Adaline's point of view:

Working with Fleming, I mean Josh, is not half bad. Actually, I quite enjoy it. He's on my intellectual level, which makes talking much easier. Three weeks past since the incident in the club. I haven't heard from Wlad again and I'm glad. It would make this even harder. I have to stay away from him. Only then I can focus on my clinical trail fully.

So, that's what I've done in the last weeks. Work with Fleming on our trail. Work and fuck whenever the need washed over me. Sex with Josh makes me forget about Wlad. When I come, I come because of Josh not because my brain tricks me to think of Wlad. It's Josh that makes me come. It feels good.

Maybe it does finally start getting better. Maybe Sophie was right after all.

After all this time it was about time to get better.

Ever since that day in my father's study there has been silence on both ends. Everything has been said. And done.

Life continued. Clubs, sex, street racing, Parkinson's - that's mine.

I don't give a fuck about his. Not after the last time I saw him.

"Dinner at my place tonight?" Josh asks me as I'm still catching my breath in one of the on-call rooms.

"I don't do dinner. This is sex and work. Nothing more, Josh." I tell him.

He lifts himself using his abs before he looks down at me with a smirk, "You've got to eat some time. Why don't we do it together?"

"Because I like cooking and eating by myself." I lie to him. "And I don't want the hospital to find out that we're sleeping together."

"They already know."

Shit. "But they don't think we work together because we sleep together, do they?"

"Does it matter?" He asks me back with a shrug.

Shit, I turned into one of these women I never wanted to be. I never wanted to sleep myself to the top and I'm not, but the world thinks otherwise. "No dinner."

"But we're going to work the night through in the labs tonight again. We might as well order something in." We just started with phase 0 of our trail, we're currently giving mice the vacancy. So far, none of the ten mice have died - and we're in week forty two. It's a good sign, a really good sign.

"No." I insist. "I don't date Josh, you know that."

"And I'm telling you it's not a date. If so I'd dress up and take you to a nice French restaurant."

I do like the French cuisine. I lick my lips, "Good to know."

"So you accept my offer?" He asks me as his pager beeps.

"No, I mean yes." I frown as my pager beeps again. What was his question?

He starts changing back into his dark blue scrubs. "Great, I'll pick you up after your shift has ended."

"Wait, what?" I ask him shocked. What did I just agree to?

He slips back into his crocs as I finish getting dressed. "For dinner."

"No, I didn't agree to dinner." I hiss at him as I slip back into my white crocs.

"Yeah, you did." He says before opening the door.

"No, Josh, I mean it! No fucking dinner!" I hiss again, shutting the door close.

"Why not?"

I look at his bright blue eyes, "Because we both know what would happen after that."

"And what would that be?"

"You'd fall head over heels for me." I say into his face. I can feel it in the way he is staring at me when we're working in the lab alone at night. His gaze is so intense that I start sweating uncontrollably.

"Well what if I told you that's not going to happen?" He challenges me.

I cross my arms in front of my chest, "Josh, look at me. I am fucking gorgeous, I am sex on two legs. There is no way you wouldn't fall for me." I sound arrogant, I know but I hope this way I can stop him from making another mistake with me.

He leans forward, "That's where you're wrong, Bolton."

"What?"

"You're not just gorgeous. You're amazing. You take my breath away with a freaking glance. That sex on legs is just a very nice bonus."

"And that's why we can't have dinner together."

"Why not? I won't fall for you."

"But you just said-"

"I've already fallen for you, Bolton. Get used to my stares, my offers to have dinner with me and this remarkable sex we have, because I am not going anywhere." He says before tearing the door open again.

I watch him leave me with an open mouth for the first time in my mouth.

How did this happen?!


I have a look at mouse six. The little white animal looks good. Her heartbeat is fine, her pulse is normal and most importantly, she's still alive. I can't believe it! I mean, I can... it's still so cool to see that our medication is working.

The door to the lab room swings open and I watch my partner walking in. Dr. Josh Fleming is dressed in navy scrubs with a white lab coat just like me. "The mice are still good?"

"Alive." I say with a grin on my lips.

"Good." He closes the door and sits down at the table across me. "How long have you been here?"

