Author's Notes: I know I'm slowing down on this a bit but I hope to pick up the pace now that summer break is in swing. There's a newer familiar face in this chapter. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 7: Meet Miss Brazil

Hey woman, you got the blues, cause' you ain't got no one else to use.
There's an open road that leads nowhere, so just make some miles between here and there.

"Evil Woman" – Air Supply

The trucks were running a little late but Gisele wasn't worried. Traffic or roadwork could hold them up and these drivers had proven dependable. She crossed towards the window in her room in the sprawling countryside villa. Pushing gauzy white curtains aside she gazed out, down the long drive to the huge wrought iron gate. She knew that only the guard stationed in the little shack there could open and close those gates. He was a man unendingly loyal to Braga, as were most of those assigned to protect her.

She sighed and dropped the curtain. Somewhere in the room she could hear her cell going off and she moved towards the sound. After some searching she found it nestled between the blankets on the bed. She flipped it open, her manicured nails clicking against the glowing screen.

"Oi?"

An unfamiliar voice came through. "We have one of your trucks."

Her throat went dry. Just one truck was millions of dollars worth of product. "Who is this?"

"Not important. I want to negotiate a deal."

Gisele went back to the window and looked out, watching a lone truck check in at the front gate. It was granted access and drove around back towards the garage. She swallowed. If she did not get that truck Braga would kill her.

"What do you want?"

"Your other truck, its holding a couple of hostages. I want to hear from both of them within one hour, and then we'll talk."

He hung up. Gisele stared at the phone and then let out a curse and flew down the stairs. If the guards found people in the shipment they would shoot first, ask questions later, and then they would never get the other truck.

0000

Jolted out of their semi-sleeping state by the truck coming to a stop and the silence of the engine turning off, both women slowly got to their feet. There was the faint sound of voices outside and Syd strained to hear, trying to make out what was being said.

There was an ominous clank as the latch disengaged and then, after a moment, sunlight burst into the truck, blinding them as the door was shoved open. There were shouts of confusion and when Letty opened her eyes again a dozen guns were pointed at them.

She raised her hands slowly, sparing a sidelong glance at her companion. "Syd, say something so they won't kill us."

"Espera! Parada! Não despeça!!!" The men all turned at the sounds of a woman's voice.

Out of breath, she skidded to a stop by the truck. "Não os mate," she repeated and then turned to look at Syd and Letty. She sighed, dragging a hand through her long black hair. "You two are causing me a lot of trouble, you know."

"It's not my fault you're transporting drugs in what are supposed to be trucks of medical supplies for my clinic," Syd said, irritation flickering over her face. "I paid for those supplies."

The woman laughed. "I don't know who you've been paying but that medical supply place is entirely a front. You've gone sticking your nose where it doesn't belong." She snapped out some orders and four of the men came to lead them off the truck. "For the time being, you're both my guests."

"Joy," Letty muttered under her breath as they were led away.

0000

It was a few days later when Brian pulled up in front of the familiar house. It had been here that he'd spent a glorious summer in the company of a group of people who'd left more of an impression on him than his own parents had. But he'd fucked that up.

Perhaps helping Vince was like his redemption.

He got out of his car and looked around. It still looked very much the same. Only difference was the lack of cars crowded along the front curb. There was music playing and Brian followed the sound of it towards the garage at the end of the drive. Its door was open and Vince's old Nissan sat in the driveway in front of it. Brian had gotten it out of the impound for him but the car would need a lot of work.

Just past the Nissan, Brian could make out the shadowy shape of the Charger in the garage. It was still wrecked and it was a real shame. Still, someone had hung onto it for some reason. He knew who that someone was. Mia. Even the thought of her brought tightness to his chest. He'd hurt her, lied to her and used her. He was responsible for destroying her family. Dom could likely never return home again. Brian had heard about him once or twice in his years with the FBI. There were suspicions that the man was behind several overseas crimes. Of course there was no proof, and that was all beyond FBI jurisdiction.

He looked up when Vince came out of the garage, a wrench in his hands.

"Doing some work on your car I see," he said conversationally as he approached.

Vince's hand tightened on the wrench and he bent over the open hood of the car. "Yeah, well I have to if I expect to win this race."

"You mean come in second," Brian replied, leaning against the trunk.

"We'll see, pretty boy. Why are you here? Checking up on me?"

"Yeah actually." He glanced at the house, wanting to ask about Mia, but he didn't.

Vince followed his gaze. "She's not here. And that ship has sailed. Just let it go. Leave her alone."

Brian frowned, but let the subject drop as he rounded the car to see what changes Vince had made. He gazed down, letting out a low whistle.

"Looks like you've replaced everything."

"Yeah, well it's been five years. A lot has changed." He glanced over at Brian. "Well, are you going to help or just stand there like an idiot?"

0000

All Portuguese translations have been found online

Oi = Hello

Espera! Parada! Não despeça! = Wait! Stop! Don't fire!

Não os mate = Don't kill them