Disclaimer: I do not own the characters for Twilight or Fast and the Furious. Those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer and Justine Lin and Chris Morgan. I do own the original characters created for the storyline. Please support the official release.
Writer's Notes: Welcome to Reckless Overdrive! Part One::: This is dedicated to Roxy, my one and only beta. I could not do this without you. Enjoy! *smiles*
[Los Angeles]
Los Angeles, the city of Angels. There is more that goes on than movie stars and Hollywood. The city of Angels never sleeps. Nighttime brings with it a different life, a lifestyle that you're made for. If you can't take the heat, then you don't belong.
Though it isn't the lifestyle that draws a certain investigator to the illegal street races of the city. It's the failure of LAPD and their inability to apprehend the suspects that are hijacking semi-trucks and stealing their cargo. No one has been killed, but if they don't catch who is stealing from the trucks, then someone is going to hurt or worse.
Bella Swan. FBI. Age, 28. Her dad was a cop and she followed in his footsteps until she climbed the ladder and ended up in Quantico. She was assertive, but she hadn't always been that way. She worked her way into her confidence. Once she had it, she never wanted to lose it. Which is why she was so good at her job.
Now that the LAPD was failing at their job, the FBI was forced to come in.
Bella walked into the house that the LAPD and the FBI were using to keep the undercover operation under wraps. She was dressed casually for the hot weather there in LA. Her jean shorts were appropriately short, cut off and fraying at the ends and her burnt orange tank top was tucked into her shorts. Her long, dark hair was braided and tossed over one of her shoulders and her sunglasses hid her equally dark eyes.
The room stopped talking and focused on Bella when she walked in.
She lowered her sunglasses and looked around. "Am I late?"
A man stood, clearing his throat. He was an African American man in his late fifties. His name was Bilkins and Bella had worked with him plenty of times before. "This is Agent Swan." He introduced Bella to the room.
Bella surveyed the room. Bilkins was the only agent there besides her. The rest were LAPD. She could tell that they weren't happy with the feds coming in and stepping on their toes. "Call me Bella. So, I read the case file on the way over. Why did it progress this far without calling us in?" She asked, her tone was sharp despite her casual look.
A man stood, his beard was reddish, and he was balding on top. His navy eyes were hidden by his glasses, and he wore a plain white button up shirt. He had a badge clipped to his waist and he was the LAPD sergeant that was assigned to this case. "I just took over the case." He said. "I'm Sergeant Tanner. Let's cut to the chase. We need undercovers in the racing scene and we need to do it without suspicion."
Bella raised a brow and looked at Bilkins and then back at Tanner. "So, do you not have any guys that fit the bill?"
"We have one. He's sort of my best cop though." Tanner said.
"So? If he's the best, throw him in there. Why are we stalling?" Bella asked again.
The door opened and another man walked in. He was dressed casually, his button up open and he wore a white tank underneath. His shorts were beige, stopped right above his knee and he was wearing sandals. His sandy blonde hair was styled messy on his head and his blue eyes were piercing. He had some scruff which gave him a rugged attractive feature. He pulled his badge out of his pocket and looped the chain around his neck. "Am I late?" He asked, his voice a little gruff.
"Bella, this is Detective O'Connor." Tanner introduced.
Bella turned and looked at Detective O'Connor. Her braid slid and fell down her back when she did. "Bella Swan." She introduced, reaching a hand out to shake his.
"Brian." He said, shaking her hand. He looked around the room. "So, undercover op. What are we doing?"
"I hope you can drive fast cars." Bella said. That was the plan. Enter the racing scene, get close to whoever. The hypothesis was that the people ripping off the semi trucks were street racers.
Brian smiled. "Oh hell yeah." He said, brightening up. He had a natural gift for mechanical work. He enjoyed working on cars and that included fast ones. He sometimes raced down on the strip, the legal way of course.
Tanner sighed at Brian's enthusiasm. "We've laid out a few crews that we think it might be it, though of course we can't be certain. Get in, get the information we need and get out."
Bilkins handed Bella a file and she opened it. It contained more details, including pictures of key racers in the racing scene. "Alright. What's our story?" She asked, closing the file and looking up at Bilkins.
Bilkins moved, grabbing a passport and some keys and a wallet. He handed it to her and she opened the passport to look at the name. "Bella Luciano? Italiano. "Sarà divertente." (This is going to be fun.) She said and opened the wallet. There was some petty cash in there, likely pulled from a special fund. Credit cards in her undercovername. "Limits?"
"Open." Bilkins said. "You mentioned it was expensive."
Tanner handed Brian a wallet and keys. Brian opened the wallet. "Brian Spilner. Typical white guy name. I dig." He said and frowned. "Why don't I get money?"
"It's the LAPD, we don't have funds like they do." Tanner grumbled.
Bilkins smirked a little and pulled something out of his back pocket. "Take care with this." He said, handing Brian a credit card. "It's open too. I vouched for you without knowing you. So, fuck up and I'm coming for you."
Bella smiled a little and slipped her stuff in her back pockets. "Phones?"
"Oh right." Bilkins said and grabbed two iphone 14 pro maxes and handed them to Brian and Bella. "We have GPS tracking on you guys at all times. Your cars are in the garage."
Bella walked towards the kitchen. The layout told her that this door to the side was most likely to lead to outside. She opened the door and she was right. Brian followed her. She whistled when her eyes landed on the vehicles. "The Huracan is mine." Bella said instantly. The Lambourghini Huracan was a beautiful car. It was smaller than other lambos, but it was fast. Going 0 to 60 in just three seconds. The car was black, like pitch with neon green striping the side in small flares. She hit a button on the key and the car roared to life. A feature that she loved. Led lights came on under the car, neon green to match the artwork. She hit another button and the door opened up to the sky. She walked towards it, getting in. The leather seats were neon, highlighting the other subtle features of the car, including the dash that had a large touchscreen in the center. The gear shift was chrome, the knob black leather and the speedometer was completely digitized. Brian leaned in, looking inside.
"Damn, this is hot." Brian said and then looked over at the red Corvette that sat next to this one. "I like red." He said and walked over with his keys and unlocked the door. He got inside, seeing the push start. He started the car and it rumbled to life like the lambo had. The seats were all red too, leather and he appreciated the electronics inside as well. There was a switch for NOS, in which case he was excited to try out.
Bella hit a button and the door came back down. She clipped on the harness that was a seatbelt. A good add to a car like this. She didn't think she would wreck the car, but having a racing harness was a good safety feature. She rolled down the passenger window and looked over at Brian. "Meet me at the house." She said and rolled up the window. The garage door opened and Bella drove out, the rumble of the car purring beautifully as she took to the street. She tested the speed, getting to sixty in the three seconds.
Brian was close behind her, as they raced towards the house that they would be squatting in for the duration of their undercover operation.
[One week Later]
Bella and Brian worked the racing scene. They bustled in and out of races at night all week. Bella and Brian's cover story was, they came from Miami. There was a racing scene down there that they dominated. If anyone searched for it, they had an uncover guy that was deep that would confirm their story. Brian was a mechanic and Bella was the owner of many mechanic shops down there and if anyone pressed it, they would easily find that information on google.
Brian was working out of the Auto parts store, The Racer's Edge, while Bella floated around town. Brian was at work at the moment. They figured that they could see who all was buying parts for their cars and track down any that matched what would be used on the cars that were being used to hijack the trucks.
Bella found a mechanic shop. Toretto's. They weren't on the radar of LAPD, but Bella saw a couple guys race the other night that talked about Toretto's so she had to check it out for herself. She pulled up at the shop. She slipped the timing belt on the lambo to give it an issue and a reason for her to be there. When she pulled up, three guys walked out from the garage. One was a thin guy, wiry looking. He wore a grey tanktop, his hair covered with a beanie. He seemed nervous looking. Another guy was buff, his muscles looked tight beneath the white tank he wore. He was bald, his jaw strong and chiseled. He was attractive and incredibly so. The other guy was strong looking too, his hair was blonde and hung to his shoulders in soft waves. He was wearing no shirt, his abs detailed perfectly.
Bella stopped and got out of the car. She swung her dark hair as she did. Her hair was long, down her back. She wore large sunglasses that hid her dark eyes. Silver hoops accented her ears. She wore an electric blue halter top that showed her stomach off, she wore white cut off jean shorts that were tight and short on her. Her long legs were slightly bronzed from going to the tanning salon and getting high quality bronzer sprayed over her body to look the part of being from Miami. She wore converse shoes, sensible in case she had to run at any moment. "My car is making a sound." She said, her tone airy and light. She walked closer to the men that stood before her. They watched her, the wiry small one dazzled by her appearance.
"Jesse, take a look." The bald one said. His voice was deep, a mix of velvet and gravel. Jesse was the wiry nervous one and moved like he was a little skittish. Bella watched Jesse walk to the car and looked at the door that was hinged towards the sky. It was his first time getting up and personal with a lambo. He ducked down inside, admiring the beautiful craft work of the vehicle. The car was running still so he hit the gas a little to listen for the noise. He heard the purr of the engine and it sounded fine. He stood up and looked back at Bella.
"Uh. W-w-what does it do?"
"When I'm shifting from second to third. You are a mechanic, yes?" Bella asked, her tone slightly foreign. She was supposed to be Italian after all.
Jesse nodded, swallowing nervously.
"Then drive her." Bella said with a nod.
Jesse looked back at the other men still nervous looking.
The blonde smirked and walked towards the car. "Get in Jess." He said, his voice thick with a Texan accent. Jesse moved around to the other side of the car and the blonde ducked down in the car and the doors closed.
Bella watched him back up and drive down the street to test the car. She turned her attention to the other man. "Bella." She introduced. She could see that his eyes were dark like hers and they were guarded heavily.
"Dom." He said gruffly. "That's a nice car you're driving. I haven't seen you around here before."
"Mmm. Yes. I'm new." Bella said with a nod and then lifted her sunglasses up to look him in the eyes. "I'm from Miami."
"Sounds like you're from somewhere other than Miami," Dom pointed out.
Bella smiled. "Si." She said and she shifted closer to him, mainly to get the sun out of her eyes.
Dom noticed the sun and he backed up, motioning for her to get closer to the building, in the shade. It was almost a hundred degrees outside too, and sweat was rolling down his back from standing in the sun, he saw the sweat bead up on her skin too. "Italian?" Dom asked.
Bella nodded, keeping her smile. "Si. Dom, is that short for something?"
Dom nodded. "Dominic."
"Is this your shop?" She asked.
"It is." Dom said with a simple nod.
"Toretto's. That's Italian." Bella said and then heard the pure of the lambo as it pulled back up closer to the garage. The doors opened and the guys got out. "So?"
"I-I-I believe it's a t-t-timing belt." Jesse stuttered.
Bella found the stutter sort of adorable. "Don't be nervous around me." She said sweetly. "I'm Bella."
"Jasper." The blonde introduced. His eyes were a golden honey like color. Bella found that interesting with such an unusual color.
Jesse fiddled with his hands a little before he crossed them. "I-I can fix it."
"I hope so." Bella said and walked back to the driver's seat and she leaned in, her shorts shifted to show the bottom of her plump ass as she pulled the release for the hood.
All three men watched her, Jesse's mouth falling open again and Dom shut it for him.
Dom cleared his throat. "Costs money to fix things. No matter how attractive someone is." He said.
Bella smiled. "I hope it cost money. It's no way to run a business if you give out services for free." She said and pulled her wallet from her back pocket. She pulled out a few hundred dollar bills and handed it to Jesse.
"T-t-this is too much." Jesse said, his blue eyes wide.
Bella's eyes focused on Dom's. He was studying her, trying to figure her out. "I could fix it myself, but I don't have any tools with me unfortunately." She said.
Jasper grinned. "You're a mechanic." He said with some disbelief in his tone.
Bella's eyes danced over to Jasper's. "Yes. This is surprising?"
"Yeah, we don't see too many like you that like to get dirty." Dom said. "Jess, fix the timing belt for the lady." He said; Jesse moved into the shop quickly pocketing the money and grabbing the tools he needed to fix the timing belt.
Dom crossed his arms. "You're from Miami?"
Bella nodded. "I own twelve autobody shops." She said.
Jasper raised a brow. "Really?"
"Luciano's." Bella relayed.
Dom heard about the new string of shops that were making waves in the underground racing scene. "You're Luciano?" He also heard of the racer that took Miami by storm. The rumor was that it was a woman.
"Si. Bella Luciano." Bella said and raised a brow. "Surprised?"
"Thoroughly." Jasper said, his smile showing off his Texan charm.
Jesse returned with the tools and he shut the car off and looked under the hood. It took him just a few minutes to find the timing belt and slip it back on. "There." He said, leaning back.
Bella smiled at Jesse, walking over to survey the engine. She nodded and then reached up and patted Jesse's face. "You're great. Thank you."
Jesse blushed, looking away.
Bella turned and looked back at Dom. "I appreciate it." She said and went back to the driver's side then leaned in, her ass on full display, her shorts so tight it left little to the imagination. She opened the center console and pulled out a business card. She leaned back up and she walked over to Dom and she offered it to him. "Call me sometime while I'm in town." She said with a catlike grin. It was flirty and she saw something change in Dom's eyes, but he remained guarded.
"Maybe." Dom said and took the card. He didn't look at it, only looked at her. "Are you in a rush?"
Bella shook her head. "No. I was going to go to the beach to settle."
"Come have a burger." He invited. "My sister is making them out back." He said.
Bella smiled. "You barely know me."
"Yeah." Dom said with a nod. "We have beer too."
"Sold." Bella said with a smile then she hit the button on her key ring and the door shut automatically behind her and locked. She followed Dom inside, Jasper and Jesse behind her. There was a door that opened to the back part of the shop. There was a grill and there was a girl, dark hair and eyes that resembled Dom in a way, standing there making burgers at the grill. There was another guy, his feet propped up on the picnic table. He had dark hair and blue eyes. He had a bushy like beard and he had dark ink tattooed on his arm. He was leaned back and relaxed.
"This is Bella." Dom announced. "She's visiting from Miami." He said and looked at Bella. "This is Vince, that's Mia." He said pointing them out. He walked over and knocked Vince's feet off the table before grabbing a beer from the cooler for himself and then one for Bella. He offered it to her and Bella took it.
Bella nodded her thanks. "Nice to meet you."
Mia smiled and flipped a couple burgers and looked over at Bella. She was beautiful and sexy. She knew her brother's type. It's how Bella made it through the door. "Nice to meet you Bella."
Bella sat at the table and Jasper sat next to her. He was sizing her up, she knew and it was mostly because he found her attractive. She would be lying if she didn't find him attractive too, though Dom caught her eye more. It was nice to relax even when undercover. She needed more details on races and what is better than an autobody shop. They would have racers likely come in for their car repairs since they were one of few shops in the area.
"So, Bella, what brings you to LA?" Mia asked, plating the burgers.
Bella stood back up to go help her and Mia welcomed the help. "I came to race. Race Wars." She explained.
"You're a racer." Vince asked, his tone a little snarky.
Bella raised a brow and looked over her shoulder at him. "What? Girls can't race?"
"I didn't say that, but-"
"It's the twenty first century," Bella said. "Women fly airplanes now." She said, putting the burger together, dropping it and the plate down in front of Vince. "The fact that you look at me and speak with that tone means you believe that women can't do it."
Mia giggled a little. "She's got you pegged Vince." She said and brought Dom a burger and set Jasper's in front of him too and returned to grab Jesse's.
Bella got her own burger and sat back down next to Jasper. "I like fast cars. I drive fast and I drive hard. Race Wars is an opportunity for me to survey the area."
"Planning on opening shop?" Dom asked. "We would be your competition after all."
Bella smiled at Dom. "No. Building a house." She said. "LA is closer to the type of racing I want to do."
Jasper admired that. "Beauty, brains and you're probably good with your hands."
"I'm really good with my hands." She said with slight seduction in her voice. Jesse was mesmerized by her. Bella took a bite of her burger, realizing that she really was hungry and this came at the right time. She opened her beer and took a drink. Beer wasn't her favorite, but she could drink it.
Dom studied Bella. He found her interesting. She reminded him of Lettie. His older sister that died. Lettie had been strong like that and she was beautiful too. Bella was a little more glamourous, but that didn't devalue the attraction.
Jasper was smitten like Jesse. He was pulled in by her beauty and charm and he couldn't turn away now.
Bella's phone rang and she slid it from her back pocket and saw Brian's name flash on the screen. She answered. "Salve?" She answered. (Hello?)
"I don't speak Italian. Spanish Bella. Spanish."
Bella rolled her eyes. "What do you want?"
"I just got off work."
"And? What's wrong with your car?"
"You know, if I had a shop I could just roll it in there and figure it out, but I think there's a faulty valve."
"Faulty valve? For the NOS?"
"Yeah, but I think it's also something with the engine. I didn't build it myself, so I'm going to have to drop it and hopefully pick up a new car."
Bella sighed. "I'll be at the house shortly. Roll it into the garage and I'll look."
"I'm a mechanic too."
"Right on older cars. The Corvette has a foreign engine in it." Bella said and pushed up from the table.
"Either way, I can't turn it on."
"Why didn't you start with that."
"I don't know. Look, I'm having it towed to the house. I just need a ride."
"Clearly. How much is the tow?"
Dom cleared his throat. "What is it?"
Bella looked up at Dom. "Mechanical issue."
"I get that. Have it towed here. We'll look at it." Dom said. He perked at the word Corvette. He found it interesting.
Bella sighed. "Tell the tow truck to bring it to Toretto's. I'm here now. Catch a ride with the tow man."
"You're what?"
"Toretto's." Bella repeated.
There was a brief silence. "Alright. I'll see you shortly." He said and hung up.
Bella sat back down. "I know what's wrong with it." She pointed out.
"Yeah well, we have tools. You don't so this is easier." Dom said and tipped his beer up.
Twenty minutes later the tow truck arrived with the red Corvette. Brian got out of the passenger seat on the tow truck and walked towards the shop. It was getting darker out, the sun falling in the sky. Bella walked out to greet her, Jasper and Jesse behind him while Dom hung back, talking to Vince about something.
Brian crossed his arms. "What brought you here?"
"Timing belt issue." Bella said and nodded to Jasper. "Show him where you want it."
Jasper nodded and went to talk to the tow truck operator.
"Brian that's Jasper and this is Jesse. They're mechanics here." She introduced.
Brian smiled at Jesse. "Nice to meet you man." He said and held out a hand but Jesse stared at it. He didn't really like touching other people.
"He uh. Doesn't shake hands Bry." Bella said with a smile.
Dom made it outside to meet the mysterious friend of Bella's that needed help with a valve issue. "Jazz, put it in bay one." He called out and Jasper nodded an directed the tow truck to back the car up close to the garage. "I'm Dom." He introduced and shook Brian's hand.
"Brian. Bella was telling me that you solved her timing belt issue." Brian said with a nod.
Dom nodded, looking over at Bella. "Yeah, but I suspect she could have fixed it herself if she was home in Miami. How do you two know each other?"
"He's one of my mechanics." Bella said.
Brian nodded. "Yeah, followed her here for Race Wars." He said crossing his arms.
"That's a nice car for a mechanic." Dom said, suggesting that there was no way he could have afforded it.
"I look out for my racers."
"Your racers?" Dom smiled a little. "I understand that." He said and then watched Jasper help the driver unload the car. "We'll get it fixed."
Bella nodded. "No doubt. Let me know the cost, yeah?"
"Of course." He said. "I'd invite you to stay, but I have some errands to run and it's getting late. Shop is closing."
Bella waved a hand. "You've done too much. The burgers were good and thanks for the beer." She said and turned, her foot catching on a rock and she tripped slightly and Dom caught her. His body was harder than she had imagined. His hands steadied her at her waist, the heat of his hands brushing against her bare skin on her back.
