A/N – Mystikal19, give it a few more chapters and you'll understand more about why Mia behaved the way she did. I'm glad you're enjoying the story – thanks for your comments.

Chapter 22

"This is Chloe's ex husband; you know the one who seduced her 17 year old sister." Vince was well aware that the age of consent in England was 16, but in LA it was 18 and by mentioning her age he was making it seem as if the man in front of him chased after underage girls. That was something that wasn't acceptable amongst the street racing community.

"It's alright baby, I can handle this." Chloe knew what Vince was up to. He was trying to get James to lose his temper and swing for him first so that Vince could legitimately say it was self defence that caused him to hit him back. James was a muscular guy who could probably hold his own against Brian, maybe even Leon but he wouldn't stand a chance against Vince.

"James, let me put this into words you'll understand – FUCK OFF." Chloe had had enough of talking to James, she couldn't understand what he was doing there and the last thing she wanted was to spend more time having to look at him. "Go back home to Nikki where you belong."

"I've got every right to be here, I cleaned up here last week and I'm here to retain my title, and Nikki's not at home, she's right here with me." James turned round and pulled Chloe's sister out of the crowd that had gathered behind him. Living with James had obviously taken its toll on Nikki, gone were her soft curves – in their place sharp angles and bony hips. She'd once had a perfect hourglass figure, but now she looked like an anorexic junkie.

"So, what's it gonna be this time Nikki, huh? I mean you already took my husband from me." Chloe was starting to get really fed up with all of the time wasting. She'd come here to race not relive her past.

"I want half of the money you got from mum and dad, I'm entitled to it."

Nikki had never forgiven her parents for leaving the bulk of their fortune to her sister. She'd been left $500,000 when they died and she'd soon spent that.

"You want it; you'll have to earn it. Right here, right now, you and me – one race. You win, you get half of the money, I win – you crawl back under your rock and don't bother me again. I mean it Nikki either way, no phone calls, no letters, no coming round and no racing. I don't ever want to see you again." Chloe knew that her sister was a semi talented racer, she'd heard from Hector that she'd been racing but she also knew that she was better than Nikki could ever hope to be.

Whilst Hector set up the race, Leon ran back to get Chloe's car to bring it to the start line.

"Are you sure you wanna do this Chloe?" Vince couldn't even begin to imagine how painful this must be for Chloe. Seeing her sister and ex husband again after all this time, and on the same night the team debuted at the races was enough to push her over the edge and he knew it wasn't safe for her to drive so worked up.

"Chloe, look at me, you need to calm down ok. You can't drive like this; you're far too wound up." Vince was seriously worried about Chloe and did the only thing he could think of to take her mind off what was happening. He kissed her.

It wasn't just any ordinary kiss; it was the sort of kiss that belonged in a Hollywood movie. It turned Chloe to total mush and sent a clear message to anyone watching that neither of them was available.

"Now get in that car and win the first race for R.O.A.M." Vince knew that he'd achieved what he set out to do by kissing Chloe. He'd managed to calm her down and also send a very obvious message to James that she belonged to him now and if he didn't keep away from her, Vince would beat his ass. For the 1st time in a long time Vince was glad of his reputation and the scars on his arm certainly added to the idea that he was a violent thug. If the truth be known the fighting was getting kind of old but he'd do anything and everything to defend his family and Chloe came above everyone else. She was his and he was hers and he'd die to protect her.

Leon was waiting for Chloe at the start line; he'd already checked her NOS tanks for her and set her stereo so that 'Going Under' by Evanescence was playing. Chloe loved that song and they often used it when they were working out at the gym.

As Chloe approached the car Leon was reminded of the last time he'd taken a car to the start line of a race and handed it over to the driver – it was Jesse's fateful race with Johnny Tran.

"If you lose I'll make you kiss me in front of everyone, a proper kiss mind – tongues and all."

"You want to be careful making threats like that Sweetie; I might just decide to lose on purpose so I can kiss you." Chloe smiled as Leon helped her into the car. Leaning over to kiss him gently on the lips she stroked her hand down his face and told him that if he kept threatening to kiss her one of these days she'd insist he made good on his threats.

"Hey, it's not a threat, it's a promise!" Leon loved the relationship he had with Chloe. He loved her and she loved him. He'd never had a female friend that he hadn't slept with before and he was really enjoying having Chloe in his life. He knew that no matter what he might say he'd never kiss her or try to get her into bed. He'd slept with both Mia and Letty during his time on the team and it had ruined their friendships. He and Letty had been a drunken fuck but he had thought that he had special with Mia. That was until he realised that she was using him to get Vince to back off. He and Vince had been through a really rough few months where he didn't think he'd ever forgive him for sleeping with Mia but when Brian came round Vince focused his anger on him instead and forgave Leon. Chloe was a cross between his best friend and his sister and he'd never do anything to fuck that up.

Chloe closed her door, started her engine and waited for Hector to give to signal. Edwin was manning the scanners and as soon as he gave the all clear the race would be on, one race with a prize fund of $27million.

