Myra typed out the last of the statement, reviewing it quickly to make sure no typos had eluded her. Satisfied, she hit send and watched the order ship via email to Harry. She was triumphant, the day finally over for her, paperwork filed, orders in. There were a few oil changes out in the lobby she was going to help with but the work had been getting done a lot smoother in the last two weeks than in the last five years.
All thanks to Dom.
Life had picked up like normal the minute he stepped into the house. Letty was on cloud nine, the boys all ready to get their asses into gear now that the boss was back. Dom took control over everything seamlessly while still remaining in the shadows. He knew when to step in and assert himself and he knew when to step back and let Myra control what was going on. It was symbiotic, It was a breeze.
As she closed out the computer and put the last of the papers into the filing cabinet she heard the yell. Her ears perked up as she looked through the glass window into the lobby, seeing nothing but an open door to the diner. When she heard the groan and the distinct sound of flesh hitting flesh she quickly made her way towards the sounds.
A typical sunny afternoon in California, the sun baking the ground to an even 105 degrees, Myra shielded her eyes from the rays as she stepped up beside Letty and Jesse, watching the free show. Vince was being yanked off a lanky blonde guy, both of them bleeding, Dom taking control of matters. He separated his boy from the stranger, giving him a stern warning before turning back to the offender.
Myra moved towards Vince, taking a hold of his arm. He was on high alert, but when he laid eyes on her he relaxed, using her hip to steady himself. She helped him into the diner, forcing him into a stool. Mia handed over a towel and some ice, Myra thanking her.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" She muttered it, whipping away the blood from Vince's nose. He groaned, his fingers digging into the skin at her hip as he leaned his head back; preparing for the lecture. "You can't just go around hitting people Vince."
"He was being a creep."
"Oh he was not." Mia chimed in, leaning on the counter, watching as Dom talked to the blonde stranger who was handling this situation much better. "He was flirting."
"You're too good for him."
Mia rolled her eyes and looked to Myra for some assistance. Myra only laughed, whipping the rest of the blood off Vince's face before taking a few pieces of ice and rolling them up in the towel, pressing them to his nose. He pulled her towards him, her hips bumping his, his thighs on either side of her, holding her close.
"You gotta get used to it when you have four big brothers Mia."
"Ain't gonna meet anyone if they keep acting like animals." She huffed and returned to her duties behind the counter, eyes bouncing back to the blonde as he hastily climbed into his truck and scurried away from her biological brother. Myra watched as well, Dom turning around, eyes searching for Vince. He moved so quietly, closing the space between them, looking down at his long time friend.
"What were you thinking?" The dominance radiated around them, the others watching from the racks, eyes all obviously on them.
"He was a creep Dom. He comes here everyday, and I've had enough of him checking Mia out like she's a piece of meat."
"You can't be doing shit like that. We don't need anymore attention." Dom left the silence to linger, ignoring Myra's questioning eyes as he returned to the employee lunch area, sinking into his seat. Letty joined him and Myra returned her attention to Vince, dropping the ice from his face.
"What did he mean by that?" All she got was a shrug from Vince, his chin dropping level as he smiled weakly at her. Five years had done him some good. She had found herself marveling at the changes of the people around her, now that Dom was back there was more time to slow down. Vince had grown more muscular, manlier. She found herself absentmindedly reaching out and running a hand over his fuzzy chin, waiting for a proper response.
When he didn't give her one she rolled her eyes, making to move away from him but he held her tightly, running a hand up under the fabric of the back of her shirt. She sighed, his fingers working on the tension in the small of her back. "Do we have to go to the races tonight?"
Vince chuckled as she let out a little moan, his hand quickly dropping from her back as to not cause her anymore comfort. She scowled at him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Yes. Gotta keep face since the big man is back in town." Vince reached down and smacked her ass firmly, chuckling when she yelped. He pushed up from the stool and untangled himself from her, making his way into the garage.
"He's a damn mess." Myra shook her head, placing the towel and ice on the counter. Mia gave her a soft smile, picking it up and shaking her head.
"He's your damn mess."
Myra chuckled, nodding, hands on her hips. She watched as Leon and Jesse bickered over something, Letty and Dom now wrapped around one another at the table. They whispered sweet nothings into one another's ears, Mia humming behind the counter, the world continuing on happily.
She felt as though she was missing something.
She was having trouble keeping the black leather pants on that she was planning on wearing tonight. The first time she put them on Vince had taken five seconds to step over and pull them off, his attention focusing on parts of her and not getting ready himself.
After she had been stripped and serviced she went to put the pants back on, Vince once again tugging at the belt loops.
"No no no..." She swatted his hands away, tossing his shirt at him as he finished buttoning up his own pants. "You'd think after five years you'd have had enough of me."
"I'm just as shocked as you." He motioned towards her in earnest and she scowled.
"Oh fuck you."
He laughed, reaching out and pulling her back into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close, his nose buried in her hair. She chuckled, watching his reflection in the mirror on top of the dresser. "Could never get enough of you and you know it."
