Thanks for the reviews. Okay, so my birthday's tomorrow, so I probably won't have the next chapter up until the 28th or 29th. Be patient please!
Chapter 53-Raging Giants
No POV
Jayden and Dom made it back to the Fort without any trouble. This time, he decided against parking his car in the garage he usually did when the cops came. The party was already in full swing. Dom noticed the other cars in the driveway, all except one.
"Vince, where are you?" he asked into my cell phone.
"Home. Ricky doesn't want Chrys at the party so I told her I'd bring her back here. Everyone make it back alright?" Vince replied.
"Yeah, everyone's cool. I'll ask Jay if she wants to come back, if so, I'll be there in a few," Dom replied, shutting his cell phone.
"What's up?" Jayden asked.
"Chrys is back at your house. Ricky didn't want her going to the party. Now, I don't have a problem with you coming, but it's gonna be a lot of drunk, smelly adults grinding all over the place. If you're into that kinda thing-" he joked.
"Ew, no thanks. You can take me home," Jayden interrupted.
Letty watched out the window as Dom drove off. She couldn't make out the other figure in the car, but she could tell it was a woman. Trying not to let her anger flourish, Letty walked to the kitchen to get her a drink.
"What's up Letty?" Senia asked as she entered the kitchen. Mia and Senia were in the kitchen, most likely talking about the hospital.
"Dom's being his old self again," she said, mixing her drinks. She had Tequila and a Corona, happily pouring them in a glass together.
"Letty, that's not gonna go down well," Mia mentioned, sipping her beer slowly.
"That's the plan Mia. I wanna get wasted. Dom's out having fun, why can't I?" she said, lifting the glass to her mouth. Before she could tip the liquid down her throat, Leon smacked the glass out of her hand.
"What the fuck are you doing dawg?" he yelled at her. Leon NEVER yelled at Letty. But lately, he and Roman had been treating her as if she was a China doll. They catered to her like she was dying.
"What's your problem Le? I didn't bag on you when you were tossing back brews out there!" Letty yelled, pouring herself another drink.
"Yo Rome!" Leon poked his head out the kitchen door and yelled. The muscle-bound guy ran into the kitchen.
"Letty, are you crazy?! You can't drink!" Roman yelled, knocking the glance from her hand, it shattering on the floor. Pieces of it came up and cut her cheek, but she was still pissed. Her scowl was growing scarier and scarier. Roman didn't flinch, but Leon wanted to bolt out of the house. "You're fucking pregnant girl!" Roman yelled in her face, waking her up.
At that exact moment, Letty snapped out of her angry phase and began to cry. Her knees buckled under her as she sobbed on the floor. Roman sighed and bent down.
"Look baby girl, you know any other time I'd let you get shit-faced wasted. But you have a baby in your stomach. You can't do that. Why were you trying to drink?" Roman whispered in her ear.
Noticing it was a private moment, Leon took Mia and Senia out to the dance floor to dance.
"Because I saw Dom with some skank in his car. They were here then they drove off," Letty whispered. Rome's fist clenched by his side, but he didn't speak. He only pulled Letty to him, allowing her to cry into his chest.
The faint sound of a door opening and closing and the party-goers cheering only meant one thing - Dom was home. A few seconds later, a guitar could be heard. Vince must be home too.
Dom walked into the kitchen to grab a couple beers for his friends, stopping short to find his wife and someone he considered a best friend hugged up on the floor.
"What's going on here?" he asked, trying not to raise his voice (imagine how hard that is). At the sound of his voice, Rome shot up from the floor and got in his face. Dom looked at Letty. She was crying and bleeding. There was glass on the floor and blood on Roman's hands. Taking his first instinct, Dom pulled back and punched Roman in the face, causing him to stagger. "You fucking hit my wife?!" Dominic growled, punching Rome again, this time, dropping him on his back.
The music in the living room had been turned down and the party-goers cheered at the fight. Rome jumped from the floor and tackled down, both men falling to the floor in the living room. Rome got the upper-hand, wailing on Dom's beautiful face. Letty stood from the floor and watched. She couldn't move. She was frozen. She knew it was a misunderstanding, but she couldn't speak. Lily was yelling for Rome to stop, but he didn't. Vince tried to pull Roman off, but he couldn't match his strength. Dom used his free knee to grind it into Rome's side, causing him to roar in pain.
"You guys, stop it! You're acting like idiots!" Lily yelled.
Ignoring his screaming wife, Roman continued throwing punches anywhere they'd land; Dom's face and ribs. Finally, Brian ran into the house after hearing all the commotion. He was previously sat outside trying to get some word on Carter Verone. Brian ran and whistled loud enough to shatter windows.
"ROME!" he yelled, distracting Rome. He looked up from Dom to see everyone standing around, watching the war between the two men. Taking this opportunity, Dom punched Rome in the jaw, knocking his body onto the floor next to his.
"DOM ENOUGH!" Brian yelled, standing in between the two. It surprised everyone that the surfer, the one previously known as the Buster, was the only one who could come between the raging giants.
