Chapter Ten
The first racers were starting to line up when she got back. She saw Dom standing next to his car talking to Christian. Every time she saw him, he seemed to piss her off. Maybe he wasn't worth her time after all. If she didn't trust Jacob and Marcus's opinions, she would carry this shit out on her own. However, they were convinced that she wasn't prepared enough to be able to handle this by herself.
Dom could be a major ass and was usually. Or at least every time she saw him he was being an ass. She was starting to wonder how anyone could stand to put up with his shit. That's all it was. Everyone had to live with Dom's shit and not say a thing. That was fucked up. But then again, everything about Dom seemed to be fucked up, especially his life.
She walked over to her car, got in, and lined up with the others.
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Dom watched her and got more pissed every minute. She had a tendency to jump into shit that didn't involve her. He wondered what she was doing, thinking she was good enough to roll with them. She didn't know shit. Just because she had been able to keep up with him on the track didn't mean she could handle her own out here with the others. He knew she could, but he was pissed. If she was going to prove she could race, she would have to do some major impressing tonight.
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Brian watched Dom as he watched Madison. He was hoping that Dom wouldn't have spotted him, but it was too late for that now. At least Dom hadn't started any shit before the races. But Brian knew shit was going to go down after the race, between both he and Dom as well as between he and Madison. Once she found out he was here, she was going to be royally pissed. But that wasn't his concern right now. The road was. And getting his ten-second time back.
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She felt the power of her car underneath her hands and feet as she revved the engine. This was her moment. She loved the feel of adrenaline pulsing through her veins, the feel of power lying in her hands. This was what she lived for. Without racing, her life was meaningless.
She watched as the guy who had been signaling for them to get ready ran quickly off the road and they threw everything to the wind. The only thing on Madison's mind was beating Dom. She wasn't sure if she was capable, but she would try her hardest.
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Brian took off with amazing speed. He watched as Dom pulled out in front of everyone, knowing that was probably where he would stay.
He looked at his speedometer, which was continuously climbing. Up to 100, screaming past 120, hitting 140 and still climbing. He refused not to try his hardest to beat Dom.
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He saw O'Connor take off shortly after he did. That asshole. Thought he still had the skill to keep up with the master. The prick didn't know shit. And it would stay that way. Especially if Brian tried to get involved with Madison.
Madison, the chick who pushed all of Dom's buttons. The same chick that he was still very attracted to. If only she weren't so damn stubborn. That was the only drawback to her. She was too damn strong-willed.
He thought about why she was here in Boston. There was some reason, but he hadn't been able to put his finger on it yet. There was something familiar about the way she looked at him. That look of respect. That look of need. The look that she was up to something, like he had been two years ago.
Damnit, he thought, wondering if she was undercover. Maybe they thought they could catch him if he slipped and got involved with some other shit. So they sent Madison to make some shit up to trap him. Well, it wouldn't work. Dominic Toretto was too smart to fall for that shit.
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Madison was thinking about how she would approach Dom later. She had already pissed him off again. It seemed that she was only capable of doing that.
In the back of her mind, she heard Marcus's voice, telling her they needed Dom. God, they didn't really need him. She didn't need him. Not if he was going to continue being the asshole he was.
Focusing back on the task at hand, she turned the wheel ever so slightly to make the turn. She looked to her side to see she was even with Dom's car. He gave her a look and she had to smile. He was having problems too. His feelings for her were all jumbled. One moment he was attracted to her, the next he wanted to strangle her. It wasn't that she tried to make him feel this way, she just didn't put up with anyone's shit.
She looked in her rearview mirror to see Brian behind her. She hadn't known he was there. That asshole. If he could just stay out of her life, she'd be fine. The last thing she needed was him fucking everything up. If only…
Her thoughts were broken into by the squeal of tires and she watched as Dom's car began to pull away from hers.
"I don't think so…" she said to herself, pressing harder on the gas. She checked her speedometer. They were at 180 once again.
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He made the last turn and saw her catch up with him. Damn, she was good. So much for kicking her ass. It almost looked like she was gonna kick his.
"Don't think so. I've worked too damn hard to get where I am," he thought to himself. There was no way he was gonna let Madison beat him.
He pressed on the gas and watched as she fell behind. It was over and they both knew it. Dom had won the race once again.
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Brian watched in amazement as the final turn was incredibly close. Dom and Madison were nose to nose and keeping up their speed. He looked ahead and saw the other cars and racers waiting. He knew in an instant that Dom had done it again.
Seconds later, he pulled his car to a stop. Madison had already gotten out of hers, as had Dom. She has approached him, and they were talking.
Everyone laughed when they saw Brian. Dom and Madison turned to see what had gotten everyone so riled and he could see the anger in their eyes as they saw him.
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Madison saw him first. She was supremely pissed that he would show up here, of all places. She had finally gotten up the nerve to talk to Dom and now Brian's ass had to be here. Why couldn't he just leave them the fuck alone? He was always in someone's shit. However, it was his job. That didn't mean shit to her, though. With or without him being in Boston, she would do what she came to do.
