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Chapter 4
Dom, Leon, Vince, Brian and Jesse drove in their separate cars towards Otto's garage at top speeds. It was gone nine and they were late, much due to the argument that he had had with Letty when he suggested to her that it would be best if she stayed home with Mia. His newly reddened cheek suggested that she thought otherwise. Rubbing the sore spot he tried to concentrate on the road. He had more pressing matters to deal with than to worry about Letty's mood.
They turned down a small dirt track near the long beach harbor that leads to Otto's garage. Dom noticed a '67 mustang parked out front, so he was obviously on time. It was a classic, lovingly restored. It reminded him so much of his father, he'd always had a thing for muscle cars. Some of his best memories of growing up were of spending time in the shop with his father, carefully fixing up whatever old rust heap his father had happened upon. This car had all the hallmarks of his father, and he knew in an instance it was Lily's car. Cherry red with an orange and silver highlighted flame erupting from the front grill, traveling over the hood and exposed engine and finally swooping down over the left panel.
They parked their five cars as best they could in the small space and quickly headed towards the open doors. The team couldn't help but overhear the muffled raised voices coming from inside. Kip was seated on an over turned oil barrel, Lily to his right leaning back arrogantly on the hood of car shooting scathing looks towards Memphis and Otto. They were too wrapped up in there debate to notice the team had arrived.
"I don't need you to tell me…" Kip cut short his rant when Dom rapped his knuckles against the corrugated metal. They all jumped and turned toward the source of the noise anxiously. They were all on edge, of that he was certain. Upon seeing them they all relaxed, bar Lily whose stare was cold and guarded.
"Is this a bad time?" He asked dryly, not waiting to be invited in.
"Dominic Torreto? I'm Memphis and that's Otto" Memphis introduced himself, walking towards Dom and offering him his outstretched hand, which Dom briefly shook.
"Dom's fine man. This is Vince, Leon, Jesse and Brian." He pointed them out in turn.
"Ok Dom, so let's get down to it. First things first, I think you'll agree with me that the best place for the kids is out of this. They should be somewhere safe"
"Yeah I think we can agree on th…"
"No, we don't agree on that" Lily protested, rising up to her full height, a mightily unimposing 5'4'. "We ain't in need of no babysitting Memphis" She sneered.
"Well, until you prove me otherwise…" He trailed off.
"Hey screw this, you guys need us okay. You really think your gonna pull this off with a couple of washed-up car thief's and some ricers who haven't jacked a car in their lives?! Give me a break! Me and Lil' do this for a living"
"Oh really, so why is it you need are help huh punk?" Vince mocked dryly.
"Hey fuck this, there's a lot of money at stake here and if you think that you can just dip into our Kool aid and…"
"You inconsiderate little punk! Is that why you think were in this, for the money! We're here trying to get your asses out the trouble you caused!" Thing were getting very heated very fast.
"No one asked you to Memphis! You just showed up!" Memphis stepped forward getting right into her face.
"And if I didn't you would have been bury Kip right now, is that what you want you dum…"
"Hey, back up off her dawg!" Leon warned him and Jesse ready to step in at any moment.
"Go fuck yourself Memphis…." Lily challenged.
"Enough!" Dom roared, causing them all to pause and stare. He had sat back and watched in silence over the last couple of minutes as the bickering had escalated. It was giving him a headache and getting them no where fast. He rubbed his hand over his smooth head trying to quell his temper. "What do you think?" He directed his question towards Otto. He may not have known too much of the world of car jacking but he knew that Otto was a 'connoisseur' of it. And a pretty good mechanic according to his father.
"I think… That we should consider this" He said carefully. He saw Memphis open his mouth to protest and cut him off. "We need 'em. It's not the ideal situation, but we need 'em. Their right, we can't get this done without them. It can't be done and you know it Memphis, and so do you Dom" Both Memphis and Dom sighed disgustedly; they both didn't want them to participate.
