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Thank-you to the lovelies who reviewed the last chapter
Hope you enjoy chapter 4
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Mia and Vince did not need to wait long before Dom returned to the motel. He had calmed down considerably and had planned to head straight to Vince's to clear the air and settle things properly. But, he figured that Mia would have been upset if she wasn't invited, so he headed back to get her.
His eyebrows rose slightly when he walked into the room to see Vince sitting on the uncomfortable looking couch.
Vince nodded his head in acknowledgement and Dom could hear Mia in the kitchenette making drinks.
Dom closed the door gently before making the first move.
"Are we cool?"
For once in their lives, Dom's and Vince's roles were reversed. It was no longer Vince looking to get the approval of his lifelong friend but the other way round. Dom needed Vince to know that he wanted things to be ok and he needed to know that Vince wasn't planning to hold a grudge for too long.
"Yeah, we're cool."
There was never going to be a sorrowful sob session filled with apologies and promises of making things right. They had been through too much to do that. It was probably the worst situation they had ever, and would ever, be in, however this was a good starting point. Both figured it would take a while to get back to where they used to be, and in saying that, there was a possibility that things would never be the same. Although, neither would admit it, both had considered their friendship unbreakable.
"Dom, we gotta talk." Mia said, bringing Vince a drink.
Dom nodded in reply. He and Mia moved to the small living area of the motel room.
Mia hinted for Vince to begin.
"Alright, whatever. Just don't shoot the messenger alright? It's about O'Connor."
Both Mia and Vine saw Dom's body tense.
"Look I don't know the full details alright, only what she told me. Letty said that when she began working with Brian and after she had gotten into the first race that Brian set up a safe house for her. If something went wrong or whatever, she was to go there and wait for him, then he and his FBI buddies would sort it out. When the shit went down with the drivers and she escaped the car accident, she headed to the safe house, but Brian never showed. She said she was there for 2 days and then headed off on her own. She figured that something was wrong, but that's when she started running."
Dom hadn't said a word while Vince was speaking and had remained quiet afterwards. He had a gut feeling that Brian hadn't been telling the truth about Letty, especially after talking with him the day before.
He just shook his head mentally kicking himself for falling for Brian's shit again.
"We'll deal with him when we see him."
Dom began pacing the room, trying to work off the anger which was starting to seep throughout his body. He couldn't believe he had been played yet again.
"Is she ok?" Dom asked again, except this time he planned to keep cool and not lose his temper when talking about his girl.
"Yeah, she's alright. She's Letty, you know. Not completely happy with changing houses every five minutes but you know. She's dealing."
"Yeah, when she find you?" Dom asked needing to know more.
At this Vince laughed slightly.
"Honestly man I don't know. But suddenly my phone starts ringing all the time and someone keeps asking for Vince Moretti. I kept on hanging up you know, not knowing who it was. On the third day before I could hand up this chick yells down the phone saying that if I hang up on her again, she's gonna forget twelve years of friendship and jump down the phone and beat me with it. Then I figured I knew who I was talking to. That was about a week ago. She asked me to help her cross the border and the rest is history."
A comfortable silence fell across the three but it was soon interrupted by Mia.
"Look I figure this is going to be a long night of talking. But before everyone starts having yelling matches again, I would like to have a nice dinner ok, together, all three of us."
There was no way either man was going to deny Mia a family dinner. It was surprising to all three, how easy things happened. They each fell into their old roles easily, arguing over what takeout they should eat and whether to eat in or bring it back. It was just what Mia wanted. It felt like family.
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After a delicious dinner and a couple of drinks later, Mia had turned in for the night and Dom and Vince were left talking. They were keeping to safe topics but had started to talk about what had happened since they'd seen each other last.
"I really fucked things up Vee, didn't I?"
Vince laughed loudly. "No you didn't brother, we all did. But nothing we can do can change the past. No one blames you, Leon doesn't, I don't, and you know Letty doesn't. This is just how shit turned out."