"A couple of hours." I shrug it off.

"Are you tired?"

"No." How could I sleep when I need to monitor the mice?

"When did you last eat?"

I think for a moment. "I had a banana at one thirty." I think out loud. It was a busy day and I had one surgery after another.

He looks at his watch, "That was eight hours ago. You must be hungry."

"Not the food thing again." I let out a sigh, "Josh, I will not go out with you. I enjoy what we have but I don't want to intensify it in any way."

He grins at me, "I was just going to suggest I grab something for you from the cafeteria. I was on my way when I saw in our lab."

"Oh."

"Yeah, so you want anything?"

"Whatever vegetarian version there is."

He nods, "I didn't know you were vegetarian."

"I'm not, I just don't trust the hospital with their meat." I say with a shrug.

"I'll be back in a few minutes."

I watch him leaving the lab and brush through my hair as my stomach starts growling. I can't risk the success of our clinical trail for whatever Josh sees in me. I can't go on a date with him. He's my lab partner. My sex buddy. I like that. I don't need anything more. I couldn't want anything more.


I eat the salad with my eyes on the mice. Josh chose a salad as well, maybe because I destroyed his trust in meat.

"So, should we talk about it?"

I look back at my blonde lab partner, "Talk about what?"

He gulps down his food, "Us."

"There is no us, Josh." I remind him. "We're colleagues that like to have sex from time to time. It keeps our minds clear and our focus sharp. Which we need for this clinical trail to move forward."

"I'm in love with you."

I roll my eyes at his words. "You are not in love with me, Josh. You don't even know me."

"I do know you."

I place my fork down, "Good. What's my favourite colour?"

He stares at me.

"I don't have any. How do I like my coffee?"

"Black."

"Okay that was easy. What do I do when I'm not working?"

He shrugs, "Go shopping?"

"I hate shopping." I point out. "I work out five days a week with a personal trainer. I go running through the Richmond Park daily. I like to go out with my friends."

"Listen, I'm not saying I know you. All I'm saying-"

"Josh, you're in the middle of your separation year. I get it, you feel vulnerable and now you work with this brilliant mind that is me. I overwhelm you with my intelligence, youth and beauty." I say with a shrug, "But don't get ahead of yourself. You have not fallen for me. You have fallen for the easiness between us. Because I don't demand anything from you. Other than be excellent."

He chuckles, "You are too wise for your age."

I shrug, "People underestimate me a lot."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For thinking this could be more."

"This will never be more. Even if the circumstances were different, you and me... that's never going to happen."

"Are you in love with someone else?"

"Yes."

"I see... and he knows it?"

"Yes."

"But you're not with him."

"No."

"Does he not love you?"

"No, he does. Love... love is not our issue."

He frowns at me, "Then what is?"

I look at the mice, "Them."

His bright blue eyes widen, "You broke up with him because of the clinical trail?"

I nod, "I told you I can't focus on two things at the same time. It was either him or this."

He runs his fingers through his short blonde hair, "Bloody hell you're either the most idiotic person I've ever come across or the most altruistic one!"

I shrug. Maybe I'm both.

"Listen, you can't put yourself and your life on hold just because of this. There is a life outside this hospital."

"There is none for me. Not right now. Not when we're so close-"

"You know, this could take years, decades even to finish! If we ever finish it-"

"Don't talk like that. I didn't team up with you to lose! We will fucking cure this disease and pose with a big fat grin when we take that photo with the Nobel prize in our hands!"

"You idiot! You don't choose between love and work and if you do you always choose love! Always!"

"Josh, I really don't want to talk about my ex any more. It's in the past. I chose work. Suck it up and eradicate that bastard with me."

He smirks at me, "You're unbelievable."

"I know. It's why they call me wonder child." I counter and stick my tongue out.

He chuckles, "How about you head home and get some sleep?"

"No, I won't leave the mice alone."

"I'll stay with them. If anything happens, I'll call you. Otherwise I'll see you tomorrow."

I would kill for a hot shower at home. "Are you sure?"

He nods, "Get your beauty sleep. Not that you need it to be beautiful."


