Sorry for the wait. I still haven't purchased a new keyboard for my computer but I'm trying to get that ASAP. But I'll try to post these as quick as possible. Thanks to my loyal reviewers.

Chapter 44-Toretto Style

No POV

"What'd you find out?" Carter asked Enrique and Roberto as they entered the living room. Carter was laid back on the sofa, a cigar in one hand, a glass of champagne in the other.

"The kid's name is Jesse Owenz. He was part of Team Toretto in L.A. O'Conner and his friend were involved. There were some more people involved in cleaning you out," Enrique said, trying to remember everything he had looked up.

"Like who? Give me names," Carter said, sitting up on the sofa.

"Well Tej Parker. He had everything organized. Ralph's cars and things are at his garage," Roberto said, his hands behind his back.

"I guess we're gonna go have to pay this Tej Parker a little visit," Carter said, standing from the sofa.

xxx

"This just in … drug lord and import-export dealer Carter Verone was released from prison yesterday evening. Verone was arrested over ten years ago for his participation in drug and money trafficking. He was sentenced to thirty years, but was released early on 'good behavior'. I don't know Chuck, this seems kind of fishy to me," news reporter Diane said.

"Fishy it is Diane. Carter Verone is one of the most notorious import-export dealers in over two decades. Miami PD have been working for years to try to take him down. Is this the last we'll hear of him? Who knows, Diane. Back to you Dave," Chuck said.

Roman shut off the television and ran to the phone that hung on the wall in the kitchen. As quickly as he could, he dialed Brian's house number.

"C'mon, c'mon O'Conner. Pick it up," he said to himself.

"What's the commotion?" Lily asked, walking out of the bedroom. It was almost twelve p.m. Lily had the day off and Roman was always late to work. Brian only got few hours of sleep after dropping off Angel at school.

"Hello?" Brian's exasperated voice answered the phone.

"Carter's out," Roman said, looking at Lily.

"What? No, he still has at least another week before he's out," Brian replied.

"No, he's out now. He got out yesterday," Rome said.

"Who is Carter? And why is it a problem that he's out?" Lily asked, still oblivious to what was going on.

"Fuck Roman. Do you think he'll try something?" Brian asked, sighing heavy.

"I don't know but something ain't right," Roman replied, sitting at a chair in the kitchen.

"I'll call Tej and see if he's heard anything. Just relax," Brian said, hanging up the phone.

"Now will you fucking answer me? Who the hell is Carter?" Lily all but yelled.

Roman pulled her to the couch and sat her down. "Okay, the reason me and Brian even found each other again is because he got caught street racing. The made a deal to have him take down Carter Verone and they'd clear his name. He said he wouldn't do it without me. So they took the bracelet of my leg and cleared my name too. We went undercover, took him down and sent him to jail," Rome finished, running his hands over his bald head.

"And you couldn't tell me this before, I dunno, we got married and had a kid? Damnit Roman," she smacked the back of his head and stormed off.

xxx

Sasha's POV

Vince and I were sitting in the back at the store playing with Desmond. Diana was working the register and Dom had been calling Vince back to work for almost an hour. We were trying to teach Desmond how to say other words. He got close with 'Mommy' but all we got was 'Mi'. It was too cute.

I don't know what made me forgive Vince. Maybe it was the fact that he was showing a side of Vince I hadn't seen in a really long time. The sensitive, caring side. Maybe it was his tears. Maybe it was the sincerity in his voice when he told me he loved me. Whatever it was, it worked. I know he'd never hurt me intentionally; physically and emotionally. Things were just tense that day. And, as crazy as it sounds, I loved the fact that Vince hit me back. I mean he shows that: one, he has some balls; and two, he doesn't want to feel empowered. I mean, I did hit him first. I would have looked at him as weak if he didn't stand up for himself. I know I made a big deal out of it, but I'm a woman, I'm supposed to. Like he said, we're the only ones who know how to tame each other. He can go toe-to-toe with me, and I love that about him.

The Team didn't know about us making up. They probably figured it out by now that. Either they'd drag it on or force us to face each other, which was another reason I forgave him. It'd save us much trouble with the Team.

"Alright V, I think you better get back to work. He'll be here when you come back for lunch," I said, slightly pushing him.

"Fine. I'll see you two later," he kissed me and Desmond on the cheek before leaving.

I gave Desmond his bottle and laid him down in his play-pin, rocking it a little. Sure enough, he dozed off into a slumber a few minutes later. I stood from the couch and made my way to the front, where Diana was serving a customer. I sat on the counter to the right and picked up a SPEED magazine. I grabbed a bag of Lays® chips from the shelf. The customer walked away to sit at an outside bench.

"So I see you and the Grouch made up," Diana spoke, wiping the counter clean. I nodded, deciding not to talk with my mouth full. "That happen last night?" she asked.

Swallowing, I finally spoke. "Yeah, why?"

"'Cause I could here the make-up sex. Our room is right under yours," I blushed a little, then smacked her arm for the comment.

"So how's Jesse doing? Haven't had much time with the kid since you guys got back," I asked, finishing off my chips.

"He's doing so good Sasha. He's spending more time with Jessica. They absolutely adore each other. And the classes; they are great. He hasn't picked up a beer since he started. He's off the drugs, I hope it stays that way. He's really cleaning up. I dunno, I guess when he's around the Team, he goes that extra mile ya know," she said, tossing the towel in the sink in the back.

Before I could speak, Rome's and Brian's cars sped over to the garage. Brian's usually-tan face was pale and Rome looked like he had saw a ghost. They seemed to be in a rush.