"The trucks were no biggie, and from what I hear, heists work with gas tankers too." Vince pointedly commented. "The only thing that I wish would have changed was what happened to Jesse. Nothing else."
This was quite a serious conversation but Vince knew that Dom needed to hear these things and Vince needed to be the one to do it. Letty had talked to him about this almost a thousand times, so did Mia and Brian.
"How was Letty afterwards?"
Dom winced at the image of seeing her Civic crash through his side mirror.
"She was ok, Leon got her to the hospital pretty quick. A broken rib, a little banged up and that was about it. You see much of Leon?" Dom asked.
"Uh, not a lot. He came and saw me a couple of times towards the end in Lompoc. He calls in every couple of months. Haven't seen him in while, bout due for him to visit actually, won't he be in for a surprise."
"He never went back home," Dom told Vince.
"Nah, he said it was too real then, what happened to Jesse was too fresh. Then he said the longer he stayed away, the harder it was to go back. In the end he never did. He said he always wanted to though."
"Yeah, I can understand that." Dom agreed.
"Our little team wasn't that tough after all?"
"Oh, we were tough, we just didn't stay together," Dom defended.
"Man, I still wouldn't do anything differently. Except, I wouldn't get my arm stuck again." Vince huffed.
Dom just stared. He had always thought the opposite. That if he had the chance to go back before it all started, he would never have started the heists. But hearing this from Vince surprised him.
Vince could sense Dom's surprise.
"Come on man, you had Letty at your side these past few years, well for most of it anyway. You haven't actually spent time on your own. Leon, Mia and I all have. Let me tell you, it sucks. Like it or not, once the team disbanded our lives turn to shit. Sometimes I sorta want that back."
"You sound like Mia."
At this, Vince laughed. He got up to collect them both another drink.
"That just tells you I'm right then, doesn't it. Hell, ask Leon, we'd both do it again, in a heartbeat. Maybe not Mia though."
Both men chuckled.
This was going better than Dom expected. Vince was actually being way too forgiving in his opinion and he wondered what he would do if it were him in Vince's position.
"She talked about you you know." Vince started, he felt as if they had cleared the air a bit more and could talk about Letty without difficulty.
Dom remained quiet but looked at his friend.
"She uh, found out what you and Brian did to that Fenix fella, she was surprised you came back.
"Had no choice, Vee, you know that."
"She'd do it all over again too you know."
Dom laughed, "Man I don't think so, look how shit turned out. Especially with her."
"Don't be stupid, of course she would. She'd be the first one to sign up. She's with you on everything."
"She's pissed at me isn't she, Vince?"
"Oh you bet your ass she is." Vince laughed. "And while we're on the topic, you left her?"
"Yeah, not my greatest hour. I did it to protect her. She's gotta know that."
"Nah man, the way she said it, it's the opposite."
"Hmmm."
"Oh come on man. Dude she knows you better than you know you. It's been like that since you first got together."
"When you left her, you made her doubt herself, doubt you. For the first time in her life, she didn't have your next move pegged and it scared the shit out of her. When you left, she thought it was her. That you left because of her, didn't want her."
"That's ridiculous" Dom growled, not liking at all what he was hearing.
"She said when she went back home and planned to bring you back she had a feeling that you didn't want to be with her and she got scared. She couldn't move on with her life not knowing. She had this idea of you partying it up without her."
Dom was shook his head in disbelief.
"Don't worry man, I set her straight. Told her that was all bullshit. She yelled at me, full on man, like in the old days. Telling me, what do I know, that I don't know shit coz I haven't been around. We got into this big argument in some car park over it."
Dom smiled slightly knowing now what the argument in the photo was about.
He couldn't believe he had made her doubt his love for him. That wasn't what he meant to do at all. He left in order to protect her. He always protected her, not that she needed it. She had meant and still means absolutely everything to him. She was his weakness.