"You good?" Dom asked, waiting for a response before he let her go.
Bella nodded. "I am. Thank you." She said and he dropped his hands from her waist. "I'll swing by tomorrow then, during business hours." She said, tucking her hair behind her ear. Dom nodded, smiling a little before walking back towards the shop.
Brian and Bella went to her lambo and they got in. She turned the car on and it roared to life. It drew the attention of Vince and Mia now and they all watched her back out into the street. She then shifted gears and took off, gone in only three seconds.
Back at the house, Bella tossed her keys on the entry table along with her wallet and phone. She looked at Brian. "Anything today?"
"Just some normal part sells. No discoveries yet. How about you?"
"Just a normal day. Toretto's is a shop, I figured if I hang around enough I might find out more information on some racing crews. People have to get things fixed, so why not." Bella said with a shrug and went to the fridge and pulled out two beers and handed on to Brian. "Dom is interesting."
Brian snorted. "He looks like the violent type."
"What makes you think that?"
"The way he stares." Brian said and took a drink of his beer. "He's strong, clearly is the leader there."
"Well yeah, it's his shop. He owns it." Bella said and sat on the couch.
Brian went and joined her. "What about the Jasper guy. He seems friendly."
"He's real friendly." Bella said with a nod. "Seems like a ladies man. Jesse is sweet. He's got a stutter and he doesn't touch people. He's likely autistic or something like that. He's smart though. Conversations with him can drag on because of the stutter, but he is pretty nice to talk to. Then there's this guy Vince, in the garage that stared at you when we backed up. He's a misogynist. Men are better than women type of deal. The girl was Mia, that's Dom's sister."
"You found out so much. How long were you there?"
"Hmm. Like almost an hour. I came pretty late. Went and saw some of the scene. What streets make better streets to race on. The couple races we've been to aren't the major ones. Race Wars is in two months. We have to be street ready."
Brian nodded. It was essential at this point to inject themselves into the racing world as much as they could. They needed to race more, there was going to be a race tomorrow night. It is rumored to be bigger than the ones they joined this past week. "Well, race tomorrow. I'm not racing but you have to. Get your name out there."
Bella knew that the deeper the cover, the better odds they had to finding their targets. She agreed, tipping her beer up and taking a long drink. She finished it, standing and walking back to the kitchen.
The house was two bedroom, but it had a large open floor plan from the living room to the kitchen. It was closer to the beach, which Bella liked. She missed vacationing at the beach with her dad when she was younger. She threw her beer bottle away and she walked back towards the couch. "Unzip my halter please." She said and turned.
Brian sat up, setting his beer down and reached up to the zipper on her halter. He zipped it down, revealing her back, which was completely bare. It was still tied at the top, but it was knotted. He stood, his fingers working on the knot for her.
Bella smiled. "Thank you. Being short has it's disadvantages."
Brian smiled as he loosened the knot, finally freeing it. Bella grabbed the halter in the front, keeping herself covered as she turned to face Brian. "You know, it's still pretty early." Brian said, his blue eyes staring into hers.
Bella raised a brow. "I don't sleep with my partners."
"Right now I'm your mechanic and you're my boss."
"Doesn't make it ethical." Bella said, her smile still plastered to her face. She knew that he was hinting at just having sex. It was a great way to release some tension, but she hadn't slept around before and she certainly wasn't going to start now.
Brian sighed. He was a man, he recognized how sexy Bella was and eventually, if they were around each other long enough, it would be simple to fall in bed with one another. But he respected her too, so he picked up his beer and finished it before going to his room and gathering clothes for a shower.
[Toretto's]
Jasper was laying on his back under the Corvette when he heard Bella's Lambo pull up. He knew that it was her by the sound of her car.
Bella walked into the shop, seeing only Jasper's bottom half. His jeans were grease stained and it was clear he had been working already so early. She just dropped Brian off at Racer's Edge before coming here. "Finding the issue?" She asked.
Jasper rolled out from under the car and looked up at Bella. "Yeah, but my hands are little too big. Can you hand me that socket laying over on the box."
Bella walked over and grabbed the socket wrench and handed it down to Jasper and he rolled back under the car. She looked around. "Where's Jesse?"
"He's at the parts store. Need to replace the NOS valve and then he's picking up some gaskets. There was water in the oil. So, your friend blew a gasket. I'm- fuck." Jasper cursed and Bella heard a knock against the engine. She knew that it was Jasper busting his knuckles on the chassis of the car. He rolled out, his hand bleeding.
Bella frowned and then grabbed a dirty towel and handed it down to him.
Jasper took the towel and pressed it over his knuckle. He got to his feet and looked at it. "Told you my hand was too big." He said a smile on his face now.
"Do you have a first aid kit?"
"Uh no." Jasper said. "I have tape."
Bella sighed and shook her head. "You need to wash it before you do that. Grease doesn't help the healing process."
Jasper smiled down at her as he stood closer to her. "Are you going to doctor it up?"
Bella rolled her eyes. "Show me the bathroom." She said and Jasper walked with her to the small bathroom. It was simple, grey tile on the floor, a toilet and a sink. That was all they needed. She turned on the water and let it get hot. She took Jasper's hand and placed it under the water.
Jasper felt the sting of the hot water against the busted knuckle. She gently washed the blood away before she turned the water off and dried it with the paper towels. He held it to his hand as they walked out of the bathroom and she found the duct tape and wrapped it around his hand. "Thank you." He said, his voice dropping, a little husky.
They were standing close together. She could smell the mixture of sweat and grease on his skin, but also the faint smell of his axe deodorant. "Want me to look?" She asked.
"You'll get your clothes dirty." Jasper pointed out.
Bella was wearing jean shorts, super short and a red tank top. Her hair was down, but she moved, pulling her hair back with her hair tie on her wrist and she walked back over to the car. She lay down on the board and she rolled under the car to look at the damage. She slipped her hand inside, feeling for the bolt that Jasper was trying to get to. She picked up the socket and she slid it into spot with ease and she pushed. It was on there tight. Her muscles quaked a little from having to use so much strength, but she felt the bolt give way and turn. She blew out a breath and continued loosening it. She rolled back out from under the car and looked up at Jasper. "There."
Jasper grinned down at her. "My savior." He said and helped her up from the ground. "I'll take it from here." He said, his honey eyes capturing her dark ones.
Bella knew he was trying to seduce her with his looks and charm and she admitted, the cowboy routine was flattering. "Where's Dom?"
"He's inside." Jasper said. "Probably doing paperwork."
Bella nodded. "Sounds familiar." She said and smiled. "Do you need my help anymore?"
"I wouldn't mind the company. But you're here to see Dom right?"
"Well I came to check on the car, but I suppose." Bella said, sliding her hands into her back pockets.
Jasper licked his bottom lip a little. "Stay for a bit."
Bella smiled. "Well, when you look at me like that and say it like that." She said a little breathy. She saw Jasper lean in, but she put a hand on his chest and winked at him, smiling. He smiled back realizing the tease. "Thank you." She said and turned and walked away from him, going inside to find Dom.
Dom looked up at Bella when she entered. "Thought I heard your beast of a car." He said and leaned back in the chair he was sitting in.
"I came to check on the car." Bella said and leaned against the desk that Dom was sitting at. "Jesse went to buy parts? How much."
"600." Dom said with a nod.
Bella slid the wallet out of her pocket and she pulled out six one hundreds and set it on the desk. "I'll go get you more money for the labor. The car won't be ready tonight will it?"
"Likely not. Some parts require time." Dom said glancing over at the money. "We have to drop the engine to get to the gasket on it. It's pricey."
Bella smiled. "I'm not worried about the cost Dom." She said and stood.
Dom figured that was the case, but he wouldn't rip her off. He would charge her fairly. "Any plans today?"
"Some, much later when the city comes alive tonight." Bella said with a smile.
"You heard about the race."
"I did."
"I'll see you there then. I decided to take a break and race tonight."
"You race. Why am I not surprised."
"Sweetheart you can't throw a stone without it landing next to a street racer in this town." Dom said with a smile.
It was the first time that Dom called her sweetheart and that made Bella smile. She was breaking down his guard. Something told her that he was going to be important later. "I don't doubt it."
Jasper came in from the garage. "Jess called said that the part we need is on backorder. Looking at a two week wait. But a Skyline is being towed here today. He bought it off someone. He wants to scrap the engine and restart."
Dom nodded. "Alright. His first build for racing."
"Jesse is going to race?" Bella asked.
"Oh, he doesn't, gets shit for it all the time, but he's trying. "Jasper said.
Bella smiled. "I think that's awesome." She said and looked over at Dom. "I've got some errands of my own to do today, but I'll see you at the race yeah?"
Dom nodded and watched Bella lean up off his desk. She looked over her shoulder at him and smiled before she left the office.
Jasper whistled. "She is hot." He commented.
Dom looked at Jasper's hand. "Bang your hand up?"
"Yeah, small space. Usually Jesse gets his hands in there but Bella got it off for me." Jasper said and shook his head, smiling. "She's something else."
"Cool it cowboy. She's a customer." Dom said.
"Yeah, a hot one. Come on Dom, you're telling me you don't want a piece of that ass."
"She's not a chew toy Jazz, she's a human being." Dom reminded him.
Jasper sighed. "I know, but still." He said crossing his arms. "She's sexy."
Dom agreed. Bella was sexy and she made him curious. "Just keep it in your pants. I'm thinking about testing her knowledge on cars. That Skyline Jess bought. We got parts for it?"
"Some." Jasper said with a nod.
"After the race tonight, invite her back to my house for the after party."
"Do you think she'll go for it?"
"She seems like the type that enjoys herself." Dom said with a smile. "She'll come."
[The Race]
Bella picked Brian up after work and they ate some dinner before they went to the location the text message said. There were cars lined up on the strip like there was a car show. Neon and led lights lit up the night. The roar of engines was like music to Bella's ears. She parked, hitting the button and the doors opened on the lambo and it drew attention to her. She was wearing a tight minidress now, sapphire blue and her heels matched. Her hair was perfectly straight down her back and she glammed up for the night. Brian got out of the car on the other side. He wore a tight, black button-up shirt rolled to his elbows and a nice pair of jeans with some steel toed boots. She carried a clutch with her to hold money in for racing bets. The attention was on them as she leaned against her car, Brian by her side.
A couple guys approached, eyeing the car. "Damn, that's a sexy car." One guy said, studying it.
Bella smiled at the guy who had commented. "Thank you." She said, and looked him up and down. "Where's the money man?"
The man nodded, gesturing with his thumb at the man who was wearing a long white t-shirt and jeans. His skin was like smooth mocha and he had a goatee. He wore a hat on backwards and people were handing him cash. Bella winked at the guy who showed her the way and she walked, her hips swishing deliberately to the side as she approached. The man looked up at her, capturing her beauty as he looked her up and down. It was typical male response to looking at her when she approached.
"What can I do for you kitten." The man said, drawing out the word kitten.
"What's the buy in to race?"
"Five grand." He said with a smile.
Bella smiled back and opened the clutch and pulled out five bundles that equaled five grand and handed it to him. The man took it, mesmerized by Bella's look and he gave her a number card. She winked at him. "Ciao." She said and sauntered back towards her car, Brian following her.
Brian leaned in his, lips close to her ear. "You really have a superpower over these men."
"Works on you too." Bella said, looking over her shoulder at Brian and saw him smile.
More cars arrived, three of them in a V formation. The engines were loud and it pulled Bella's attention.
The dark black muscle car, an older Mustang, likely 1960s rolled up. It was shiny and the windows were tinted barely. The other two cars were street cars for sure, the orange neon looking Toyota supra had a large spoiler on the back and it red stripes down the sides. The other car was royal blue, another supra but older with black detailing on it. When they came to a stop, Dom got out of the old Mustang.
Bella smiled, as the crowd cheered at Dom's arrival. There were some whistles and clapping. She understood now, that Dom was the racing scene here in LA. Jasper got out of the orange supra and Vince got out of the blue one, Jesse getting out on the passenger side.
After making it through a sea of people, Dom walked over to Bella, his eyes raking over her body. "You made it." Bella said with a smile.
Vince moved through the crowd to the money man to place pay their racing fee but Jesse and Jasper approached Bella too.
Jasper whistled at Bella. "Damn." He said as he came to a stop beside Dom. "You're going to race tonight?"
"It's what I came to LA to do." Bella purred and looked at Jesse who was doing everything he could to keep his gaze off her chest. She smiled. "Hey Jesse. I heard you bought a Skyline."
Jesse swallowed and nodded nervously. "Y-y-yeah, I plan on…r-racing."
"It's a rebuild?" She asked and Jesse nodded. "It's going to be expensive."
Dom knew that, but it was something that kept Jesse busy and entertained. Eventually he would get it put together. "What number are you?"
"Seven." Bella said. "Hoping to race me?" She teased.
Dom smiled. "Maybe."
Brian looked up at the guy that came towards him. "What's up?"
"You guys are up first, your number was called." The guy said. "Vince too Dom. Doing doubles. Pick your team." He said and walked away.
Bella smiled and looked over at Jasper. "Feeling lucky tonight?"
"I hope so." Jasper said with a smile.
Vince walked up. "Alright I'm going, Dom, you're my team."
"Perfect." Bella said and she got in her car, Brian getting in on the other side. Jasper leaned in her window when she rolled it down. "Dom has never been beat before." He warned.
Bella smiled. "He hasn't raced me. You lead, seems like Vince is going to start first. You can beat him?"
Jasper snorted. "Yeah." He said and then leaned away looking over at Dom and winking, before he went back to his car, sliding in.
They pulled their cars into position and watched the scantily dressed woman stand there waiting to drop the cloth to signal the start.
Vince and Jasper glanced over at each other briefly before looking back in front of them. They had to get down and around the traffic barrels and back before Bella and Dom raced down and back the same way.
The cloth was dropped and Jasper and Vince lurched forward. They were neck and neck, racing down towards the barrels. Vince pulled ahead a little, giving him the false confidence that he had Jasper, but then Jasper surged past him as they approached the barrels. Jasper had to slow, turning around the barrels and then started back down the homestretch. Vince was catching him, hitting his NOS a little too early, but Jasper waited a beat before flipping the switch and taking Vince over, beating him back down the stretch.
Bella was ready as Jasper flew by her and she took off like a rocket down the stretch. Dom wasn't far behind her when Vince crossed by. There was no way that the mustang was going to overtake her. She knew cars too well, but she played with Dom, not pushing the lambo to it's fullest capacity. She saw Dom closing in on her towards the barrels, he dropped down gears to take the turn, but Bella didn't, she pumped her clutch, pulling her brake as she drifted around the barrel effortlessly, shaving time off her homestretch advantage. She watched Dom hit his NOS, but Bella didn't need her NOS to finish the race, she pressed the car and it overtook Dom with ease as she came to the finish line. She pulled the brake and drifted around in a circle a few times, before she came to a stop.
Brian was smiling as they stopped. "Show off." He said, elbowing her gently.
Bella smiled over at him. "Hey, you could have been racing if your car wasn't being fixed. "
"I can't drive like you, but I'm getting there."
Bella patted Brian's chest and got out of the car to greet the money man as he brought over the money. Bella accepted her part, a whooping twenty grand. She winked at the guy and then she watched him pay Jasper before walking off to set up the next races.
"You can drive." Jasper said as he pocketed the roll of money. "Where'd you learn to do that?"
"Tokyo." Bella said and looked to Dom. "You're defeated now."
Dom smiled. "Yeah, I guess I am. I underestimated the lambo." He admitted.
Vince was cursing. "Every damn time Jazz."
Jasper smiled at Vince. "Stop hitting your NOS too early."
Jesse was just amazed. "T-that was so cool." He stuttered.
Bella nodded and then halfed the twenty grand and handed Jesse ten of it. "Here."
Jesse frowned. "W-w-w-what is this for?" Dom was confused too.
"It's an investment Jess. I want to see you race. I want you to have that Skyline ready because I think, you're going to make an excellent racer."
"What do you get out of it?" Dom asked.
Bella smiled at Dom. "Nothing. I just genuinely like him." She said and heard sirens. "Oh shit."
People started scrambling then, including Vince when he drove off without Jesse. There were some collisions in the mix up and that made people panic more.
Dom got in his car and it roared to life. Jasper ducked down in the supra. But Jesse was frozen.
Bella grabbed Jesse's arm. "Get in the car." She said, shoving him towards Lambo. "Bry go with Jasper." She said rushed, Brian ran towards Jasper and he ducked down in the car quickly. They cut away, leaving the area, hoping to bypass the cops. She sent Brian with Jasper in the event LAPD did show up. Brian would talk his way out of it.
Jesse was starting to hyperventilate a little.
"Jesse breathe." Bella said, rounding the corner, seeing blue. She cursed a little and she changed course, taking to an alleyway. She cut her lights off as she rolled through the alley, slowing down. She parked, taking a moment to check on Jesse. "Hey, we're okay. See?" She said laying a hand on his shoulder.
Jesse took a deep breath, her touch snapping him out of it. He shifted away automatically but he looked at her. "Thank you. I-I-I didn't know what to do."
"It's okay." Bella said. "Where do you want me to take you?"
"To Dom's house. He's throwing a party there. T-t-t-t-that's where a lot of racers probably went when everyone s-split." Jesse explained with some stuttering.
"Alright, lead the way." Bella said and Jesse gave her directions.
[Dom's House]
When Bella rolled up at the house, there were several cars littered everywhere. Her phone rang and she answered it, putting it up to her ear. "Yeah?"
"We're clear, we're rolling up at Dom's house now." Brian's voice filled her ear.
"Me and Jesse made it. Where's Dom at? I see Vince's car." Bella said and then parked, getting out of the car and so did Jesse. Jasper rolled in, parking behind Bella before getting out. Bella hung up and then Brian walked over to her, hugging her immediately.
"You good?" Brian asked, pulling back to look at her.
Bella raised a brow. "Yeah, I'm good." She said. "Really need a beer now after all that."
They saw Dom's car roll up finally, pulling up into it's spot. He got out and walked across the street towards Bella and them. "I see you guys made it out."
Bella nodded. "Yeah, split as soon as we could. Grabbed Jesse on the way since Vincent took off like a pussy." She said.
Dom just nodded. "Come in, relax. Have some beer." He invited and Bella and Brian followed him inside.
There was music playing and people were getting comfortable. Dom led them back towards the kitchen and grabbed beers for them. Jasper saw someone and broke away to go high five them and laugh about something. Bella took the beer, opening it with ease before taking a drink. Jesse moved off somewhere else. He didn't do well in large crowds, so he was looking for a quieter spot.
Dom studied Bella, leaning against the counter in the kitchen, looking at Bella and Brian. "What you did for Jess. That was nice. I don't think I've ever met a person that is generous to complete strangers."
"Are we strangers?" Bella lifted her beer with a smile. "I have a lot of money Dom; I don't race for the cash. I race because I love it."
Dom could respect that. "Still. Thank you."
Bella smiled and took another drink of her beer. She watched Brian get a call and he left the kitchen to answer it. It was likely Bilkins or Tanner checking in. She turned her gaze back to Dom. Her dress was super tight and she was conscious of how short the dress actually was, so she used that to her advantage. She wanted to press Dom, see what made him tick. She leaned against the counter; her breast pushed up showing off her cleavage as she looked at Dom.
"So. Do you always put on a party after races?"
Dom studied her, his eyes raked over her body before his eyes met hers. "I like to celebrate my wins."
Bella smirked a little, lifting her beer to her lips. "Except. You didn't win this race."
Dom shrugged. "I never lose usually. It was preemptive, I know." He smiled, taking a longer drink of his own beer.
Bella smiled "Well, I don't make it a habit of losing either, so you have your work cut out for you."