The driver stops the black limousine in front of the private jet and I see how Sophie's as well as Brooke's eyes widen at the size of the jet. They don't know we have a bigger jet as well.

"Are we there yet?" Christina asks, being the only one with a blindfold wrapped around her head.

I grin at her, "Yeah, you can take the blindfold off now."

She rips it down her head and she stares out of the car. Her chocolate brown orbs widen as she sees the jet and the waiting crew in front of the staircase. "Shut up! We're flying to Vegas?! Best birthday ever! Ever!"

I smirk, "No, I thought Monaco would be a better fit. Monaco is a better place to gamble anyway and we don't waste so much time in the air."

Christina looks at her, "Monaco?! We're flying to freaking Monaco?"

I nod, "I booked us a suite at the Hôtel Hermitage in Monte Carlo."

"What?!" My three best friends say at once.

"Consider it my birthday gift. This weekend will all go on me. All you have to do is dress pretty and snatch yourself every man you want." I smile at her as she wraps her arms around me.

"You're unbelievable!"

"But to be fair, I did invite my sister and her boyfriend as well. I don't spend as much time with her as I'd like and since Jake's became part of her, those two come in a package. I hope you don't mind. They're staying in their own suite."

Christina shakes her head, "Are you kidding me?! I get to see Monte Carlo! I'm dead and gone to heaven."

I chuckle at her words, "You won't die as long as I'm around."

She grins at me before kissing me on my left cheek, "Della, you have no idea how amazing you are." She says before tearing the car door open. I let her hop out of the car first, "Bloody hell! This thing is huge!"

"She's right you know?" Sophie whispers to me as Brooke follows Christina outside. "You say you have a low EQ but honestly, I don't see much of it."

"Get your ass into the jet." I tell her with a smirk on my lips.

She chuckles before getting out of the car. I get out as well and inhale deeply as the wind blows through my curls. Christina thinks this weekend is just for her and her birthday.

She has no idea I need the distraction to get him off of my mind.


I look outside the oval window, seeing how Monaco slowly appears underneath the clouds. Christina, Sophie and Brooke are all chatting with Ana and Jake. I think they're fascinated by my sister and her boyfriend. Brooke has started to discuss wedding stuff with them, but I'm only listening with half an ear.

"Miss Bolton, we're landing soon." I hear the stewardess, Jackline, say to us. "Everyone, please take your seat and fasten your seatbelt."

"This is so exciting!" Sophie breathes out with a smile on her lips before she sits down next to me.

I look at Ana and Jake, who haven't stopped touching each other since we met them. Ana's whispering with Jake, giggling over his response and kissing him without anyone giving a fuck. They're a couple, an item, a package - and no one even dares to question it.

"You know, this could have been you and him." Sophie whispers to me, clearly noticing my stares.

"No, we would have never been able to do that. They accepted him as a part of the family without any questions, without any protest. It wouldn't have been the same way with him. It would be quite the opposite." I tell her, feeling how my voice cracks. It hurts to see my sister and Jake being so in love.

Because I know I was the same... with a man I never should have.

Suddenly, I feel Sophie squeezing my left hand. "He loves you."

"I know."

"He's not going to unlove you just because of what you did."

"I know."

"I think you should get back-"

I look at Sophie again and gulp, "No. it was the right decision. I'm getting closer to the cure with Fleming every single day."

"But you're in pain."

I don't disagree with her. I am in pain. Massive pain - but I managed to perfect my pokerface.

"You're sleeping with him, aren't you?"

I shrug, "It's better him than some strangers that try to blackmail me with nude photos again."

She sighs, "I know you don't want to hear it, but I'll say it anyway. You're an idiot."

"Because I'm sleeping with Fleming?"

"Because you're a coward. You left him because you were too afraid of the hard work it was going to take if you chose to have both and I'm telling you, you can have both... you out of all people should be the one who would be able to manage that. Don't be afraid to love."

"I'm not afraid to love him-"

"You never told him how you felt, did you? Two and a half years and those three words never slipped off your tongue."

"I didn't had to! He knew!"

"He said that?"

"Yes!"

"There's still a difference between knowing it and hearing it!"

