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Chapter 59-The Shot Heard Around the Globe...

A Week Later...

Dom's POV

I had been watching Vince at work for the past thirty minutes. He had been in an unusually good mood. When he and Jayden had arrived, he was laughing, as if nothing had been wrong. He was even dressed up and had a Mohawk. Or a "faux hawk" as he corrected me. Now, he was changed into his work clothes and finishing up the Eclipse that he didn't the previous week. I was worried. Maybe he was laughing and joking to hide his pain.

Letty told me to leave it alone. That he was dealing with pain in his own way. The Vince I knew didn't deal with pain by humming tunes and giving compliments. Something was up with him. For the past week, he had been acting like a completely different person.

"V, let's go for a little drive," I said, stepping out of the hood of the car I was working on. Letty went to object, but I held my hand up, silencing her. Vince frowned, wiping his sweaty forehead on the arm sleeve of his shirt.

I led him behind the garage, pressing the buttons that unlocked the Denali doors. Before I could step in, I heard the upstairs door open.

"Daddy, where ya going?" Elijah asked, peeking out the door.

"Taking Uncle V for a little ride. I'll be back," I said, jumping into the truck.

I backed out of the driveway, maneuvering the car onto the street. I didn't know where we were going, but we needed to talk.

"Everything okay V?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the road.

"Just fine brotha," was all Vince said. I knew there was only one thing I could do to get a reaction out of him. I pulled over to the side of the road, killing the engine. "What are we doin'?" V asked.

"Step out the car," I said, jumping down from the truck. Vince did as he was instructed, meeting me at the front of the truck. Cars were flying past us on the road, but I didn't care.

I curled up my fist, launching it at his bare arm. He winced, tossing his hand to his left arm.

"What the hell brotha?" Vince asked, looking at his now red arm. I didn't speak, only hitting him again in the same spot. He tensed him, and I noticed the hand at his side clenching. I balled up my first, and with all that I had, I punched V hard in his arm. He finally reacted, lunging at me. He got two good blows on my face before I put a good distance between us.

"I was waiting for that," I mumbled, spitting out the blood on my lip. "See what just happened? You were being your normal self. The Coyote that don't take shit from nobody," I yelled, staggering to my feet.

"I'm tired of being like that Dominic. I need to change, brother!" he yelled, rubbing his bruised arm.

"Into what Vince?! An uptight, happy-go-lucky, pansy?!" I yelled insults, knowing it'd get him roweled up.

"You better watch it Dom! I'm not a fucking pansy, aight! I just need change. I need to stop being such a prick all the time. Look where it got me. I lost the only two things that mattered in my life. My wife and my child!" Vince yelled, his face turning a deep red.

"Bullshit, V! You didn't lose her! She's just off playing the crying game because she just wants a reason to fight with you. Hell, maybe she wants to impress Ricky! You know how much they want to be with each other," I screamed, immediately regretting it. I knew I had hit a nerve.

"Fuck you Dom! When have you ever lost something you'd kill for? You've never lost Letty or one of your kids! You have it all Dom! The money, the family, the job! You have it all. I have nothing now but a big empty house and fourteen year old girl to care for! What the hell do you know about loss?!" Vince yelled, tears streaking down his face.

I lost both of my fucking parents! I almost lost all my freedom! I almost lost Letty in that crash! I almost lost you on that truck! I wanted to yell all these to him, but I decided against it.

"V, I'm sorry. I just don't want you changing everything because of her. What the hell did she change for you?"

"She changed everything for me Dom! She loves me Dom, whether you like it or not. Someone else has my attention Dom and it's not you! I'm tired of being your sidekick. I'm Sasha's and she needs me. You don't need me anymore Dominic! I need to do something with my life. I gave up all my hopes and dreams to be here and stick by your side. To help you! I'm done helping you if you can't have my back on this Dom!" Vince yelled, his arms waving wildly.

The words struck me to the core. Did V really give up everything to be my best friend? Did he really give up his dream of being a musician to party and race with me? Maybe he was right. I needed to let him make his own decisions.

