the next turn, he has a comfortable lead.

Declan is nowhere to be seen as Archer takes the next turn even tighter, desperate to shave off a few seconds from his time. There is no sign of Romy as we wind through a number of junctions, Archer desperately trying to catch up with his rival to no avail.

At last, we turn into the road that leads back to our starting point. I can hear the roar of the crowd even louder than the roar of the engines as Romy victoriously crosses the finish line. Archer isn’t far behind, but the distance might as well have been miles.

“Looks like your girlfriend weighed you down,” laughs Romy, as Archer pulls up alongside him.

“Looks like the only way you can win is by spending more of Daddy’s money and setting up a course which a baby can navigate,” Archer counters right in his face. “But it’s my turn next to set the route. We’ll see who’s laughing then.”

“Err… guys?” I wave a hand in front of their faces to get their attention. “I hate to interrupt all this important willy waving, but shouldn’t Declan be somewhere near? At the very least, shouldn’t we be able to hear his bike? He wasn’tthatfar behind us.”

“He’s always the slowest,” shrugs Archer.

One of Romy’s crew comes running up to us. He whispers something in Romy’s ear, and he pales slightly.

“We’re going to have to cut short the celebrations,” he says. “Declan’s had an accident. Apparently, he came off his bike a couple of junctions back. I need to go with him to the hospital, make sure he’s all right.”

My hands shake and my heart instantly hurts. He can’t be dead…not Declan. Holy fuckcakes, I really care about him.

“We’ll come with you,” offers Archer, seeing my expression and I don’t think he is happy about it.

Romy hesitates for a moment before nodding. “Okay. I’ll get someone to take your bike back to your home. We’ll go in my car.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ivy Archaic

Romy’s driver is fast, and it isn’t long before we pull up outside the private hospital reserved for important members of the Houses and we hurry into reception.

“I’m Romy Navarre,” he says like that should explain everything. “My friend Declan Dauphin and his girlfriend Ally were just brought in. I need to know how they’re doing.”

“I’m afraid I can only talk to family members,” the receptionist started, stumbling over her words.

“I’m. Romy. Navarre.” Romy leans towards her, menace dripping from every word. “This is Archer Knight and Ivy Archaic. I suggest you tell us about the current status of Declan Dauphin or you’ll have our fathers to deal with.”

“Yes, sir. Of course.” The receptionist gulps, sweat pouring down her forehead as she types a few things on her screen. “They’re currently being assessed. If you’d like to go through those doors over there and follow the signs for family waiting, I’ll get someone in to update you as soon as there’s any news.”

“Thank you very much…” Romy squints, making a big deal out of reading her name tag. “Hannah. I’ll be sure to tell my father how helpful you were. Eventually. Have his parents been told?”

“Yes, sir, but they are currently not in the country. They are being kept up to date.” Hannah nods nervously, as we leave to go find the family room.

I look at Romy with new eyes, seeing what Archer was warning about. I’m not used to seeing him being so forceful and commanding. Beneath his charming exterior lies a man who is going to be the head of a business empire one day.

The playful king of the academy has a dark side I should have seen coming.

The family room is clearly signposted and the three of us sit together on one of the comfortable sofas, Romy and Archer sitting on either side of me. There is something which felt right about having the two of them supporting me like this and all of us being here for Declan.And Ally, I suppose.They are so very different, but there is something about both of them which speaks to my soul.

Archer takes my hand, squeezing it tightly.

“It’s all my fucking fault,” Romy clears his throat. “If I hadn’t put in those turns at the end right after that final straight, we wouldn’t be here. Declan must have taken one of them too fast.”

“It’s not your fault,” says Archer. “We’ve done more challenging routes. He was probably just showing off to his girlfriend.”

“Or maybe he is so desperate to win he made a stupid mistake,” I added. “You can’t blame yourself, Romy. It was an accident. Accidents happen.”

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