Racing Dirty, L.A.

by J. Lynn Lombard

  “I’m here Nolan. I’m not going anywhere.” I reassure him.

  He doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t need to. His face expresses it all. His handsome features change from grief to anger to understanding. I lean in and rest my forehead against his, breathing in his woodsy scent. Our lips are mere inches apart and his breathing becomes heavy. Our hearts are beating as one when he closes the distance between our lips and his mouth crashes onto mine. His kiss is searing into my soul, curling my toes as I kiss him back with the same urge. I open my lips and allow his tongue to slip inside. His hands tighten around my waist and my exposed body brushes up against his. I break the kiss and search Nolan’s eyes.

  “I don’t know what to say,” I whisper. “I have a million questions floating around my head, but I don’t know which to ask first.”

  “You can ask me anything you want, Ash. I want to give all of my past to you the way I gave you my heart,” he whispers. “No secrets. No lies. I need you to have it all.”

  I pull away from the comfort and warmth of his body and we get dressed. Nolan doesn’t put his shirt back on, but I’m ok with that. Sitting down, side by side on the sandy beach, we both stare out into the ocean lost in our own pasts for a moment. I move to sit between his legs, leaning up against his firm chest and draw a difficult breath.

  “What happened with Wrath? Is she the one responsible for these scars?” I ask.

  He swallows hard and releases a harsh sigh before responding. “Yes. I can’t bring up that memory yet, it’s too raw at the moment but I’ll answer soon. Just...I can’t right now.” he pauses, trying to gather his thoughts. “If I do, I'll spiral down that dark path and won’t come back for a while. I need to focus on tonight. On keeping you, the love of my life, safe.” Nolan says quietly.

  I nod my head in understanding. I’ve been down the dark path before, been in his place, where memories bring out the worst in people. “It’s Ok, Nolan I get it. After my parents died, I spiraled out of control and been in that dark place. Before my foster parents rescued me from the group home, I would get into some kind of fight just to feel something, anything but the numbness overtaking my body and mind. Then I met Shaun after I moved in with the Spencer’s. I needed a different outlet, a different way to deal with my parents and Austin’s death. He gave me my racing world back, my family. But he became too overbearing, too controlling and I couldn’t take it anymore. Now he wants to get rid of me because he thinks I had him arrested and thrown in prison for three years. It wasn’t my fault he was in the wrong race at the wrong time or he had drugs on him while he raced. It wasn’t my fault he was wanted for questioning in a robbery and assault. But he made it my fault in his warped head.”

  I huff out a breath, white-hot rage rushing through my veins. Not even the sounds of the ocean can soothe me right now. During my rant, I stood up, pacing back and forth along the sandy beach. Nolan stands, wrapping his arms around me and hugs me tight against his solid chest, halting my movements.

  “We will get through this, Ash. You and me and our families. You worry about the meeting with Ian and I’ll keep watch for the little asshole and make him wish he never fucked with you.” His voice full of promise and revenge for me.

  “Thank you,” I answer, looking into his eyes.

  I rise on the tip of my toes and gently press my lips to his. Nolan tightens his hold around my waist and pulls me flush against him, deepening the kiss. His hardness digs against my stomach and my body quivers with need. He breaks away and rests his forehead against mine, breathing rapidly.

  “We need to get back to the house and get ready to leave. Everyone that left should be back soon.” Nolan says breathlessly.

  My desire vanishes as the reality of what we must do tonight settles on my chest. Nolan rubs his hands up and down my back, soothing me. I’ve never experienced apprehension before a meet since I took over as one of the head bosses. A sense of foreboding settles in my body and I can’t quite figure out why. Something is wrong. Something is very wrong.

  Chapter 26

  Ashley

  We walk hand in hand up the beach back to my house. I search around before we go inside and the little hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. That instinct in the pit of my stomach is becoming stronger the closer we get. My windows are still frosted over, stopping anyone from seeing inside and in this moment, I wish I didn’t turn them on. I tighten my hold on Nolan’s hand and hesitate. He stops next to me a questioning look on his face.