"V, I just don't want you to do something you're going to regret-"

"Like what Dominic, better myself?! Get rid of my anger and become a good person?! Fuck you man. I thought you were my best friend?! Third grade Dom!" V, yelled, storming off down the road. I didn't know where he was going, but the garage was a five mile hike.

"V, I am your best friend! Get back here brother!" I yelled to his departing back. I watched him shove his hands in his pockets as he continued to walk away.

Damn it, I muttered, jumping back into my truck. I turned the keys that were left in the ignition, bringing the beast of a car to life. I jumped back onto the road and followed V down the street.

"Look, Vince, I'm sorry. Get in the truck, man," I said, driving slow to keep with him.

"Fuck off Dom," he mumbled just loud enough for me to hear.

"C'mon V. I'm sorry brother. Get in and let's go back to the garage," I said, trying to watch the road and him at the same time.

"You sure you want a pansy working in your garage?" he asked sarcastically. "Go back to your precious life Dom. Leave me out of it," Vince said, jumping over the guardrail and walking down to the beach.

I sighed and made a U-turn and headed back for the garage. Upon arriving, Letty and Jayden were standing outside. I parked the truck back behind the garage and jumped out.

"Where is he?" Letty asked, stomping towards me before I could make it to the front.

"The hell if I know," I said, agitation clear in my voice. I jumped back into the hood I was working on before.

"You keep fucking up like this Dom and you're gonna lose him forever," Letty whispered viciously into my ear before storming off over to the Lancer she was under.

"I think I just did," I mumbled to myself, lifting my eyes to be met with Jayden's.

xxx

Sasha's POV

Desmond and I were sitting across the street at Shaye's house since we woke up. Charlie was called in at the station and I didn't want to be alone in his home. So we walked over and kept Shaye company.

It was irritating at first. Me talking to her, and her only giving me a nod or smile in return. But after about an hour, I got used to it. I figured she didn't talk around people she didn't trust just yet. I respected that. I wish I had the dedication to not speak. It would have saved me a lot of trouble throughout the years. I tried something I knew would get her to speak.

"So, what do you think about Charlie?" I asked, not looking up from changing Desmond's diaper. We were sitting in her kitchen, watching the television that sat in the living room. Shaye looked at me with questioning eyes. "Well I mean, do you like him? You think he's cute?" I laughed, wiggling my eyebrows.

She tossed her head back and laughed. She had a pretty smile.

"Charlie's adorable," she mumbled, smiling at me. I tossed the wet diaper away and sat back down next to her.

"So she does speak," I said jokingly, nudging her.

"Yeah. But Charlie's a good ol' chap. He treats me well," she said, her British accent thick. "I just don't think he sees me that way. We've been friends for years, ya know. I just don't think he'd want that," she said, looking down at the counter.

"Trust me girl, you're smoking!" I smiled, watching her turn a shade of pink. She cracked up with laughter. "You never know, Charlie might be more interested than you know," I said, leaving it at that. I looked at the clock on the stove, noticing what time it was. "Hey, I'm going to make a call. You mind watching him for a sec?" I asked, lifting Desmond from his walker. She shook her head as I handed him to her.

I walked outside, the bright and shining sun attacking me. I sat on the porch swing, admiring my car from afar. I took a deep breath, then pulled out my cell phone. I dialed a familiar number, waiting for anyone to answer.

"DT Automechanics, how may we help you?"

"Hey Leon, it's Sash," I said, hoping he'd keep our conversation to himself.

"Hey girl! Where the hell are you dawg? Everyone's been freakin' out since you left. Especially ol' Coyotes 'R' Us," Leon said, causing me to smile at the nickname he had for V.

"In Pasadena actually. How's everyone? How's Jayden?"

"Everyone's cool. Jay is actually helping your sister work on a Toyota. When you coming home girl?" he asked.

"Soon Le. Is Vince around?"

"Naw. He's gone. Dom took him for a ride and didn't come back with him. I think they might have fought," Leon said, his voice turning into a whisper. I figured Dom must be close.