"I bet I do."
Vince walked into the kitchen and went to Dom and leaned in and whispered something in his ear. Dom nodded and took a drink of his beer. "I have to go take care of something. Make yourself comfortable. Party a little." Dom said with a smile and then left with Vince.
Bella smiled and watched Dom leave with Vince. Brian made his way over to Bella again after getting off the phone with Bilkins. "What's up?"
"Nothing at the moment." Brian said and lifted his beer to his lips. "How long are we staying here?"
"Hmm. Don't know. Play it by ear. Why? You got a hot date or something?" Bella teased.
Brian smiled. "No, just work in the AM."
Bella nodded, understanding. "Got it. We'll leave out after a bit. It's just a party. I don't see much of anything happening."
"Where's Dom?"
"He went with Vince somewhere." Bella nodded towards the direction Vince and Dom went. She tilted her beer up, finishing it before tossing it.
Dom returned just then, looking Bella over and glancing to Brian, who was always looking at her with a sort of curiosity or hunger. The relationship between the two was lighthearted and he could tell there was a great deal of respect from Brian to Bella. "So, Bella. I know you own a bunch of mechanic shops and you don't need the work, but we like seeing you around the shop and you're good with cars. Just until race wars, do you want to work at the shop with Jess? Maybe show him some pointers on putting together the Skyline?"
Bella smiled. "Of course. I'd be happy to help out." She said and leaned against the counter again. "We've got to bounce though. Early morning for Bry, but uh. I'll see you at the shop tomorrow." She said and winked at him.
Dom smiled a little. "Alright. Shame you have to leave so early. The party is just getting started. I could have someone take Brian home so you can stay and enjoy the party."
Brian nudged Bella. "I'll just take the car home. I'll see you there later. Maybe catch an Uber."
Bella smiled, nodding. "Alright, I'll stay for a while then." She said and pulled the keys out of her clutch and handed them off to Brian. "I'll see you at home." She said and Brian took the keys and nodded to her before leaving.
"So you two live together?" Dom asked casually, grabbing another beer for Bella and one for himself. He handed her the beer after he opened it for her.
"Yeah, we're in town together. Didn't want him to go too far. He is my best mechanic." Bella said and took the beer, taking a drink.
Dom found that interesting. He took a drink of his own beer and then set it down. "So, you own all those shops in Miami. You're wanting to move to LA permanently?"
"Si. I like LA. It is…different than Miami." Bella said and took a drink of her beer.
"You're from Italy though originally?"
"Si. My pa pa, Italiano. I grew up in Bologna, and moved to Venice when I was twelve. My pa pa died. My mother wasn't Italiano." Bella shrugged. "I moved to Miami when I was sixteen finally, caving under pressure that my mother wanted to be in America. She remarried a man, he was okay. Not Italiano." She shook her head. "They both were killed in a car accident when I was nineteen."
Dom frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's okay. That was nearly ten years ago."
"Why not go back to Italy?"
Bella smiled. "I stayed for a boy. But, as it turns out, I fell in love with cars more. I stayed because I wanted to be a mechanic. I worked my way. Went to school, became a mechanic. I turned a lot of heads. I had lots of money from my pa pa passing and even more so when my mother and stepfather died. I wanted to start something. Luciano's was born." She said and finished the rest of her beer.
Dom listened to her story. He found her really inspiring. It was always his dream to own several autobody shops. He wanted to have shops all over LA. He wasn't exactly handed a good deal. When you did time in jail before, it made it harder for society to take you seriously. His reputation was all he had now. "You did good." He said with a smile. "I'm a little jealous." He said and then there was a commotion in the other room. It made Bella and Dom move from the kitchen towards the living room.
Vince swung on Jasper and started to tussle. Bella reacted like she would normally in a situation like this and she stopped Vince's swinging on Jasper and Vince reacted by trying to shove Bella away, but she sent Vince to his knees with a wrist grab. "LET ME GO!"
"Why are you fighting your familia?" Bella shouted back at Vince as she let him go and he got back to his feet and growled at Bella. "It would give me much pleasure to knock you out." She didn't back down.
Jasper wiped his face, his lip was busted. "He's not worth it Bella." He spat. "He's lucky he got the swing on me."
Vince turned and looked Jasper. "You should mind your own damn business!"
"SHE IS MY FUCKING BUSINESS." Jasper yelled at Vince.
"BOTH OF YOU STOP." Dom roared at them. "What the fuck happened?"
"The same fucking thing that always happens man." Jasper grabbed his beer from the table and then looked at Vince. "Keep your hands to yourself. I'm warning you." He said pointedly at Vince.
Dom sighed. "Vince. Go cool off. Now." He said and Vince just growled and left the room.
Bella turned her attention to Jasper now, his lip was still bleeding. She grabbed tissues from a table and she went to him and dabbed at his lip.
Jasper hissed a little in pain, but he smiled at her. "My hero." He said, his voice dropping a little.
Bella noticed the bruise on his face and the small cut at his eye. "He hit you more than once."
"Eh. Lucky swings." Jasper was nonchalant now.
Dom stood next to Bella. "Where's your sister?"
"Upstairs. She's pissed." Jasper said, his eyes not leaving Bella's.
Bella frowned. "Vince hurt your sister?"
"He gets violent when he drinks." Dom said. "I'll go check on Rose." He said and slapped Jasper on the back and went upstairs.
"Vince is an abuser?" Bella didn't find that too shocking.
"When he drinks." Jasper said.
"I need to clean this." Bella said. "Bathroom?"
Jasper nodded and he showed her where the bathroom was. He shut the door behind them, and watched her open the medicine cabinet. Her face lit up when she found what she was looking for. He smiled, watching her. "Did you know that when you're concentrating you get a little crease in your brow?" He pointed out.
Bella moved Jasper to the toilet and forced him to sit down so she could tend to his brow. She grabbed the cotton ball and poured the alcohol on it and smiled. "I do know." She said and dabbed the cotton ball to his brow and he flinched a little from the sting. His face was level with her breasts now, but she didn't care about that. "I'm sorry." She murmured and leaned in and blew on the cut to alleviate the stinging. The cut wasn't bleeding at all.
Jasper could smell the slight scent of her perfume, some sort of floral scent that smelled nice. Her gaze fell to his and he felt trapped in her stare. Her eyes like little round balls of chocolate. He reached a hand up around her waist and he gently pulled her down in his lap, his lips connecting with hers as she sat on him. The pain from the kiss, made him pull back a little. "Mmm. Kissing hurts."
Bella chuckled smoothly. "Hmm. Yes, your lip is busted." She said and then she kissed him softly, before she got back to her feet. "You should protect your face. Hands up." She said and raised her hands up to block her face like a boxer. "See?"
Jasper chuckled, amused. "I'll keep that in mind for next time." He said and smiled. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Tending to my wounds." Jasper said.
"Of course. You were hurt." Bella said with a smile. "I'm sorry…about your sister. Vince should be handled."
Jasper nodded. "Well, Rose is only home for the weekend. She's in college to be a nurse."
"That's good." Bella tucked her hair behind her ear. "She'll be okay?"
Jasper was quiet. "I hope so. Vince is her first love."
"How do you put up with him?"
Jasper stood then, and looked down at Bella. "Because he's family too. He's had my back a few times… just… he shouldn't drink." He said and then reached up and tucked another strand of her hair behind her ear. "I really want to kiss you again."
"Hmm. You should let your lip heal." Bella said and patted her hand on his chest.
"You're incredible." Jasper said with a small grin.
Bella raised a brow. "Oh?"
Jasper nodded and ignored his lip and crushed his mouth to hers again. When her lips parted, his tongue tasted hers, bringing the kiss to another level. Jasper's hands roamed down her sides to her hips and he moved with her, pinning her back to the door in the small bathroom. Bella's minidress hiked up a little giving an easier access.
Bella was surprised at the intensity of the kiss, her mouth yielding to Jasper's. It wasn't the first time she has been kissed and she enjoyed being kissed from time to time. Jasper's hands on her hips weren't an invasion but she got a flashback to her time when she was sixteen again and her boyfriend forced her into something she didn't want. She broke the kiss, moving her head away, closing her eyes. "Stop." She said it quickly.
Jasper released her immediately, confused, but he saw fear in her eyes. "Bella… I… I won't hurt you." He held his hands up, showing that he wasn't threatening.
Bella felt tears prick, but she swallowed and pushed it down. "Um. Sorry. I… I can't do this." She murmured and she opened the door and she left, running into Dom and she startled.
Dom's hands were on her arms, steadying her. He saw how nervous she was. "Bella? What's wrong?"
Jasper opened the door going after Bella, but stopped short when he saw Dom and Bella. "Bella I-"
Bella moved away from Dom and turned and looked at Jasper, brushing her hand through her hair to try to regain her composure. "It's nothing you did. You were okay. It's me. I-"
"You were assaulted before." Dom said, realizing the signs. His dark eyes met Jasper and the guilt rolled over Jasper's face.
Jasper brought a hand up to his mouth and he ran his other hand through his hair. "Bella, I'm sorry. I didn't-"
"It's fine." Bella said quickly. "I'm okay. It was… just fast. I'm sorry. I've caused trouble." She said, trying to reel herself in.
"You don't need to apologize." Jasper said. "I didn't think. It was stupid. I won't touch you… ever, hand to god." Jasper said raising his hand up, palm facing out.
Bella shook her head, swallowing. "I'm fine. It was fine. Um…"She looked at Dom. "Is Rose… is she okay? Does she need medical attention?"
Dom noticed the shift, that Bella was trying to regain control, so he nodded. "She's fine. Just shook up. Vince shoved her hard, but she's okay."
"Good." Bella said. "I'm going to call Uber. Um. I'll see you at the shop in the morning, yeah?"
"You can stay the night." Dom said. "I have a guest room. Maybe-"
"No. It's okay. I'll see you tomorrow." Bella said and took her phone out and she walked away, trotting down the stairs.
Jasper blew out a breath and looked at Dom. "I didn't know man."
Dom shook his head. "You can't keep it in your pants."
"Listen, I didn't know." Jasper said, shaking his head. "How was I supposed to know?"
"Get to know a person first." Dom said and sighed. "But you're right. You didn't know. She's… different than the other girls that come through the racing scene Jazz. I have a feeling she's something special."
Jasper could agree with that. "She is. Damn Dom, you got the hots for her too?"
"Maybe." Dom said with a small smile. "She isn't a prize to be won." He warned Jasper.
"Oh, I know." Jasper said. "I promised I wouldn't touch her ever. Remember?"
Dom slapped Jasper's chest and smiled. "Get to know her first." He said and then he disappeared back downstairs.
Jasper watched Dom leave and he blew out a breath. He felt like shit now. He would never force a woman to do anything, it was a pet peeve of his.
[Toretto's One Week Later]
Bella was humming to the music playing in the shop while she helped Jesse with the engine on the Skyline. Dom walked through after a pissed off Jasper and it drew attention.
"No, I'm tired of his bullshit Dom. He goes or I go. I'm done with his shit!" Jasper spun and looked at Dom.
Jesse rolled from under the car and got to his feet with Bella's help. "J-Jazz?"
Bella had brushed off what happened in the bathroom with Jasper a week ago. She told Brian about Vince and how he was with Rose, Jasper's sister. Brian didn't like that. Any person with morals would have a problem with Vince beating on a woman.
Dom held a hand up. "Jazz, calm down. I'm handling Vince."
Jasper shook his head. "She has a busted lip, Dom. He followed her to Sacramento. He's dangerous! I'm not going to stand by and watch you post his bail, again! I'm done. She's my sister."
"And you're my brother." Dom said with a nod. "Let me handle it." He said and framed Jasper's face with his hands. "Look at me." He said and Jasper refused. "Look at me!" Dom said more forcibly.
"I choose you." Dom said. "I'm choosing you… okay?" Dom said and then him and Jasper were hugging, Jasper was actually crying.
Jesse and Bella exchanged a look, but Jesse got back on the rolling board, rolled back under the Skyline.
Dom broke away from Jasper and got in his car then drove away without another word.
Jasper wiped his face, turning his back on Bella, but he didn't hide his emotion from her. Bella walked up behind him and he felt her presence. "Bella. I'm okay."
"You're not okay." Bella murmured. "Vince followed your sister? He hurt her?"
Jasper turned and looked at her. It was clear that he had been crying more and was upset. "He put his hands on her again. The cops got involved this time."
Bella reached a hand up and wiped his face, cupping his face gently. "I'm sorry."
Jasper looked back down at her, seeing her concerned dark eyes staring back at him. "Everytime you look at me… I just… I want to kiss you and I know that it scares you and I'm sorry."
"It doesn't scare me." Bella said, shaking her head and dropping her hand. "I was drinking, it was just a small flashback. That happened twelve years ago. I'm okay." Bella said with a nod. She really was. Edward didn't rape her. He took something from her, but he never got the chance to go so far because her dad walked in and that was the end of it. "I… I wasn't raped Jasper." She said and sighed. "I was sixteen. My boyfriend wanted more. He tried… he tried to rape me but my pa pa. He walked in. He stopped him. Sometimes, I get a memory of what almost happened."
Jasper still felt like shit. "No one should ever experience that. I'm sorry. You were so young."
Bella nodded. She had been young. Now she was almost 29 and she had grown since then. She was a virgin still. She never had the desire to just jump in bed and sleep around. She had kissed men before, but she never went to the next level. Never wanted to. She could handle herself now. She was a trained FBI agent now and she would never let anyone take anything from her. "Jazz."
"Hmm?"
"I don't want you to be afraid to be around me. I'm not going to break. I had a moment, it is done. I won't let that happen again. I promise you, I'm okay." Bella said. Her Italian accent was slight still. It was the accent that seemingly drew people in, especially the men around her.
Jasper studied her and he believed that she was okay. He nodded. "So if I wanted to kiss you again?"
Bella smiled a little and looked down at the rag in her hand. "Um. Would you be offended if I told you that I'm not looking for someone to date right now?"
"No I wouldn't be offended." Jasper said and then nodded. "It's Dom… isn't it?"
Bella looked back up at Jasper. "No." she shook her head. "It's not."
"Brian?"
"No." Bella said and tucked smoothed her hair back. "It's the job yeah? Racing. It's dangerous. I don't get involved because it leads to heartbreak."
"Hmm. I see your point. But, being afraid to take a chance… I live like everyday is my last."
Bella knew that Jasper was right, but what Jasper didn't know, was that she was an undercover agent and she couldn't fraternize with the people she was undercover with. "Hmm. I also, see your point." She said and then she leaned up, her lips brushing his cheek gently. "I'll keep that in mind." She whispered in his ear and then she walked back over to the Skyline to help Jesse.
Brian pulled up at Toretto's as the sun disappeared in the sky, he went to the bed of the truck he drove from Racer's Edge and grabbed the parts that Jesse had ordered earlier in the week.
Bella was under the car now while Jesse was on the top, using a socket inside the engine.
"Yo, I got the parts." Brian said, setting them down on the workbench and then helped Bella up to her feet when she rolled out from under the car. She was covered in grease of course, but she wiped her hands on her coveralls.
"Thank you." Bella said and then went and grabbed the parts and looked them over. "Jess, you want to put the solenoid in?"
"Yeah." Jesse said and took the solenoid from Bella.
Brian smiled and looked at Bella, his hands perched on his hips. "What are you thinking for dinner?"
"Hmm. Pizza." Bella said.
Brian sighed. "You always complain about the pizza."
Bella shrugged. "There's another pizza place in LA, yeah?" She smiled and then she saw Jasper roll back up in his orange supra. He got out, slamming the door. She frowned and walked around Jasper to see what was wrong. He had left earlier to go to Rose and now he was returning upset. "Jazz, where's Dom?"
Dom pulled up in his old black Dodge Charger. He got out, a grim expression. "Give me a minute." He said to Bella and followed Jasper inside the shop after Jasper walked away from Bella without a word.
Bella shook her head and looked back at Brian, who look worried too. "Bry, order pizza, have it delivered here. I'll pay." She said and then she walked inside the shop and out back in the supply room where she found Jasper crying, on his knees and Dom was there, his hands on his shoulders, trying to comfort. "Jazz?"
Jasper sucked in a breath at the sound of Bella's voice and he wiped at his face. "Bella. I don't want you to see me like this. I'm sorry."
Bella walked over, setting her hand over Dom's. "Let me." She murmured and Dom released Jasper's shoulder. Bella knelt, looking Jasper in the eyes. "Jazz." She whispered. "Talk to me. I can help."
"You can't." Jasper said, shaking his head.
"What happened?"
Jasper shook his head. He didn't even want to say it out loud. "Rose."
Dom swallowed. "Rose died Bella."
"What?" Bella was in shock. "What happened?"
"She bailed him out." Jasper sobbed out. "She bailed him out and and and and he killed her and now he's running." He yelled the last part. The pain was so great, it hurt him so bad in his chest.
Bella's arms closed around him and she was pulling him into her arms, his head to her breast as he sobbed, his own arms going around her, holding her as she held him. She stroked his hair, her chin resting on top of his head.
Dom looked a mixture of anger and sorrow. "Bella, I-"
"I'll take him home. I'll take care of him Dom. Trust me."
Dom did trust Bella. He trusted her more than he had trusted anyone else. He had only known her a few short weeks, but she was true and special. The way she handled Jasper. The way she helped Jesse with the Skyline. She poured money into that Skyline way past the point of what any of them could afford. She was like an angel that fell from heaven. "I'll go fill Jess and Bry in." He said and left Jasper with Bella.
Jasper tilted his face up and looked at her. "Bella…"
"Jazz…" Bella murmured. She saw the pain, the hate, the anger and the sorrow in his eyes. She leaned in and kissed him softly, hoping to alleviate the pain.
Jasper kissed her back, resting his forehead to hers, letting out a shaky breath before he kissed her again. It was a small series of kisses, tears rolling down his face as he kissed Bella. His brain wasn't working, his chest hurt and he just wanted the pain to fade away. His hands reached up, shaking as he framed Bella's face at first, brushing her hair back out of her face.
Bella kissed him back, her hands moving up to tangle in his hair as they kissed, their tongues meshing together now.
Jasper's arms moved around her, lifting her slightly to where she was sitting in his lap on the ground now. His mouth broke from hers to kiss her throat, tasting the sweat on her skin and she sighed a pleasured sigh.
Bella's hands pulled at Jasper's shirt, pulling it over his head, so he was shirtless now. His muscles were toned, a few scars scattered and she saw the tattoo on his side. She paused to look at the tattoo. "Your tattoo…" she traced it. It was a military symbol.
"I was in the army." Jasper murmured and then he kissed her again, his hands moving to the zipper on her coveralls. "I… Bella, I don't want to make this weird. I-"
Bella put a finger to his lips, shutting him up. "I want to help." She said and then she helped him unzip the coveralls and he rolled them down to her waist. Her mouth went back to his, kissing him, distracting him.
Jasper's hands moved up under her shirt over her hot skin, his hands were calloused from being a mechanic. He made it over her breast, his hands sliding up under her bra to grope her breast. They were heavy in his hand, his thumb rolled over her nipple and she shivered and gasped. He pulled back from the kiss to look at her. "Is this okay?" He murmured.
Bella nodded. "It is… I've never felt that before." She said, a little embarrassed.
"No one has ever… done this?" Jasper asked and rolled his thumb over her nipple again and she gasped.
Bella bit her lip. "I've never done any of this before. I never."
"You're a virgin." Jasper seemed surprised. "Was it because…"
"Yes and no. I just… so focused on owning so many shops. The job, the races… the cars." Bella said. "Jasper… I'm sorry about Rose."
