Change of Heart

Chapter 4 Taylor's POV

I kept my eyes on Brian until he walked into the bar and then I lowered my head, staring at the ground. I could feel his eyes on me so I raised my eyes up to his. "So you actually think you can beat me?" Dom asked, as his eyes burned into mine.

"Yeah, I think so. But I guess we'll just have to wait and see." I answered and then took a cigarette out and lit it, trying to calm my nerves. I can't understand why he makes me so nervous; I know I'm not scared of him.

He moved closer to me and I felt his hand come to rest on the car, against my leg. His finger began to lightly rub against my leg and for some reason it didn't bother me. I could feel the chills rise on my back at the sound of his voice, "So, what do I get if I win?" Dom asked and I could tell he wasn't use to being shot down.

"Down Romeo! The only think that will be exchanged here is cash. You'll get 2 large. You in?" I responded, pulling the wad of hundreds out of my pocket and flashing them in front of his face.

I put the money back in my pocket and went to get off the hood of the car when he positioned himself in front of me, pressing his massive frame against my legs. "I don't want to have to take your money Babe." He exclaimed with a cocky grin.

"Don't worry, you won't." I retorted as I moved my face closer to his. We set there with our eyes locked and I had to fight the urge to just close the gap. He has these full, luscious lips and I kept imagining them wrapped around my tongue. 'Taylor, what are you thinking? Stop it!' I thought to myself, staring into those dark, mysterious eyes.

We didn't even notice Brian walk back up, "Cut the shit you two." Then I heard him laugh. Dom moved away from me, releasing my legs and I hopped off the car, taking my beer from my brother's hand.

I noticed that cocky look on Dom's face again, "Oh, come on Brian, we were just starting to get along." He stated as he flipped the top off my Corona with his bare hand.

I was impressed but I didn't dare show it, "Get over yourself Toretto!" I responded, snapping my teeth in his face and I could tell he liked it.

Brian was eyeing Dom and me, asking what was up with the race and I answered, "Just waiting for Toretto to stop playing Don Juan and get his ass in gear." I giggled.

"Well, let's get this show on the road, I always put business before pleasure." Dom retorted with a slight wink as he bumped his bottle against mine.

"What are you driving?" Brian asked.

"The red and black 67' SS Camero over there." Dom answered, pointing to his left, then looked back at me and added, "You still game?"

"Lead the way Big Boy." I said as I got in my car. Dom hurried to his car and Brian hopped in with me. Dom backed out of the parking lot and stomped the gas, burning his tires into the pavement.

I didn't expect it to be so easy to keep up with him but I wasn't as rusty behind the wheel as I had thought. I stayed on his ass, turn for turn. Question is, was I doing it for myself or to impress him? I knew the answer to that and I could tell Brian did too. I wasn't doing a very good job proving him wrong. Damn I hate when he's right!

Dom stopped in the middle of the deserted street and I pulled up beside him. As Brian got out, Dom stuck his head in the door, "You see that stop light up there? It's exactly a quarter mile from here to there." He paused, lifting an eyebrow and flashing that sexy ass grin, then added, "You sure you're ready for this?"

"Stop stalling Toretto and get your ass back in your car!" I said and he laughed. He closed the door and got back in his car. Our eyes locked on Brian as he spoke, "Alright, you know the drill! When the hands go down, go for it!" He began to count, "1…2…GO!" He screamed and I punched it, beating Dom off the line.

The next ten seconds were a blur. We flew through the red light and to my surprise, I was ahead. I know it has nothing to do with my skill after everything I have read about Dominic Toretto. He's a master behind the wheel of a car, especially a muscle car. And I can't fool myself into believing I beat him on skill alone.

I saw Dom skid to a stop through my rear view mirror. I finally turned and headed back. When I stopped and got out, Brian had ran down the road and was now standing my Dom. He was telling Brian he'd like to meet the mechanic that tricked out my car. "Well Dom, you already have. Brian did it." I replied as I stepped up and looked under his hood.

"Well girl, I guess I underestimated you. I'm impressed." He said as he closed his hood.

"Well Dom, I'd like to try this again with you behind the wheel of a car that isn't gonna fuck up before you reach the finish line. I feel a little…cheated! You know as well as I do, this car could smoke mine any day. You should definitely take this up with your mechanic." I stated, patting his shoulder.

The next thing I knew Brian was throwing me over his shoulder, "Girl, you actually beat, The, Dominic Toretto!" He raved excitedly as he set me down on the back of Dom's car and then added, "Someone once told me it doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile, winning is winning!"

"Wait, you're actually quoting me? It's nice to know you were listening." Dom said then turned to me and added, "He's right. You won. Fair and square, but you said I got 2 large if I won, we didn't discuss what you would get."

"All right then, you want to know what I want. I want you to come back to LA with me!" I said, hopping off the car, standing in front of him.

I could see the confusion all over his face, "Whoa! What? Why would you want that?" He asked as he started to tense up.

I wish I didn't have to be the one to tell him. Brian was right about him and I didn't want to hurt him, "Dom look, just hear me out! The fact that I'm Brian's sister isn't the reason I'm here. I'm a…. a special agent with the FBI and they sent me to find you and Brian." I paused as he started backing away. I didn't want him to run so I continued, "Dom…. It's Mia! The Trans have her!"