  “Ash, what’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know, but something's off. My instincts are telling me something isn’t right. I’ve learned over the years to trust my gut.” Panic lacing my voice.

  “Stay here,” Nolan demands as he unholsters his gun.

  “Hell no, I’m going in with you. No point in arguing because if you leave me out here, I’ll still follow you.” My face must have shown how serious I am because he doesn’t argue.

  “Then stay behind me. Keep ahold of my back pocket so I know you’re still there.” Nolan finally replies.

  I nod my head and hold onto his back pocket when he shifts towards the house. The muscles on his back tighten as he opens the back glass sliding door. The house is quiet when we enter the kitchen. I can hear the ticking of something I can’t quite put my finger on. The refrigerator is humming as we quietly walk past it.

  “Where is everyone?” I ask in a whisper.

  Nolan shakes his head and brings a finger up to his lips, his other hand holding the gun out in front of him as we make our way past the living room and up the stairs. Silence greets my ears and my heart is beating hard in my chest. The ticking noise sounds loud in my ears. Nolan opens the first door to our left and enters the room, doing a sweep. There is no one there, but two of his guys go bags are on the double beds. We repeat this process with the rest of the rooms and they all come up empty. My heart drops into my stomach when there is no one here. Not Izzy or Xavier, Hotflash is gone and so is all of Nolan’s crew.

  Questions flood my brain as we make our way back down the plush carpeted stairs. Did we miss the meet? Where did they all go? Did something happen to them? What the hell is going on? I look at the clock on the stove once we go back into the kitchen and it reads ten p.m. I know we’re not late. This is the time we have to leave to get set up.

  Nolan opens the front door and glances around in the dark, his gun still out in front of him. He still hasn't said a word since we entered the house and he told me to be quiet. He has a deadly look in his brown eyes and I suddenly have the urge to get away from my house as fast as I can. When it appears clear, he motions for me to go ahead of him. I run to my car parked in the driveway and jump into the driver’s seat. Nolan quickly follows holstering his gun back on his side.

  My hands are shaking as I push the button to start my Shelby GT-500. She purrs to life, and I put her in reverse. I squeal down the driveway, my heart still hammering in my chest. I throw my car in first and punch the gas, shifting smoothly as the RPM’s rapidly raise. My heart beat slows down as I maneuver in and out of the heavy L.A. traffic. I keep an eye on my mirrors, watching for cops to pull me over from the speed I’m going as we fly up the four oh five towards Mason Park. Nolan keeps watching out his side mirror and behind us, his face isn’t giving anything away. Something is still wrong. I can feel it in my bones.

  “Don’t freak out on me Ash, but we need to get off the freeway,” Nolan says with a calm voice.

  “What? Why?” I ask. I peer into my mirrors again but don’t see anything.

  “We’re being followed. There’s a red BMW three cars back. They’ve been changing lanes at the same time you do. Here’s how you’re going to do it. You will maintain your speed and at the last second get off the next exit. Stay in the passing lane until it’s right upon you then veer over. No turn signals. Hopefully, they can’t get over and miss the exit.” Nolan looks at me and rests his hand on my thigh, calming the panic and rage flowing through my veins.

&
nbsp; “You got this. I have faith in you,” Nolan reassures me.

  “I’ve got this,” I repeat to him, nodding my head.

  I remain in the center lane, speeding by other drivers to my right. I catch the signs for the next exit and tighten my grip on the steering wheel. Changing lanes so I’m in the farthest lane away from the exit, I raise my eyes and watch my rearview mirror. Bright headlights a few cars back do the same thing. Returning my focus to the freeway, the exit is approaching fast. Luck is on my side when there’s an opening. I clutch the steering wheel and release a sharp breath, cutting across all five lanes at the last second and speed down the ramp. I don’t stop as I weave in and out of traffic, downshifting with ease. I make a hard-right turn, pull my emergency brake and drift around the corner. Adrenaline rushes through my body as I pull out of the drift, my tires screeching, resisting the turn. I make a sharp left on the next corner, horns and headlights blare at us as I run the red light. I punch the gas as I pull out of the left hand turn and shift, increasing my speed.