Jasper moved his hand off her breast, but he sat and held her in his lap still. "I don't want to hurt anymore. I can't explain how heavy my chest feels." His voice broke. "I want her to come back. I don't want to believe that she is gone. She was… going places. All the money I've made… I paid for her college. She… she was my little sister." He choked up again.
Bella framed is face again. "Tell me what you need to not hurt." She murmured.
"You can't fix this pain Bella. It wouldn't be fair to take advantage of your kindness." Jasper said and then took her hand and kissed the palm. "I want to so badly, to just… bury the pain… not feel it. I don't want to feel this… but Bella… I-"
Bella kissed him again and then again, until he was pulling her shirt off over her head and unsnapping her bra. "You're not taking advantage. I want to make you feel better." She insisted and then she moved, her hands going to the belt on his pants, unfastening his pants to pull his cock free, her hand glided over his cock and Jasper groaned. "I want to." She reminded him and Jasper nodded, closing his eyes as her hand jerked fast for him. His hands came up to play with her nipples and she gasped at the sensation, her mouth moving to his and kissing him again as her hand worked.
Jasper moaned against her mouth, his cock getting harder and harder as her hand worked to get him off. He paused from the kiss. "Bella, I need-"
Bella pulled her hand away and they moved together, Jasper's hands helping her out of the coveralls. "Jasper, I want you to be my first." She murmured, her dark eyes staring into his. She was breaking so many rules as an agent of the FBI right now, but sometimes there were grey areas. She wasn't investigating Toretto's. None of the guys there were on the list of crews that Tanner and Bilkins gave them. This wasn't going to interfere with her investigation.
"Bella… I…"Jasper didn't know what to say, so he kissed her, his arms wrapping around her as she lifted up in his lap again. He didn't realize what she was doing until she slid down over his cock. He pulled back from the kiss. "Bella wait."
"I'm okay." Bella murmured, ignoring all the pain that shot through her. The discomfort of having a cock inside her for the first time. She was crazy doing this. This wasn't something she ever saw herself doing, but here she was. She was clear of mind, no alcohol no flashbacks to Edward trying to force his way into her pants. She was a healthy adult. She could sleep with whoever she wanted. She kissed Jasper and then shifted her hips. The pain was still there, but she kept moving her hips until the pain faded and was replaced with a different feeling. She moaned a little, her mouth breaking away from Jasper's. Jasper watched her face as she rode him, her pace getting faster and faster. He watched for any discomfort but she looked fine. His mouth kissed her neck again, his hand sliding up the other side of her neck into her hair as she continued to climb her own pleasure ladder. Bella didn't know that it could ever feel this way. She felt her orgasm rise inside her, right at the brink and then she was cumming, her body vibrating as she did and Jasper groaned, moaning as she rode him faster.
"Bella, I'm about to-" Jasper tried to get out but he moaned as she came down again, his cock leaking out before he spurted, exploding inside her, moaning out loudly.
Bella moaned too, throwing her head back a little as another orgasm ripped through her, meeting Jasper's. Her hips came to a stop, her heart slamming hard in her chest, her breathing erratic.
Jasper was breathing hard too. He had never felt like this before and he certainly never came inside a woman before. "Jesus." He blew out a shaky breath.
Bella leaned in and kissed Jasper softly. "I know…"she started. "That… I can't bring Rose back. But I will make sure Vince pays." She said and kissed him again.
Jasper closed his eyes. He was feeling a lot of emotions right now. He was overwhelmed and for this split moment, the pain wasn't as strong. "Okay." He said and then kissed her again, his hands tangling in her hair again. "Thank you." He murmured against her lips, kissing her again.
Bella smiled and then she got up and she helped Jasper to his feet. They gathered their clothes and got dressed. Bella didn't put her coveralls back on. She knew that pizza would be coming soon and it was time to get cleaned up. "Brian ordered pizza. I'll take you home after pizza. We can talk more about Rose." She said and she tucked her hair behind her ear again before she disappeared, letting Jasper gather himself again.
Bella walked up right when Brian opened the first box of pizza. "Good. You did listen."
Brian nodded. "I always listen to my boss." He said and gave her a knowing look. "FYI. You're not quiet." He said lowly.
Bella sighed and brushed it off and grabbed a slice of pizza and took a bite. She groaned. "Can no where make good pizza? Disgustoso. Quanto è difficile fare la vera pizza." She reverted to Italian. (Disgusting. How hard is it to make real pizza?)
"Told you, you complain everytime."
Dom grabbed a slice of pizza. He saw the hickey on Bella's neck and he knew what had happened. He walked in briefly. He would be lying if he felt a little jealous, but at the same time he knew that Bella was trying to help Jasper. "Yeah, the pizza isn't too great. I do make a good homemade pizza. Maybe next time we can make some and forgo the embarrassing pizza fiascos."
Jasper joined finally and the entire shop was quiet. "Um. Rose… she's gone, but… I'm going to try and move past it. She was my little sister and I don't want y'all treating me any different. I can do my job and I will do my job. Race Wars is coming up and Rose wouldn't want me dwelling. If I see Vince, I will kill him and I don't want y'all involved in that."
"Jazz, you know how I feel. I will back you up." Dom said. "I'll kill him myself if he shows his face again."
Jesse spoke up. "Vince is b-b-bigger than me and stronger, but I know how to call 9-1-1."
That made Jasper chuckle. "Yeah Jess… call the police if you see Vince, because odds are I'll see him too and I'm going to prison." He said and then grabbed a slice of pizza.
Bella was quiet as she chewed on her pizza. Jasper made a threat against Vince's life and she believed that he would kill Vince. "Si. Vince would be an idiot to walk through the doors."
Dom looked at Bella, saw how she seemed when Jasper said he would kill Vince and how he would back him up. "Killing people… it's not something we do." He cleared the air. "But… Vince took a life. He took a member of our family's… life."
Brian nodded, swallowing his food. "Yeah, I get it. Dude's scum. If he shows his face at Racer's Edge, I'll call you." He said with a nod.
Bella didn't look at Brian. She only looked at Dom. She understood what he meant and how upset he was about Rose. "Si. He took a life." She agreed and took another bite of the disgusting pizza.
[Two Weeks Later]
Brian's car was fixed and squared away. There was a race going on and Bella was going to provide the cover Brian needed to check out Johnny Tran's garage. He was the leader of the Chinese gang that were seen multiple times driving similar vehicles or motorcycles that were used in the truck heists. So they were a target. There was a garage that Tran owned that they needed to take a look at to see if there were any stolen merchandise being hidden or if the actual vehicles used in the heist, were being hidden. Bella's phone rang and it was Bilkins, so she answered it. She was finishing up the details on Jesse's Skyline. "Ciao zio." She spoke. (Hello uncle)
"Hey that favor you needed. Vince Stephens. He's got a couple warrants for his arrest in Nevada. Bench warrant and then the warrant for his arrest in the connection of the death of Rosalie Hale over in Sacramento. I forwarded his picture to the guys back at Quantico to see if we can use some facial recon to nail the guy. You said that he was part of the crew over at Toretto's?"
"Si zio." Bella nodded.
"That's concerning. Vincent is a dangerous man. Why would Toretto hang around a guy like that?"
"Non lo so. E l'altro ragazzo?" (I don't know. What about the other guy?)
"Jasper Hale?"
"Si."
"He was an Army Ranger for eight years. Grew up in LA, seems to be a childhood friend of Toretto's. He's 32. He has no living parents. No other siblings. After the rangers he settled back in there in LA for the last six years. He's never been married, never been in any trouble with the law. "
Bella nodded. "Okay."
"Toretto has been to jail before."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Done six months for aggravated assault. Used a torque wrench to beat a guy nearly to death."
"Hmm. Okay. Grazie zio."
"Be careful out there." Bilkins said and hung up.
Bella blew out a breath and looked up at Jesse and smiled. "My uncle." She said.
"You're beautiful." Jesse murmured and then realized he said it outloud and immediately blushed.
Bella chuckled a little. "Grazie Jesse." She said and then went back to work in the engine.
Jasper walked back out into the shop the shop phone to his ear. "Bring it by. I'll take a look. Aly, slow down." He sighed. "It's probably something simple." He paused. "I'll fix it. Bring it by." He said and hung up.
"Customer?"
"Something like that." Jasper said and walked over to her and leaned in, his hand going to her waist and kissed her softly. "Where's Dom?"
"He left about… twenty minutes ago." Jesse answered for Bella.
Jasper frowned and looked at his watch. "The race tonight. He's supposed to be there."
"I don't know. He said he needed to handle something and then he left." Bella said and then turned back to the engine. She heard a car pull up so it drew her attention. A girl got out of the car. It was just a simple Toyota Camry. The girl had dark hair that was short, cut off right above her shoulders. Her eyes were a deep chocolate brown and she was pixie like, so slender and light looking.
"Jasper it's sputtering and knocking and stalling. I just bought this car two months ago." The girl was already talking up a storm.
Jasper gave the girl his full attention now. "Alice slow down. I'll take a look at it. Take some breaths."
Alice blew out a breath, her dark eyes wandering over to Bella and Jesse. "Oh, you have another customer."
"She's not a customer." Jasper said and went to the driver's seat. "Bella can you grab the OBD reader." He said as he ducked down inside the Camry.
Bella moved into the shop and grabbed the small yellow and black box and brought it with her out to Jasper and handed it to him. He popped the panel under the steering column and plugged it in.
"I'm Bella." Bella introduced to Alice.
"Alice Brandon."
Jasper shook his head. "Fuel pump." He said and then unplugged the machine and stood. "Your sensor is bad in the fuel pump. It's telling the computer you don't have enough gas when you do." He explained it in easy terms. "I can fix it."
"How much is it going to cost? Is this expensive?" Alice was worried.
"Let me worry about the cost. Aly. I'll fix it. Do you need my car to drive until I get this fixed?"
"I need to get to work and-"
Jasper fished his keys out of his pocket and handed them to her. "Do not. I repeat. Do not hit the nos."
Alice swiped a tear from her eye. "Okay. Jasper I can't pay you back. We're not married anymore. You don't have to do this."
Jasper nodded. "I know. But I want you to get to work. Go on. I'll take care of your car."
Alice nodded and took the keys and walked towards Jasper's supra and got in. She eased away from the shop.
Jasper sighed and looked at Bella. "I-"
"You were married." Bella murmured. Somehow she didn't know that and Bilkins hasn't given her that information. But why would he? She didn't ask for that sort of information.
"Yes. But it's not what you think."
Bella swallowed. "I'm just shocked is all." She said and started back towards the Skyline.
Jasper sighed. "Bella wait." He grabbed her hand and pulled her back towards him gently. "I married her because she needed health insurance. We went to high school together. She was sick no health insurance to cover treatments." He explained. "She would have died without them."
Bella frowned. "What?"
"Breast cancer. I had good insurance in the Army. We got married so she could get better. The cancer is gone now. We've been divorced for 3 years." Jasper said.
Bella shook her head. "You married her to…"
"Save her life. Alice and I… I have never slept with her. I never carried on a relationship other than what was needed so she could get the treatments she really needed. I don't know… what this is between us. I just… want to be up front with you about that. It wasn't fair for you to just find out randomly like that."
Bella was quiet. She honestly wasn't upset about not knowing she was surprised. "Jasper. We're not dating. I don't have to know every detail of your life. But I commend you. You're an honorable man." She said and meant it. He did that for Alice. To make sure she could beat cancer. Jasper was a very worthy man and she was angry that someone like Vince came into the picture and stole a part of him.
Jasper frowned still. "Bella…"
"You can race my Lambo tonight since you were planning on racing. I'll sit passenger." Bella said and walked away back to Jesse.
Jasper felt a little dumbfounded sometimes when he was around Bella. She had a way of surprising a person. He just sighed and ducked back down into the Camry and drove it into bay two so he could fix it.
[Later that Night]
Bella and Jasper rolled up at the racing spot and Brian joined, Jesse riding with him. The skyline wasn't quite ready and that was okay. No need to rush it. They all got out of their cars and stood by them. Bella was dressed sexy. The tight black minidress left little to the imagination and her hair was down in waves that poured down her back. Brian wore dark wash jeans and a white t-shirt. He never dressed to impress. It was a simple style. Jesse wore his signature beanie and the button up shirt he wore was plaid and had the sleeves torn off and he wore a white shirt underneath. Jasper wore steal toed boots and dark jeans and a tight black shirt. Dom wasn't there yet and that seemed to worry Jasper.
Bella handed Jasper 5k. "Go ahead and pay the fee."
Jasper took the money and kissed her cheek before he disappeared to find the money man.
Brian was worried about how close Bella was to Jasper. They talked about it before but Bella reassured him that she was good. That she wasn't forming attachments. "Dom hasn't showed yet. That's odd."
"H-h-he has missed races before. B-b-but he usually tells someone." Jesse added.
Bella was really worried about what was going on. "Well, a lot had happened recently. Perhaps he wanted me time." She suggested.
Jasper returned and his phone rang. He answered seeing Dom's name. "Hey man, we're here and you aren't."
"I'm on my way. Drop the 5k for me and I'll see you soon." Dom said and hung up.
Jasper blew out a breath. "Dom is on his way. I'm gonna go throw down his money for the race. I'll return." He said and disappeared again.
"See worried for nothing." Brian said with a smile. "I'm gonna go lay down money for the race too." He said and slapped Jesse's back before going off to find the money man.
Bella looked at Jesse who seemed uneasy still. "Jess, you okay?"
"Yeah. I get like this sometimes. There's a lot of people." Jesse said and a few short moments later, Dom was pulling up. He walked over to Bella and Jesse.
"Everything okay?" Bella asked.
Dom nodded. "I was taking care of Rose's funeral bill. They will release her ashes to Jazz now. I told him I'd take care of it."
Bella thought that was thoughtful of Dom. "He'll grieve for a while. Losing family is hard."
Dom agreed he didn't know what he would do without Mia. Even if she was away at college right now. He felt sorrow for Jasper. He was family to Dom. Rose was like a little sister and he felt like he had failed his family.
"It's okay for you to grieve too. She was important. To both of you." Bella said and lay a hand on Dom's arm.
Dom didn't have time to grieve. He had so much on his mind but he nodded to Bella. Her hand was delicate as it touched his arm. A mixture of calluses from working in cars and a softness because it was clear she took care of herself. "Lets race." He said and high fived Jasper and Brian when they returned.
After the race, Bella and Brian went back to their apartment to go over notes. "Okay. I found all those electronics at Tran's garage. It's suspicious but we have to be sure they're stolen." Brian said. "I sent photos to Tanner for him to follow up on the serials."
"Good. I talked to Bilkins. Vince has other warrants for his arrest. Jasper is clean and other than a short stint in jail for aggravated assault, Dom is pretty clean too." Bella relayed and then pulled a beer from the fridge and opened it with ease.
Brian grabbed a beer too. "Tran has been purchasing large amounts of NOS. He's ordered some parts that match the cars used in the truck heists. We don't have solid proof but I'm sure we can nail him after Race Wars."
Bella hoped so. She took a drink of her beer and then she heard a knock at the door. She frowned and looked at Brian before both of them drew their weapons and went towards the door. Bella looked through the peephole and sighed. "Its Jasper." She said and put her gun away and then opened the door.
"I'm sorry for dropping by unexpectedly." Jasper said when she opened the door.
Brian waved at Jasper. "Beer?"
Bella stepped aside and let Jasper in and shut the door behind him. "It is a surprise to see you."
Jasper took the beer Brian offered. "Thanks." He nodded to Brian.
Brian nodded. "No problem. Bella I'm hitting the hay. Work in the AM. See you man." He said and fist bumped Jasper before he went to his room and closed the door.
"So, I know you weren't in the neighborhood. Your house is across town." Bella said and took a drink of her beer.
Jasper nodded. "I got Rose's ashes tonight. Dom he uh… went and settled with the funeral home. I'll be the first to admit I'm broke." He said with a sigh. "Just holding her ashes… it ate at me. This is real. My baby sister is really gone. And I didn't… I didn't know what to do with those feelings so I came here."
Bella set her beer down on the counter. "Your sister… I wish I had met her formally. The way you speak of her… she would want you to be happy."
Jasper moved closer to Bella; their bodies close. "I do want to be happy…" he said softly before he dipped his face close to hers. His lips brushed hers slow and soft, taking time with her. It was different from driving fast all the time. As a racer he tended to move fast. But he was slow now. He set his own beer down and his hands moved to her waist and drew her in close.
Bella leaned into Jasper, her mouth enjoying the slow invasion of Jasper's mouth. She liked how Jasper's hands felt but she didn't want to make this a habit. She felt sorrow for Jasper and she knew that he didn't want to be pitied, but she did pity him. He had already been through so much in his life. Jasper's hands moved to her ass and he lifted her gently and she wrapped her legs around his waist.
Jasper broke the kiss. "Your room?"
"Second door." Bella said and then kissed him again as Jasper carried her into her room. He shut the door behind him with his foot then carried her to her bed and laid her down on her back, his mouth never leaving hers. The kissing increased, becoming more urgent, more passionate. They pulled at each others clothes, getting them off and throwing them in a pile on the floor. Jasper's mouth traveled from her mouth to her neck, kissing and suckling there while his hands moved over her body, igniting her. Jasper's mouth moved over her body too, suckling on her nipple while he took one hand and spread her thighs apart, his hand dipping in to send spiraling pleasure through her. She moaned and gasped at the same time as his fingers played with were wet, tight cunt. She was dripping for him, her insides ready to explode with pleasure as he gave to her and she took everything.
Jasper's mouth moved lower, kissing over her hip before his mouth joined his hand. His tongue swirled in circles over her clit and Bella moaned, her hands wringing in the sheets. He used two fingers to push inside her, slow at first, before building up faster and faster, stroking her while his tongue pleasured her. When she came, he drank her in before he leaned up, his hand stroking his cock before he pressed his tip at her entrance. He watched her face as he slid inside her all the way. Pleasure rolled over both of them when he did this. He had always been the type to use condoms, but he threw that notion out the door with her. He thrust inside her deep and slow, making her gasp and moan more as he drove into her that slow building pleasure again. Watching her face, seeing her in this cloud of ecstasy was everything to him. He never wanted moments like these to end. He felt her clench around him as her body gave way to another orgasm, which had her gripping the sheets again. Her eyes rolled back at the same time and he kept pushing his hips to hers, faster and faster until he sank inside her deep and released, he moaned and shuddered when he did, his cock jumping around all giddy from the release of the pressure.
Jasper waited a moment before he leaned down, kissing her softly. He pulled out of her and lay on his back on her bed and she curled into his side automatically. His arms came around her instantly.
Bella listened to the thundering of Jasper's heart in the silence of her room. She felt so content and satisfied. She thought about the implications here. Her sleeping with Jasper again. The first time, could be explained away. Jasper was hurting a lot. His sister had just been murdered and they both weren't thinking. Or at least Bella hadn't thought the whole thing out thoroughly. This time, was on her.
Jasper sensed that Bella was anxious, the way her body tenses a little from her silent thoughts. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah." Bella said and then leaned up a little, her dark hair falling forward like a curtain. "I'm fine." She said and leaned down and kissed Jasper softly. "Just tired now." She lied and laid her head back on his chest.
Jasper frowned a little. He knew that she lied to him just now. That she was burying her thoughts inside and he didn't know how to feel about that. So he shifted a little and she sat up. "Bella, if I did anything that…you didn't want done, you'd tell me right? I don't want you to think that-"
"Jasper, it was great. Truly. I enjoyed every moment of what happened. I'm okay." Bella insisted.
"I can tell you're not." Jasper murmured and raised his hand up to cup her face gently. "Something is going on in that head of yours."
