Chapter 42

Mia pushed the car as fast as she could, which wasn't that fast considering it was a 15 year old, factory standard Toyota. She was heading for Rames. Rames was a small racetrack, not far from the Strip. It was the only place they could race within 20 miles. On a Saturday night it was abandoned as the racers went down to the Strip. A quick glance at her watch told her it wouldn't be long till the race between Brian and Tyler started. "Dammit. Hold on Brian. Please hold on!" she said aloud.

The team had only sat for five minutes, when Tyler and his gang appeared. He flashed his lights at Vince, signalling them to follow. Vince had followed. Dom and the team were all standing around the Eclipse. Tyler had parked his Evo on the starting line, his gang were parked on the opposite side of the field. They got out and walked over. "So, you gonna let me see what's under da hood? Or you all talk?" he challenged Brian. "You know what's under there Tyler!" Letty fired back. "You've seen it before." "Afraid to say I haven't" Tyler said with a grin. "See that day, I was busy beating on somebody's ass," he said as he sidled around Dom and stood at the head of the car, "so I didn't get a chance to look!" It was taking all of Dom's strength and will to stop him from strangling that bastard. Brian looked at Dom, and saw that he was about to lose it. "Yeah, you can have a look" Brian said, diffusing the tension. Tyler smiled and slightly dropped his head. He unhooked the clips that held the hood down, and propped the hood up on the support wire. Flaco, and Carlos moved around to stand with him. Cat remained where she was, eyeing Letty narrowly. He let out a long slow whistle. "Not bad. How much you total?" he asked without raising his head.

"$120 grand" Brian kept his reply short. "Hhhhmmm, I could do with one of these for my 'Toretto' collection." He smiled and laughed. "Well, let's get this over with." He put the hood down and went to move, but Dom blocked his path. He crossed his arms over his bulking frame. "The 'Toretto' collection. That's a good one. I like it!" he said menacingly down at Tyler. "Just means taking em' back is even more fun for me." Tyler laughed at him. Vince and Leon were standing at the back of the Eclipse, but stood up tall, as if getting ready to move quickly. "Once I beat his sorry ass, yours is next!" he laughed and side-stepped Dom. Letty had noticed the way Cat stood eyeing her. Letty looked her up and down and snorted. "What's your problem bitch?" she yelled, moving towards her opening her arms. Cat stepped back. The smile vanished as she nodded past Letty over to where her purple Nissan was parked. "Why oh why you still running that heap o' shit?" That was it. Letty went after her. She tried to dart around Dom, but he grabbed her round the waist and turned her away from Cat. "Chill Let." He hollered. "We aint here for this!" he pointed out. Letty stood still in his arms.

"She's starting to piss me off royally!" she yelled over Dom's shoulder so Cat could hear. "And still hangin' round the neighbourhood man-whore!" Cat retorted. This time it was Dom that turned on her. "Yo Tyler. Better curb that bitch of yours before Letty does it for you!" he shouted in his direction. "Oh please Dom. Let me do it!" Letty pleaded licking her top lip. She knew Dom was only joking, but the thought was enough for Tyler to look back. "Cat, get your ass over here" he shouted at the girl. Cat looked at Letty again before turning and walking away. "Yeah you'd better fucking run!" Letty shouted after her. Once they were out of earshot, Letty turned in Dom's arms and threw her arms around her neck. "How was that? Subtle enough?" she asked him as she kissed him roughly. "Absolutely perfect!" he said before returning the kiss. They were interrupted by the sudden roar of Tyler revving his Evo. Dom turned back to Brian who was already sitting in the driver's seat. He walked over taking Letty with him.

"Good Luck Bri" Leon said. "Yeah, go for the bastard" Vince agreed. Letty didn't say anything to him. She just nodded her head, before turning and running to catch up with Leon and V who were making their way toward the finish line. Brian knew this was her way of wishing him luck, and just gave her a nod of his head. "You feelin' strong?" Dom asked with a smile, as he tapped on the door. "Yeah, strong as hell" Brian replied. "Good. Smoke him!" Dom said before going to catch the others. Brian drove the car in a circle before bringing it to a stop, perfectly level with the Evo. Carlos stepped up between the cars and began to lift his arms. But he stopped halfway. Everyone heard a screech of tires and turned to see a battered black Toyota pull up beside Leon's SkyLine.