Chapter 2-Miami and Rio

After getting dressed in a white V-neck and khakis, Dominic left the shack and followed the noise out back. Once there, he watched as Brian held his hand out for Mia to hop aboard the boat. He looked out into the sea, admiring the beauty and breeze. He always did enjoy the water, especially with Letty by his side.

Letty.

Dom sighed, thinking of his first and only love, Leticia Ortiz. It still hadn't hit him fully that his Letty was gone forever. That he would never see that greasy body roll under another car, or kiss those bright pink lips again. He ached to see her one last time, to tell her how sorry he was for everything. To tell her he loved her, because he hadn't did it enough while she was around.

"Dom, come on man!" Brian yelled from the boat. He followed Dom's gaze to the ocean, watching as Dominic's paws fumbled with his cross necklace. Brian jumped back to dry land and walked to the struggling giant.

Dom didn't acknowledge Brian's presence yet. He was afraid that if he took his eyes off the ocean, his memory of Letty would fade just as fast.

"She would love this view," Brian spoke softly, scanning his eyes across the water. "When she first came to me for help, she would often have me meet her at the beach. Sometimes it was to talk about the case, other times to talk about you. How much she missed you."

Dom nodded, finally breaking his trance with the water to look at Brian. Brian could not only feel the regret radiating off Dom's body, but he could see the sorrow in his deep brown eyes.

"Why'd you leave her behind? You had to know that a stubborn woman like Letty wasn't gonna just let you walk away from her like that."

Dom shrugged, "I dunno. All the trouble Letty had been in throughout her life was mostly because of me. Even when we were children, I always got her in situations that weren't in her best interest. I just wanted to give her a chance to make her own choice for once."

"Now I didn't know Letty very well, but I do know that no one could make her do anything she didn't want to. She was always right behind you from the jump. She would've given her life from you, for your freedom."

"Newsflash, O'Connor, she did."

To avoid getting further upset, Dom made his way to the boat manned by Tego. Vince and Rico tossed back a shot of hard liquor before releasing the docking ropes. Dom flopped down, using his bag of prison clothes as a pillow. He decided to catch up on sleep that he had missed over the past couple months. Much to his demise, he couldn't relax with glaring eyes on him. Peeking one eye open, Dom noticed Vince's anger from his body language. Although over the years, the two have had their scuffles, Dominic wasn't in the mood for one now.

"Problem?" he questioned, cross his arms over his chest.

"I was just thinkin'," Vince stated with a snarky smile, "How in the hell did you get this low?"

"Come again, V," Dom sat up.

"You left your entire family out to dry after you bailed on us. You left Mia without any contact for years. You left me in that hospital for months. You let me take the heat for your bullshit greed. Jesse died Dom! Or did you forget that?" Vince spat with bent-up frustration.

"You think I left because I wanted too? You think I went on a fucking vacation Vince? I have been running for almost five goddamn years without stopping! Always looking over my fucking shoulder for the FBI to put me away for life. Life, Vince. To constantly harass Mia about the dumb shit we were doing. So if that meant you or Leon having to a couple years in prison, then it is what it is. And trust me, I haven't forgotten about Jesse. Every morning and night I think about that kid. He was my responsibility and I let him down. And emotionally, I'll be paying for that for life. So if you don't mind, back the fuck off."

"You know what asshole," Vince stood, pulling off his shirt quickly, readying himself for battle. "It's because of your self-centered crap that Letty is gone. Because you got money hungry. All you had to do was lay-low Dom, not go jack gasoline trucks in the DR! And when the heat was on again, you left her out high and dry. And now you don't have her. None of us do. And Dom, I hope that eats you alive for the rest of your miserable life."

Dom knew Vince used Letty as a low-blow, and it worked. Dom flopped back down, the scent of the ocean washing away his anger. He hadn't noticed the tears rolling down his face until the cool breeze chilled his cheeks.