"So… What is it that you two do that makes you so essential?" Dom asked finally. If they were going to join in he wanted them to be ready for it.
"Well Lily can pretty much jack and ride anything with wheels" Kip asserted.
"…And something's without." She added slyly under her breath. She heard a stifled snigger to her left and turned to see Leon besides her, leaning casually against a tool. Their eyes meet briefly and she could help smirk along with him.
"And me? Well I think you muscle bound friend over there knows what I can do right? He smirked arrogantly at Vince.
"Yeah punk and you know what my fists can do to your face, so if you wanna go, we'll go" Vince cautioned, approaching the younger man.
"Vince! Just leave it alright" Dom exclaimed, quickly becoming annoyed again. "Ok, we'll give it a go." He looked towards Memphis to se if he agreed. The older man nodded reluctantly. "Good, so how we gonna run this?" He asked the group at large, because he honestly didn't know.
"We spread it out, play shadow games" Kip answered.
"No" Lilly debated. "That won't work" She was staring at the list of cars, hard in thought.
"What you got a better idea baby?" He spoke quite angrily her. Her back stiffened and she reared up ready to fight when Otto butted in, hoping to stop the inevitable argument.
"No, she's right, we're on a truncated timetable. To make the Friday 8am deadline in two weeks, we're gonna have to go old school. A one night boost." Otto responded.
"One night?" Vince asked, confusion marring his face.
"Yes"
"What are you crazy dawg? 50 cars in on night!" Leon exclaimed.
"I already said Otto man, shadow games." Kip stated, angry that his suggestion was being ignored.
"Yeah Kip we know, but by the second night, the heat is onto you. That's why your plans got screwed the first time!"
"So it's a surprise attack then?" Dom asked. He was sill taking all of this in. Being reunited with a long lost sister and starting a new wave of crime when he'd promised that he never would again was a lot for a guy to take in so quickly.
"Yeah, by the time the first car is reported stolen, your ship's set sail already"
"This ain't gonna be a walk in the park guys" Otto said grimly.
"So…" Lily started, making her way over to the chalkboard that had the car list hastily scribbled on it. "…We'll get these car outta the way first, it'll be easy enough." She circled of half the list of cars. "But these exotic girls are gonna be a problem." Lily circled all but three off.
"And these Mercedes require Laser-cut keys." Said Otto, pointing towards the remaining cars on the list.
"Yeah I got that" Lilly added nonchalantly.
"You got that covered?" Asked Dom, eyebrows raised.
"I know a guy…" She alluded coolly, and did nothing to hide the small smirk that skimmed over her lips.
"No" Kip said in a voice that demanded obedience, which made Lily's smirk grow even wider. He hated the guy.
"You got a better idea baby?" She asked in a sickly sweet tone, throwing his early question back at him. And anyone in the room who didn't get the tension between the two had to be completely oblivious.
"We'll need someone who's good on the computer" Otto added
"That'd be me; I might be considered somewhat of a whiz!" Jesse said happily; glad to have some part in helping Lily. And Lily herself couldn't help by smile over at him. Jesse was a hard boy to stay mad at. It wasn't like anything that had happened to her was his fault. Any sign of happiness was instantly wiped from hr face at the though and scowled angrily in Dom and Vince's direction.
"Alright, well let's get to work then. Jesse I need you hack into the insurance database and find as many cars as you can. Can you handle that?" Memphis asked.
"Yeah sure, I got my laptop back at the house. I'll get on it as soon as we're back
"The cars on the list have girls names bro, why is that?" Vince asked quietly of Dom. It had been bothering him since he got her
"It's a cover. In case someone's listening in"
"We'll need to know what channel the police are going to be on too" Added Lily.
"I can get those" Brian answered. Lily eyed him for a second. What was it about him that just screamed cop?