I close my eyes, this is not how I imagined this weekend to start. It should be filled with champagne and gambling... a lot of fun. Not heartache. "Soph, please drop it. Lets just enjoy this weekend. I am where I am because of my decisions. My decisions, not yours or Brooke's or Fleming's."

"If even Fleming says you should get back-"

"Sophie, I'm begging you drop it. Otherwise you will see a side of you that you don't want to. I'll be angry and say nasty things that you don't want to hear. I'm not messing with your love life, so keep your nose out of mine."

"There is none."

"Exactly."


I run my fingers through my voluminous curls as I check on my makeup the last time. I'm wearing a dark red lip with a cat eye and long lashes. I even put on blush by skipped the fake eyelashes that Brooke wanted me to put on.

"Della, are you done yet?" I hear Christina yell from the living room.

"Yeah..." I whisper to myself. No Wlad. Not tonight. Tonight we'll play poker, blackjack or whatever else in the casino. We'll have plenty of champagne and Martinis or Cosmos. We'll have fun - and that means forgetting about Wladimir. At least tonight.

I turn around and walk out of the white marbled bathroom. Brooke, Christina And Sophie are already waiting for me. "We can go. Ready to have some fun?" I ask Christina, "Because your starting capital is half a million." I'm wearing a short white dress that stops a few inches above my knees with sky high silver heels. The silk halter neck dress has a deep v cut in the front that shows my cleavage.

"What?!" Christina asks me shocked. "You're gifting me half a million?"

"No, I'm investing in your gambling qualities."

"I don't have any."

"Winning takes practice." I say with a smirk before waving at them. Brooke is wearing a red Cavali one shoulder dress with ruffles at the side, Christina chose an emerald sleeveless dress and Sophie chose a peach coloured jumpsuit with sheer chiffon sleeves. "Come on!"


"I'm putting three hundred thousand on red six." I say before placing my chips on the green fleece table. Instead of playing blackjack or poker, I chose to try a little Russian Roulette. Needless to say I don't seem to have any luck.

I already lost the ten million that I won by playing poker. Or should I say counting cards? But then again, Ana is not doing anything different with her eidetic memory. Only she doesn't play. She just sits next to Jake and the blackjack table, sipping on her champagne. Jake's clearly having fun as he seems to be on a winning streak. Brooke, Christina and Sophie are somewhere in the casino as well. I haven't seen them in a while.

"Miss Bolton,"

I turn around at the same and am surprised to be standing across a man in a black suit. In his ear is a black earpiece. He's from the hotel security. "Yes?"

"I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave this casino."

I look at him confused. He can't be serious! "I'm sorry?"

"Monsieur Gustav asked me to kindly show you the way out."

"But I didn't do anything wrong!"

"Miss Bolton, there is footage of you counting cards at the poker table an hour ago and then the same at the blackjack table number six thirty minutes ago."

I empty my glass of champagne before taking my clutch, "Fine!" I hiss at him I march past him and catch my sister's forest green eyes that look alarmed before finding the exit. I stop at the balcony which shows the rough sea and inhale deeply. I can't believe I just got kicked out! That was one of the best casinos in whole Monaco!

"Della,"

I turn around and my sisters voice and watch her as well as Jake walking over to me on the paved street. It's a chilly night so Ana's wearing Jake's black jacket over her purple laced dress that's by Dolce Gabbana. Jake kept it classic with the Armani suit. You can never go wrong with Armani.

"What happened?" Jake asks me as they reached me.

"They kicked me out! For counting bloody cards!"

Ana narrows her green orbs at me. "Counting cards?! Are you insane?!"

"That's not very different from what you're doing daily!"

"It is because I can't help it. I have an eidetic memory - you don't!"

"Well they obviously noticed that."

My sister growls at me, "Alright we should head back to the hotel."

"What? No! The night's still young!"

"It's over for you. Come on!" She waves with her hand.

I cross my arms in front of my chest. "No. I am going to find myself another casino."

"Della, whole Monaco knows what you did in there by the time you enter another casino."

"Then I'll find a different kind." I say before seeing a man in a black suit with two ladies on his arms. I catch the words unforgettable night, exclusive club and secret gambling.