"Dude she ain't your weakness." Vince said gruffly.
Dom was shocked as he must have said the last part out loud.
"What?"
"I said, she ain't you weakness, never has been. She's your strength; she's what keeps you going. It's always been like that since you were seventeen, before you even got together. You're shit without her and you know it."
The conversation had begun to get a little deep for both men and neither had a desire for it to continue. So they began to talk about light topics for the rest of the evening before Dom went to bed, and as if nothing had changed, Vince fell asleep on the couch.
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When Mia entered the living area of their room the next morning, she was stunned to see the number of bottles which were scattered around. She smiled at the memory of cleaning up after numerous post-race parties back in the day.
She began to collect the bottles which clinked together as she picked them up.
She heard him groan before she saw where he was.
"Vince?"
"Mia, shhhh."
She smiled, happy that he had stayed.
"You want breakfast Vince?"
It was a stupid question, she knew, but laughed when he roused almost instantly at her question.
"Mmm yeah, sounds good."
Mia stopped cleaning and headed into the kitchenette. She paused when she heard the clinking of bottles and was amused to see Vince cleaning up the rest of his and Dom's mess. Some things have changed.
Mia was able to make a very quick breakfast of eggs and toast. She kept some on the hotplate for Dom when he woke up.
She and Vince sat at the small table and began to eat. After the first mouthful, Vince moaned.
"Oh, god this is good."
His intention was to compliment Mia on a job well done however, as he spoke he could see her body tense and she had stopped eating.
"Wha-" he said with a full mouth.
"Do you know how long it has been since someone has complimented my eggs?"
Vince shrugged, trying to figure out how his compliment went wrong.
"The last person to compliment my eggs was Leon and that was eight years ago."
"Ok... Did you not want me to compliment your eggs?"
"No."
"Was my compliment not good enough for you?"
"No. That's not it."
"Well Christ Mia, what do you want?"
"I want you, Leon and Letty to come home!"
Vince sat in his chair stunned. How did talking about eggs turn into this.
"I want my family back. I want to live with people and not be alone.."
"Mia, I'm alone, so is Leon and Let-"
"You're alone by choice, well maybe not Letty. But you and Leon chose to live on your own. You two didn't come back. I never had a say in it. One day I was in a family of six, the next day I'm solo."
"Mia, look we didn't ever me-"
"I want to live in a house full of people again. I want to hear laughing and fighting. I want to argue with someone over who had the remote last. I want to have family barbeques again. I want to have someone who asks where I've been or where I'm going. I want ... Vince I miss the old days."
"Mia, you hated the old days. You hated when the remote wasn't left on the coffee table. You hated cleaning up after a barbeque and you couldn't stand it when we asked you what you were doing."
Mia just sighed, a little embarrassed that she got so carried away with her outburst.
They were interrupted then by Dom entering the room. He had heard the conversation but did not mention it as he sat to eat his breakfast. Mia would get what she wanted when he found Letty.
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Dom and Mia decided that it was time to head back home. The both hinted for Vince to join them but he refused outright but he did insinuate that he might visit soon.
Before they left Dom and Vince discussed what would happen with Brian. Both agreed that they needed him to ensure the deal Agent Lee was offering was carried through, but neither liked the idea of him hanging around; he had been the cause of too many fuck ups.
They talked about Letty. Vince said that it was just a 'wait and see' on his part. He had no idea where she was or how to get in contact with her. When she did contact him he was to let her know what was happening. Mia was a little unsure of how Letty would take the news about being trailed by Dom. Vince told Dom to be prepared for some serious work to get back into her good graces and not to expect to get laid anytime soon but in the end it would all work out.
Mia and Dome were home in the early afternoon.
When they arrived home they were greeted by three figures.
Dom recognised one of the men and the woman. Mia only recognised one of the men.
