CHAPTER 24: RACE HIM

Braelyn’s Pov

The track made me forget everything for a moment. It was hard to admit it but I missed that thrill.

After watching Lucien race from earlier I was curious to race against him. A part of me knew he was going to win this race because from the skills and drift I saw from his last match he was a genius. I wanted to challenge him

Who knows what tomorrow holds, I might not get this chance again to race him.

"Sure. I want to see this skill first-hand." He shrugged casually then glanced over my shoulder to the car I had used earlier

"But we have to find you a new car. " He sighed. I nodded glancing over. The tyre was burst from Amber’s Little stunt there was no way I could race using that again

Joey jumped into the conversation. His hands casually crossed Lucien’s shoulders jiggling the keys in front of him. "She can use my ride." He offered.

Lucien’s eyes narrowed at him, "You want to give her your ride." He sounded sceptical. Before Lucien could reply an agitated voice chirped in.

"No way. You never let anyone drive that car, Joey. I asked and you flatly refused." Amber puffed her cheeks, her eyes were glaring at him.

"We can get another car. You don’t have to give her your precious." Lucien sneered, Joey chuckled, then tossed the key to me, which I effortlessly caught.

"It’s just a car, stop thinking so much." He shrugged then winked at me. "Make sure to beat his ass." Joey cheered before pulling Amber away, who still had a lot to say.

I found myself laughing at them. Their chemistry was hilarious. Amber was like the elder sister who had always been hurt and overlooked by his actions.

Although Amber was a pain in the ass, it was still hilarious watching the way Joey pulled her away while she complained endlessly that it was wrong.

"What’s so funny?" Lucien’s breath fanned against my skin. He was too close. When did he move that close?

"Come on. They are hilarious." I laughed. A girl just tried hitting on Joey, and Amber was literally pushing him away for her to escape his grip.

I didn’t see Lucien’s reaction, but the air shifted slightly. "I don’t see any funny aside from two brats who like the other but too proud to confess, and the other who never thinks of dating the latter."

My eyes went wide, was it possible that Joey had a secret crush on Amber because she is clearly interested in Lucien, who, well, I would rather not comment.

"How did you know?" I blurted unable to tear my attention from the pair. His fingers brushed against my chin and he forced me to look at him

His hazel eyes were staring straight into my soul with an uneasy expression. "Eyes on me princess. They are extras in our story."

I was stunned for a moment before, my heart skipped a beat and I almost lost my composure.

I burst out in a laugh shoving Lucien off. Where the hell was he getting such lines from? His lips twitched, without any other comment he walked past me to his car

Was he offended? I wondered staring back at his broad shoulders. It was such a shame that a Playboy like him was such a looker.

Although I did have a wild side in the past I was more drawn to the calm and collected type instead of the spontaneous guy. Even if he wasn’t my husband’s uncle. Lucien wasn’t really my type.

"What did I do?" I asked, muttering. Lucien stopped at his car door then glanced at me with a calm expression...

"Aren’t you tired of staring at me? I know I’m handsome but we have a race."

I was absolutely right. He was also a narcissist. My lips twitched, I was still racking my brains for a retort when he added.

"Don’t tell me you are already falling for me Braelyn." My jaw dropped. I shook my head. I would rather not reply to him.

I stormed past him to Joey’s car park close by. "Enough of talk Mr Volkov. Raphael is also a heart throb." I didn’t know why I said that in retort, but there was no take-back.

I got into the car, seat belt in place. My hands were holding the steering wheel.

Joey’s car had caught my eye earlier, the moment it rolled over. It was a McLaren 720S in Velocity Blue, its paint shimmering like liquid sapphire under the lights.

Even after years away from the underground scene, I could still recognise power when I saw it. The sleek curves, the low hum of its twin-turbo engine.

It wasn’t just an expensive luxury sports car. He had good taste indeed.

Lucien and I drove to the starting line. His window was up blocking my view of the driver’s seat. A shallow breath left my lips.

Eyes were on the track waiting for a sign. Counting the seconds.

1

2

3

The engine roared to life, the vibrations running up my arms and straight into my chest. My pulse matched the rhythm, fast and out of place. It had been too long since I felt this rush, the kind that made the world around me fade until all that mattered was the road ahead.

Lucien’s car was already rumbling beside mine, sleek and dangerous, just like him. Through the tinted glass, I couldn’t see his face, but I could imagine that arrogant smirk he always wore. The signal girl raised her arm, and the crowd fell silent.

"Go!!"

His car shot forward like lightning. The sound of his engine echoed through the track, the gap between us growing fast.

It wasn’t far from what I expected from him confident and ruthless. I bit down a grin, my hand tightening on the wheel. "Not bad, Volkov," I muttered under my breath, then pressed down harder on the pedal.

The McLaren responded beautifully, roaring beneath me as if it had been waiting for a challenge. The tyres screeched, the smell of burnt rubber filled the air, and the night blurred past in streaks of blue and white.

Lucien took the lead early on, weaving through corners like he owned them. But I wasn’t far behind. Every drift, every curve, I matched him sometimes just a heartbeat slower, sometimes right beside him. The crowd was shouting, voices mixing with the sound of our engines.

I was grinning so hard that the last time I was this happy was on my wedding day to Raphael.

"Come on..." I whispered, gripping the steering wheel tighter. My car hugged the inside curve perfectly, and for a moment, we were side by side. Our headlights flashed against each other. He was challenging me.

Lucien was good, too good. He wasn’t holding back. But neither was I. The thrill of competition, the wind slapping against my face, the way the car responded to every command

I’d really forgotten how much I missed this.

The final stretch came faster than I expected. Lucien was still slightly ahead. I could see the finish line, a shining blur of white light. He was going to win, the gap in our skills wasn’t a joke. It felt like he was going a bit easy on me although I would never admit that

Then it happened, no matter how perfect you are. We are always bound to make mistakes, it was a small slip on his part.

He took the corner a little too wide, maybe too confident in his skills, but it was just that second I needed. A silly, tiny mistake. But that was all it took.

I grinned, seized my chance, and slammed the accelerator. The McLaren shot forward, closing the distance in a blur. My heart thundered in my chest as I crossed the finish line, just a fraction before him.

The cheers were deafening. I hit the brakes, breathless and trembling, a laugh escaping me before I could stop it. I’d actually won.

Joey’s face was priceless, eyes wide, mouth open like he’d just seen a ghost. Then he started laughing, running over. I jumped out of the car and met him halfway, and before I knew it, I was hugging him, both of us laughing like idiots.

"I told you she’d beat your ass, Volkov!" Joey shouted, still catching his breath.

Lucien stepped out of his car slowly, that unreadable smirk tugging at his lips. "You call that winning?" he teased, walking toward us.

"Oh, it counts," I shot back, crossing my arms. "You lost, fair and square."

He chuckled, the sound deep and low. "Fine, princess. A bet’s a bet." His gaze softened just slightly. "What do you want?"

I tilted my head, pretending to think as I smiled sweetly. "I’ll tell you later," I said, brushing past him with a little wink.

Lucien’s eyes followed me, amused. "You’re playing a dangerous

ous game, Braelyn."

"Good," I said over my shoulder, still smiling. "I like danger."