My kind of gambling.

I start following him immediately.

"Della, where are you going?!" Ana hisses at me as she follows me with Jake.

"That man knows where I can continue my night." I say as I follow him into a dark alleyway. He knocks on a heavy metal door three times and a window opens. After a few words the door opens and he walks in with the women. Perfect. That's where I want to spend my night.

I stop in front of the heavy metal door and knock the same way the man before me did. A second later the tiny window opens and I look at dark brown orbs. "Oui?"

"I want access to the casino." I answer in fluent French.

"I'm sorry, members only."

"Then tell your boss another member is standing at his doorstep."

The brown eyes chuckle, "This is not how things work here, Beautiful."

"I'm wealthy and I want to gamble in your casino. Where's the problem?"

"You're not a member of this club and the only way you're going to get inside is if you come with a member." With that the little slit closes.

Now I want to get inside even more! What secret exclusive club is this?!

"Della, come on." I hear Ana calling me and I turn around.

She's standing behind me with Jake's arm wrapped around her.

"They didn't let me in!"

"Probably because you're not a member." Ana smirks at me.

"But I can become one."

Jake sighs, "You really want to gamble?"

"Yes! I'd like to have some fun and it seems like this club is the place to be."

Jake runs his fingers through his brown short hair, "Alright, fine. But just this one time."

Ana frowns at him as he walks over to me, "I thought it was members only."

"Yeah, I know." With that Jake knocks on the door, recreating the same sound I just did.

The slit opens and the brown eyes widen. "Belov." Belov? Jake's last name is Ballard not Belov. The brown eyes look next to him and see me. "Looks like you found yourself a member anyway." With that the slit closes and the heavy metal door opens. "Come in."

I walk in first, getting greeted by darkness.

"Through the hallway, Beautiful."

I look at the little man, "It's Adaline. Adaline Bolton."

The brown haired man gulps, "I didn't recognise you Miss Bolton. I apologise for the hostility. I'll let the chief know you want to become a member."

That's more like it. "Thank you. I turn around and watch Ana as well as Jake exchange a few words before they walk over to me. "Belov?" I ask him with an arched eyebrow.

"Fake name. People call me Sasha Belov here. It's for safety purposes."

"I have a bad feeling about this." Ana whispers.

I roll my eyes at her, "You have a bad feeling about everything. What was it you said in Marrakech?" I think for a moment, "Right. Live a little. So fucking live a little, Ana." I hiss at her.

Jake takes her hand, "Besides you have me. I'll protect you both."

I didn't wait for her response. Instead I walk down the dark narrow hallway before entering a large ballroom. It looks like it's straight from castle Versailles or the ballroom from beauty and the beast, it's full of golden ornaments on the high white ceilings, big French windows and white marble on the floor. Spiral staircases lead the way to the first floor on either side of me. There are waitresses in black tuxedo dresses with a bow on their neck. They're carrying champagne, martinis, scotch and bourbon. The centre however is filled with at least fifteen blackjack tables, who are all full. Men of all ages are sitting there, gambling with their chips like they're not worth a few millions. On the left side are a few Russian roulette tables where a few women try their luck. The people are all dressed in stunning gowns, treating this club like a fashion show rather than some dirty underground club. I thought the casino I got kicked out was luxurious, but I just got taught better.

I am in heaven!

"Wow!" Ana's amazed voice fills my ears. "This is so beautiful!"

I look next to me, "Can you paint that for me?"

Her green eyes meet mine, "Why?"

"An oil panting. It would look good in the Kensington house. Above the fireplace in the living room."

"You won't get that house until I've graduated law school."

"I know. So you'll paint me this scene?"

Ana scans the huge ballroom in front of us before turning around and looking at the white marbled spiral staircases with golden wrought and the gallery. "Done. You'll get it when we move it." She says before looking at me.

I smile at her just as Jake approaches us, "I want to become a member. What's the fee?"

"Twelve million to become a member plus five millions each year. But you need to get recommended by a member."

"I have you. You'll recommend me."

"Della, it's not so easy. If you become a member you're going to play poker with criminals from all over the world."