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He approached Brian and sized him up. It had been two years since he had seen O'Connor and there was a lot of shit between the two of them still. Sure, O'Connor had let him go, but it was because he felt guilty. There was still the fact that he had destroyed any trust that Mia might've had in him.
"What the fuck are you doing here, O'Connor?"
Brian remained quiet. He wasn't sure what to say. He didn't want to piss Dom off anymore than he already was, but knew that was impossible.
"I asked you a question."
"Thought I'd come see and old friend."
Dom turned to go and laughed out loud before turning around and decking Brian in the jaw. Still sore from Madison's attack last night, he reeled from the impact.
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Christian watched Dom throw the first punch. In his mind, Dom had every right to react the way he did.
The next thing he knew Dom and Brian were in an all out fight. With Madison in the middle. Damn, the girl had guts. Getting in the middle of a fight between two tough guys like Brian and Dom. Even he wouldn't have done that.
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She stepped in the middle of them and shoved Dom away from Brian.
"Jesus Christ, Dom, stop it!" she yelled at him.
Dom stared at her with fire in his eyes.
"Get out of the way," he growled at her.
She stood there, not moving a muscle. He wasn't in the mood to deal with her shit right now.
"Dom, don't start shit here. Not now. He's not worth it."
Dom didn't care. Right now he was dealing with a bunch of shit from the past that needed to be taken care of.
"I said, get the fuck out of the way, Madison. Unless you want to get involved, get out of the way."
Still she refused to move. He walked up to her and tried to move her out of the way, but she decked him. Good. She hit him square in the mouth, causing him to bleed.
He was about to lay into her when Christian stepped in and grabbed his arm.
"Dom, stop. Don't do this shit, bro," he said, trying to lead Dom away.
Dom tried to side step him, but Christian refused to let him pass.
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Brian, afraid Dom would go off on Madison anyway, grabbed her by the arm and dragged her off, her fighting him the whole way. Once they had gotten out of Dom's earshot, he let her have it.
"What are you, fucking stupid? No one decks Toretto and gets away with it. Why the hell are you trying to start shit with him, Madison?" he seethed, not believing what she had just done.
"You know, Brian, you may not be my favorite person in the whole world, but I'll be damned if I let Dominic Toretto think that he can control anyone. I don't put up with this shit, and I don't know why you do."
She paused. She couldn't believe she had done what she had done either. It was one of her instinct moments. An instinct that could've gotten her killed.
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Dom tended to the cut on his lip. It had stopped bleeding but was still sore. Damn you, Madison, he thought in the back of his mind. Why the hell do you have to be so stubborn.
Everyone had left after seeing that there was going to be no fight. These people thrived on pain. It was why they played. They knew the risks but didn't care. All they wanted was the adrenaline rush they got every night.
Dom, Christian, and Kyra walked back to their cars and got in. Dom needed a beer. His mouth was dry and still held the taste of dried blood in it.
He left the two of them and headed for a bar. He was going to get drunk tonight. It wouldn't be the first time since Los Angeles.
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Christian knew what Dom had in mind, so he called Kyra to tell her where they were going. She calmly agreed that she would go back to the house, but didn't want to. Christian could hear it in her voice.
They pulled into the parking lot of Irene's pub and got out. Dom entered first as Christian parked his car. Shortly after, Christian walked in and sat on the stool next to him.
"Hey guys, what'll it be tonight? Your usual?" Irene asked.
Dom nodded and Irene raised an eyebrow, looking in Christian's direction. He shook his head at her unspoken question. They could both tell Dom didn't want to talk.
Irene placed a shot of tequila in front of Dom and offered Christian a Corona, which he accepted. It would be the only one he drank, but he didn't want to be rude.
He sat next to Dom, not saying anything, and watched as he tossed back the shot. If Dom needed time, Christian would give him time.
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Brain had talked Madison into letting him take her out for a drink. She had gone back to the apartment to take a shower and had agreed to meet him at a small restaurant.
She walked in, wearing a pair of blue jeans, a red V-neck shirt and her signature sunglasses on her head. Her damp hair was in a dozen curls, laying down her back. He had taken a shower also. She could tell because he had shaved and changed.
He stood as she approached the table and sat when she sat.
"You clean up nice," she commented, and he smiled.
The waiter came to take their order. She ordered a daiquiri and Brian ordered a Corona. They both ordered an appetizer and split it.
"So, what's your beef with Toretto?" Brian started.
"I told you. The asshole thinks he can control everyone. It pisses me off. That's my only problem. I mean, he's a great guy and all, but he's way too controlling," Madison explained.
"No," Brian started. "No. See, that's where you're wrong. Dom's not an asshole. He's just a complicated guy. There's a lot of shit he's been through, a lot of shit he's had to deal with over the years."
"Why are you defending him? By the way, what the hell were you thinking, coming to Boston?"
"There was a lot of shit left from Los Angeles that was never cleared up between the two of us…" he replied.
"…so you figured that since PD had found out he was here in Boston, that you'd come here, try to get back in good with him, then turn on him again? Bullshit, O'Connor. What are you really doing here?" Madison was pissed that Brian thought he could pull a fast one on her.
Brian had forgotten how well Madison seemed to be able to see right through him. He took a deep breath and began to try to explain. It was going to be a long night.