  My body’s relaxing behind the leather wheel, but my hands are still gripping the wheel tightly as we race down the dark streets of some unknown city. I make another left-hand turn, the tires squealing in protest again. Nolan hasn’t removed his hand from my thigh as I keep on shifting and turning. We make several more left and right hand turns until we’re deep in the unfamiliar area of the city. Rundown buildings, broken street lamps, and abandoned homes fly past us as I’m in the zone, not paying attention to where we’re going but doing what I can to escape from the danger behind us.

  “We’re in the clear. You can slow down now,” Nolan tells me, snapping me from the trance I’m in. I remove my foot from the gas pedal and slow down, relaxing my tight grip on the steering wheel. “Very impressive,” his deep husky voice fills my ears.

  I sneak a glance in his direction. His brown eyes are hooded with lust as he watches me and it’s a huge turn on at this point. Racing always gives me a thrill but having the man I love next to me, helping me keep my cool, I can’t help but shudder at the sudden desire that penetrates my body.

  I notice an abandoned parking lot and pull in. I turn the car off and get out. I need to clear my head and concentrate on what’s happening, not the sexy tattooed man sitting next to me with secrets of his own. I lean against the hood of my car, struggling to control the shaking of my hands from the adrenaline that has been sweeping through my veins over the past half hour. Nolan gets out and leans on the hood next to me. The heat from his bare chest is scorching as his shoulder brushes against mine. My breath catches in my throat as I try to calm my racing heart. Nolan wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his chest, his heart beating just as fast against my ear. He gently kisses the top of my head, creating a shiver down my spine. I lean up and look into his eyes.

  “What do we do now?” I ask.

  “Where would your team go?”

  I think about that question for a moment and then the answer dawns on me. “Oak Mountain. It’s where we meet if we become separated during a race. I don’t have my cell phone on me. I don’t know where it went to but my two-way radio’s in the car. When we get closer, I’ll try it and see if anyone answers. Do you have your phone?”

  “I think so,” Nolan says as he checks his pockets. He pulls out his cell and hits the side button. Nothing happens. “Fuck, it’s dead. I didn’t charge it today.” Nolan says with agitation.

  “There’s a charger in my car.”

  We climb back in my car and I hand Nolan the car charger. He plugs his phone in and I start the ignition. My car purrs to life under my feet. Before I can back out of the parking lot, headlights flood my rearview mirror. Cars surround me from all sides, stopping me from leaving.

  “Oh shit,” I hiss.

  Nolan draws his gun from its holster, resting it on his lap. The blinding lights flicker off and a door open behind us. Footsteps draw closer until they’ve stopped right behind my car. I can’t see who it is yet because they’re hiding in my blind spot. Nolan keeps a tight grip on his gun watching each car, waiting for someone to strike.

  “Krimson,” A deep Hispanic voice flows through the air and I breathe a little easier.

  I glance at Nolan. “I know who this is. We need to get out and confront them. Stay close and let me do the talking.”

  I open my car door and Nolan does the same. We get out and slowly walk to the back. My hands are out in front of me, revealing I’m not carrying any weapons. Nolan is doing the same, but his gun is resting on his hip.

  “Diablo, what can I do for you?” I ask the leader of the Tres Seis Gang.

  Diablo has had serious issues with Redline since before he took over the west side. They’ve been in a turf war for years and Redline has tried to keep me out of it, but that never happens. I know all about his business and how to handle Diablo.

  He has on dark blue jeans, a black muscle shirt, and black boots. Diablo’s intricate tattoos run up and down his arms, starting from his wrists all the way up to his shoulders and travel under his shirt. He’s watching Nolan with icy blue eyes, assessing him. I know how Nolan looks when you first meet him; he gives off an air of hostility. He hasn’t been able to put a shirt on yet, the scars and tattoos across his chest are prominent, and his muscles are rippling with agitation under the dim street lights. Diablo’s dark eyes swing back in my direction while three other men walk behind him, arms crossed over their chests.