"What?!" Ana asks shocked, "Those are murderers?"

"At least they won't sell you out. Criminals have moral compasses as well." I tell Ana.

"What, did you learn that during your time in jail?!"

I shrug, "Get me a membership." I demand of Jake.

"Once you are a member, you can gamble all over the world. This is just their Monaco base. They have them all over the world."

"Even in London?" Ana asks.

"Yes."

"Perfect! Whom do I turn to?"

"How about you give it a shot here. Try it out and if the night's going to go the way you liked, then we'll talk again."

I growl, "You're no fun!"

He chuckles, "You haven't seen me at a blackjack table."

I roll my eyes, "Poker is so much better."

Suddenly his light green eyes turn serious, "Don't count cards here. Otherwise you'll be thrown into the ring."

"What's that?" Ana asks him.

"Trust me, you don't want to find out."

I shrug, "Alright." I turn on my heel.

"Della, wait!"

I turn around, "What?"

"We'll leave in two hours." Ana tells me.

"You're no fun!"

"Two hours." She repeats, sounding like Daddy.

"Fine!" As I walk through the ballroom my eyes and ears embrace the laughter, the ringing sounds of the dices meeting the table and the smell of casino tokens. Colourful discs get changed for the thrill of adrenaline. This is almost as good as street racing.

Almost.

I snatch a glass of bourbon from the tablet that's getting carried through the room by a blonde waitress in a black tuxedo dress. "Where do the big guys play poker?" I ask the waitress.

She points at the closed white wooden double doors. "Minimum stake is half a million."

"Perfect. Thank you very much." I say with a smile on m slips before walking to the closed doors. I pass several round tables of Blackjack and Russian roulette. Most people are here to watch but I'm made out of different wood.

I'm going to wipe this casino clean and make some serious money.


I take another sip of my bourbon, feeling how the alcohol burns down my throat. There are three hundred million on the table in form of jetons in red, white, blue and black. Most of them are black. My pile of black jetons is worth fifty million. Over the course of the last hour and a half I lost a few millions, but won twice as much. I'm a good player. It's why I'm one of the last two that are sitting on the table.

"I'm rising." I say and throw half of my pile onto the pile in the middle, rising the pot to 325 million Euros.

"I'm calling." Derek Grosfield says to me, throwing in just as many jetons. "And I'm calling your bluff. All in." With that he throws in all of his jetons. "Show me your hand." My opponent is blonde, tall, about my father's age and just as in shape. His bright blue eyes and static expression make him a very good player. His poker face is as good as mine, but I did find out his expressions when his hand is bad because that's when he starts touching the rim of his glass of scotch. A few people behind me whispered that he's the biggest guy in the casino. He's also the one who owns the underground casino in London. I shouldn't win, but I just can't help it.

Besides, the orphanages in London could really use the 325 million Euros, so it's not like I'm only doing this for myself.

I recon he has a queen high straight flush of red hearts. He has no idea I've got a five of a kind. He'll loose. "Fine." I say and throw in the rest jetons, knowing it's not enough to meet his fifty million.

"That's not enough." His bright blue orbs glitter at me. His dick has been swelling for the last hour and a half. I know he wants to get into my panties.

"I know," I say before playing my hand facedown on the table. I get up from my stool and get out of my laced thing before throwing it on the table, "that's more than enough. Show me your hand."

Derek grins at me before revealing his queen high straight flush. "I'll be enjoying you the whole night."

I turn my cards around, showing him my five of a kind, "I don't think so. It was a pleasure emptying out your pockets, Mr. Grosfield." I say with a grin on my lips before reaching out to the pot. I pull the colourful jetons over to my side of the table before picking up my panties. Suddenly Derek grabs my hand.

"How did you do that?" Derek asks me. I heard some people say that he's a slave trader. He's clearly a criminal. Only he doesn't look dangerous at all. Actually, he looks like the men my father meets in his office.

Especially in that grey Hermes suit.

"I can read people really well." I say before untwisting my hand from his grip. I get into my panties and start putting the jetons on the tray, that's now nearly 400 million worth.

"I want a rematch."

"No. You lost."