"Everyone, out! Party's over!" Vince yelled, clearing out the Fort. It wasn't even one a.m. and the party ended early.
After everyone cleared out, the only ones left in the house were the Team, minus Ricky and Sasha, who decided to stay at the house with the girls. Jesse and Diana also decided to pick up Jessica from Aunt Leslie's and head in for the night.
"Lily, take Roman home. We'll deal with this tomorrow," Mia said, holding the door open for them. She nodded and grabbed Rome's hand, pulling him out of the house.
Leon helped Letty cleaned her face, ignoring the glances Dom shot him.
"Grow up Dom," Leon mumbled, helping Letty up the stairs.
"How were you with tonight Dom? Who was in your car other than you?" Senia yelled in his face. Before she met the Team, she rarely talked to people other than her patients and children. But being with Leon and Mia, they taught her to speak out when need be.
"Jayden. I took her home after the races. Why?" Dom asked, licking the blood that was pouring from his lip.
"Because that's what this is all about. Letty thought she saw you with some bimbo and she tried to drink her problems away. Leon came in but she wouldn't listen. So he called Rome and he took her drink away. It feel on the floor, pieces came up and cut her. Rome never hit Letty. He wouldn't lay a finger on her," Senia explained, fed up with Dom's arrogant attitude.
Everyone else exited the house, leaving the angry and battered couple to peace. Or what Dom hoped was peace.
xxx
Vince's POV
I got in my Maxima and sped home. I couldn't believe what went down tonight. I knew Rome had some power but Dom. He practically beat the hell out of Dom. Dom did start it though. Thank God the girls weren't there. That'd be some shit to witness your first night on a street racing team. I laughed as I pulled into the driveway, spotting the Jetta, Focus, and the Porsche parked on the curb. The lights to the living room were on, so I figured everyone was up. I turned off the car and got out.
Walking into the house, it seemed like a whole other party had started there. The girls-Sasha, Ricky, Chrys, Diana, and Jayden were up playing Monopoly in their pajamas. Loud punk-rock music was being played and chips and soda were laid all over the floor.
"Um, I'm home…" I said, unsure of how to catch their attention.
"Desmond's downstairs with Jesse and Jessica," Sasha said, rolling the dice in her hand.
"How was the party?" Jayden asked, tossing a potato chip in her mouth.
"You'll hear all about it tomorrow. You girls coming in the garage to work or no?" I asked, tossing my car keys on a free space on the table.
"Yeah. Hey, I was thinking. Maybe we can get started on the funeral arrangements soon. I already have an idea for her headstone," Jayden spoke lowly. It was still an open wound for us both.
"Sure. I'll be downstairs with Jess," I said, walking down the hall. I took the few stairs that led to the lower part of the house that held an extra bedroom and living room. Looking around, I found Jesse lying down on the sofa, staring blankly at the screen. Danny and Desmond were sleeping together in Danny's playpen.
"Jess, you alright brother?" I asked, tossing his feet off the couch to make room for me to sit.
"Yeah dawg, I'm cool. I'm just worried about Tej. I mean, I know he's alright and everything, but what if Carter finds out he lived? What if he goes back? I'll never forgive myself if Tej ends up dead," Jesse admitted, taking his beanie off and running his hands through his hair.
I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Tej's number. I wanted to prove to the Kid that Tej is cool. He's a pretty smart guy, so I know he wouldn't let Carter sneak up on him twice.
"Tej here," he answered enthusiastically.
"Tej, brother, it's Vince. Just calling to check up on ya man. How are you?"
"As of right now, I'm getting on my plane. Me and Jimmy heading out to Tokyo until everything dies down. I'm still sore, but I'm good. How are you V? How's that baby boy of yours?"
"He's great man. He's talking and walking and just doing all that shit. My little junior, ya know. Why Tokyo?"
"It's far away. And Suki's up there, I'm gonna try to see if I can find her. Hey, I'm boarding now. I'll call you guys when I make it."
"Alright brother, have fun." I said, closing my phone.
"He alright?" Jesse asked.
"He's fine Jess. He's going to Tokyo with Jimmy as we speak. Everything's good. Let's watch some TV. I can't go upstairs, it's like a teenage slumber party up there," I joked, flicking the channels on the remote.
The next morning…
I woke up the next morning on the floor of Jesse's living room. Looking around I found the playpen empty and no Jesse on the couch. One whiff and it seemed like my body glided up the stairs and to the kitchen. I looked in the living room and found a mess of Monopoly money and empty chip bags all over the floor. In the kitchen, Diana and Ricky were standing over the stove.
"Where's my family at? Last I checked, you didn't live here and you live downstairs," I said, taking a seat on the stool.
"Sasha's upstairs with the girls. Jesse went for more eggs," Ricky said, handing me a cup of coffee. "Peace offering," she smiled, sitting the cup in front of me. I nodded and gave a weak smile. I was never the happy-go-lucky person in the morning.
"Daddy!" I heard Dez scream from behind me. He was in his chair located near the kitchen. I walked over and picked him up. He was the only person to make me smile this early in the morning.