That was as close to saying I love you Vince ever got. And she took it. Giving him a brilliant smile in the mirror she shared another moment before shooing him away so she could find a proper shirt. He continued putting his own clothes on and waited as she finished up.
They headed upstairs, the others all loitering in the living room as the time moved closer. When 8:45 rolled around in a understood grand event they all headed out of the house and into the night. Myra tagged along behind Vince, eyes lingering on the vacant house across the street. Her mother still owned it, the electricity was still on, the water still pumping, but she was never there. She had tried to get information from her father about it a few years back but he refused, shutting her out after her continued advances.
"Myra?" Vince's rough voice jogged her from memory lane, his warm calloused hand running along her side. She turned her attention to him and gave him a dazzling smile, leaning in to peck him softly on the lips. He had been there for her, during it all. He had driven her to her dad's house, he had knocked on the door with her, he had spectated the argument that got her kicked out for good. He held her as she cried. He had been there.
"I'm good, lets go."
He nodded, giving her one last glance before tugging her along. He climbed into the drivers seat and she sank into the passenger seat, music thumping and windows down in no time.
"You still boxing chica?" Hector leaned back onto his car, glancing over at Myra who was sitting Indian-style on the back fender. She shrugged, taking a sip of the water bottle he had handed over just a few minutes ago. She eyed the women in the crowd, a few of them less dressed than others, some eyeing her with scrutiny.
Ever since her incident the men that meant the most in the racing scene had stepped up their game. She had found, during her return, which was terrifying at first, that she didn't go more than five feet without someone hovering over her or watching her carefully. When Vince had to leave her side to race Leon or Jesse would be there. When they were on scanner duty she found herself in the company of Hector, who she had learned was a very educated man. She became less and less of a burden through the years, finding solace in their ever-watchful eyes.
"I didn't really have the time in the past but with Dom back I might just head back in for some lessons."
Hector nodded, crossing his arms as he scanned the crowd in front of them. The race was going to start in ten minutes, and the word was out that the newbie was battling Dom. It only took a few texts and calls to make the crowd double in size, and Hector was itching.
"You think the surfer boy has it in him?" Hector returned his gaze to her, giving her a soft smile.
"Highly unlikely, but I didn't get to see the inside of that car. Jesse was impressed, which isn't always easy." She sighed, eyeing up Vince in the distance who was in deep conversation with Dom. He caught her eye for a second but looked away, ducking his head so he wasn't in her sight anymore. "What in the hell are they talking about that he's got to be a secret about?"
"Probably discussing strategy for the new guy."
"We had a run in with the blondie this morning at the diner. I doubt they would focus anymore attention on him." She muttered her response, uncrossing her arms and dropping down off Hector's car. "I'll let you get back to the ladies."
Hector chuckled, pulling her in quickly for a hug before letting her go, Myra giving him a charming smile before making her way towards the boys. She wiggled through the crowd, some of them stepping out of her way when they recognized her. But the new faces were here to see the fresh meat and they weren't regulars, making her travel through the dancing bodies a little more complicated.
"I don't like lying to her Dom..." Vince's voice was low, and she barely heard it as she stepped up behind him, but the words reached her ears. She furrowed her brows, both men turning around to look at her as she moved closer. "Hey baby."
Vince was on her quickly, giving her a soft peck as if those exact words had not come out of his mouth. She returned the kiss, choosing to ask about this at a later time, as Dom was drifting away to find Letty and prepare for the race. The tension in Vince went away quickly as he lightly directed her towards the start line, the hype growing.
"I can't believe that little shit came back." Vince grumbled behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as they walked their way through the throng of people and perched just on the edge, next to Hectors ride. "Did you see his shiner? I got him good."
Myra rolled her eyes but nodded and smiled nonetheless, Vince's grin a masculine excitement she would never understand. As they settled into their spot to spectate she leaned back into him, enjoying the warmth he brought her. The cars lined up, Dom stopping just inches from them. She grinned, giving him a small wave through the darkly tinted windows and he revved his engine in return.
When the others lined up they all got a good chuckle out of the newbie cascading over the line. He quickly popped it into reverse, Vince insulting him from behind Myra with glee.
It went so quickly, as it did every night. Hector laid out the rules, cash was paid out, the crowd was thinned, and the start was there. In a whirlwind of smoke and exhaust the cars took off with so much torque the air sat still for a few seconds after they left before lifting up in a furry.
"He always wins." Myra muttered, turning around to look up at Vince, who was thoroughly enjoying this moment. He shrugged, grinning down at her, placing a soft kiss on her forehead before running fingers through her long hair. "It's nice having him back."
"You got that right." He muttered the words on a whisper before capturing her lips, hands slipping precariously to her backside. She squeaked as he pushed her flush to him, fingers digging into her cheeks. The kiss lasted the length of the 2-minute race and she gasped for air as Dom pulled up quickly and slammed on the breaks. Vince pulled back, grinning from ear to ear as the crowd broke out around them.