  “Krimson, word had it you were in the area. I had to see for myself."

  “I must have made a wrong turn somewhere,” I shrug my shoulders, feigning indifference.

  “Wrong turns can get you in trouble,” Diablo’s voice is low and deadly.

  His ice blue eyes roam over my body and I do my best not to act affected. All I want to do is punch this asshole in the face. My hands are shaking and I’m really close to losing my temper with him, but I must rein it in. I approach him so we’re only a footstep away. Nolan muscles tense up behind me, but I ignore it. I draw a deep sigh and meet Diablo, face to face.

  “Look, I realize you got issues with my crew. I accept that. I have other matters to take care of before we get into a pissing contest here. Now, let me and my friend leave, and you won’t see us in this area again.”

  “See Krimson that’s the problem. I might want you in my area more often, then you can learn what Redline is really up to.” Diablo leers at me.

  “I know what Redline is up too. I’m not stupid. I keep close tabs on all my leaders and I know shit they don’t expect me to notice. So, how about we set up a meet. I’ll call you later. I have a thing to get to right now.” I cross my arms over my chest, waiting to see what Diablo will do. He’s a loose cannon and I need to keep him under control.

  “Very well, Krimson. Then you know about him sniffing around my girl?” Diablo asks.

  I try to hold a chuckle in but fail. This pisses Diablo off and his body convulses with rage. The three men behind him uncross their arms and straighten, ready to strike.

  “What’s so funny?” Diablo sneers.

  “Well for starters, Redline has better taste than that,” I answer, holding up one finger. “Second did you ever think your girl can’t keep her legs closed for anyone? And Third, instead of coming at me like a little boy who’s butt hurt, come at me like a man and a leader.” I respond, holding up three fingers. “I don’t have time for this shit. You want to take a shot at me, wait in line. My crew has done nothing to you but sell shit in your area. You don’t want us there, fine. I’ll take our business elsewhere. Be warned Diablo, we pull out and your business goes down. Those people who buy from us will follow wherever we go.” I step back from Diablo and lean up against the trunk of my Shelby GT 500. “So, what’s it going to be? Do you want to finish me here or do you want to wait in line?” I ask him.

  My voice comes out casually like it’s an everyday occurrence. Really, I’m shaking on the inside. I have no backup weapon I can get to quickly and I need to think abou
t Nolan. He can’t be a casualty to my drama. Emotions cross Diablos handsome face. He goes from anger and rage to pain, then to acceptance. I will keep my word and pull out, but he also knows it will hurt his own business.

  “Fine,” Diablo concedes.

  “Fine, what?” I ask, needing him to be more specific.

  “Fine, I’ll lay off you getting out of my territory. But I want that meet.” Diablo says stepping closer. I catch a whiff of his cologne and I try not to gag at the stench.

  “Fine. When this other business is done, you’ll get that meet as long as I’m still alive.” I tell Diablo, pushing off the trunk of my car.

  “Wait? What?” Diablo asks, following behind me.

  “Yeah, you’re not the only one who wants me out,” I tell him walking to the driver’s side door of my car. I reach for the handle to open it, but Diablo stops me.

  “What are you talking about? I don’t want you out or dead. I want Redline to back off.”

  I look at Diablo, confusion lines his forehead. His brows are scrunched together, and he wrinkles his nose.

  “I’ll get Redline to back off. Anything else I’ll handle on my own. If I survive the next twenty-four hours, you’ll get your meet. Now, we really have to go.” I tell Diablo opening my door. Nolan does the same and we both get in my car. Before I can shut it, Diablo steps in my way.

  “Is this about that loser, Reiser?” Diablo asks.

  “What do you know about it?” I demand glaring at Diablo.

  “Just that he’s been sniffing around my girl, asking questions, and telling lies,” Diablo answers.

  “Well, tell your girl to stay away from him. I’m not going to tell you what to do with your guys, but if they’re smart, they’ll stay away too and not get involved. Things are changing and be prepared for backlash if you try to interfere. Not from me and my crew, but from the 38th Street Gang.”