Racing Dirty

by J. Lynn Lombard

  When I step inside, the first thing I see is Mia still tied to a chair. She is on the ground now, like someone pushed her over. Her eyes are wide and terrified, searching all around her. Ashley is upright, but her head is still slumped forward, resting on her chest. I can see her breathing.

  An old musty smell and dust invades my nose as I step further into the mudroom. The house has an abandoned, eerie feeling to it. Shadows in every corner from night coming, is making me nervous. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. There’s someone else, somewhere in the house, watching and waiting for me to make a move. I step into the living room, where Mia and Ashley bound to two chairs in the center of the room.

  There’s an old couch covered with a sheet that was once white, but now grey from the settling dust. There’s an old fireplace on one wall, next to a dirty window on the west side of the house. The sun is glaring through the window, casting its final rays of the day. I move quickly to Mia and Ashley and start to undo Mia’s ropes. I get Mia’s hands untied when something outside catches my eye from the window. Mia lets out a whimper through the rag tied around her mouth, when I stand up and go to investigate.

  “I’ll be right back.” I whisper to her, not waiting for an answer.

  I walk past Mia and Ashley with a fast pace and into the old, dirty kitchen. Dirt covers the linoleum, but there’s footprints all around. There’s an island in the center of the kitchen, littered with old newspapers and junk. There is so much garbage and dust inside of here, it’s coating my sweaty skin, making it itch.

  I open the back door and peek my head outside. I inhale the fresh air and look around. There’s more woods in the back of the house and the porch is in worse condition. Missing boards are back here and the steps to get off the porch rotted out. There is nothing out here but weeds, woods, and rotten boards. I take another deep breath and head back inside.

  I cautiously walk back into the living room to Mia and Ashley. I keep looking around to make sure no one is going to sneak up on me. Mia is completely untied and she is trying to wake Ashley up. Mia has bruises on her face and blood running down her nose. She’s holding onto her left side, taking short breaths. I untie Ashley’s hands and start working on her feet. She lets out a quiet groan and rolls her head on her shoulders.

  “Come on Ash, wake up.” I whisper to her.

  I shake her hands, trying to get the blood flowing back into her fingertips. She slowly opens her eyes, but the sun’s rays coming through the window makes her wince and close her eyes again. I get a good look at her face, she has a massive bruise forming on the left side of her head, near her temple. Dried blood is stuck to her hairline. Someone hit her with something and caused a concussion.

  “Ash, honey. Come on we have to get out of here.” I shake her shoulders gently. She opens her eyes again and squints.

  “Izzy?" Ashley croaks out.

  “Shh, honey. Yeah, it’s me.” I tell her gently.

  Mia finally speaks, her voice is barely a whisper. “Thank God you got here when you did. That woman is batshit crazy. She makes my crazy look calm."

  My spine stiffens as we help Ashley out of her chair. Her legs give out slightly and I wrap her arm around my shoulders. Mia does the same and we support Ashley’s weight between the two of us.

  “What do you mean? Where is she?" I ask in a soft voice.

  “I don’t know. She was here and then when you came in the front door, she went out the back door.”

  I stop walking and look around again. “Fuck, Mia. She’s still here.” I whisper. My heart is beating fast again and every shadow in the old house is making me jump. I hear a click of a gun at the back of my head and I take a harsh breath. Mia let out a little squeal.

  “You got that right, bitch. I’m still here. Don’t move.” Marie’s voice is low and deadly as she keeps talking. “You took everything away from me. I thought I had you beat, but you wouldn’t stay away. I told you, Xavier is mine." This woman is crazy, and I can hear it in her voice.

  “Marie, let’s talk about this.” I say calmly. On the inside I’m fucking terrified, but I can’t show any weakness. On the track, if I show any kind of weakness, those guys will eat me alive. Just like here. I’m terrified, but I can’t let it show.

  “There’s no talking anymore.” Marie hisses.

  “OK, no more talking. Let these two go and you can keep me. The one you want. They’re in no shape to fight you anyways.” I respond. “Please Marie, let them go.” I plead with her. The gun still flush with the back of my head.