But he didn't care. He had yet cried for his loss woman, and at this point it was all he could do.

"Vince, I'm so sorry. I left because I thought she'd be safer without a walking target sleeping in her bed. But all I realize now is that she was always safe with me. I fucked up, and this time, I can't just give her a half-assed apology and shit be okay. Letty's gone V. Forever. Shit will never be okay. I don't need you to remind me of that, cause every night I lay down alone, I know."

By now, Dominic's tears had soaked the top of his white shirt, and his heart ached like never before. Vince could tell the agony Dom was enduring, and decided their differences could wait. He walked to Dom and hugged him, his eyes fighting the sting of the tender moment.

"Thank you," Mia sniped sweetly as she collected her five dollar bill from Leon. Leon knew just how much Vince was holding on to for the past five years, and made a wager with Mia that the two men would duke it out before they made it to Miami. Mia knew no matter how upset Vince was, he had a soft spot for Dominic and would forgive him sooner. Mia won.


Meanwhile, in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, she tied on her apron, dreading the beginning of another shift at the diner. She hated the smell, the obnoxious American tourists, and the sweaty, obese man who was her boss. Looking in the mirror, she wondered if all of this was worth it. She had managed to make it to Brazil within three months, but wasn't sure if this was her permanent home. She liked it, aside from her horrible job and living conditions, she enjoyed the beautiful ocean that surrounded the "hut" of a house, the culture was breathtaking, and the cars were … hot.

"Ortiz! You're up!" her boss screamed from the front. Rolling her eyes, she walked to the front of the diner.

"Hola, nós tomaremos um burrito travessa suprema, uhm ..." (Hi, we'll take a supreme burrito platter) the arrogant American fumbled through the Portguese language.

"Honey, just hurry. I wanna eat and get back to the suite. It smells bad in here," the man's wife said, scoffing in disgust.

"Babe, don't be rude," the man shushed.

"Oh please," she waived it off, "it's not like she can understand. We've been here for three days and haven't met anyone who speaks a lick of English. I seriously doubt she can."

The waitress bit her tongue to refrain from biting the woman's head off. She'd only had this job for a week, and it was her third one since her arrival. She took the rest of their order and returned to the kitchen.

"Manny, dê isto a especialidade," (Manny, give this the specialty) she smirked, handing the cook the order.

She watched the Brazilian man prepare the meal, adding his own "special spice". She grimaced as he spat a few times into the order.

A few seconds later, the Latina delivered the meal to the table with a sadistic smile on her face. She waited until the woman took a large bite out of her burrito before she spoke in English as clear as day.

"Just to let you know: I speak fluent English, you two are morons, and that food is doused with mucus. Have a nice fucking stay."

Just as she assumed, she was fired on the spot. Great, she thought, how the hell am I gonna pay the Guzmans this week's rent? The Guzmans were her landlord's who agreed to take in the woman into their home until she could afford a place for herself. She was already behind on last week's rent, and if she couldn't put up at the end of this week, she'd have to resort to living on the streets … again.

Untying her apron, she disposed of it in a trashcan on her way to the public bus. Sadly, she had to sell her only car in Mexico for money that'd help her. Needless to say, it was all gone the first month. She counted the $150 she had made for the week she worked, and sighed. It was just enough to cover both weeks of rent, but she'd have to do without for other necessities.

"Leticia, você tem o alugar de última semana? We open our home to you and only ask for $75 a week. We can't-" (do you have rent for last week?) Mr. Guzman griped as soon as she entered the home.

"I know, Paco. I lost my job today. I just need-"

Paco huffed and interrupted her, "Oh mija, that's job number three!" he scolded. She had liked the Guzman's, and even got along with their four young children. She didn't want to disappoint them. Paco cupped Letty's pain-filled face, forcing her to look at him.

