The Billionaire's Face

Prologue

The car sped round the track; a dark blur of a force that moved with enough speed to have anyone gasping in fear. Of course, such people would have to be sane to know that such a speed could kill them. Only a mad man or one who had nothing to loose could drive with such recklessness, blatantly disregarding both his life and limbs all for the rush of adrenaline that followed.

Seth Degatti had been called worse.

As he approached the next bend, he eased off the accelerator a bit preparing for the wave of nausea that he knew would hit. He gritted his teeth, clearing the bend easily with a small smirk before hitting the accelerator and increasing his speed.

"Good Seth. You're doing great. Easy on the bends though."

Rogers voice called from the headset he had on and Seth grunted in reply. He disliked having this quiet moment interrupted by outside noises.

This car was his bubble. His escape from the world outside; an outlet for all the pressure he got from the office. He loved the sparks of excitement that ran through him, making his heart pump hard and blood flow through his veins in a warm rush.

It was exhilarating; freeing, his one true joy in his empty, sterile life. Which was why it pissed him off every time he was reminded that he had someone watching and making sure he stayed within limits to avoid any accident.

Like he could ever have an accident.

Seth Degatti had literally been born in one of these. His father had been Romeo Degatti; the legendary three times winner of Formula one. Racing was in his blood. Everyone had expected him to follow in his father's footsteps and become a professional. Hell, he had expected it too. But then his grandfather had died and someone needed to head the company and so Seth had made the sacrifice much to Romeo's displeasure. Still, his father didn't mind much, Seth thought; after all, he had two other sons to carry on after him.

Seth meanwhile had traded his overalls for a suit, his wheels for a boardroom and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't getting sick of it.

Seeing the last bend come up, he decided against slowing down this time. What was the point of racing if you didn't take risks? His office was safe enough. He needed this rush of energy. The speed was like a drug and he the seduced junkie who couldn't get enough of it, constantly craving a fix.

"Seth. Take it easy man. You're coming up on the big bend"

He didn't care. When he was out of the car he could take it easy. But for now, he was going in hard.

Stepping up, he heard Roger curse and smiled. He came closer and closer, eager to conquer the challenge, refusing to give into gravity.

"Dammit Seth! Slow down!"

No. He thought immediately the bend came up.

His body curved along with the bend and Seth gritted his teeth. His lungs compressed as if they were being crushed and he couldn't draw a breath, couldn't find the air to.

Whitened knuckles gripped the wheel tight as he struggled against the nausea. He could do this. He would do it.

He nearly had the car under control before the lack of air got to him. He couldn't breathe; his vision blurred and although he knew better, he panicked. Within the fraction of a second, he was spinning off the track trying desperately to hold on to the strenuous end of control.

The tires skidded making loud, screeching sounds as the car spun once, twice then tumbled. Seth's head rapped hard against the window several times. White hot pain seared down his legs and abdomen and his eyes rolled back in his head.

Seth had a moment to think how he should have listened to Roger before everything darkened.