  “You two go, get the fuck out. I have who I want.” Marie says after a beat.

  “I’m not leaving you, Izzy.” Mia cries.

  “Mia, you have to. Ashley needs a doctor, you need a doctor. Take my jeep outside and get Ashley the help she needs." I’m trying to talk in code and I hope Mia gets it.

  I transfer Ashley’s arm from around my shoulders slowly. She’s standing on her own a little better. The glaze in her eyes isn’t as bad as before, but she’s still not out of it yet. Mia is sobbing now.

  “Mia, please keep it together and get both of you to a doctor. I’ll be fine.” my voice is strong, but I’m still shaking on the inside.

  Keep it together for a little bit longer Izabella. I pep talk myself. Mia controls her sobbing and nods her head.

  “OK, but I don’t like this.” Mia’s breath hitches. I give Mia a forced smile.

  “I know. It’s the only way. Now go.” I command. The gun is pressing harder against the back of my head and I lift my hands up in the air.

  “You better fucking move before I change my mind. You have five seconds to get out that door or I’ll shoot her in the head, then shoot you.” Marie hisses out to Mia.

  Mia helps Ashley to the front door and opens it. I’m relieved when they disappear from my line of sight.

  “Thank you.” I tell Marie.

  “I didn’t do it for you bitch.” she hisses. The gun presses even harder to the back of my head. “Though, it would have been fun to watch you watch me torture them, but I have other plans for you." The venom in her voice sends a shiver down my spine.

  “What are you going to do?" I ask.

  Marie removes the gun from the back of my head. She yanks on my hands hard and ties them behind my back. I hear her gasp. Anger radiates from her body when she runs her fingers down my left hand.

  I close my eyes. Fuck. My engagement ring. I forgot I had it on.

  She yanks my ring from my finger and her other hand pulls my head back harshly, bringing tears to my eyes. I’m almost bent over backwards.

  I finally get a good look at her face. I haven’t seen her since the day she paid me a visit and ruined our lives five years ago. She looks so different now. Her shoulder length black hair is greasy and dirty. Her cheekbones are sunken in, and her lips are dry and cracked. Her black eyes are cold and deadly as they stare into mine. I swallow hard at the sight of her and the smell of body odor and sweat coming off her, makes me want to gag. I hold it in and meet her gaze.

  “You don’t deserve this.” she sneers.

  Her chapped lips reveal yellow teeth. I want to vomit, but I can’t.

  “You’re right.” I grit through my teeth, trying to keep her from doing something stupid, like shooting me. Her cold, deadly black eyes take on a look of surprise.

  “I’m glad you agree.” Marie hisses

  She yanks my hair again and drags me to the chair Ashley was in. Tears are swelling in my eyes and I pray Xavier finds my note and finds me. It was a stupid idea to come here alone. Only Mia and Ashley know where I’m at right now and it took me a half hour to get here from town. Marie ties me to the chair and stands in front of me a look of satisfaction on her face, the gun pointed at me again.

  “I have one last surprise for you.” she sneers at me.

  I hear someone come up from behind me and my heart drops to my toes when they stand next to Marie.

  “Well, we meet again.” The man standing in front of me s
ays. This is it, this is the end. It wasn’t about my dad, it was about me.

  Chapter 38

  Xavier

  We arrive at Izzy’s house. I jump out of Christian’s car before it even stops. Nolan and Christian hot on my tail as I take her front porch steps two at a time. I fling open the front door, banging it on the wall.

  “Izzy." I scream as I run through the house.

  “Izzy." I scream again. There is no answer. I can smell her all through the house as I search it top to bottom. There is no one here.

  “Xavier." Nolan yells from the kitchen. “Come here.”

  My shoulders are slumped as I enter the kitchen. “She’s not here.” I tell him, defeat in my voice. I drop my eyes to the ground. I’m fighting back tears when Christian comes up behind me and shakes his head.

  “It’s empty.” he says.

  “Xavier, she left you a note.” Nolan tells me. I look up and see he’s holding a piece of paper. I take it from him with shaky hands. I take a deep breath before reading it.