"You know you're welcome here as long as you need it. But you have to help out. Now, you say you know a little about cars, right?" Letty nodded. "Well I have a friend who owns a small shop outside of town. He just lost a worker and is short on hands. Think you can handle it?" He's a really tough guy, ya know, real ball-buster."

Letty smiled, thankful for the help. "Of course, Mr. Guzman. Obrigado seníor."


"Ah, Miami. The city of heavenly women," Leon's husky voice growled as the boats rolled onto the Miami shore.

The boats docked on a private shore. There were several other larger boats, along with het skis and scantily-clad babes roaming around the area. The gang tied their boats up and touched down on dry land for the first time in hours.

"Yo, yo! See you got your man," a tall, dark-skinnede guy with short hair approached.

"Don't I always?" Brian smiled, shaking hands with him.

"We'll it's a good thing. Rome is running up my grocery bill."

Brian laughed, turning to the group. "Guys, this is Tej Parker. He's an old friend. He's the one with the jet I was-"

A loud voice interrupted Brian. "Tej, you're out of wheat bread again, homie!"

"And that's Roman Pierce. My partner in crime for that past fifteen years," Brian introduced as Rome reached them. The group exchanged pleasantries, Roman and Dom sizing each other up for a bit longer.

"I got two boat houses four y'all. We'll rest for the night and head out early," Tej pointed out the boats, which were next to each other.

"What about the snatch? I haven't had a good woman's lovin' in a long ass time," Vince mumbled as a group of bikini-clad women passed by him with seductive smiles.

"I second that," Leon piped up.

"Come to the races tonight. There's always plenty of ..."

"Potential," Tej and Rome said simultaneously.

Dom's senses popped up at the mention of racing, He didn't want to do anything to get him noticed by law enforcement, considering he was a wanted man. They all were.

"You know what guys, go have fun tonight. I'ma call it a night early," Dom said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"But it's only 5:45 in the afternoon," Tego replied.

"That's why I said early, brother. See you guys in the mornin'."

"Dominic ..." her voice called out to him. How could this be? She was gone from him, forever.

Still, the soft tone spoke to him again.

"Dom, come to me," he could hear how close she was. Soon, he could see her, standing in the surf. She wore a see-through lace top that stopped mid-thigh, showing off her white bikini underneath. The cool breeze swept her curly brown hair off her shoulders.

"Letty, you're gone," he whispered as he reached her. She smiled up at him, all the love and passion she had for him shining through her dark eyes.

"Never Dominic. I'll always be in your heart, papi. You just have to find me again."

Dom looked at her with confusion, "I dunno where to start baby. Where are you?"

She didn't respond but only smiled. She kissed his lips lightly, and just as quickly as she appeared, she was gone. Dom was left standing on a white beach, alone, screaming for his love to return.

"Dom! Dominic!" his body jarring woke him from his deep slumber. Looking up, he could see his sister standing next to him with a cup of coffee, a look of worry on her face.

He mumbled a thank you and sat up, sipping his drink slowly.

"Mi, that was so real. Like she was right there," Dom whispered. "I felt her lips."

Mia sighed, rubbing her brother's head like she had so many times when they were younger. "I know it's hard to deal with Dominic. It's still affecting all of us too."

Wanting to change the subject before his emotions took over, he searched for a new topic. "How was the races?"

"No different from home. V and Leon found some leeches for the night," she smiled and rolled her eyes. "They're tag-teaming the other boat for the night, so Tej offered Bri and I a different one."

"Sleeping in separate rooms right?" Dom asked with an eyebrow.

Mia rolled her eyes and ignored his question. "Tego and Rico hung around with Tej for a while, a big sex-crazed party is goin' on."

Dom nodded, not suprised by his boys. Another question came to mind ... "Why Rio?"

"Brian and Tego have some connections over there. We can live easier, drive better cars, and they have some gorgeous beaches. Brian figured you'd like that."

Dom nodded. He'd have to trust Brian's judgment, against his own.

For now.