It was Brian and he seemed to have returned with his 'help'. The man sitting on the steps was bald like Dom and built as well however his skin was very dark and he was forcing a large cheese burger into his mouth. He didn't look like he wanted to be there.
Dom recognised the woman easily. He knew Gisele had stopped working for Braga and had helped him and Brian however Dom was not pleased to see her. He wondered what the hell Brian was thinking bringing her here. He had a very strong inkling that her being here would cause trouble. The only reason Brian was getting help was to ensure he could find Letty quickly, how much of a help would Gisele be?
Mia instantly disliked the woman standing behind Brian. There was no denying her beauty but Mia could see the way this woman was eyeing her brother and Mia didn't like it.
"Dom."
"Brian."
"This is my main man from Miam, Rome Pearce. Rome, this is Dom and his sister Mia."
"Hey man," Rome replied lazily with a full mouth, bumping fists with Dom. Mia gave him the smallest of smiles.
"You know, Gisele, Dom. Gisele, this is Dom's sister Mia."
"Lovely to meet you," Gisele replied kindly.
"You too," Mia said.
"Can I talk to you for a minute, Brian?" Dom asked forcefully walking into the house.
Brian followed closely behind him.
"Look man, before we talk, I just gotta tell you. Gisele doesn't know what's up."
"Excuse me?"
"She doesn't know about Letty. She found me at a race last night and when Rome let it slip we were coming here she wanted to come to see you too."
"That's your problem Brian not mine, deal with her. I have other things on my mind."
"Yeah I know man and I got a plan. The first thing we need to do is find out if Letty really is alive, I mean we –"
"She's alive."
"Dom, look I know you want her to be but-"
"She's alive, Brian." Dom spoke through gritted teeth.
"We need proof Dom, not just you wanting –"
"I got all the proof I need."
"What, have you seen her?"
"No, but I know someone who has."
"Who?"
"Vince."
Brian chose not to respond as he knew anything to do with Vince would involve him skating on very thin ice.
"Now Brian. You and I need to talk." Dom said firmly.
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Dom and Mia didn't drop Vince back home when they left. He insisted on walking. It had been a crazy twenty-four hours and he needed to do something physical. He was lost in thought as he approached his house and didn't see the person sitting on his front porch.
He opened his front gate and began walking up the path only to be startled by a voice.
"And where has this ole coyote been at this time of the morning?"
The man who spoke had, liked Vince, bulked up considerably over the years but chose to accentuate the muscle by gaining more tattoos. He kept his facial hair short and still wore a silver chain around his neck. There was a seriousness to Leon Madden which hadn't been there when the team was together.
"Look who's just in time for the excitement?" Vince said grabbing his hand and patting his back, Leon returning the favour.
"Excitement huh, do tell?" Leon replied following Vince inside the house.
"Man, you wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Oh, I dunno princess; I've been hearing some things. Would it have anything to do with a hot little Latina who suddenly sprung back into our lives?"
Vince stared in shock.
"She went to see you?"
"Yeah man. Told me what's been going on."
"Well there you go. What's she doing now?"
"She said she's planning on heading home, getting a message through to Dom and Mia and then she said she's disappearing. She said something about how she thinks she's being followed. Doesn't think it's safe to hang around or some shit."
"And where does she think she's gonna find Dom?"
"Lompoc. She said she's gonna call you tonight. She wants us to go with her, you know, make amends or whatever."
"Well, that ain't happening. "
Vince told Leon what had happened over the course of the past day. Vince included everything. He watched how Leon tensed when he was told about Brian's involvement and leant back in his chair when he was told about Dom and the FBI. He told him everything about his few days with Letty although Leon knew most of it. He included his and Mia's talk this morning about eggs and Family. When he was finished Leon sat motionless.
"I think we're heading back to the fort pumpkin?"
"Yeah, I figured you might say that."
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Things are starting to come together
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I am looking forward to reading any reviews and thoughts
Thank-you for reading xoxoxo