  X,

  I’m so sorry I yelled at you at the track. I should have trusted you to watch my back, but I was scared. I was scared that, while you were watching mine, no one was watching yours. When they tampered with my car again, I lost it. I lashed out at you and I shouldn’t have. You can’t keep me safe no matter how hard you try. We can’t predict what others choose to do. We can’t predict the crazy in other people. I love you with my whole heart. I’ve loved you since we were kids. You have been my entire world, the love of my life.

  I need to do the right thing and save Mia and Ashley. Marie took them, and I need to trade myself for their safety. They’re at an old farmhouse about a half hour away. She wants me, not them. They’re a way to drag me away from you, but I won’t go down without a fight.

  If anything happens to me, please, please, move on. Keep your beautiful heart open for love again. Keep your head in the race and live your life. I will always be a piece of you as you are a piece of me. When I left, five years ago, I lost myself, but these last couple of months made me whole again. You made me whole again. I need to do this. You need to have peace and happiness, even if it’s not with me. Always carry me in your heart, but leave enough room for someone else.

  I’ll see you on the other side.

  Forever yours, B

  I wipe the tears from my eyes when I finish reading her letter. It’s her final goodbye to me. I refuse to accept it, I won’t accept it. I look up at the ceiling and take a deep breath. Christian’s phone rings and he answers it.

  “Yeah, what do you have?" He barks into the phone. I watch as he’s pacing the kitchen, back and forth.

  “Thanks, man I owe you one." Christian hangs up his phone. “Come on. They tracked Izzy’s cell to an old farm house off Nottawa Road.”

  Christian runs to the front door. I’m hot on his heels and we all jump into his car. As Christian starts his car and takes off at breakneck speed, Nolan’s phone rings. He answers it quickly.

  “Yeah,” he snaps. “Holy shit are you serious? We will be there in less than fifteen minutes." He snaps the phone shut and looks at me. “That was some of my guys. They found Izzy’s jeep. Mia and Ashley were in it, but no Izzy. Mia has some cracked ribs and they both have concussions. Mia is rambling about some crazy woman and some guy. Step on it Christian.” I don’t miss the urgency in Nolan’s voice. My adrenaline is thrumming through my veins, wreaking havoc on my nerves.

  Christian punches the gas harder and we’re climbing over ninety miles an hour, weaving in and out of traffic. Barely avoiding cars and running red lights. Nolan’s guys from the track, muscle freaks one and four, are keeping up with us when we reach the outskirts of town.

  “What guy would she be talking about? I thought Williams is in lock up, under heavy guards?" I ask.

  “I don’t know.” Christian answers. His teeth are grinding together, and there is a distinct tick in his jaw. The corn fields, houses, and farm lands all fly by me in a blur as we make our way to Izzy’s jeep.

  “This isn’t making sense. Why would she let Mia and Ashley go, when she should have known they’d find us?" Christian asks.

  Rage settles into my bones when a revelation hits me.

  “To draw me out. She wants me too and letting them go guarantees I’ll go and try to rescue Izzy.” I tell them.

  I spot Izzy’s jeep parked off the side of the road when we arrive. There’s an ambulance and cops all around them. I get out of the car before it even comes to a stop and run up to Mia on a stretcher. She has an IV in her hand and an EMT looking her over.

  “Mia.” I whisper. Her eyes find mine and a small smile plays on her bruised and bloody face.

  “Xavier, I knew you’d come. Go help Izzy please. She needs you to save her from that man.” she mumbles. I grab her small hand, being careful of her IV.

  “What man Mia? What man are you talking about?" Her eyes drift shut and snap back open.

  “The one who wants her. He’s been obsessed with her since she wouldn’t accept his advances in L.A.” she tells me and drifts off to sleep. The EMT looks up at me.

  “We need to get her to the hospital. I’ve sedated her because of the pain, but she needs an x-ray of her ribs and a doctor to look her over.”

  Christian is by my side. “I’ll go with them. You and Nolan get these fuckers."

  I nod my head and leave Mia’s side. I walk over to Ashley on the other stretcher. She’s staring into space, her eyes glazed over. Nolan is next to her, gently holding her hand. I hold her other hand and her eyes drift to mine, slowly.