"Della, you're ready?" I hear Jake's voice asking me.

I turn around and see him next to Ana. "Yeah. Let me just get a check for that."

Ana's eyes look at the tray, "How much did you win?"

"Enough to call it a night."

"Belov," I hear Derek adressing Jake.

"Grosfield." Jake's green eyes widen at my opponent. "You played with him?" Jake asks me in shock.

"Emptied out his pockets." I say with a smile before picking up the tray. I turn around and look at Derek. "If you want a rematch I think we'll have to do it in London."

Derek smiles at me. "Don't worry, I'll reach out to you."

I turn on my heel and walk away from the table with the amazed men that have been watching us.

"Della, you never ever play with Grosfield." Jake hisses at me. "And you don't empty out his pockets!"

"It's not my fault he's a bad player."

"Adaline, Derek Grosfield is the biggest name when it comes to human trafficking and bounty hunting. He can find anyone and he loves his slaves. He's a really bad man."

"And an even worse poker player."

"This is not the time for your smart mouth. Give him his money back."

"No! I nearly made 400 million! I will not have orphanages and shelters continue living without that money." I hiss back before handing Ana the tray, "Get a check for that."

"You're a freaking saint in this criminal rat hole!" He hisses at me. "Your family thinks Ana's the saint but really, they have no idea."


I push the sunglasses up my nose, trying to shut out the noise that's surrounding me as we are on our flight back to London. The weekend has been a blast - for Christina, Brooke, Sophie, Ana and Jake. For me, not so much. Jake has been watching me like a freaking guard dog along with Ana. I think he was worried because of the money I pulled out of Grosfield's pockets. Jake was afraid Grosfield would touch me or reach out to me - he has no idea how big the protection shield is around me. Wlad may have sent Dean to watch me, but that doesn't mean he won't protect me anymore. Wlad would give his life for me.

Really, I am bulletproof. Invincible.

Jake has no idea how powerful the name Bolton is.


I just get back into my jeans after a long day in the hospital as my iPhone rings, informing me that I received a text. I close the button on my jeans and get m iPhone out of my black bag. It's an address. A street race.

I promised my parents the last time that I would stop. But I can't. I need the adrenaline. I need the relaxation that comes after winning the race. I can't resist the temptation.

I just can't.


"Bolton, your bail has been payed." Officer Larson unlocks the empty cell I sat in for the last few hours. I knew this was a risk. But I had to take the risk. I just had to.

Mom will understand it. She always does. She gets me.

Wlad used to get me as well.

But those times are in the past now. I fucked him up. I fucked myself up as well.

I get up from the floor and wipe my hands clean before stepping out of the cell. I don't know what I'm going to tell my Dad, but I've become quite good at lying towards my parents, my family really. I had years of practice.

I collect my items at the reception desk like the last three times I got caught. My iPhone and a purse. Nothing more. I never race with more. Brushing through my chestnut coloured curls, I walk out of the police station in Brixton. The cold air of a dark night clashes against my face and I search for a silver Tesla in the parking lot. But there is none.

Instead there's a black Bugatti Veyron.

Shit. She told Dad. She promised me she wouldn't and she did it anyway!

The door of the Bugatti opens. He's demanding me get it. He's going to bring hell to earth.

I stay rooted on my spot at the top of the six stairs that lead to the parking lot. I can't get in there. He's going to rip my head off. First the nude photos and now this in less than six months! I gulp as the seconds pass by. Neither of us moves. He gave me my stubbornness. But my mother made me so adventurous. I love reaching limits, I love stretching limits and occasionally cross them. It's who I am. It's what I need.

After another minute of staring at the black car, I inhale before walking down. I have to face him one way or another. Maybe it's better to get this over with as soon as possible. Just like an aneurysm. Quick.

But not pain free.

I get into the car and close the door. To my surprise he starts the engine without a word. He's dressed in a light grey suite and black shiny shoes. His dark blue orbs, that I inherited, are on the road ahead of us. His features are stone hard, he is wearing his poker face. In silence we drive the twenty three minutes home. I stare out of the window, trying to ignore the tensed atmosphere between us. He's furious with me but he refuses to let it out. I don't know what he's going to do when we're home. Eventually, he parks the car and kills the engine. I'm about to find out.

I get out of the car as soon as possible and run through the pebbles in our driveway. I tear the left black front door open and march in. Suddenly, I see my mother running over to me. "You sent him?!" I hiss at her, not hiding the pain in my voice. How dare she betray me!

"Your mother didn't send me. I offered to pick you up as she was still at work." My father's deep voice reaches me a second before he slams the door shut with a loud bang.

But I don't wince at the sound, instead I stare at my mother. "You were still at Unfaithful Records?!" I ask her. It's far after midnight!

I shake my head in disbelief before heading to the kitchen.

"Where do you think you're going?!" My Dad asks me.

I turn around, "I know how this will end. You will send me to my room, so how about I spare you the words and go straight to my room?"

He stares at me in shock before looking at my Mom, "She's just like you." He looks back at me, "You could have gotten yourself killed there!"

I laugh at the absurdity of his words. Killed?! "Oh, you really think that, don't you? You have no idea! No idea!" I turn on my heel again.

"Adaline Elizabeth Grace Bolton!"

I wave with my hand, "I know my name, Dad. No need to remind me."

"Adaline!" I freeze at his icy cold voice. "You could have gotten yourself killed there on the streets! Killed!"

I turn around at his words and growl. He just doesn't get it, does he?! "You're just worried about your Ferrari. Don't worry, Dad, I got it back in tip-top shape. I even won you a Maserati."

Suddenly, my father rushes over to me in fast steps. "You think I give a fuck about that thing?!" he barks at me like a hungry bear, making me wince. "I care about your life! Your life, Adaline, and nothing more!" he yells into my face.

I have to stay cool, otherwise this house will explode from his anger and mine. "Well, the cars as well as me are fine." I say in a calm voice.

"You are reckless."

Oh he has no idea! "Reckless? No, I am anything but that! I didn't participate in that car race because I was feeling reckless, I did it because I had to feel that adrenaline again. That adrenaline which shuts off my brain for four minutes and thirty five seconds - that's exactly how long the race lasted. I didn't do that race to just feel a kick, I need this kick to be able to function properly."

"Then get that kick from somewhere else!"

"I would if I were able to!" I hiss back at him. "But nothing calms my brain down the way those illegal car races do. Nothing! I tried to find something else. Trust me, I tried a lot of things."

My Dad clenches his teeth, "There are only a number of times in which we can get you out of a police station without you getting a hearing. And if you do get a hearing then there will be no work at the hospital for you left to do. You will sit behind bars for a very long time."

I nod, "I know. It means I have to be more careful."

"No!" he barks at me, "This means, you have to stop!"

I stare back at him, not backing down. I stay my ground just like my mother would.

"You have to stop, Adaline. You're hurting us. You're hurting your siblings when you're putting yourself in danger and you are hurting your mother and me. I love you, Adaline and I will be damned if I ever let anything happen to you. You are my own flesh and blood. You are my life!" He hisses at me. "Don't gamble with your mother's heart and don't gamble with mine. Stop with the fucking races. Stop."

I lick my lips, fighting the tears. "Okay."

"Good."

I give my mother an icy look before turning on my heel again.

"Adaline," my Dad calls out again.

I stop and turn around, "What is it now?"

"Keys." he holds out his hand.

I sigh before reaching into the pocket of her jeans, "Here." I place the key of the white Ferrari into his palms.

"The other one as well."

"Fine." I hiss before getting out the key to the Maserati as well. I watch my Dad closing his palm. "But you do realise, that I can get into a car without a key, right?"

His pitch black orbs stare at me, "Don't even think of it." The tone in his voice sends chills down my spine.

I turn around before heading to my room.

This wasn't as awful as I thought it would be.


Thanks for the reviews on the last chapter!

As you may have noticed the last scene of this chapter is part of the first chapter of A Million Times More. Also remember the names Derek Grosfield and Sasha Belov - they're going to play a big role in A Million Times More. What are you guesses?

Please review this chapter - you can do so as a guest if you don't have an account. I love getting feedback on my work.

In gratitude,

Nicole