"The rest of us are gonna be doing the recon work. First phase we'll visit the DMV and dealerships; find our girls. Second phase we collect photos, work out schedules. Any problems?"
"Nah, I think we're good"
"I'll go get the laser keys" Lily mumbled aloud, though it was mostly for her own benefit.
"I'll come" Kip said, jumping up and making to follow her outside. She swiveled round and held her hand out in rejection.
"Nah baby, you stay here and…bond" She didn't want to deal with him now, he had come a royal pain in the ass these past few days. The memory of the night before hung freshly in her mind, when he had tried and failed to tell hr he loved her. She didn't want his love, no one loved he and that's way she wanted it to be. Less people to hurt you, less people to disappoint. She needed to distance herself from him, of that she was certain. She just couldn't risk it. Turning her back on him she left the garage and headed to her car. Her girl. She ran her fingers over the side paneling, gently stroking off some grit that had been thrown up from the other cars.
"Goddamn, they gotta ruin everything in life" She muttered darkly to herself.
"Hey! Hey Lily wait up!" She glanced sideways and saw Dom and his team stalking towards her. Well speak of the devil.
"Yeah" She grunted in reply.
"We'll come with you to get the key" He stated, unlocking his car a getting in, the others following suit. "Jess', Bri'; you guys head home and get a head start" He ordered
"I damn said I don't need babysitter!" was her frustrated reply which he ignored and started his engine. "Fucking asshole" She said aloud, not bothering to check her volume. He had heard and she was glad, now annoyed that he didn't seem to be reacting to her total disregard to his authority. She couldn't wait to push him as far as he would go. She had to get her fun somehow, after all. For Dom's part, he was tying very had to stop himself from letting loose on her. He didn't want her to run again if he were to get authoritive with her. He couldn't lose her again, no matter what. She was a grown girl now, nothing like the one that left. And he needed to try his hardest to get to know her, to be art of her life again.
Lily ignored the patiently waiting team and proceeded to preen herself, using the reflective surface of the Mustangs door as a mirror. The guy she needed to do business with was a lecherous perv who had been trying to get in her pants for the last two years. And if she wanted anything from him she'd have to play the game and do whatever it takes. She looked okay. Her short yellow skirt showed off the long, toned legs. That would go along way with him. She discreetly adjusted her breasts so a little more skin was on show from beneath her white wife beater. She tucked he loose hair behind her ear and took on more critical look at herself.
"You look good girl" Cam a low rumbling voice to her left. There was no mistaking that voice belonged to Leon. He winked at her when she glanced his way. Well this had some potential for fun she thought. She always enjoyed a good game. She smiled in a way she knew was coy and sexy, and brushed her hands over the side of her hips, in the guise of straightening her skirt, but really she just wanted to watch his eyes to follow her movements and he didn't disappoint. He suddenly looked a bit uncomfortable, shifting in his car seat. He cleared his throat and turned his rapt gaze away from her, twiddling the toothpick in his mouth. She smiled triumphantly and jumped into her, sparing no time in hopping in the car and roaring of down the dirt road. Hopefully she'd lose them on the way….
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As it happens, lady luck wasn't on her side and as she screeched to a stop at her destination, Dom and the guys were right behind. She shouldn't have thought any different; after all for the most part they'd had the same teacher. She waited for them near the buildings entrance before banging loudly on the heavy meal door.
"Beat it!" Shouted a voice from inside.
"Is that anyway t' talk to your girl" There was suddenly unbolted and a scruffy looking guy dressed only jeans bounded out, blinking wearily in the midday sun.
"Damn girl, how you doing you fine thing?" He exclaimed pulling her into a in to a hug. One of his hands lifted her top slightly while the other snaked down and cheekily squeezed her ass. His eyes, having finally adjusted to the light, spotted that Lily was not alone and he reluctantly let go of her. "You brought company, when you ever gonna visit me alone huh?" He said slyly.