Bella's dark eyes studied Jasper. She must be slipping up, if he could sense some of her deeper thoughts going on. She had to of tensed at some point and he was really intuitive. He was an Army Ranger before, so he picked up on smaller nuances. "I typically don't do this sort of thing. Obviously you're…you're my first, and you're going through a lot right now. I don't want you to…"
"Get attached?" Jasper asked raising a brow and Bella nodded. He sighed. "Bella, you are a force of nature…you know that?"
Bella swallowed. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. I can separate feelings Bella. I was trained to do so in the Army. I get it. This isn't permanent. I'm not going to get a broken heart when it's over." Jasper said with a nod. "But I want to enjoy it while it lasts." He said and reached for her and she went into his arms. They laid back on the bed and he held her, stroking her back lightly with his fingers. "Don't apologize to me ever. You have nothing to be sorry for."
Bella kissed his chest and closed her eyes. She felt tired from the long day, so she just nodded and let sleep find her.
Bella heard the front door jiggle like someone was breaking in. It made her get out of bed. She tried not to stir Jasper, who was still sleeping heavily beside her. She pulled on her robe and then slid the drawer open on her nightstand and she pulled her gun out and slid the clip in quietly. She opened her door and looked around. The front door jiggled again and she advanced closer, light on her feet. She peeped through the hole on the door and didn't see anyone. She frowned, watching the knob again and it jiggled again. She blew out a breath and she unlocked it quietly before opening the door with her gun up and saw a cat. She blinked and frowned. The cat meowed at her and walked inside the apartment. Bella closed the door, feeling a little silly that a cat had made her so nervous. The cat jumped up on the couch. It was all white, and pretty blue eyes. It was a little thin, but friendly otherwise. Bella moved to the kitchen and found a can of tuna and opened it before setting it down on the floor in the kitchen along with a bowl of water.
"Only for the night." Bella murmured to the cat and then went back to her room, putting her gun back in the drawer she sighed before laying back on her bed. She studied Jasper while he slept. She noted more scars on his body, what looked like the memory of a gun shot in a couple places. Maybe a couple knife wounds. She knew that he was an Army Ranger previously, so that would account for the scars. His face seemed soft while he slept, like he was peaceful. His long blond hair was curlier than she realized. The way it seemed to curl right under his ears more. Bella reached over and lightly moved the hair out of his face so she could see more. Jasper stirred, reached for her and she let him snuggle her, his head shifting to lay on her chest like she was a pillow. She smiled and combed her fingers through his hair lightly.
"What time is it?" Jasper murmured softly.
"Four." Bella said back.
"You're awake this early?" Jasper asked, not opening his eyes.
"Heard a noise. It was a cat." Bella said. "Go back to sleep." She murmured and he nodded, snuggling in more, before she felt him relax again.
[Three Days Later]
Bella got the call in the morning that there was another truck heist. Her and Brian were at home when it happened. The race that night went smoothly. Only one of Tran's guys was at the race. Usually they saw Tran's face, even if he wasn't racing. Tran and Dom had some issues with each other. It was clear that they hated each other. The heist didn't happen during the race, but a few hours after. Tanner was pissed off to say the least. He was a raving lunatic when Bella and Brian walked into the safehouse.
"You have been under over a month and you're telling me you have no other intel other than the face Tran has electronics in a garage and similar matching vehicles." Tanner roared at Bella and Brian.
Bella raised a brow and Bilkins crossed his arms, letting Bella put Tanner in his place. "First, lower your voice. You do not get to yell at me. I outrank you. Secondly, the truck heists aren't happening frequently. We go to all the races to scope out everyone. Nothing suspicious has come to the shop at Toretto's and Racer's Edge is doing legit business with Tran and his crew. This is not an easy job and I can see why you've had issues nailing a suspect. Whoever is doing these heists are smooth. They leave little trace and we're going off the assumption that it is Tran. Race Wars is in five months. Five. My undercover contract ends then. Stop being so impatient and let me do my fucking job."
Tanner narrowed his eyes at her. "I don't care who you are. You're riding around with my detective."
"Correction. Your detective is getting to ride around with me." Bella said. "How many cases have you closed Tanner? Hmm? Your record says fifteen and you've been at LAPD for twenty years. I've closed 136 cases. I am good at what I do. I speak multiple languages and my marksmanship is better than your own. You are a detective with the LAPD. I am a FBI agent. I didn't get there because I'm a pretty face." She said, her tone so sharp it could penetrate the hardest of metals. "Don't you dare come at me again or this case will be your last."
"Don't threaten me."
"That wasn't a threat." Bella said, her tone ice cold. Her dark eyes swung back to Bilkins. "Anything else on Vince?"
"He hasn't been spotted. He's laying low. SPD is still looking for him. He killed a girl, he'll be brought to justice." Bilkins said with a nod. "Go on. Get to work you two." He said with a wave of his hand.
Bella looked back at Tanner, who was still steaming one last time before she walked out of the safe house with Brian walking after her.
"Damn, you are feisty." Brian said with a smile. "Tanner being speechless like that at the end." He whistled.
"He's right thought. We don't have much. Everything we have on Tran is circumstantial. We need to be more aware of what is going on over in Chinatown. Next part Tran buys, bug it. Maybe then we can get some more intel." She said and then she dipped down into her lambo. "I'll see you later." She said and she closed her door and drove away.
Bella pulled up at Toretto's and got out. Jesse was the only one in the shop at the moment. His Skyline was nearly done and she was proud of him. It just needed a good paintjob. "Looks great Jess." She complimented when she looked at the engine.
Jesse smiled. "This w-w-w-wouldn't be possible without y-y-y-ou."
Bella smiled back. "I'm happy to help a friend. Where's Dom and Jasper?"
"Not sure." Jesse shrugged. "Probably doing a supply run." He said and then walked around to the back of the Skyline and opened the trunk to look at the NOS hookups.
Bella looked back at the engine and studied it a moment. She heard the roar of an engine pull up and she turned her attention to whoever pulled up. She recognized Vince's car immediately. Her smile fell and she watched him get out of the car and storm over towards Bella.
"Where's Dom?"
"He's not here. You are a wanted man." Bella said and she wished her gun wasn't in her car right now.
Vince growled. "Shut it bitch. You don't know nothing about what happened."
"I know enough." Bella said, her tone curt.
"It's none of your business. Dom owes me money. I want it." Vince said and stormed towards the office where the safe was.
Bella put a hand up to make Jesse stop and she followed Vince into the office. "You should wait for Dom."
"He's not here? Figures." Vince said and then spun the dial on the safe. When it didn't open. He growled. "He changed the combination. What is it?"
"Dom and Jasper know." Bella lied.
Vince shoved Bella against the wall hard. "Listen here you cunt. I don't like you. I don't trust you. You're too coincidental rolling in here in a car that I know you couldn't have built."
Bella glared at Vince. "You don't know what you're talking about. You know nothing about me."
"I know that you're too good for this lifestyle. The rest of us rats have to scrape to get by. You have money, you don't understand pain or struggle." Vince said, his words so sharp he spit in Bella's face while he spoke.
Bella pushed back to give space, but Vince charged her again, his hand coming up to her throat and choking her. Bella knew that Vince was strong, but she had FBI combat training. She broke his grasp and pushed him back, blocking his strikes, before he nailed her in the stomach and it made her double over a little. Vince tore from the office, and she managed to follow him. He was on Jesse now and a gun was involved.
"WHAT IS THE COMBINATION!" He screamed in Jesse's face.
"Leave him alone." Bella yelled at Vince and she went to disarm him. Vince shot, two shots. Bella felt the impact of the bullet in her side, but she was focused on Jesse now. She saw him go down and then Vince was running away, getting in his car and tearing away from Toretto's. "Jesse. No." She went to his side, her hands pressing against the wound in his chest. "God no."
"Bella. I feel cold." Jesse murmured.
Tears came to the surface and Bella shook her head. "You're in shock Jesse. Hang on." She sniffed. "Siri, call 9-1-1." She said out loud. Her phone was laying on the workbench. "Jesse, please hang in there." She said and tried to stop the bleeding the best she could.
"9-1-1, what's your emergency?"
"I'm at Toretto's. There's been a shooting. The man ran away. He's driving a blue Supra. His name is Vince Stephens. Send an ambulance please." Bella said loudly. She needed to keep her cover, even if Jesse's life was in danger right now. "Please hurry."
Bella's side was patched up. One of the shots Vince fired, grazed her pretty good in her side. Jesse was in surgery right now and she was hopeful the doctors could save him. Brian burst into the room, looking Bella over. "Bry, I'm okay."
"You were shot." Brian was panicked as he inspected her. "Vince got away?"
Bella nodded. "I didn't have my gun on me Bry. It was in my car. I'm not supposed to be armed and I… Jess got shot. He's in surgery right now." She said and got off the exam table. "Hand me that scrub top please."
Brian looked around, grabbing the pink scrub top and handed it to Bella. "You need to sit."
"It was a graze. I got grazed Bry, I'm okay. I need to check on Jesse." Bella said and pushed back Bryan, leaving the exam room. When she did, she was rushed by Jasper, his arms coming around her tight.
"Oh my god, you're okay." Jasper murmured, his eyes were closed and his body shook a little with worry. He leaned back and kissed her, smoothing the hair out of her face. "You're okay?"
"I'm fine. Jesse's not. He's in surgery right now. I need to check on him." Bella said and moved away from Jasper, leaving him there with Brian.
Brian frowned. "Vince got away."
"The cops told me." Jasper said, clearly angry. "I should have been there."
"Yeah, you weren't." Brian was clearly irritated and upset. He brushed past Jasper and went after Bella. He found Dom at the nurses desk next to her, waiting for the nurse to come back with news. "Hey, I'm sure he's going to be okay." He tried to reassure Dom and Bella.
Mia was running in the waiting room, frantic looking. "Dom!"
Dom turned to see his sister and he went to her immediately, the two hugging. "Mia, you should have stayed at school."
"Jesse was shot?" Mia squeaked out. Her light brown hair was pulled into a ponytail and her dark eyes were filled with worry.
"Vince came back. I wasn't at the shop. He shot Jess and Bella before he ran." Dom explained.
"Why would he do that?" Mia shook her head, tears rolling down her face.
Bella looked at Brian briefly, but the nurse returned and drew her attention as well as Dom's. "Is he okay?"
"The doctor will be out to speak to you shortly." The nurse said and then the phone rang and she answered.
Bella frowned. She knew what that meant. Jesse didn't make it. She felt the emotion well inside her and she pushed it down. She turned to looked at Dom and she didn't realize that she hadn't done a good enough job pushing the emotion back because Dom moved forward, pulling her into his strong arms. She closed her eyes and just leaned into him, feeling a different sort of feeling when Dom held her compared to Jasper.
Brian reached for Mia to hold her because she was crying and it was the right thing to do. Mia cried against Brian's chest, thankful that someone was there to hold her.
Jasper returned to see Dom holding Bella and Brian holding Mia, they were clearly upset. He felt anger rise in him. Vince had taken more family from them. He walked over, looking at Dom and nodding. Dom nodded back. It was a silent agreement that they would find Vince and kill him themselves.
The doctor approached then. He was younger, a slender face, with brighter green eyes. "I'm doctor Lewis." He introduced. "I'm the doctor who worked on Jesse."
Bella turned away from Dom to look at the doctor, her eyes red with emotion and anger. "Is he-"
"He's in critical condition still. We removed the bullet that pierced his chest. He lost a lot of blood. We transfused him several times. He's still unconscious in a coma right now. He has no brain damage, his scans show he has normal brain function. He needs to heal. It's up to Jesse now, how fast that is or if he wants to fight at all."
"He's alive." Bella said, a little stunned. "He's… he's okay."
"For now. He's critical but stable." Dr. Lewis said.
Bella's lip quivered a little, a surge of emotion filling her. "He's okay." She blew out a breath, relief that Jesse was still living. Jasper's hands were on her shoulders now, she knew the difference between Dom and Jasper's touch by now.
"Thank you doc." Jasper said and then he turned Bella and she went into his arms. He held her firmly. "He's going to be okay." He said and kissed the top of her head.
Dom was quiet a moment. For just a simple moment, while holding Bella, he felt what it was like to care for someone that wasn't his immediate family. Bella was special, he was right from the start about her.
[Toretto's: A week Later]
Jesse hadn't woken up yet. It was worrisome, but the doctors said he was out of the woods at least. Bella was finishing the Skyline for him so it would be ready for him when he got out of the hospital. She put in new interior. Sky blue. It was Jesse's favorite color. Brian bugged some parts that Tran ordered, so they were moving ahead on that plan. Undercover work took patience and time. It wasn't uncommon for undercover work to go over a year sometimes.
Dom walked into the shop from the office. "With Jess in the hospital… it'll get harder around here. I have a couple clients bringing cars by later. NOS needs to be installed in one and the other has some gasket issues in the engine. Think you can handle that with Jazz?"
Bella nodded. "Of course. I'm yours Dom." She said. "For whatever you need me for."
Dom wanted to read more into that. Wanted to believe that it was for something more than mechanic work. "Bella… Jess will wake up."
"I know." Bella said and looked back at the Skyline. "I know he will."
"It's not your fault." Dom reassured her.
Bella swallowed. She felt like it was. It was her job to protect him. She was an FBI agent. Even if she was undercover, she had a duty. "We'll have to disagree on that." She said and then she moved to go around Dom to the workbench but his hands stopped her. "Dom."
Dom's hands were on her hips. "Bella, Vince was a man, a man. He could have killed you. He shot you, shot Jesse and ran away. He was here for me. I'm the one to blame. Not you."
"I blame myself, because I should have known he had a gun. I should have stopped him before it got that far." Bella said, her dark eyes staring back at him. "Jesse is in a coma right now because I failed… to protect him."
"You can't protect everyone. Bella, you're one person."
"Yes, but…"Bella's lip quivered again. She was trying so hard to keep it together. She told Bilkins that she had her shit together. That being shot again wasn't the worse thing to happen. She just really wanted Vince handled because he was becoming a problem for their undercover mission.
Dom leaned in, his lips brushing hers, kissing her softly at first.
Bella let tears roll down her face as Dom kissed her. Different feelings started to emerge inside her, ones that she wasn't sure what they were, but she leaned into Dom now, his hands sliding over her ass and he lifted her, carrying her to his office closing the door. He sat her on his desk, their kissing becoming more urgent. Bella's hands went to Dom's pants and she freed his cock, while his hands pulled her shorts off, her bare ass sitting on the desk now. He pushed his cock at her entrance, sliding inside her and groaning when he did. He thrust into her fast and hard. She clung to him, pleasure building so fast in her it nearly gave her whiplash. Their mouths collided together again, kissing each other furiously as they rose to their climax. Bella shuddered and moaned out when she orgasmed a moment before Dom was cumming inside her. They were both panting at the end, their heartrates wildly out of control.
Bella ran a hand through her hair, smoothing it back. Dom slid out of her and then retrieved his jeans after handing her, her shorts. They dressed in silence and that was mostly because neither knew what to say now. Bella just opened the door and walked back out into the shop.
Dom sighed, closing his eyes. He ran a hand over his bald head. He was an idiot. He knew that Jasper was involved with Bella, in more than one way and he just violated something. A trust and bond he shared with Jasper.
Bella ignored all the feelings inside her. She couldn't stop thinking about Dom's lips on hers and it was driving her insane. She silently worked on the Skyline, ignoring whatever Dom was doing in the shop. She heard the purr of Jasper's Supra and it made her look up. He parked and got out, walking into the shop. "You got your car back."
"Yeah. Aly's car is fixed, so I dropped it off." Jasper said and then he leaned in and went to kiss Bella, but she turned away slightly, so he kissed her cheek. He noticed that she seemed off, but he didn't press it. "So, what's on the books today boss?" He asked Dom.
"Couple clients bringing in some cars. NOS hookup and some gasket troubles. Told Bella about them. Work together without fondling each other please." He said and then disappeared into his office.
Bella frowned, but she stayed silent. She placed the driver's seat back inside the Skyline carefully not crushing the tubing.
Jasper saw some tension there and so he decided to pry a little. "You okay?"
"Yeah." Bella's answer was a little short. Jasper didn't get a chance to say anything else because Bella's phone rang and Jasper reached over and grabbed it, handing it to her. "Thank you." She murmured and then answered. "Ciao zio."
"The electronics at Tran's were sketchy. Tanner is busting in today. Don't be anywhere near Chinatown."
"È troppo presto." (It's too early)
"Some are stolen. Tanner says it's enough. I'm going to back him this time Bells. No word on Vince. We're still looking. I have a fugitive task force coming from Quantico. Heads up, Edward is involved."
Bella sighed. "Grazie zio. Sarò ok." (Thank you uncle. I'll be okay.) She said and hung up.
"Italian sounds so beautiful. I wish I knew another language." Jasper said with a smile.
"Si. It's a beautiful language." Bella said and then leaned over, placing her phone back on the bench, Jasper's hands went to her hips and turned her to face him. "What?"
"Something is wrong. I can feel it." Jasper murmured. "Are we… done with our fun?"
Bella was quiet. It shouldn't have ever started in the first place, but she was conflicted. She looked up into Jasper's honey eyes. "No." She said. "Um, I just. I'm worried about Jesse and I'm really tired lately. I'll be okay."
Jasper wasn't sure if that was the full truth, but he nodded. "Okay." He murmured and then leaned in and kissed her. He was falling for her, he knew he was an idiot, but his heart swelled at the sight of her. He constantly worried about her and it was safe to say the feelings that emerged everytime he kissed her or held her, were only explained as love.
Bella kissed him back. It felt different, kissing Jasper and kissing Dom. She felt confused inside, not understanding her feelings at all. She felt at ease with Jasper and she could see herself with a man like Jasper. He was honorable. What were these feelings she was having? "Okay, work. The cars will be here today, yeah?" She smiled, pushing past the awkwardness some.
Jasper smiled. "Of course. Work."
Bella finished late on the NOS hookup on the car that came in and she didn't realize how hunched over she was. Her shoulders ached from being in that position for such a long time. She felt thirsty so she walked towards the kitchen area in the shop. She stopped when she heard Jasper and Dom talking.
"Tran's place got raided today." Dom said.
Jasper was quiet a moment. "What did Tran do?"
"I'm not sure." Dom said and blew out a breath. "Either way, Vince hasn't showed his face again since he shot Bella and Jess. Some people I know are keeping a look out for him. They'll tell me if they spot him."
Jasper sighed. "He almost killed Jess man. I told you he was unstable. He's been unstable for a while."
"I know you blame me for Rose… I know. I should have been more clear with my words, with my actions. I didn't know he would react that way. I didn't know he would go out and just kill her. You've got to believe me."
Jasper was quiet again. "I do believe you. I hurt… everyday Dom. Every day I miss her. Rose was bright, young, she was going to be a nurse. She was going to escape a fucked up life." He shook his head. "I kept her away from the racing scene for as long as I could. But Vince… he drew her in. He used her, abused her and then he killed her. I failed… I blame me. I blame me for not putting a bullet in him the first time he laid his hands on her."
"Jazz…"Dom murmured.
"I'm starting to feel normal again. Bella… she… she uh is helping me. I get anxious now like it used to be when I got back from the war. I know I'm an idiot for falling for her man. I know she's out of my league in so many ways. I know, she's going to move on with her life, like I never existed when Race Wars is done."
"You don't know that."
"I do know because she pulled away today. It was the first time, I felt that this was ending and that I wasn't okay with it. I'm a fuckboy. I don't… I don't do the long game. I don't make commitments. I don't know what the fuck I'm doing." Jasper said, his tone emotional.
Dom was quiet. "Bella is special. I told you that."
"I know. I know and I thought… before Rose you know, maybe it would have been lighthearted. But I feel like I bared my soul to her… that somehow that formed a connection I didn't know until now. She was shot… hurt and at the hospital I felt so scared. So scared that she was… I don't know. And then Jess. Maybe I need to take some time to…"
"To what?" Dom asked.