He stopped, "What are you talking about? Johnny Tran is dead!"

"Yeah, he is and his twin brother Benny isn't too happy about it!" I said as I stepped closer.

Dom threw his hand up in front of him, "Whoa! Back off!" He was raising his voice as he continued, "This is bullshit! You're just trying to get me back across the border! Fuck that!"

"Dom please, you have to believe me. If you and my brother don't show up to meet Benny four days from now, he's going to kill Mia." I was pleading with him and continued, "Dominic, she's all you have left, aside from Jesse and he's not gonna be able to take it if she dies. Do you really want to take that chance?" I could see the shock spread on his face and I realized he didn't know about Jesse.

"Wha…What do you mean, Jesse?" He asked with a shaky voice.

"Dom…. Jesse didn't die! He's been sitting at DT, day and night, for the last two months, swearing up and down that you were coming back for him." I explained as his expression drastically changed. I watched as the sadness and pain hit him like a ton of bricks. I couldn't understand the feelings I was having when I saw his reaction as it donned on him. I wanted to take all his pain away but I didn't know how.

All of a sudden, his knees buckled and he fell to the ground with his head in his hands. Brian started to make his way to his friend's side but I held my hand to his chest, stopping him. I hurried over to Dom and knelt down in front of him, almost straddling his knees. I took him in my arms, pulling his head to my chest as he wrapped his arms tightly around my waist. No sobs could be heard but I could feel the warm tears through my shirt.

I could feel my own tears begin to flow down my face. As they fell on the bare skin of his head, he froze and slowly lifted his head to face me. He gently brought his hand up to my cheek and wiped away the tears, "Don't cry.! Not for me." He said as he stared into my eyes and I could feel myself wanting to melt, just seeing that tender look in his tear filled eyes and knowing how much pain it took to bring a man like Dom to tears. But I stopped myself as I regained my composure and pulled away from him.

Pulling myself to my feet, I tried to play it off, "It's not you Dom! Mia is my friend! I know how much you mean to her and I don't want to see her get hurt!" I said wiping my tears from my eyes.

"Listen, I would never, I mean NEVER, let anyone hurt my sister because of me. And don't you ever doubt that! I don't care if I have to spend the rest of my life behind bars, I will go back for her!" Dom said as he stood up and got in my face, and then continued, "So you can call your fucking boss and tell him we are on our way!"

I knew I had struck a nerve and I immediately regretted it. I was starting to understand what it was that had pulled Brian into his world. From all that I have read about him and as much time as I have spent with Mia, somewhere along the line I developed feelings for a man that I had never met. As much as I tried to convince myself it wasn't true, seeing him in the flesh has made it impossible to deny.

I watched him as he walked over to his car and started beating on the hood in frustration. I walked back to my car and sat in the driver seat as I pulled out my phone. I dialed the number to the Captain's office, knowing he would still be there, "Hello!"

"Captain, this is Vaughn! We found Toretto and I've explained what's going on!"

"And?"

"And he's agreed to come back with me. But Captain, I have one request!"

"What is it Taylor?"

I couldn't believe I was actually about to say this, "You make him the same deal you are making my brother!"

"Are you fucking kidding me Vaughn? You going Nato on us too?"

I don't want to risk my job but for some reason I couldn't bare the thought of someone like Dom being put away, "Look Captain, I think my brother is right! Dom doesn't belong behind bars!"

"No Taylor, no deal! I might be able to lessen the charges but Dominic Toretto has a nice little cell waiting for him in Lompoc! You just have him on that plane when you get here in two days. Your plane leaves Friday morning at 7 am and all three of you better be on it, for Mia's sake!" He hung up the phone.

I sat there in the car with my head hung down and didn't even notice Dom standing at the door. "You tired!" I jumped at the sound of his deep, raspy voice and then he added, "Thank you! So what exactly did he say?" I lifted my head up to look at him, "No deal! He said he might be able to lessen the charges against you but you're still headed back to Lompoc. I'm sorry Dominic; I just wish it didn't have to come to that." I said, watching his eyes, praying I wouldn't see anger.

"Don't be sorry, I got myself into this. So, where are we supposed to be meeting him?" Dom asked, never breaking eye contact.

"They are flying us back to LA. Our plane leaves Friday morning. You don't have to meet Benny Tran until Sunday night." I answered as I stepped out of my car.

We stood in silence until Brian finally came over to join us, "So Taylor, what did your boss say about Letty and Leon?" Brian asked and I noticed Dom tense up once again.

"As far as I know, they only want Dom. They know he was the mastermind behind the hijackings." I replied as Dom began to fidget even more.

Brian turned his attention to Dom, "So where are Leon and Letty? I'm surprised they're not with you."

"Leon left last week for Cancun; the whole spring break thing had him reeling." Dom paused and looked away before he continued, "And Letty…she uh…she didn't make it. Her and Leon came out here ahead of me and when I got here…. she had gotten worse. We took her to the hospital but there was nothing they could do. Both of her lungs collapsed…she died the next day!" I could hear his voice begin to crack and I placed my hand on his shoulder. After a few seconds, Dom turned back to meet our gaze and I could see the determination in his eyes, "Letty died because of my stupidity; I'm not gonna let the same thing happen to my sister!"

More to come…