"This is Dom and…"
"I know who they are doll" He said, finally looking towards the guys. "Seen you at the races. Don't suppose you know a guy like huh" He snorted.
"Eddie Knox!" Jesse exclaimed, the guys face finally clicking with him. "You run with the Tony Adams crew!"
"So you have heard of me. I'm honoured, truly." He mocked dryly.
"God don't you know it's rude to keep people wanting on the door step" Said Lily as she barged her way past him and in to his house. He attempted to shut the door in Dom's face and followed her but Dom had already wedged the door with his foot.
"Don't even think about it" Dom warned menacingly and stepped into the house to follow Lily. He did not like the way this guy was eyeing his sister, and if he carried on Dom was going to have to lay him out, keys be damned.
"Sure guys, me casa su casa" He said jokingly, holding his hands up in surrender. A lot of people had a lot of respect for Dom, and a lot of people had a lot of fear as well.
"Brother I am gonna twist this motherfuckers arms off in a minute, if he can't keep them to himself!" Vince exclaimed hotly
"Yeah and I'll get the fuckers tongue" Concurred Leon. Watching that punk paw at Lily had riled, and h could already feel his face was hot with anger.
The walked down the hallway and entered the living room, where Lily was bent over the coffee table examining the contents of a tool box there. By now Eddie had caught up to the rest of them and he let out a low whistle at the site in front of them. He tilted his head to the side and let his eyes travel over her form
"Damn, I can't wait to get me some of that, huh guys?" He asked them but was distracted when he felt something taping on the front of his jean. He looked down to see that Dom was aiming a gun at crotch."
"If you don't keep it in your pants, I'm gonna have to make sure your never use it again. Got me?" He warned his voice deadly calm. Eddie nodded, his mouth dry and unable to make a sound. "Good. Now go help my sister with what she need".
Eddie's eyes widened impossibly wide as he nodded once again and stumbled towards her, his cocky demeanor soon recovered.
"Well well well, looks like my girl has been keeping secrets from me. Very naughty!" Ignoring him she got straight to the point.
"I need some keys baby, like the ones before"
"Misplaced 'em huh? I could help you look if you like? He moved closer so the others couldn't hear and added: "I could check your panties drawer for you". She rolled her eyes and pecked him on the cheek.
"I need 'em by next week. So get you ass in gear baby." She went to walk past and out of the house but he held her back by the arm.
"Sure you don't want anything else?" He waggled his eyebrows at her and his meaning was clear. He new what she had been looking for in that tool box and it wasn't a wrench. She knew that was where he hid his stash; he was a creature of habit. Little did he know that she had already hidden a baggie in the waistline of her skirt. He'd never know, he'd be too strung out in a matter of hours to remember he had it.
"Nah, not my thing any more you know that" She whispered back, to which he just smirked knowingly and released her arm.
"Sure, catch you later sweet cheeks" He waved them out of the door and promptly shut it behind them.
"Is he reliable?" Dom asked. From what he could see this guy was a head case.
"Not in the least" She answered, heading to her car.
"You coming back to ours?" Dom offered. For a moment she was dumbstruck, when had she ever given the impression she wanted to spend time with them.
"Errr…. I don't think I…"
"Mia's making chicken for you; she's been up since 8 cooking. And Jesse will be wanting to check out what under the hood" He interrupted, pointing at her car. She knew he was trying to guilt her into to coming and she was furious with herself for letting it niggle at her. Besides she had more pressing things to attend to at the moment she thought as she subconsciously felt at the baggie resting against her hip bone.
"Maybe… Later. I got things to do right now"
"So around 5?" Dom persisted
"Yeah 5, whatever" She found the words leaving her mouth of their own free will. Of course there was nothing stopping her from breaking her word, she didn't owe them anything after all. With the new found clarity she waved them off and headed straight towards her nearest party favor hangout. Her kind of sanctuary.
That's it for this chapter. Now feed me reviews! If you have the time of course ;-)