"I don't know. Maybe I need to break it off with Bella. This… whatever we're doing before it hurts too much."
Dom swallowed. "Jazz… I need to tell you something. It wouldn't be right to keep it from you."
"You slept with Bella."
"What…"
"I know you did." Jasper sighed. "Earlier today right? In the office? I found her panties man. I…" he shook his head. "I'm not mad. I have no right to be anyways. You're… like my brother. Family. I want to say I'm pissed off, but she's not mine to get pissed off about."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Jasper said. "I'm okay. I'll… I'll just end things. It's easier that way."
"Don't do that. Jazz, man, I like Bella, I really do. But you're my family."
"She's family too now." Jasper whispered. "She's family too. The way she treats Jess, you, me. She's family, don't pretend she isn't. That's where I'll get pissed off." He said. "I'm tired. I'm just… I'm just gonna head back to the house."
Bella moved away, going back towards the Skyline. She pretended to look at the engine, like she was fine tuning it when Jasper walked in. She glanced up at him. "Hey."
"Hey. I'm gonna head home for the night. Wait, where's your car?"
"Oh Brian has it." Bella said. "Um, I'll probably just catch an Uber later. I'm still not finished here."
Jasper frowned. "What's wrong with his car?"
"Nothing. He uh. Met a girl and wanted to impress her." Bella said. "The lambo is more impressive."
Jasper chuckled a little. "Alright Bry. He's got some game." He admitted. "I'll hang around if you want. Help out?"
Bella shook her head. "It's okay. I just want to finish the interior. I want to paint it tomorrow." She said. "Dom is still here right?"
"Yeah, he's in the back. Uh, well alright. I'll see you in the morning then." He said and started to walk away.
Bella didn't know why she did it, but she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards her, her mouth reaching up for his. She kissed him softly at first, before their lips parted, and her tongue reached towards his.
Jasper leaned back, breaking the kiss. He brought a hand up and smoothed her hair back. "I'll see you tomorrow." He murmured and then he walked away and got in his Supra.
Bella watched him drive off. She sighed and looked back at the Skyline. She welcomed the quietness of the shop. She heard Dom's footsteps shuffle in. "Jess is going to wake up and be so surprised."
"Yeah." Dom said with a nod. "Bella, today… what happened between us. I can't… I can't do that again. I shouldn't have. It was selfish."
"Because of Jasper?" Bella said and then she turned and her dark eyes met Dom's.
"Yeah."
Bella nodded. "Jasper is falling in love with me." She said it as a statement. She knew it and Dom knew it.
"Yeah." Dom said again.
"I shouldn't… I shouldn't be here all the time." Bella said and cut her eyes back to Dom after she had glanced away.
Dom was quiet. "Be my partner."
"What?"
"I want you to be my partner. You have all your shops in Miami and you're looking to move to LA. Toretto's… it's a staple here in this part of the town. I want to open up another shop. I've been looking for a while now and I think… I think that you're the person I need for it to be a success."
Bella was a little stunned. She blinked a little, looking away, thinking before she looked back at him. "I can't be your partner." She said. "But I will give you money. For this venture." She said and walked towards him. "I want you to be successful. But I have no interest in running a shop in this town."
"You're not staying in LA after Race Wars." Dom murmured, realization hitting him. "You are leaving after Race Wars… aren't you?"
Bella was quiet a moment. "I am. I'm going to Italy. To spend some time with my home city. Being here, with all of you has made me realize that I want to go home. At least… for a little while." She lied smoothly.
"But you'll be back?"
"No." Bella said. "Not back to LA. I don't think it's best. I don't want to be a problem for you or for Jasper."
"You're not a problem. I won't make a move on you again. I promise you that. It was stupid of me to do it in the first place."
"I'm not worried… about you." Bella murmured.
Dom shook his head. "Sex one time doesn't mean you have to abandon Jazz. He-"
"I'm not abandoning him. I'm not abandoning you or Jess. I said I would pay. Pay for your new shop. I will continue to pay and be silent in this venture because I care about you. I care about Jess and I care about Jasper."
"Then… why not come back?"
Bella knew why. The undercover work might be over then. "I'll tell you what. Lets not make promises. I will stay until I have to go." She said.
Dom shook his head. "Jasper said you were family now. I… family doesn't leave anyone behind." He was clearly upset about this.
Bella reached a hand up to touch his face. "I know."
Dom's dark eyes looked back at her, confusion filling him. He leaned in and kissed her again, he say he wouldn't do this and he had broken his promise. He just wanted to kiss her, over and over again, be with her, over and over again. He didn't want her to leave ever. He wanted to understand why she wanted to leave and not come back, but he didn't understand it.
"Bella." A voice called. It pulled Bella back to reality. She knew that voice anywhere. She moved away from Dom, she turned and looked at Edward. The face of her boyfriend all those years ago. She had escaped him once, her dad making sure that he never got the chance to see her, but he joined the FBI too. Edward Masen was back to haunt her again.
"Edward…"She murmured.
Edward stepped into the garage. His eyes were spring green, his dark hair swooped back perfectly. "Your uncle said you were in LA. I didn't believe him."
"Si." Bella murmured. Bilkins had to tell Edward that she was undercover here. Edward had to know that she had to keep her cover.
"I wanted to see for myself." Edward said, his voice was smooth, like velvet. He was always so charming.
Bella swallowed. "Um. You should leave."
"Oh? You don't have time for an old boyfriend?"
"I don't." Bella said, tensing up.
Dom wasn't sure if this was the same boy all those years ago, but the way Bella's body language was right now, meant that Edward, wasn't wanted. "The shop is closed. So I'm asking you to leave my property."
"I wasn't finished talking."
"You are now." Dom said, his tone firm and serious. "Leave." He said, motioning with his hand.
Edward studied Bella a little bit. It was clear that she was in deep for her coverwork. Standing there making out with the owner of the shop. It angered him a little inside, but he kept his smile. "Alright. Maybe we can chat later, Bella." He said and then he walked away.
Bella blew out a breath and ran a hand through her hair. "Sorry. I haven't seen him in years and he… showed up."
"Your uncle sold you out."
"Si." Bella sighed. "I'm getting tired, so I think I'll head home."
"Bry has your car."
"Right."
"I'll drive you home." Dom said with a nod and grabbed his own keys. Him and Bella closed and locked up the shop and they got in his car and he drove her back towards her apartment.
Brian got back late and Bella was still up in the kitchen fixing a sandwich. He frowned and looked at his watch. "You are up really late."
"You're back really late. Did you impress Tran's sister?"
"I did actually." Brian said with a grin. "Her obsession with lambos is cute. Bugging the parts sold to Tran was a great idea."
"Hmm. I'm full of them." Bella said and then took a bite out of her sandwich.
"How's Jess?"
"Stable. Still no change." Bella said and then grabbed a beer from the fridge. "Bilkins said the raid was premature after all. They were able to find the receipts for the electronics that appeared sketchy. Turns out, the shop they bought from is fencing the stolen goods. So technically Tran and his guys bought them legally, even if they merch was stolen."
Brian shook his head. "That's insane. Where is this shop located?"
"Chinatown."
"Could there be a connection between Tran and the shop?"
"It's squeaky clean." Bella said and took a deep swig of her beer. "The shop owner said that he doesn't know who the people are. Just that they're male and they show up with motorcycle helmets on."
"So no I.D." Brian sighed. "Alright, now what?"
"Work Tran's sister. See if you can get tight with Tran's crew. Don't show up around Toretto's anymore. Tran and Dom don't like each other."
Brian shook his head. "Yeah, turf wars." He muttered. "Alright, well, I'm gonna shower and hit the hay. You should do the same." He said and then disappeared back into his room.
Bella finished her sandwich and then her beer before she went to clean up for bed. After she was changed and about to lay down, her phone rang. She answered on the third ring. "Hello?"
"There was another heist. The truckdrivers are getting angry and are going to start taking things into their own hands." Bilkins voice filled her ear.
"How long ago?"
"Just a little bit ago."
"That's later than normal." Bella murmured. "Did Tran get released?"
"Earlier today. We had nothing to hold him on."
Bella was quiet. "Okay. Brian got in with Tran's sister. He's going to try to get close enough to see if he can get some better intel on Tran. If he can make it into the inner circle, then we will know if there are any other planned heists."
"That's good. Get rest. I'll touch base later in the week." Bilkins said and hung up.
Bella frowned. Tran openly did another heist right after being released from police custody. That didn't make sense. Something else was at play and she was starting to think that their target could be wrong.
[One Month Later]
Jesse woke up last week, finally coming out of his coma. He was happy to see everyone. Bella kissed his face a couple times, making him blush. Now he was back in the shop. He was slow moving, but he was supposed to be working his legs more. Physical therapy was a must and Bella was footing the bill so he could get the best help. He was shocked to see his Skyline. The sky blue interior to the sky blue color of the body with the navy detailing. He was in love with it and he thanked Bella a dozen times for finishing the car up for him. He was going to be better in time to race at Race Wars.
The truck heists were sporadic. Only two happening in the month time. Tanner was heated, Bilkins was keeping him at bay, but the impatience was bleeding through. Brian was officially dating Tran's sister, which meant Dom wasn't happy about that. He had enough to say about it, but Brian didn't mingle the two lives.
Edward was ordered to leave Bella alone while she was undercover and despite being a world class asshole, Edward followed orders.
Jasper pulled up, noticing Brian's car and he got out and walked in the shop to see Bella. "Bry has your car still?"
"Yeah, Tran's sister likes Lambos." Bella shrugged. "I don't mind. He's happy, that's what counts, yeah?"
Jasper smiled a little and then he leaned in and kissed her, his arms wrapping around her and she leaned into him. "Babydoll, you are the world's nicest person." He kissed her again and then again.
"Mmm. Jazz, we have work." Bella said with a little giggle.
Jesse smiled. He loved seeing Jasper so happy. "Why don't you two take off somewhere. I'll handle the shop. Dom is in the office. It's not busy today."
Bella looked over at Jesse. "Your stutter…" She realized it was missing.
"What?"
"You aren't stuttering man." Jasper said with a grin.
"I'm not…."Jesse murmured and smiled. "I'm not stuttering!"
Dom came out of the office to see why everyone was so cheery. "What's up?"
"Jess doesn't stutter." Jasper said, looking over at Dom. He had his arm slung around Bella's shoulders and one hand in his back pocket. "Say something Jess."
"I don't have a stutter anymore. I told them to go have some fun, that I would watch the shop." Jesse said with a wide smile.
Dom smiled too and looked at Bella and Jasper. He saw the light on Bella's face when she looked at Jesse. How much she cared about him. He saw the happiness in Jasper's eyes. He was doing better after Rose and after Vince shot Bella. Things seemed normal again. "Yeah, you two go have some fun. Bella hasn't been able to see much of LA." He said with a wave of his hand.
Bella smiled at Dom and then back at Jasper. "An adventure."
"Indeed." Jasper said and kissed her before he grabbed her hand and he pulled her with him to his car. She got in on the passenger side and waved to Jesse before Jasper got in and they backed away from the shop.
"Where are we going?" Bella asked as Jasper drove.
"Hmm. I was thinking about food first. I know you're hungry."
Bella smiled. She was always skipping meals. "I'm always hungry." She pointed out. "Sushi?"
Jasper raised a brow. "You eat Sushi?"
"Of course."
"Alright. I know a place." Jasper said and he drove towards the best Sushi place he knew in the town.
Bella's lips locked with Jasper's as she opened her apartment door and moved inside and kicked the door shut. They moved towards her bedroom, tearing each other's clothes off in the process. She looped her legs around Jasper's waist as he carried her to the bed spreading her out. Whenever they had sex, it was always like this. Like a whirlwind. She spent the last month sleeping with Jasper beside her sporadically. A couple times Brian walked in and had to immediately run away. Dom wouldn't kiss her or make any moves towards her and that sat in the back of her mind. Jasper's mouth distracted her, pulling her down into the pleasure bubble when his tongue lapped at her folds, sending spirals of pleasure through her from her head to her toes.
"Jasper!" She moaned out as her orgasm overtook her and she gushed out. Jasper smiled, as he leaned up, positioning his cock at her entrance and pushing inside her to gather another moan from her. He moved her hands, lacing his fingers with hers before he pinned her hands above her head while he thrust inside her fast and deep. Bella moaned more as she came again, tightening around him as she felt him cum inside her. They were both breathless at the end, but they lay together, waiting for their hearts to return to normal.
Jasper knew he was in love with her. Dom had told him that Bella planned on going to Italy after Race Wars as part of something she needed to do for personal reasons. He understood, more than Dom did. Bella lost a lot and Italy was her home. It would be unfair to convince her otherwise. They weren't official. They weren't dating, they were… company for one another until it was time to move on. Jasper accepted that and he still fell in love with Bella Luciano.
Bella shifted, leaning up to look down at Jasper, she smiled and he tucked her hair behind her ear. "Sushi was amazing but this was even more so." She whispered and leaned down and kissed him again.
"Mmm. You're the amazing one." Jasper murmured and kissed her again. "Do you want to be lazy the rest of the day or do you want to go back to the shop?"
"That is a hard choice. You see, I like being lazy like this with you, but what if work picks up at the shop?"
"Fair point." Jasper said with a grin. He cupped her face with one hand and he drew her face back down to his and kissed her again and again, until she was rolling, situating herself on top of him, his hardening cock prepared for a round two.
Bella slid down over his cock, moaning as she shifted her hips, rolling and dancing. She picked her pace and stuck to it until she needed to go faster. She bounced more, chasing the feeling of an orgasm. Jasper's hands played with her breast, tweaking her nipples to send more sensations. Jasper enjoyed the sight of her on top of him like that, but he leaned up, his mouth capturing hers as she rode him. His mouth sought her throat and then her breast, his tongue weaving over her nipple making her shudder and orgasm right on the spot.
"Oh god! Jasper!" She moaned as she felt a different sort of feeling inside. The pleasure felt so intense. Her hands gripped his shoulders as she came. Jasper took her mouth with his, their tongues entwining in a dance as she continued to shift her hips to his until his cock swelled tight again, filling with his seed. The intensity was building and he moaned, his lips breaking from hers as she came down over him again, the sensitivity growing, his cock getting ready to explode inside her cunt. "Bella!" He moaned and gasped as she came down again and he came, moaning again his hands shooting to her hips to stop her.
Jasper felt weak, like his soul had been ripped from him she shattered him so good. "Damn baby." He murmured. He kissed her softly. "I've never cum so much in my life." He murmured and kissed her again before she slid off him. Her phone rang and she moved, grabbing it from the nightstand.
"Ciao zio."
"We've had a hit on Vince. The fugitive task force is zeroing in on him. He'll be captured and brought back to LAPD headquarters. I wanted you to be the first to know."
Relief filled Bella. "Sei serio?" (Are you serious)
"Yes. You can rest easy now. Stay on task."
"Grazie… grazie zio." Bella said and hung up.
"Something good? Uh. Grazie means thank you right?" Jasper asked.
Bella nodded. "Si." She smiled and then she kissed him again, fiercely. "I…"she stopped. What was she about to say to him? I love you. "I think that we should probably get back to the shop." She kissed him again.
Jasper felt the shift when she kissed him, it was a different kind of kiss and he swore she was going to tell him something else but he smiled and nodded. "Sure. We can't hog all the fun. Dom and Jess need breaks too." He said and kissed her again before he got up, finding his clothes and pulling them on. He watched Bella pull on her clothes. He looked at her scar from where she was shot by Vince and everytime he saw the scar it made him angry. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and combed her fingers through it. He smiled and walked and grabbed her brush from her dresser and brought it over to her.
Bella took the brush and smiled. "Thank you." She brushed it through her hair carefully and then Jasper took the brush from her. "What?"
"Here. Let me." Jasper said and he brushed her hair for her. It was small gestures like this that made the relationship between them different than just a fun hookup or booty call.
Bella and Jasper pulled back up at the shop. Dom and Jesse were working on a car together and Dom looked up when he heard the Supra pull up. Bella got out at the same time Jasper got out and she smiled over at Jasper and he smiled back.
Dom saw how happy Jasper looked, looking at her. He knew that his friend was deep in love with Bella and he would be lying if he wasn't heading that way himself. "You two get some sun?"
Bella smiled. "Some, sushi is great."
Dom laughed. "Sushi? You got Jasper to eat sushi?"
"What… does he normally not eat Sushi?"
"He hates fish." Jesse said with a smile.
Bella turned and looked at Jasper. "You didn't say anything. You hate fish?"
"Well." Jasper shrugged. "It wasn't so bad." He took her hand and pulled her to him then he kissed her. "Hmm, though I prefer steak and potatoes."
Bella smiled and lightly hit his chest. "You could have told me you don't eat fish." She shook her head and then walked away from Jasper, going into the shop. She looked at the old Subaru. "This is an oldie."
"Yeah, Mrs. Cape needed a tune up." Dom said with a shrug. "She's had this thing for thirty years. Faithfully brings it in for the tune up."
Bella found that endearing. "Bry has my car for a bit. I'm using his."
"Using your car to impress the enemy." Dom said and grabbed a socket and went back to working on Mrs. Cape's car.
"I don't know Tran that well. Is he bad news?" Bella asked.
"You can say that." Jasper said.
"It's best you steer clear of Tran. Brian getting mixed up with his sister… that's only doomed to end badly." Dom said.
Bella shook her head. "Does Tran not like his sister dating people?"
"Tran doesn't like his sister dating anyone not Chinese." Jesse said.
"But you have issues with Tran, yeah?" Bella asked Dom.
Dom was quiet. "He's not good company. He's slimy and he knows how to press your buttons. He uses you for what he needs and makes sure that if something goes wrong, that you're the one holding the bag when the shit hits the fan. He got raided a month or so back and of course he skips the beat." He said. "I know he's guilty of something." He said and then he tossed the socket on the work bench and walked away.
Bella frowned and looked at Jasper. "What is he talking about?"
Jasper sighed. "Don't repeat this to Bry. Dom doesn't need more issues from Tran."
"Of course."
Jasper was quiet a moment and looked at Jesse and Jesse nodded. "Tran and Dom go way back. They were in jail together. Tran helped Dom meet parole and get out of jail. Dom was younger back then, naïve. He got rolled up with Tran again a few years later. Robberies. Tran's cousin took the rap so Tran and Dom could beat jailtime."
"Robberies?"
"Yeah. Electronics at the old Circuit City. They pulled a few different robberies and fenced the products. Tran's uncle owns a shop in Chinatown. He resold the electronics to make a profit for the Tran family. The uncle flies under the radar because no one knows that they're related because the guy isn't a Tran." Jasper explained.
Bella was shocked right now. "Wait. But Tran did something to Dom. He broke that trust?"
"Yeah. Vince got rolled in a job that Dom was doing with Tran. Vince took the rap so Dom didn't have to. Dom didn't want to do the job. He said he was out. He didn't want to run around stealing shit. He wanted to live straight and narrow. But Tran said one last job. That Dom owed him for his cousin doing time for them." Jasper sighed and shook his head. "But it was more than that. Dom and Mia… they have an older sister. Or had. Lettie died, helping them out of a job. She died and Tran covered it up. He has blackmail against Dom, that if Dom stops answering his calls, that he will send that blackmail straight to the cops and have him locked up and while Dom is away, he promises to take care of Mia and not in a good way." Jasper explained.
Bella shook her head. "Is he still answering calls?"
Jasper nodded. "Yeah, he doesn't have a choice. He's trying to protect Mia. She's got a bright future ahead of her. She doesn't deserve to be weighed down by Tran and Dom's history. Losing Lettie was enough for Dom to never dare go against Tran. Dom isn't even allowed in Chinatown either."