"What gave you that idea?"

"Dom's nice swollen and busted lip," we both laughed, his was cut short. Dom heard him, I thought to myself.

"Wow. Well Le, I'll be home soon okay? Tell everyone I send my love. And if you can, try to keep this between us okay?" I asked. I knew if he told anyone I called, they'd turn around and call my nonstop.

"Sure thing, babygirl. Hurry and come home," he said

"Le, do me one favor?" I said, before I hung up.

"Anything."

"Go find Vince please. I just got a bad feeling and I want to make sure he's okay."

"I'm on my way now. Bye babygirl," Leon said, hanging up.

xxx

Vince's POV

After mine and Dom's fight, I didn't want to go back to the garage. Instead, I just walked down to the beach. I sat on the sand, watching the ocean tides go high and low. There was always something about the beach that calmed me down. Once I stepped foot on it, I felt all my pain and trouble wash away. I felt free for once.

I knew Dom was just trying to help, but sometimes he tries too hard. I made this change for me. Not to anger him or anyone else. I needed it for myself. Dom was being selfish and needed a reality check. I can't always please him. Some things I need to do to better myself and my family.

I let my thoughts flow as I stared down the beach. There was a family only a few feet away from man. A woman lay on her stomach while her husband (I assumed) massaged her back firmly. There was a small boy of about four years running around them. He had the brightest smile on his face, his curly brown hair bouncing as he did.

That family looked as if they had utmost security and trust between each other. The woman seemed to melt under the touch of her husband. She trusted that he'd make her feel calm and relaxed. The man, who had a smile plastered on his face, seemed happy that he was touching her. The way he touched her soft but firmly showed that he knew just what made her tick.

Sasha and I had that same sense of security.

I stood from the ground, dusting the sand from my pants. I was still wearing my work apparel, which consisted of navy blue coveralls with the arms tied around my waist. I had a wife beater on, which bared my now bruised arm and my scars. I was no longer ashamed to show it, I actually thought it was pretty neat. The long wire-scar wrapped around my forearm reminded me of everything I had been through. It also reminded me that I rode out the storms and finally made it to the sunny days.

I climbed back over the guardrail and made my way back to the garage. I knew I had a five mile hike ahead a me. I crossed the street, deciding walked on the sidewalk would be best. I looked at my watch ... 5:12 p.m. Depending on how fast I walked, it'd probably take me another hour or so to make it back to work.

Fifteen minutes had passed and I felt like I was getting nowhere. I had walked about ten long blocks. I looked around, noticing a dark black Escalade driving slowly. I didn't think anything of it. This was southern Los Angeles, there was vaguely thousands of Escalades around this town. The car stopped a few feet ahead of me, the windows rolling down. I stopped myself. I noticed an unfamiliar face in the side mirror of the passenger. He had dark red hair and angry blue eyes.

Suddenly, a sadistic smile crept across his face as two semi-automatics peeked out the windows. Not thinking twice, I turned on my heels as fast as I could while I ran the opposite way of the Cadillac. It was then that I felt a painful sensation burning in my back.

I couldn't run any longer. My body fell weakly to the ground, stopping short of the street that held fast-passing cars. I tried to crawl, my back aching with pain. I was too weak to go any further. I turned onto my back, trying to block out the pain as I felt myself slowly slipping away. The passenger in the Cadillac stood over me, his goons surrounding him. I recognized one of the men, it was Ralph! I thought we put that fucker out of his misery along with his friends. Though there was a look in his eyes. A look of regret.

"You and your friends fucked up, Mr. Palmeriti. Nobody messes with Carter Verone. Now one by one, we're going to be picking you off. Any last words?" he asked, holding up a silver pistol.

"Fuck you, you fake ass Tony Montana!" I smirked, satisfied that if this was my last breath, it was pissing someone off.

"Wrong choice, fucker," he whispered, pointing the gun to my head.

There was a shot that made my whole world go dark.

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There's chapter 59. Carter's in town and causing hell. Yes, he did shoot V. You'll have to read for the update on him. Review please.

-Kita