"Guys! Come here," I yelled, trying to get the scoop. They turned and made their way over to us quickly. Rome looked over his shoulders at least a hundred times. "What's going on?"

"Long story short, we put a guy in jail for ten years - he's out today - he's pissed off," Brian rambled, running his hands over his buzzed head.

"Not to mention we made the mistake of fucking up his stepson," Roman added, griming Brian.

"Dom know?" Diana asked.

"Yeah, just not the part about him being out as we speak," Brian finished, stalking off towards the garage, Roman in tow.

"I swear, can things get any worse? I mean, damn," Diana laughingly says, waving goodbye to the previous customer.

I watched Letty saunter over to us, half-pissed off. I just laughed to myself. It was like she was born with a scowl on her face.

"What's your problem?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow at her.

"Brian and Roman just decided to tell us about the asshole he locked up. Says he's out today and might try something. Dom and the boys are working up a master plan as we speak. I gotta go get the kids," she stormed off without letting us reply. I just laughed again.

xxx

Letty's POV

I stormed to the mini-van parked behind the garage building. Jumping in it, I drove straight to the elementary school the children attended. I got out the car and leaned against it waiting for the bell to ring. A woman approached me, wearing a smile brighter than the sun. She looked to be in her mid-twenties. She had long, straight blonde hair; a calf-length skirt and a dressy top on. She looked sophisticated, but she could have been a whore. That was mean, I take it back. I smiled at my thought as she stood in front of me.

"Hello, I'm Ms. Patterson, I teach first grade. You must be Ms. Toretto," she said, holding her hand out for my to shake. I slowly reached out and shook it, not too sure of the woman.

"Yeah, but call me Letty. I'm sorry, how do you know me?" I was two seconds from going off on this Barbie.

"I have the whole gang in my class. I tell you, those kids adore you and your family," when she smiled, it seemed sincere.

"That's good-" she interrupted me.

"But Casey does seem to have a bit of an attitude problem. She's not big on sharing with the others and she seems to isolate herself from everyone who's not family. I'm not exactly sure if that's healthy for her," Ms. Patterson said, a faux look of concern on her face.

"And? That's good for her isn't it? Saves her from disappointment. Look, I'm raising my children well. They are damn good kids. So if you're going to give me the 'household environment' speech, save it please," I didn't mean to snap on the lady. But I felt like she was questioning my mothering skills. I was extremely defensive of my kids. Hell, of all the kids.

"Look, Ms. Toret…Letty. I just want her to be able to get along with the whole class. It'll make things easier for her and them. It's great that she's so in-depth with her family, but she needs to learn how to make friends outside of the circle. Now I'm not saying it's the parents teaching the children this type of behavior, but I know it's them not doing anything about it," she replied, folding her hands behind her back.

"Look lady. Do you have any children?" she was getting on my last nerve.

"No, I can't say that I do," she replied snobby.

"Well you don't know what the fuck I'm going through right now. I grew up with nothing and I'm striving to get them everything they want. They are healthy, as far as I know, they have goals, and they stay out of trouble. I'm not asking for anything else. You're acting like they are cheating our tests or doing pot in the bathroom stalls. They are protecting themselves and their families. Hell, as far as I'm concerned, they're acting better than those other stuck up bastards in that building," I yelled, watching her face turn from concerned, to defeated.

"Well ma'am, I'm sorry you feel that way. I must get going though," she said, smiling fake at me as she turned away. I won that battle. The bell seemed to ring as if on cue. Kids came flying out the building from all directions. "Little rats," I whispered, staring at all the bacteria-ridden children running around the school yard. I watched as my kids came running out the building. They all seemed happy.

"Hey Mommy," Elijah said, kissing me on the cheek. I kissed him back as he jumped in the van. The other children piled into the car, kissing and speaking greetings on their way in. Casey was the last to enter as she ran to the car.

"Hey Ma," she said, kissing my cheek.

"CJ, ride shotgun," I said, walking around the other side of the van. I heard the other children moan, but I ignored it. She jumped in the passenger seat and buckled herself in. "Talked to Ms. Patterson today," I said, driving off school grounds.

"What'd she say? I don't like her too much," CJ replied, staring out the window.

"She says you don't share with the other kids. Said you don't talk to anyone but them," I said, pointing to the children in the back.

"Is that bad?" she asked, innocently.

"I can be honey. You need to learn how to control your anger while you're in school. You have to be nice to the others and share with them Casey. Try to make some friends tomorrow," I begged, hoping to get something through her head. She looked at me in bewilderment. "I'm serious Case. Try it for me, please?" I put my hands together momentarily, begging.

"Oh alright," she said, nodding her head.

xxx

Dom's POV

"So what are we going to do Brian? We can't go back to Miami," I mentioned.

We were in the garage trying to think of a plan. I knew Verone would be getting out soon and I was trying to put it off. Dominic Toretto was scared of no man. But I've said this many times before: I'll die before I go back to prison. We just needed to find a way to get rid of Carter without actually getting rid of him. Of course the hot heads Vince and Roman wanted to go straight in for the kill. Brian and Leon wanted to find a way to try to pay him off. I reminded him that we didn't have much money to pay him with.

"I know Dom. I guess we have to let him come here. I mean I can't keep asking the police for help. I told them I wouldn't ask any more favors. There's no way we can get him back in jail and keep him there," Brian said, his voice shaky. Though he wouldn't admit it, I knew he was nervous.

"Guess we have to lure him here. Let's just wait a while before we try anything. If after about a month nothing happens, we'll drop the whole situation. But if before something goes down, we'll have to wing it Toretto-style," I said confidently, causing the whole garage to laugh.

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Sorry for the wait again. I'll try to update as soon as I can. Read&review please.

-Kita