Bella was coming to the realization that Dom was part of the truck heists. "How do you know all this?"
Jasper looked at Jesse again and nodded. "Because I help him. Dom is my brother. I won't let him go into the line of fire alone."
"Oh." Bella said. "Are these jobs dangerous?" She was worried about Jasper and Dom and for once in her FBI career, she never wanted Bilkins to find out. She needed to figure out how to take Tran down without it burning Dom or Jasper.
"Yes. Very." Jasper said. "I'm telling you this Bella… because I trust you. I trust that you will keep this to yourself. Brian is playing a dangerous game getting mixed up with Tran. If Tran sees an opportunity to use Brian, he will and I don't want Brian to be mixed up in this. I definitely don't want you to be mixed up with this. So far… I haven't been with you when I get a call… but just know… you cannot follow me if I ever get the call while I'm with you."
"Jasper… you can't. You and Dom can't put yourselves in danger. What if something goes wrong? What kind of jobs are these?"
"Truck heists." Jasper said. "We drive fast. We're racers. We used to roll with four of us, but… with Vince being a fugitive because he's a piece of shit and Jess being in the hospital after being shot. We had to do it as a two man and it's just… it's more dangerous. I might not come back one night." He was being serious.
Bella swallowed and shook her head. "You… you can't do that. Jess can't be out there like-"
"Which is why we haven't since he's been out of the hospital. I don't want him in danger anymore and if I could get Dom to not be stubborn… I would do the jobs myself."
"Sacrificing yourself?"
"He's everything… Bella." Jasper murmured. "He's family."
"Familia." Bella murmured. She closed her eyes, weighing the morals inside her mind. "At what point is it enough?" Bella asked, opening her eyes. "Tran can't keep using you and Dom forever. There has to be an end in sight."
Jasper shook his head. "If I knew where he was keeping the flashdrive with the evidence to Lettie's death and the job that Vince got rolled for… I would tell Tran to shove it. But… I don't want Dom doing time for protecting his family. That's all he's doing."
Bella blew out a breath. "What if Bry can help… he's getting close to Tran's sister. What if he tries to help us out on the down low, yeah? Find the flash drive… then you and Dom don't have to do any more of these jobs."
"No. I'm not going to drag you or Bry into this. Bella, I can't see you get hurt again. Just… trust me. I'll handle it.." Jasper said.
Bella did trust Jasper. She trusted him more than she should. She was in deep. She was always capable of separating the job and emotions, but she was failing right now. Her phone rang and it startled her a little. She answered. "Ciao zio." She said.
"We lost Vince. Shelter if you can. You might be a target."
"Intesa."(Understood.) Bella said and swallowed. "Quanto tempo fa l'hai perso?" (how long ago did you lose him?)
"Twenty minutes ago. Be careful Bella."
"Lo farò. Grazie zio." (I will. Thank you uncle.) Bella said and hung up.
Jasper frowned, seeing Bella's demeanor change. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing important." Bella said and then brushed her hair back behind her ear. "Just my uncle."
Dom returned to the shop part. "Vince is back in LA. He called me."
"When?" Bella asked, her attention snapping back to Dom.
"Just now. He was yelling, he's coked out of his mind. I want you and Jesse to leave the shop. He-"
"I'm not leaving." Bella said, shaking her head. "I'm not going to leave you and Jasper here in danger. That's out of the question."
Dom stared at her. "I can't let you get hurt Bella."
"I'm not leaving." Bella shook her head again. "I am not afraid of Vince."
"Bella!" Dom yelled, frustrated.
Bella didn't back down, she only stared back at him. "I'm not a fragile little girl. I can handle myself and have been handling myself for years now. I don't need your protection."
"I'm not asking you to leave. I'm telling you. This is my shop and I-"
"I don't give a fuck." Bella cursed.
"You are the most frustrating woman I have ever met." Dom said and he meant that. He knew how headstrong she was, but he also knew that he didn't want to see her get hurt because Vince was a raving lunatic.
Jasper put his hands on Bella's shoulders. "Let's just close the shop Dom. Go home and wait Vince out. That way no one is in danger."
Dom didn't take his eyes away from Bella's. "No. I'm not going to close my business because Vince is psychotic."
Bella agreed. "I agree."
Jesse spoke up. "If it's cool, I'll chill in the office so I don't get shot again." He said.
Bella looked at Jesse, her eyes softening. "Oh Jess, I'm sorry. I didn't think."
"It's okay. I'll be okay in the office." Jesse said and he walked towards the office.
Jasper massaged Bella's shoulders a little. He could feel how tense she was. "Dom is right. You shouldn't be out here if Vince shows up. You can get hurt."
Bella turned and looked at Jasper. "I'm not going to hide from him. He's not here for me. He may not like me, but he's not coming after me. He's coming after Dom. After you."
"You're so stubborn." Dom muttered.
Bella raised a brow. "I'm the stubborn one?" She shook her head. "Sei testardo. L'uomo più testardo che abbia mai incontrato. Stai giocando vicino alla morte e non ti interessa come ciò influenzi le persone che si prendono cura di te!" She reverted to Italian as she berated him. (You're stubborn. The most stubborn man I have ever met. You are playing close to death and you don't care how that affects the people who care about you.)
Dom growled a little. "I do care!" He was close to her now, his chest brushing her. "I do care about the people that care about me. They are my family! I will always protect them, no matter what the cost is to me. Why do you even care, you're leaving after race wars anyways."
Tears gathered in Bella's eyes and she shook her head. "Scemo." (fool.)
"I'm not… I'm not a fool." Dom said and looked away from Bella, he couldn't stand to see her cry. He looked at Jasper, who looked torn. "Jazz. I…"
"It's okay." Jasper murmured. He saw it then. Saw how much Dom cared about Bella. Saw that Dom had fallen for Bella too. That he loved her and he was upset with her leaving to go back to Italy.
Bella wiped her face. "I am not leaving." She said it again and she walked away from Dom to go to the office to check on Jesse.
Dom ran his hands over his face. "Jazz. I… I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry. She's headstrong. I don't know what all she said and I forgot you spoke Italian too." Jasper said with a small smile. "You love her."
"It's fucking crazy. She drives me crazy."
"Me too." Jasper said with a nod. "You're angry she's going back to Italy."
"How can she leave after everything?"
Jasper put his hand on Dom's shoulder. "Bella deserves the chance to pay tribute to her father. The way she looked at you just now… she's torn. She doesn't want to go but she has to."
Dom closed his eyes. "You and her are-"
"Not in a committed relationship." Jasper reminded him. "Listen Dom… I love her, I'm not going to deny it. I fell in love, that's on me. I don't own her. I don't hold a right to her. She is free spirited and will make her own path. You just have to accept her for her and not try to suffocate her."
Dom knew that he could be suffocating. It was how he was when it came to protecting the ones he did love. "You told her about Tran."
"Yeah. I did. I trust her Dom, you should too."
Dom nodded. "I do trust her."
"Good."
[Two Days Later]
Vince didn't show his face at the shop. Dom and Jasper were on alert and so was Bella. Vince ducking the fugitive task force was lucky for Vince. The FBI fugitive task force usually never lost their targets.
Bella opened the fridge and looked inside. Beer and leftover takeout. Neither her or Brian cooked so this was what they lived off of. The front door opened and Brian walked in. She glanced over and saw Chinese food. "Oh. Good."
Brian smirked. "Yeah yeah, I understood the assignment. How's the shop?"
"Good. Vince hasn't showed his face at all. But the fear is still there. Bilkins said they are still trying to find him. There haven't been anymore heists. You got anything on your end?"
Brian shook his head. "Nope. Gina is doing great. I really do like her."
"Mmm. Tran have issue with it?"
"Actually no. Tran has been quite welcoming. I'm not quite in the inner circle just yet. I'm hoping I can work my way in and get them to tell me about the truck heists." Brian said and then separated the food. "Is Jazz spending the night tonight?"
"Yeah, he'll be by later he said. Him and Jess are working on the engine of an old charger that came in." Bella relayed and then picked up her chop sticks and started eating. Her phone rang and it was Jasper. She answered. "I was just talking about you."
"Um. Vince is riding with Dom ahead of me. Vince did something with Mia and… and won't tell us where she is. We're going to be doing another job, we got the call and I can't guarantee I'll be back tonight. I wanted to tell you that I love you. Don't talk." He said before she could say anything. "Whatever happens… I wanted you to know that."
"Jasper, I want to help. Please. Trust me now." Bella said quickly.
"Bella…"
"I'm coming to you. I am going to help you. Let me." Bella was more forceful with her words.
Jasper was quiet a moment. "Okay, we're going to Templin Highway."
"Got it." Bella said and then she grabbed her keys. "Brian, I have to go help Jazz with something. Stay here."
"No Bella, what's going on?"
"I can't drag you in with this."
"The hell you can't. Is Jasper and Dom in trouble?"
Bella hesitated. "Just… come on." She said and she grabbed her gun and Brian grabbed his and they left.
[Templin Hwy]
Bella saw the truck up ahead. It was dark out and she saw two cars, cars that matched the description of the previous heists.
Brian frowned. "Bella? What is going on?"
"Vince." Bella said then her phone rang and it filtered through the car. "Jasper."
"Baby I see you in the lambo. I was serious about not wanting you mixed up in this."
"Too late. Is Vince armed?"
"Yes."
"What's the plan?"
"Dom is driving. Vince is going to jump the truck, slow the driver down. I'm going to keep him on the road, can you-"
"I'll drop in from ahead. Slow him down that way if you keep him in the lines." Bella said and then swapped gears and kicked the lambo faster. "Jasper…"
"I know." Jasper said and then hung up.
Brian was in disbelief. "We're robbing a truck. Have you lost your mind? When did you find out it was Dom and his crew?"
"A few days ago. Listen. It's not what you think. Tran is the ring leader here. He is forcing Dom to do jobs because of what happened with Dom's other sister that died. Vince kidnapped Mia and is forcing Dom to do this job now. Vince is coked out of his mind right now. Dom will do anything for his family and that includes breaking the law. I don't expect you to understand. I didn't want you to be here for this. I'm throwing my career away, I didn't want you to throw yours away. So when this is over… give me a headstart before calling it in." Bella said. "Please."
Brian looked over at her and swallowed. "Mia is okay?"
"I don't know."
"Shit." Brian was quiet. "I've been hooking up with Mia."
"And Gina?"
"Gina is a front and you know it." Brian said. "I like Mia."
"She doesn't deserve this. I can't let someone else die on my watch Brian. Vince killed Rose and I wasn't there to stop that from happening." Bella said, looking over at Brian. "So please… give me a head start."
Brian nodded and focused back on the road. Bella zoomed ahead of Dom and Vince and cut over in front of the semi truck and she hit her brakes lightly, forcing the truck to start slowing down.
Vince climbed out of the sunroof and he leapt from the car onto the truck. Bella looked in her rearview mirror, watching. She noticed the truck driver raise a gun and shoot at Vince. This is what Bilkins meant by the truck drivers taking things into their own hands.
"Shit." Bella said and she changed lanes, slowing down in front of Dom so she was even with the truck. The trucker shot at Vince again. "Brian, take the wheel." She said and Brian did, sliding his foot over to the pedal and he watched Bella go through the window. "Get closer." She yelled back at Brian. Brian tried his best to get it closer. Bella leapt, grabbing the truck and slamming to her side.
"What the fuck are you doing bitch!" Vince yelled at her.
"Saving your life." Bella muttered and then cut the line that Vince had attached to the truck. "Your arm is fucked up, listen to me." She said and grabbed ahold of him. She nodded towards Dom and Dom sped up while Brian pulled the lambo over towards the side to a stop. Bella waited a moment and then shoved Vince onto the hood of the car and then ducked when she felt the whoosh of a bullet fly past her. "Shit." She cursed again. Dom was forced to slow down because of Vince being on the hood of the car.
Jasper felt his heart drop when he saw Bella leap onto the truck to get Vince off. He floored it when Dom backed off, pulling up beside her. "Bella, I've got you!" He shouted.
Bella heard the bullets fly again and she shields her face. She took a moment, gauging her distance before she leapt onto the car and Jasper slowed immediately, letting the semitruck go. He came to a stop and got out of the car and was pulling her into his arms. "Jasper I'm okay. Vince was shot." She said and she moved away from him to get in the passenger seat.
"Fuck." Jasper cussed and got back in the car and circled back around to Dom, Vince and now Brian.
Bella got out of the car and Vince was raving mad. Vince pulled a gun, growling, pointing swinging it around. Bella went back to instinct. She pulled her gun from her back and leveled it on Vince. "Drop it."
"You are a fucking cunt. I always thought you were trouble."
"Where's Mia!" Dom roared.
Vince started laughing crazily. "Where's Mia?" He laughed again. "Fuck you." He said and raised his gun.
Bella shot Vince four times, tagging him in the chest with each shot. Bella and Brian moved towards Vince and she kicked the gun away from his hand and went to the ground immediately to check his pulse. "He's dead. Bry find his phone."
Brian searched Vince's pockets, pulling Vince's phone out. "Here." He opened it, Vince didn't have it password protected. "He's been in contact with Tran. Tran has Mia."
"Shit." Bella cursed again. "Bry… call it in. Give me-"
"I know." Brian said staring at her and then he pulled his phone out. "This is Detective Brian O'Connor. Badge number 65PD454. I'm on Templin Highway, mile marker 68. I have a gunshot victim. Fugitive Vince Stephens." He was quiet. "Rodger." He said and hung up. "Bella you have to go now."
Bella's phone rang and it was Bilkins. "Bilkins."
"Are you with O'Connor?"
"No." Bella lied. "What's happened?"
"He called in Vince. He's been captured. We got a call from a truck driver that he was attacked."
"Want me to assist?"
"Get to Templin Highway." Bilkins hung up.
Bella blew out a breath. "Shit. Fuck." She looked at her gun and checked the clip. "Okay. Brian… take care of this. I'm leaving the lambo with you. I need just… don't send them our way just yet. I need to figure out how to get Mia back and I have to get Jasper and Dom out of here."
"Go. I'll cover." Brian said and took her gun and swapped his with hers. "Go. Now."
Bella turned and looked at very stunned expressions of Dom and Jasper. "I'll explain. We have to go now." She said and got into the black Nissan that Jasper had been driving. Jasper and Dom moved mechanically and got in the car and Bella drove off fast away from the scene of the crime.
Bella pulled up at Dom's house, pulling Vince's phone out of her pocket and she dialed Tran's number. "Listen. I know you have Mia. Let her go now or I won't have the full force of the FBI rain down on you." She said as she got out of the car.
"Hmmm. Who is this?"
"Agent Bella Swan. Release your hostage and you walk away peacefully. This doesn't have to come back on you."
"I'm supposed to trust that you're just going to let me walk away?"
"Release her. Release her or the FBI does come down on you. Not just for kidnapping, but for armed robbery, extorsion and that list keeps going."
There was silence. "I'll release the girl when I get my money."
"How much money."
"Three million dollars."
"Done." Bella said. "I'll wire it to you now."
"So quick to agree."
Bella growled. "Listen here you Chinese fuckwad. I am losing my patience. You send me the wire information and I'll wire you the 3 mil and you release her. Any harm comes to her I'll make sure you get buried and not the legal way. I will come for you and your family and I hear you have a sister too. Do not fuck with me Tran."
"Fine." Tran said and hung up. A minute later, Vince's phone pinged with wire transfer information.
"What the fuck." Dom cursed. "Who the fuck are you?" He was stunned.
"Baby, now's the time to tell us what the hell is going on." Jasper said, a little more calmly.
Bella typed in the information and wired the three million from her personal account. She had a lot of money, more than she could imagine because part of her backstory was true. Her mother had remarried, her step dad was rich. Ridiculously rich. She had millions she didn't even tell the Bureau about. It never came up in her background check because she had it in an account under her dad's name. She dialed Tran's number back. "It's done. Give me Mia."
"Alright." Tran said and hung up. A few moments later they heard motorcycles approaching. Bella knew they were armed before she heard the shots. She shoved Jasper out of the way and she pulled her gun and she fired, tagging the three drivers in the chest, forcing them off their bikes. The fourth bike barreled towards them and Mia was tossed from the bike, but Bella shot the guy in the chest and she ran towards them, kicking their weapons away from them. She heard the roar of the lambo and she looked up to see Brian rushing towards her, his weapon drawn as he went to help to make sure all the motorcyclists were down.
"Are you okay?" Brian looked Bella over. "Bella, look at me."
"Mia." Bella said and she turned away from Brian and she doubled back for Mia. Mia was groaning a little, but she was getting to her feet. "Mia! Are you okay!" Bella rushed over.
Dom and Jasper were rushing over towards Mia too. "Mia!"
"Dom!" Mia and Dom were hugging each other.
Brian looked around. "We gotta go."
"You're supposed to be on site with Vince."
"I couldn't… Bella I couldn't let you throw your life away." Brian said. "You've worked so hard. You've closed 136 cases. You've done more undercover work than I could ever dream about doing."
Bella shook her head. "Brian this is different."
"I know. This is family. I understand. Which is why I'm with you. Until the end."
"Brian no. Your career."
"Fuck the LAPD. They're idiots anyways." Brian said. "But we have to go. Ditch your phone, the cars. We have to get out of California and we need to disappear. The truck driver can ID you."
Bella ran her hands through her hair. "Okay. Let's get off the streets. The police will be here soon. That was a lot of gunshots."
"Right."
"Take the Dodge. In the garage." Dom said. "You have a lot to fucking explain to me, but right now, we need to move." Dom agreed with Brian.
The five of them piled into the Dodge and Dom tore away from his home and headed towards the garage to pick up Jesse.
They were crammed together in the car. Jesse sat in the back with Bella and Jasper and Mia sat on Brian's lap in the front seat. It was nearing three in the morning now. Everyone was quiet still.
"My name is Bella Swan… FBI." Bella broke the silence. "I was brought in from Quantico to find out who was behind the truck heists. Our target has been and always was Johnny Tran. I never… I never targeted any of you."
Jasper didn't know what to think. The woman he fell in love with, wasn't real. "You're not Italian?"
"The accent. Um. It was part of my cover. I am Italian though. My dad is Italian. He grew up in Italy. Not me." Bella said.
"Did he die?" Dom asked.
"Yes. A long time ago. He was a cop. Shot in the line of duty. I followed in his footsteps." Bella said.
"The boyfriend?" Jasper asked.
Bella nodded. "True. Edward, he's uh… he's on the FBI Fugitive task force. When we were sixteen, he tried to force himself on me. My dad did walk in… stopped it from happening and Edward… got a slap on the wrist."
There was silence again. " Your mom?"
"Really true. She remarried a man. I moved to Miami to live with her when I was seventeen after dad was shot and killed. They died in a car accident after my nineteenth birthday. My stepdad was a billionaire. Everything was left to me." Bella said.
Jasper was a little stunned. "So wait, you paid 3 million to Tran with your own money? Not some FBI fund?"
"Yes." Bella said, her dark eyes meeting Jasper's.
"Why?" Dom asked.
"Because she's family. You… she's your sister and… and I wasn't going to let Vince win again. Not this time."
Jasper shook his head. "All this time… working on cars together. Do you even-"
"I don't own Lucianos. It doesn't exist actually. I do own two mechanic shops in Miami. The Bureau doesn't know about it. I am a mechanic. I love cars. Always have. I have my own collection of cars."
"Brian are you-"
"Names really Brian. LAPD. Just a lowlife detective that enjoys going fast."
"You backed Bella up… why?" Mia asked.
"Because she's my partner." Brian said instantly. He sighed. "It also made more sense. I don't know the whole story, but I trust Bella with my life. I wasn't going to watch her crash and burn so to speak."
