I’m leaning against my workbench, a cup of coffee in my hand, watching the mechanics move around me like worker bees in a hive.
It’s been one week since I won the race against Alexander.
One week since I earned my nickname, Vengeance in Metal.
One week since everything changed.
I feel different now.
Lighter.
Stronger.
Like I finally belong somewhere.
The other mechanics nod at me when I walk past.
They respect me.
They admire me.
They treat me like I’m one of them.
I like it.
I like it a lot.
I think about how different my life is now compared to just a few months ago.
Back in Granada, I was the princess.
The jewel of the club.
The girl everyone loved and admired.
But that love was conditional.
It was a cage disguised as a crown.
The moment I stopped being what they wanted, they threw me away.
Here, it’s different.
Here, I earned their respect.
I earned their admiration.
I earned my place.
I take a sip of my coffee and smile.
I wish I never have to go back, I think.
I wish I could stay here forever.
The door to the garage swings open, and Sergio walks in.
His warm hazel eyes find me immediately, and a smile spreads across his face.
“Aitana,” he says, walking toward me.
“There you are.” I set down my coffee and turn to face him.
“Hey, Sergio.
What’s going on?” He stops in front of me, his eyes bright with excitement.
“I have something to tell you.
Something big.” I raise an eyebrow.
“Big?
How big?” He grins.
“The Ruta de la Alpujarra.
The most dangerous illegal race in Andalusia.
It’s coming up in two weeks.” I feel my heart skip a beat.
The Ruta de la Alpujarra.
I’ve heard of it.
Everyone has heard of it.
Two hundred kilometers of mountain roads, sheer cliffs, and tight hairpin turns.
It’s the race that separates the legends from the wannabes.
“You want me to race?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
He nods, his eyes serious.
“I want you to race.
And I want you to win.” I stare at him, my mind racing.
This is huge.
This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for.
“Who’s the competition?” I ask.
Sergio’s smile fades slightly.
His eyes flicker with something I can’t read.
“There’s a rider from outside Málaga.
A famous one.
He’s been dominating the circuit for years.
He’s fast, experienced, and ruthless.
He’s never lost a race.” I feel a thrill of excitement run through me.
“His name?” Sergio hesitates.
“I don’t know.
He’s kept his identity hidden.
But his bike is a black and gold Harley.
They call it El Rayo.” I feel my blood run cold.
El Rayo.
The Lightning.
I know that bike.
I know it better than I know my own heart.
I feel the world tilt beneath my feet.
My hands are shaking.
My heart is pounding in my chest.
Leo.
He’s the rider.
He’s the one I’ll be facing.
He found me.
I force my face to stay calm.
I can’t let Sergio see what I’m feeling.
I can’t let him know.
“Interesting,” I say, my voice steady.
“When do I start training?” Sergio’s face relaxes.
He’s relieved.
He thought I might back out.
“You’ll start tomorrow.
I’ve arranged everything.
The race is in two weeks.
You’ll be ready.” I nod, my jaw set with determination.
“I’ll be ready.
I’ll win.
I promise you that.” Sergio reaches out and touches my shoulder.
His hand is warm, his grip firm.
“I know you will,” he says.
“I have complete faith in you.
I’ve bet everything on you, Aitana.
Everything.” I look at him, confused.
“What do you mean?” He sighs, running a hand through his sun-lightened hair.
“I’ve put up a million euros on you.
If you lose, I lose everything.
The garage.
The house.
Everything I’ve built.” I feel the weight of his words settle on my shoulders.
“You bet a million on me?” I whisper.
“Why would you do that?” He meets my gaze, his eyes filled with something I can’t name.
“Because I believe in you.
Because I know you’re going to win.
Because I see something in you that no one else sees.” I feel the tears prick at my eyes.
I blink them away.
“I won’t let you down, Sergio,” I say, my voice strong.
“I promise you.
I’ll win.” He smiles, warm and genuine.
“I know you will.” — The rest of the day passes in a blur.
I train.
I work on my bike.
I push myself harder than I ever have before.
But my mind is elsewhere.
Leo.
He’s coming.
He’s coming for me.
He’s going to be there at the race.
I think about him.
About the way he used to taunt me, push me, challenge me.
About the way he made my heart race even when I hated him.
About the way he watched me break and did nothing.
I feel the anger rise inside me, hot and fierce.
This is my chance, I think.
This is my chance to prove myself.
To show him what I’ve become.
To show him that I don’t need him.
That I never needed him.
I look at my bike.
La Venganza.
The Revenge.
Revenge tastes like gasoline, I think.
It’s burning and dangerous and intoxicating.
I think about my mother.
About her voice: “Feel that?
That’s freedom.
Never let anyone take it from you.” I’m ready, Mami, I think.
I’m ready to face him.
I’m ready to win.
I’m ready.