Chapter 249
19
Finished
The motorcycles roared forward at blinding speed, slicing through the air with a fierce whistle. Carmen held Jace Hale’s waist tightly, feeling the heat radiating from his body and the intense vibrations pounding through the bike’s frame as it tore across the open road.
The world blurred, rushing backward in a dizzying rush.
The two bikes raced neck and neck, neither willing to yield an inch.
Ahead, a sharp curve appeared. Suddenly, Jace shouted, “Carmen, hold on tight!”
Her grip around his waist tightened instinctively.
Without slowing down, Jace leaned into the turn with a masterful precision.
Their bodies tilted together with the bike, carving out a sleek, thrilling arc through the bend.
In that perfect moment, they surged past their rival—a clean, graceful overtake that left the other man and Selene far behind.
The engines thundered over the empty stretch, echoing off the open landscape.
Jace’s voice rang out, electrified with exhilaration, “Carmen, how’s that for a rush?”
For once, a rare smile flickered beneath Carmen’s helmet–a fleeting, haunting glimpse of softness that made her even more captivating.
She was about to answer when suddenly a black Maybach appeared in her line of sight.
That car was all too familiar–the vehicle of Duke.
As the motorcycles and the Maybach brushed past each other, Duke’s sharp eyes caught a glimpse of Carmen. His pupils constricted sharply.
Though her face was hidden beneath the helmet, the clothes she wore were unmistakable. Duke had seen her that very morning in the Duskgrave kitchen–same outfit, same silhouette.
His gaze tracked the speeding bike, desperate to catch a clearer look, but the furious speed quickly put the rider out of reach.
Duke instinctively pressed harder on the accelerator–but just then, a deafening swarm of motorcycle engines roared up behind him.
Six or seven black bikes flashed past like bolts of lightning, quickly filling the wide road and leaving no room for escape.
Duke had no choice but to ease off the gas.
Watching the wild pack of riders ahead, he thought to himself: It must be my imagination.
Carmen was Mia’s daughter and was close to Riley–there was no way she’d be running with these reckless street wolves.
Maybe it was just the coincidence of similar clothing.
With that rationalization, Duke let go of the chase, slowing his car to let the black–clad pack streak away.
Up front, Jace Hale’s bike tore through the road like a hunting wolf.
His lithe form leaned forward, hands steady on the handlebars, eyes sharp behind the helmet’s visor, glowing bright with fierce joy
He’d gone all out today to impress Carmen, showing off his expert skills with every twist and turn. There was no doubt he looked absolutely killer right now.
A triumphant smile tugged at Jace’s lips as he called out, “Carmen, how’s my riding?”
He waited eagerly for praise, imagining her voice dripping with admiration.
12:54 PM P P
Chapter 249
藍
Instead, Carmen’s reply came cold and flat, “Sharp curve ahead. If you don’t want to die, focus on the road.”
Jace: “…”
Carmen was still as indifferent as ever.
Yet strangely, her ruthless coolness was intoxicating to him–irresistible.
Finishe
Born into privilege, Jace had never been challenged like this before. Women flocked to him, flattering and fawning, but none had dared speak to him with such bluntness.
Carmen was like a fierce, wild light breaking into his dull, pampered world, and he was hopelessly drawn in.
He never imagined he’d fall for a woman so cold, so merciless—and yet she’d completely won him over.
Even when she scolded him, he found a strange pleasure in it, wondering if he might have a bit of a masochist streak- because every time Carmen snapped at him, his spirits lifted.
But Carmen was oblivious to Jace’s tangled feelings.
The bikes surged through the bend, Carmen’s arms tightening around Jace’s solid waist.
She glanced back instinctively, finding no sign of Duke’s car. Relief flooded her chest.
Good–she’d shaken him off.
She was terrified Duke might recognize her and report back to Riley.
Riley was too good, too pure–Carmen could never show her this side, not if she wanted to protect that fragile light.
That was why, around Riley, Carmen always played the obedient girl.
Not just a mask–when with Riley, her heart truly calmed, and the cold hardness she wore around others melted away.
Like a black lightning bolt, the motorcycle ripped across the empty highway.
Without surprise, Jace Hale and Carmen crossed the finish line first.