Jasper looked out the window, shaking his head. He didn't know how to feel right now. He felt Bella's hand on his leg and he looked down at it. He sensed that she was anxious and he just slid his hand over hers and he gave her hand a squeeze. "I'm processing." He murmured and then looked back out the window.
Dom was angry. Angry that he had been lied to for so long, and angry that he was being forced to go on the run. He knew it wasn't Bella's fault. Things would have turned out much worse without her. "Thank you." He said, looking in the mirror and catching her gaze. "Thank you for getting Mia back."
Bella nodded and then looked over at Jesse, who was now sleeping, his head resting against the glass. She looked over at Jasper as he stared out the window. She felt deep regret for ever lying to him. For feeling so confused about her own feelings for Dom and for Jasper. She felt a little sick to her stomach and she raised her hand up, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth. "Hmm."
Dom frowned. "Getting sick?" He asked and Bella nodded. Dom pulled over and Jasper opened the door to help her out and she moved to the side of the road and emptied her stomach. Jasper pulled her hair back and rubbed circles over her back.
"Baby are you okay?" Jasper asked gently.
Bella spit on the ground and Mia was handing her tissues from the glove box. Everyone was out of the car now except Jesse, who was still sleeping. Bella took the tissue and wiped her mouth. "Sorry. Um."
"You shot and killed five people today." Brian said. "Are you okay?"
Bella blew out a breath. "It's not killing people that makes me sick to my stomach Bry. I've killed over a hundred men." She felt the nausea roll again and she doubled over again, sick again.
Jasper patted her back some more. "Baby…"
Bella shook her head, tears coming to her eyes as she wiped her face some more. "Um. It's probably the Chinese food."
Brian frowned but didn't say anything. He ate the same thing and he was fine, but he nodded. "Yeah, maybe." He said and then looked around. They were close to the border. They would have to cross and never look back.
Bella swallowed. "Just need water. I sent a text to my accountant. They're making sure my funds are transferred offshore. We'll access them in Mexico. Make sure we stay low, assume identities and just… live a new life."
"Funds?" Dom asked.
"We have to live off something. I have money in the account that I used to send Tran the money. It's under my dad's name. It will take a while for anyone to realize. The FBI doesn't have the tracking capabilities to follow the money through different proxies. My accountant is doing what he needs to, to make sure there isn't a trail. I'll make sure you're all taken care of. I promise."
"You're going to leave?" Jasper asked.
Bella swallowed. "I've broken your trust. I was undercover and I… I can't take back that I was FBI. I can't. But I can make up for screwing up… your lives."
"You didn't screw up our lives." Dom said. "I did that myself. It was me that went to jail, got in with Tran and had to pull all these jobs."
Bella nodded. "We'll talk about it later. Let's just… let's just get to Mexico." She said and got back in the car. Brian got back in the front seat and Mia followed. Dom stopped Jasper from getting in behind Bella.
"Are you good?" Dom asked Jasper.
"I'm good." Jasper said and got back in the car. Dom sighed and got back in the car and they started back towards the border.
[Tijuana, Mexico]
The first thing Bella did was make sure they had clothes to change into. She found a house they could bunk down in. They were too close to the border, so this wasn't permanent. She paid cash for the rental and cash for everything else. She had close to 4 million pesos right now that she withdrew. It was plenty to get around Mexico. Bella was feeling sick still and she wondered if she was coming down with the flu or something. Bella came out of the bathroom after brushing her teeth and she felt a little dizzy. Jasper caught her when she stumbled a little.
"Easy." Jasper murmured and looked her over. "You're not okay."
"I'm fine."
"You nearly fainted babydoll."
"It's just the heat. I need food. Water. I haven't eaten much since we got here. Or slept." Bella explained.
Jasper didn't buy it. "Baby, talk to me. You're holding something back."
"I promise I told you everything about me. I was in the FBI. I was undercover investigating Johnny Tran. I promise you I wasn't targeting you or Dom. I just needed to be in the racing scene and find out information about Tran. I never thought you or Dom were part of the truck heists."
"Then I told you we were and you didn't report us. You didn't go back to Brian or your boss to tell them. Why?"
Bella looked up into Jasper's honey eyes. "Because Jasper… I fell in love… with you… with…"
"With Dom." Jasper murmured. "You sacrificed your entire career for us…" He said and then he kissed her softly. It was the first time he kissed her since everything happened to Vince and they became fugitives. Bella leaned against Jasper, tears coming to her eyes, relief that Jasper was kissing her now. Jasper reached a hand up, cupping her face and felt her tears. He pulled back to look down at her. "You're crying…"
"I'm scared." Bella admitted.
Jasper frowned. "Scared…"
"I didn't realize how afraid I was to lose you… to lose you and Dom… and Jess and…"Bella sniffed. "I'm normally not this emotional. God what is wrong with me…"
Jasper kissed her forehead, brushing her hair back. "A lot has happened. Let's just rest for a couple days and then we can go wherever we want. Make a new life. Okay?"
Bella nodded. "Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me." Jasper murmured and kissed her again.
Dom walked in with Brian, Mia and Jesse with him, seeing Jasper and Bella kissing and that made him feel better, seeing Jasper and Bella. It also hit the pit in his stomach because he had fallen for the same woman. "Alright. I've sold the car, bought us a new ride. We'll go South from here. We shouldn't stay in Mexico long. Mexico can extradite. The news hit. Brian and Bella's picture is everywhere along with mine and Jasper. So far, Jesse and Mia haven't been drawn into the mix up. "
Bella pulled back from Jasper and frowned. "We're wanted… for-"
"Murder." Brian said. "The bikers. Tran's gang, one of them was Tran. They believe Dom and Jasper shot them and me and you are helping Dom and Jasper. We're wanted in assisting a fugitive." He explained.
"Bilkins wouldn't be that stupid. It was the same gun." Bella said. "There wasn't two shooters, so Bilkins would know that it was one. I shot them with the undercover piece."
"That links back to me." Brian said. "But I was at the scene when Bilkins rolled up. When you weren't there he got suspicious. I told him I would go find you while they worked the scene. I know the trucker could ID so I had to get to you first before Bilkins."
Bella shook her head. "But why plaster Dom and Jasper's faces everywhere? Something isn't adding up." She was quiet as she thought. "I have a guy back at headquarters."
"That's dangerous Bella." Brian said. "You're a wanted criminal."
"He wouldn't betray me." Bella said. "Trust me, he wouldn't want to betray me… ever."
Brian looked around the room. "Okay. But you use a payphone here."
"I'll handle it." Bella said then moved towards the front door and Jasper went with her. He grabbed her hand. "Jasper, I can-"
"I'm going with you." Jasper said. "Come on." He said and walked out with her.
Everything was walking distance from the rental and it was excruciatingly hot in Mexico. Bella didn't realize how much hotter it could get than LA. They went to a payphone and Bella put some change in and dialed a number. Jasper waited with her.
"Hello?"
"Jake." Bella said it simply.
"Bella? Oh my god. Did you-"
"Not enough time Jake. Bilkins thinks that Toretto killed those guys?"
"No of course not. The guys were shot with a nine issues to Brian O'Connor, but Bilkins knows that you were the shooter. Bella, if you come back you can straighten this out. I'm sure of it."
"I can't come back Jake. I just need to know why they're pinning this all on Toretto and Jasper?"
"Because he's trying to protect you. You're an asset to the FBI. They don't want to lose you obviously."
Bella shook her head. "Tell Bilkins that I'm never coming back, but he needs to change that narrative. Dom and Jasper are innocent. Vince was hijacking that truck. Dom and Jasper were forced along. Vince and Tran kidnapped Dom's little sister and he was forced into driving that car. It was all Vince and Tran."
"That's not going to fly chicka. Listen, the Tran family want to blame someone."
"Jake. Trust me. Shoodi. Dadzoli. Ayoo ayo ni. Ayoo… ayo ni." (Please. Trust. I love him… I love him.)
"You love Toretto?"
"Yes."
"And Jasper?"
"Yes. Jake… I'm asking you. You know me better than anyone on this planet. I need you to understand."
"Bella. I love you, you know that. You're my best friend. I owe you my life. I'll talk to Bilkins. Promise me something."
"Anything." Bella breathed.
"Please stay safe."
"Always." Bella said and then hung up the phone. She blew out a shaky breath and she looked at Jasper, who was waiting patiently. "Jake uh… he's my best friend. We grew up as kids. I saved his life when we were twelve. He was drowning in the ocean. Cliff diving incident gone wrong. I was a stronger swimmer. I jumped in, helped him to shore. I got him a spot at the FBI. He's a computer whiz but he's also the muscle. We've done a few jobs together undercover. He said that Bilkins knows that it was me that shot Tran and his guys. He changed the narrative to protect me. I can walk back into Quantico without… without consequence."
Jasper shook his head. "But you won't do that…"
"I made my choice Jasper. I chose you and I chose Dom. I know it isn't… that me lying to all of you-"
"You were doing your job. I understand that. I was an Army Ranger remember?" Jasper said and then leaned in and kissed her. "I love you." He murmured against her lips.
Bella nodded, kissing him back, but then she felt sick again, she took a step back. She put her hand up to her mouth again and she closed her eyes to try and fight the nausea. It passed this time and she was thankful that she didn't throw up again.
"You've been sick off and on for hours. Baby, maybe we need to find a clinic somewhere."
"The doctors here in Tijuana are better. You're right. Let's find a clinic. Maybe they have something for food poisoning." Bella agreed and her and Jasper searched for a clinic.
[Walk-in Free Clinic, Tijuana, Mexico]
Bella and Jasper didn't wait long surprisingly. They were American and Bella had money so the doctor brought her back faster.
"He estado enfermo de vez en cuando. Náuseas. Vómitos." Bella spoke fluidly. (I'm been sick off and on. Nausea. Vomiting.)
Jasper would never stop being amazed at Bella. He was curious how many languages she actually knew.
The doctor nodded and looked at the paper Bella filled out. "I'm Doctor Hernandez. I speak English, I see you're American." He said and then started his exam, feeling her glands, listening to her heart, her belly. He took her temperature and checked her throat as well. "Hmm. Nothing appears to be off. No swollen glands. No sign of a bacterial infection in the throat. Let's go ahead and take some urine, test for UTI or pregnancy." He said and wrote something on the clipboard.
Bella frowned. "UTI?"
"Urinary tract infection." Dr. Hernandez supplied. "Bathroom to the right, collection cup in the window." He directed and Bella slid off the exam table and went to the bathroom.
Jasper studied the doctor. "Does a UTI cause nausea usually?"
"Sometimes." Dr. Hernandez said. "I think your friend might be pregnant. Some women don't like to be asked directly. How well do you know Miss Luciano?"
"Uh." Jasper was a little loss for words. "We're together. She's um."
"Ah. Okay." Dr. Hernandez nodded. "The test is quick. Simple. We'll know soon. We have ultrasound machines in this facility. If she's pregnant, we can take a look, see what we're dealing with." He said and then looked at his watch and wrote something else down.
Bella washed her hands and then joined Jasper in the exam room with the doctor. "So, are there antibiotics that can be… used to fight the UTI?"
"Of course. I'll go ahead and run those tests. I'll be back." Dr. Hernandez said and left the room to Jasper and Bella.
Jasper rubbed a hand over her back. "Hey, everything okay?"
"I don't… I don't like doctors." Bella blew out a breath.
Jasper smiled and then he leaned in and kissed the top of her head. "Well, hopefully the doc can fix you up, make it easier for you to travel. Dom isn't going to want to stay too long."
Bella nodded. She didn't want to stay here too long either. She was running through the list of countries that didn't extradite. A few minutes later the doctor returned. "So?"
"You do not have an UTI." Dr. Hernandez said and crossed his arms, hugging the clipboard. "You are pregnant Miss Luciano."
Bella wasn't sure she heard the doctor correctly. "What?"
"You're pregnant."
"That's impossible." Bella said, shaking her head.
Dr. Hernandez looked at the clipboard again and showed her the dip strip from the pregnancy test. "Bright positive. You are certainly pregnant."
"No, you don't understand. I can't get pregnant." Bella said. "I'm sterile."
Dr. Hernandez frowned. "You were diagnosed?"
"No. I had my tubes tied four years ago." Bella said. "It is impossible for me to be pregnant. The test is wrong doc."
Dr. Hernandez was confused. "Let's… let's take a look with the ultrasound. That's concerning. A false positive on a pregnancy test is highly unlikely. We need to see if the fetus implanted outside the uterine wall. This is emergent."
Bella looked at Jasper and then back at the doctor. "It's serious."
"Yes. Let me get the technician. Sit tight." He said and walked out of the room.
"Bella…"
Bella looked at Jasper. "I'm an agent… with the FBI. I was afraid to bring kids into the world. I… I know it was premature to do something like that. I never thought I would fall in love and… and I didn't know when or if I would have sex with someone, but if something happened… if something went sideways on a mission, I just… wanted to be sure."
"So all the times… us together. I assumed it was because you were on birth control… but…"
"I'm sorry. I didn't think to tell you. You're upset with me now." Bella murmured.
"No, I just… I… it doesn't matter. Let's just see what the doctor has to say. It sounds serious if it's an emergency."
A technician knocked on the door and rolled in a machine. "Mi nombre es Julia. Haré tu escaneo. Lo siento, no hablo inglés." (My name is Julia. I'll do your scan. I'm sorry, I don't speak English.)
Bella nodded. "Está bien. Yo hablo español." (It's okay. I speak Spanish.)
Julia smiled. "Acuéstese sobre la mesa y levántese la camisa." (Lay back on the table, lift your shirt)
Bella laid back on the table and she lifted her shirt up and Julia rolled cool gel over Bella's abdomen. The screen lit up and the three of them focused on the screen. The room was silent as Julia rolled the wand lower, scanning for a baby.
"Ah." Julia said with a nod. "Aquí mismo. El latido del corazón es fuerte. La ubicación es excelente. Dentro del útero." (Right here. The heartbeat is strong. Placement is great. Inside the uterus)
Bella shook her head. "Eso no puede ser. Mis trompas estaban atadas." (That can't be. My tubes were tied.)
Julia swirled the wand, looking at some things. "No. No lo estaban. Sin cicatrices, perfectamente saludable." (No they weren't. No scarring, perfectly healthy.)
Bella was so confused. She was dumbfounded right now. "¿El bebé? ¿Está bien? ¿Qué tan lejos?" (The baby? Is it okay? How far along?)
Julia did some measurements, looking at the baby from different angles. "Ocho semanas." (Eight weeks.)
"Estas Segura?" (You're sure?) Bella asked.
Julia nodded. "Si." She smiled and then zoomed in on the screen and pointed. "Su bebé. Saludable. Fuerte." (Your baby. Healthy. Strong.)
Bella teared up. "Mi bebé." (my baby) She murmured.
Jasper gave Bella's hand a squeeze to let her know he was there with her.
"Gracias." Bella murmured and Julia printed the pictured and handed them to Bella. She left the room to Jasper and Bella.
Bella just sat up with Jasper's help and he wiped off her belly gently. She stared at the picture of the baby growing inside her. Eight weeks pregnant meant that she got pregnant the first few times her and Jasper had sex. She couldn't believe this was happening. She drank beer since then. Jumped from a trailer to the car. She was shot and at the hospital they never said anything. She was worried but the proof of a healthy baby was staring back at her.
"What did she say?" Jasper asked after a moment of silence.
"I'm eight weeks pregnant." Bella said, shaking her head. "It is a miracle that this…" she brushed her fingers over the picture. "Getting shot like that. It grazed me. I didn't … I didn't get hurt too bad."
Jasper swallowed and nodded. He thought about all the dangerous stuff Bella did. "Is the baby okay? Did she say something was wrong?"
"Its healthy. It's in the right spot. My tubes were never tied and I don't understand why I was told they were. I went through surgery. I have the incisions to prove it. Yet… I wasn't and here is proof that they weren't tied. I'm pregnant…" she was letting it sink in now. She was a fugitive. She would remain that way for the rest of her life. Kids were never in the cards for her. This wasn't supposed to happen but it was happening.
Jasper didn't know how to feel right now but he was worried about Bella. He didn't know what the right thing to say was either. "Bella… I am the father… right?" he had thought about Dom. About them hooking up.
Bella looked up at Jasper and she saw conflicting feelings cross his face. "Dom and me happened once. I'm certain I was pregnant before that. Eight weeks ago … was when Rose died. Right?"
Jasper had to think about it but he nodded. "Around then yeah."
"You're the father Jasper." Bella assured him and handed him the picture. He took it, studying the picture of the tiny life inside Bella. "Jasper. Everything around us is dangerous. We have targets on our backs. We don't have a home."
There was a knock on the door and Doctor Hernandez walked in. "So, everything looks like a normal pregnancy. I see some scarring from a loop where there was an attempt at tying your tubes. It just didn't stick." He explained. "Eight weeks is pretty far. Conception is always dated back to the last menstrual cycle so fetal age is around 6 weeks. I suggest prenatal care. It's lacking in this country I know. But when you get back home in America, I would follow up with your doctor. I will give you some anti-nausea meds for the time being."
"Thank you." Bella said. She watched the doctor leave and she looked at Jasper. "What do we do?"
"Bella… I want whatever you want. I think we can make it work. You're not far along yet. We can settle someplace. Make a new life for ourselves. Just like you said. We don't have to face danger everyday as long as we have each other." Jasper said and then cupped her face. "I love you."
Bella teared up. "Jasper… I love you too." She murmured and she leaned in and she kissed him softly. "I don't want to tell the others yet. Um… I want to just. Focus on where we're going. They don't need the distraction right now."
Jasper nodded rubbing his hands down her arms. "Okay. We'll tell them when you're ready."
Bella kissed him again. "Thank you."
Bella and Jasper stopped off and got a few things from the market. Vitamins like the doctor suggested. They grabbed some phones too that they could use for everyone. Bella wanted to be sure they always had contact with one another. They got back to the rental, bringing food from the taco truck that was parked out near the market.
Dom looked up at Bella and Jasper when they walked in. "You guys were gone for a long time."
"Went by the market." Bella said and handed Dom a phone and one to Brian, Jesse and Mia. "Numbers are programmed in. I've been thinking of our next stop and I think the safest option is going to be Andorra."
"Where is that?" Jesse asked.
"It's a smaller country between Spain and France. They don't extradite." Bella said. "There are no beaches. It's all mountains and it's mostly reclused. They have tourism but it's safer to go unrecognized there. The climate is vastly different from LA."
"Have you been to Andorra before?" Dom asked.
Bella shook her head. "No. I haven't there are several countries that don't extradite but only a few that are good choices. Morocco is primary Arabic. The customs are different and harder to blend. Any of the big ones, Rio, Puerto Rico, Panama. All can extradite back to the United States. Andorra is easier to establish citizenship."
Jasper crossed his arms. "She's right. Arabic speaking countries will be harder. Customs are very different than what we're used to."
Dom looked at Mia and she nodded. "What about Italy?"
"The only part of Italy that is safe is the Vatican City. They never extradite but it's hard to gain citizenship there. None of the Pacific islands should be considered either." Bella added. It was hard to choose where to go from here.
"Okay. How do we get to Andorra?"
"I'll charter a plane. Get us to Andorra. I can have a house bought and ready by the time we land." Bella needed a safe place to lay low for an extended period of time. Andorra would be easy to navigate language wise for Bella. She could speak all the languages from Andorra so she wasn't concerned with communication.
"Okay. Let's do that. Andorra it is." Dom said.
Jasper ran his hand over Bella's back gently before it settled on her hip. "Lets rest, and go over it tomorrow.," he suggested.
Everyone was tired, Dom saw it. Bella saw it. They needed a break… they needed dumb luck. They needed a lot of things. But first they needed to keep moving.