  “Ashley, I’m so sorry this happened to you. Is there anything you can tell me?" She slowly shakes her head, wincing from the pain.

  “I’m sorry Xavier, I was passed out the whole time.” she whispers. “I didn’t see who hit me. All I know is that there was two of them. I saw two sets of feet when they ambushed us at Mia’s house." Tears form in her light brown eyes and she shakes her head slowly, trying to clear it, but winces from the pain.

  “Please help her. Izzy needs you right now. That woman is fucking crazy.” Ashley says, barely staying awake.

  “I know and I am. Mia said something about a guy from L.A. Do you know who that is?" I ask her. She shakes her head again.

  “Ouch.” she groans. “No, she only went on a handful of dates, but never felt that spark." Ashley stares off into space for a moment before speaking again. Her eyes grow wide when she realizes something. “Shit. Now that I think about it, there was a guy that kept hanging around our building. He would be there when we left. He never approached us. Maybe it’s him."

  Nolan, still holding her hand. gently asks, “Ashley, what did he look like?"

  She slowly turns her head to Nolan, wincing from the pain. “He has brown hair, blue eyes. He is tall, about six feet, but skinny. I’ve never talked to him before though.” She doesn’t realize it, but she just described Williams.

  “Nolan, call your contacts and make sure Williams is still in jail.” I tell him. He let’s go of Ashley’s hand and pulls his phone out.

  “I’m on it.” He says.

  I squeeze Ashley’s hand while Nolan walks away, talking on his phone. “These guys are going to take you to the hospital now. The doctors need to check your head and make sure nothing else is wrong. Just try to stay awake, concussions are nasty and you’re going to feel sick. I’m sorry this happened to you.” She closes her eyes before speaking again in a soft voice.

  “Xavier, I’m happy she found you again." Ashley’s brown eyes open, searching for me. When they finally reach me, she tries to focus through her glossy gaze. “Please help her.” She says before drifting off to sleep. I try to wake her, but the EMT who had been working on Mia approaches me.

  “She’ll be OK. I’m going to load her up in the back of my ambulance and get her to the hospital too. The doctors will be able to get a better assessment when she gets there. Is there anyone to call for these two?" he asks.

  “Mia
’s parents, but I don’t know about Ashley. She just came here from California today.” I tell him. He moves Ashley toward the ambulance when Nolan comes over to me, his body shaking with rage.

  “Xavier, we have to go. Somehow Williams’ escaped, and they can’t track him.”

  My heart bottoms out. The noise of the ambulance taking off, the cops milling around talking, all fade away. I’m diving head first, toward the end game, as rage consumes my body. I’m heading to a place where my demons are lurking, ready to take down anyone who stands in my way.

  Chapter 39

  Izzy

  I open my mouth to talk, buy no words form. I’m in shock. I’ve seen this guy, standing in front of me, in L.A. I recognize him from college. Memories flood my mind of each time I’d see him around. He’d be watching and waiting for me outside my dorm room, after classes, even when I went on a few and far between dates. He was always there. I brushed him off as someone who was harmless. He never talked to me, he just sat in different spots on campus and I thought he was just another student. I don’t even know his name.

  I take in his brown shaggy hair, blue eyes, and tall, skinny frame. He doesn’t have as much muscle as Xavier. He looks like he’s lost weight since the last time I saw him in L.A.

  I was heading into my dorm and he was sitting on the bench just outside of the building. When I looked in his direction, he turned his head, like he wasn’t waiting for me or anything.

  He approaches me and bends down so he is eye level with me in the chair. “I guess you shouldn’t have dismissed me so easily, Izabella.” he says, running a finger down my cheek.

  I yank my head away in disgust. A gut reaction to someone touching me I don’t want to touch me. It turns out to be a wrong move.

  He narrow’s his blue eyes and pins me with a deadly glare. I prepare myself for the worst. He throws his hand back and smacks the right side of my face with an open palm. There’s sting and then a burn on the side of my face as my head whips to the side. When I move my head back, tears are forming in my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall.