Page 54 of Take My Crown

“Watch your back!”

Suddenly, Archer speeds past me. His shouted warning breaks my concentration and I wobble a little, but I quickly get the bike back on track. Hunching forward, I urge more speed out of the bike, as we get to another corner.

Archer takes it at high speed, leaning so far to the side his passenger could put her hand down to feel the pavement beneath them.

I slow a little, knowing there are a couple more tight turns to follow and wanting a little space between us so I can take advantage of any potential gaps.

Being in front is Archer’s comfort zone, but I am used to biding my time and waiting for an opportunity, so I fall back a little more, lulling him into a false sense of security. Then, as we come out onto another straight, I kick things up a notch, coming up on Archer’s inside so tight I can feel the rush of air as I pass him and then cut in front of him, ready for the next turn.

“Bitch!” Carly yells, as I raise my hand to flip them off.

I can feel Archer hot on my heels as I take the next corner. The finish line is up ahead and I give it everything I have, desperate to prove I have what it takes to win.

Archer edges closer and closer, pushing his bike to its limits, but I cross the finish line just before him.

“Yes!” I pull the bike up to a screeching halt. Pulling off my helmet, I fist bump the air in celebration as Archer pull in behind me, face black as thunder.

“What are you celebrating for?” asks Taylor.

“I just won,” I reply. “That’ll show all those misogynist arseholes who think a woman shouldn’t be able to compete.”

“I hate to break it to you, but you haven’t won anything,” says Taylor smugly.

“What are you talking about? I crossed the finish line before Archer. Nobody else is anywhere near us.”

“You’ve been disqualified,” Taylor says. “You cut in front of Archer. That’s a clear case of bad sportsmanship and we don’t allow that in our races.”

“Don’t be stupid.” I laugh, unable to believe what I was being told. “I’ve seen the way they all race. Everyone’s in front of everyone else.”

“After Declan’s accident, we decided to make the race a little safer,” Taylor says. “It’s not my fault you can’t be bothered to stay up to date with what everyone agreed.” She turns to address the crowd. “I declare Archer Knight the winner of this race.”

I narrow my eyes and shake my head in disgust. “This is crap.” My hands itch to slap that smug look off her face. I should have known she’d come up with any excuse to make me lose.

I get back on my bike and start the engine, not wanting to stick around for the after-race party. I have had enough of these people and their petty power games.

I’m out of here.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ivy Archaic

As I drive away from the race site, the sound of the crowd fades into the distance and with it my stress. For just this little while, I can pretend nothing has changed. That I am going home to Katy and one of her home-cooked meals before we watch the evening soaps together. When we are done, I will go to my room and work on my songs, recording them for YouTube once I’m happy with them.

If only I had known then how good I had it.

Part of me is tempted to turn the bike in the direction of the town limits and figure out my way back to my foster mother’s, but I am under no illusions. They may be well hidden, but I know I am under surveillance by my father’s men at all times. The second he got a hint I might be trying to run away, I would be dragged back to his house and lose what little privilege I have been granted.

For now, I am simply going to go on a ride before heading home. It is a small consolation, but it is better than nothing.

I hear the sound of another bike coming up behind me. Looking in my rear-view mirror, I realise I recognise the vehicle, so I slow a little, pulling to one side so he can ride alongside me.

“What do you want, Romy?” I ask, flipping up my visor.

“To offer you my commiserations,” he says. “I heard what happened. You were robbed. Taylor knew full well you won the race fair and square and so does everyone else.”

“Yeah, I know. But it didn’t stop Archer being happy to take the glory away from me, did it?”

“Fancy drowning your sorrows? There’s a really nice little pub not far from here.”

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