"Hey Kid," I kissed him and carried him back to the stool with me.
"You guys know Halloween is coming up right? That's Danny's birthday, ya know," Sasha said, coming into the kitchen.
"Let's have a party!" Ricky suggested a little too loudly, causing all three of us to jump.
"You haven't been on the Team long enough to suggest when we have parties, but I'm up for it. Birthday number two," Diana said, playful nudging the newcomer.
"Where are the girls?" I asked, taking another sip of my coffee.
"Out back with the dogs. Cupcake's sick," Diana answered sadly.
"How so? Have you taken her to the vet?" I asked, scooting my cup away from Desmond, who kept trying to knock it over.
"Yeah, she's just getting old. I guess it was something she ate, but she's really sick. She just mopes around her doghouse all day. I don't think she had long," Diana replied, placing some butter on the stack of pancakes.
At that moment, Jesse burst into the house, grocery bags in one hand, baby carrier in the other.
"Glad to see you got up," he said to me, sitting the bags on the counter top. He sat the carrier on the counter, unhooking Danny from the chair. I tickled her stomach a bit, receiving a fit of giggles in return.
"Hurry and eat, we have to get to work in two hours," Sasha said, kissing me on the cheek. She walked over and began fixing herself a plate of breakfast, which consisted of eggs, pancakes, bacon, and hash brown.
Dom's POV
On the way to open the garage, Letty didn't speak to me. She spoke to the kids in the back seat, but not to me. I didn't expect her too. After all, I caused a huge scene last night even when I didn't have too. I was just protecting my wife. Now all I had to do was say goodbye to my pride and apologize to Rome. That would be difficult.
Parking the Denali in the back (this was my everyday car, the Rx-7 was for racing), I got out the car and walked to the front of the garage. I unlocked the bolts and lifted the door, the fresh smell of oil and cologne sent my nostrils into a frenzy. I hung up the 'Open' sign and went to the office. I grabbed my work shirt and went to the back lockers to change. Glancing in the mirror, I winced at the work done to my face. From my little contest with Rome, I had suffered a swollen, busted lip and black eye. My right eye was almost swollen shut. He sure can pack a punch.
And from this morning, I suffered another black eye from my dearest wife. Though I should have been the one pissed. She accused me of cheating.
I tossed some water on my face and made my to the front of the garage, awaiting the first customer. I glanced at the clock. 12:04 P.M. The Team should be showing up soon.
"Daddy, now will you tell me what happened?" CJ asked, taking a seat on my lap on the couch in the back. She had been bugging me all morning to explain the bruises on my face.
"Me and your Uncle Rome got mad at each other about something stupid," I said, not wanting to explain it.
"So you guys fought?" she asked in bewilderment.
"Yeah. But don't listen to your Mommy, fighting isn't the way to solve everything," I answered, the roar of engines preventing me from speaking. "Get your brother and go to the office," I said, incase it was Rome and he was still angry.
I stood and walked to the front of the garage, hoping it wasn't Rome. I wasn't afraid of him, but I just didn't want anymore trouble. He was family and family shouldn't fight the way we did.
"Calm down Dom, it's just me," Leon said, walking past me to the locker room to change. Letty was back there and I'm sure they were plotting against me.
As the hours passed, more of the workers showed up. We had about three cars in the garage at the time and everyone seemed to get along. I explained to everyone at once why I looked like I was in a bad car wreck. Sasha laughed at me, of course. Diana got out the First Aid and showed me a way to make the color go away. Jayden and Chrys didn't speak, but I'm positive I heard them snickering about it.
By two p.m., everyone went to their respective places. Sasha and Diana went to the store to open up. She had both Desmond and baby Jessica in the back of the store with Jayden and Chrystal. Ricky was at her own job, she was salesperson at the local furniture warehouse. Jesse, who graduated from his special A.A class a few weeks back, was back in the garage working on his computer He hadn't had drugs and didn't drink more than he could handle. It was good to have him back.
Rome and Brian were in the back working on a '69 Plymouth Roadrunner. Rome's face didn't look better than mine. He had a swollen and bruised jaw and a ring around his left eye. Letty and Leon were working on the engine for a Ford Mustang Cobra. Vince was helping me tune up this lady's Mercedes-Benz S-Class W126. It was a nice car outside of the street-racing world.
I didn't notice Rome approaching the car, but I felt his presence.
"Let's talk Dominic," Rome said, walking out of the garage. I wiped my hands and followed him.
"Now I know we both have too much pride to apologize for what happened last night. But I just want you to know that I'm sorry for it. I shouldn't have beat your ass so bad," he teased, smiling at me.
"Yeah that's true. But then again, I shouldn't have dropped you so quick on the ground," I teased back, wincing at the pain it caused on my lip.
"No more fighting?" Rome asked, holding his hand out.
"Yeah man, no more fights," I shook his hand, pulling him into a hug.
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I was craving some more action, hence the reason they fought. Everyone will make up in the next coming chapters. Read & review.
-Kita