Hector raised his arms to the 'get ready' position and as soon as he was sure that both drivers were looking at him he dropped his arms to his sides.

Chloe was off the line first, changing gear effortlessly. The Skyline was a true bred racer, unlike the Civic that Nikki was driving. Sure the Civics handled well, but they were seriously outclassed by the Skylines. In her mirrors Chloe saw Nikki shoot forward as she hit her first dose of NOS.

'Holy fuck, he actually trusts her with that shit.' Chloe was surprised that James let Nikki use NOS. She wasn't a strong enough driver to be able to handle the extra speed and she didn't have the knowledge of when to use it. Nikki proved this again when she used her second dose of NOS to try to draw level with Chloe. Chloe was grateful that she was so far behind her as she had a serious lurch to the side when she hit the magic red button.

Chloe passed the finish line 2 car lengths in front of Nikki, she hadn't needed to use her NOS at all which meant that she could race again later in the evening if she wanted to and the police kept away. She'd wanted to race some worthy opponents that night, not her snotty nosed, half baked sister.

Vince was waiting for Chloe in the 'winners circle' with a huge ass grin on his face. Whenever he'd watch Dom race he'd never been that interested, it was a foregone conclusion who'd win, but he hadn't been able to take his eyes of Chloe the entire time. The way she handled the car and the pressure of the bet, she had it in her to be a top racer and he couldn't wait to get her to Race Wars.

Chloe stopped her car inches away from Vince's legs. He'd stood still in front of her, never moving even though she'd been driving straight at him at 60odd mph. He'd seen her do that trick many a time in her Tuscan so he knew that she'd stop in time.

Chloe opened her door to thunderous applause; everyone had heard what the bet and no one had wanted Nikki to win. Only the team knew how much money was involved but that didn't matter to the other racers, James was well known for being an arrogant prick and the crowd was pleased to see him brought down a peg or two. Chloe couldn't help but think how well James would get on with Dom and she wondered if that was part of the reason she hated Dom so much.

Samantha and Katy were by Chloe's side as she walked round the front of the car to Vince.

"You know, if you don't come here and kiss me I'll have to get my congratulatory kiss from Leon. Samantha told me that he's an amazing kisser so it wouldn't be a problem." Chloe loved being able to tease Vince, he knew that she'd never betray him like that but it was always fun to tease him.

"Uh uh, you're mine remember?" Vince walked slowly towards Chloe and stood just in front of her. Even though she was wearing heels he still towered about her. Lifting her carefully onto the hood of her car, he took her in his arms and gave her the most heartfelt and passionate kiss she'd ever had.

"I love you Chloe." Vince knew that there was more that he wanted to say but just as he was about to say it Hectors voice called out over the crowds "COPS!"

"Shit, I'll see you back at the beach house, now go." Chloe knew that Vince would have to fight his way through the crowd to get to his car but she had confidence in his driving abilities and knew that the police wouldn't catch him. Just as she was speeding away from the warehouse she saw her sister desperately trying to get into the Civic that James was now driving. The door was obviously locked as she couldn't open it before James drove off, leaving her abandoned at the side of the road.

No matter how much Chloe hated her sister she knew that she couldn't leave her to be picked up by the police so she pulled up alongside her.

"Get in the fucking car." Chloe didn't have time to be pleasant and took off at high speed the instant Nikki was safely in the car. The door was barely shut when Chloe pulled away and her sister was flung back in her seat at the sudden acceleration.

As soon as they were far enough away so as not to be a target anymore Chloe pulled over outside a McDonalds and turned off the engine.

"Get out Nikki; you can get a cab home from here." Chloe wanted to get back to the house to make sure everyone else had gotten home ok and the last thing she needed was to be sitting in a car park wasting time with her sister.

"But, I don't have any money. Please Chloe, I'm sorry. I'm all you've got left for God's sake, can't we at least talk?" Nikki had really missed her sister, living with James wasn't all she thought it would be but she knew that she couldn't leave him now. She'd broken up her sisters' marriage so she had to stick with him. She knew that the only reason he came to LA for her was to try and get his hands on her share of the inheritance but she couldn't leave him. She'd made her bed, now she'd have to lie in it.

"Here, take this, It's all the cash I've got on me." Chloe handed Nikki the $200 emergency money she kept in her glove box. Vince was carrying the money for the races; she didn't have any pockets or boots to put the money in, so the $200 was all she had.

"Get out Nikki. We're finished and I don't ever want to see you again. So far as I'm concerned I don't have a sister anymore. Vince, Leon and Brian are all the family I need now." Chloe waited until her sister was out of the car and had walked away before she let the tears fell. Despite everything she still loved her sister but she couldn't let her back into her life, not now. She'd betrayed her in the worst way possible and she could never forgive her.

Drying her tears she grabbed her phone out of the pocket in the drivers' door and dialled the one person she knew would make her feel better.

"Hi baby, it's me. I'm on my way home." She didn't give Vince a chance to say anything, she knew that he would be able to hear how upset she was and she didn't want him to answer any questions. Later when they were in bed together she'd answer his questions but for now she wasn't ready.