“The light hurts my eyes,” Noah whispers. Hotflash gets up instantly and turns the dial to dim the lights.
“Is that better?” she asks.
Noah removes his arm and blinks a couple of times. “Yes, much better. Thanks.” he whispers. “My head is killing me.”
“You have a concussion and have been unconscious for a while. Does anything else hurt?” I ask.
Noah slowly moves his feet, then his legs, arms, and body. He moves his head and then shakes it. “No, just my head. Can you help me sit up? I don’t have the energy.”
The three of us help Noah sit up on the bed and he leans against the headboard. Hotflash leaves the room and comes back a few minutes later with a glass of water and some aspirin. Noah takes the water and aspirin from her and swallows them.
“Thanks,” he says handing her back the glass. “Where’s Redline and Quickshift?”
“We don’t know. They’re not answering my calls or texts. I have Ashton working on tracking their cell phones. Right now they’re off, but once they come back on, we’ll find them.” Natalia answers.
Fuck. I forgot Redline and Quickshift were there too. I recall driving down the road, watching for them and for Rush’s car.
“I think they went after Shaun,” I reply quietly.
“I hope they’re OK,” Noah says. His voice is getting stronger. He faces me, and a smile appears, lighting up his green eyes. “Ash, I hate to mention this but, you look like shit. I’m fine. Why don’t you get cleaned up?”
“Boy, I’ll kick your ass back to sleep,” I tell him jokingly.
We all laugh a little and the room grows quiet. Noah takes my hand and gives it a good squeeze. He draws a breath and releases it. “Seriously, I’m good. I want to take a shower too. So, unless you want to see your little brother naked, go get yourself cleaned up.”
“He’s right.” Nolan deep voice responds from the doorway. “You need to take care of yourself and I need to check your shoulder.” His brown eyes are following me, and I swallow hard. No matter how many times I search his eyes, he still makes me all hot and bothered.
“What happened to your shoulder?” Hotflash asks, looking me over. I don’t answer so Nolan does for me.
“When Shaun rammed us off the road and threw us into a hunting cabin, her shoulder dislocated. I had to pop it back into place and it’s been hurting her ever since.”
“You had it worse than I did Nolan,” I whisper. Memories of the accident come roaring back and I do my best to lock it away.
“I’m fine. Nothing broken or bleeding. We need to get cleaned up and I’m sure Noah wants too as well. Natalia and Rush need to get some rest too. Come on, Ash. I’ll help you.” Nolan says walking into the room.
He holds his hand out and I accept it with my good arm. Pain shoots up my left shoulder when I stand up from the bed, but I hold back my cry. Nolan is staring at me and his forehead has a crease in the middle. He’s concerned about me, but I’m too worried about the rest of my crew. I’ve never had someone worry about me the way he does, and it causes my heart to skip a beat when I search his whiskey colored eyes. Something occurs to me and I need to talk to Ashton. We walk out of Noah’s room together, but instead of heading to my room, I turn and walk down the stairs.
Nolan follows me with a questioning look. I don’t answer until I find Ashton. He’s still standing at the window, studying the dark street. No one else is in the room, but there’s a laptop sitting open on my glass coffee table.
“Ashton.” I say getting his attention. He twists away from the window and peers over at me. “I had an idea about Redline and Quickshift. Hotflash said she asked you to track down their cell phones, but they’re off.”
“Yeah, I can’t even turn them on remotely. That means the batteries are removed.” Ashton answers.
“What about their GPS tracking systems? I had them installed in each car, but none of my crew knows about it. I wanted it for reassurance. I’ve never used them, I’ve never needed too. Can you do that?”
“Yes, I can. Give me the information for them and I’ll start a trace.” Ashton says.
He moves away from the window and there's a light in his eyes. He’s taken our abduction hard and must have felt useless, I’m happy I can make him feel useful again. I rattle off the information for each car and he types it on the laptop.
“This might take a while, depending on how far away they are. Why don’t we leave and get cleaned up?” Nolan says, placing his arm around my waist.
“OK,” I answer.
Nolan gives me a brief kiss on the lips and leads me up the stairs. I shut my bedroom door and check out Nolan as he removes his shirt and drops it to the ground. He has dried blood on his chest that wasn’t from the woods.
“Shit, Nolan. You’re bleeding,” I say, racing over to him and examine the cuts marring his chest.
“Oh. I’m fine, honestly. I cut myself getting Rush and Noah out of the car. Let’s get you cleaned up.” He pulls my body flush against his, the heat radiating from him sends a shiver down my spine. He tightens his hold on my waist and I raise my arms up around his neck. White, hot pain shoots across my left shoulder.
“Fuck, I forgot about my shoulder for a minute.” I hiss, gently lowering my left arm down.
“Let me see it,” Nolan replies.
I remove my tank top carefully with his help. I sit on my bed and Nolan sits next to me. His fingers knead my shoulder carefully, hitting all the right spots, and I let out a low groan. His fingers pause for a second and then continue. They dig into something in my shoulder and I let out a whimper.
“Fuck. That hurt.” I say through clenched teeth.
“Your shoulder didn’t set right. That’s why you’re still in pain. I need to pop it back in properly before further damage is done. It’ll hurt worse than before and I’m going to need someone to hold you down. You might want to put a shirt back on unless you want someone else staring at your chest.” Nolan gives me a quick kiss on the forehead, gets up from the bed and leaves the room.
He arrives back a couple of minutes later with Rush in tow. I threw on a button-down flannel, it was the only thing I could put on myself. I lay on my stomach, pain shooting out from my shoulder when the bed dips.
“Here, bite down on this again,” Nolan says, handing me his belt. “We don’t want you to bite your tongue. I might need it later.” He gives me a wink when I shift my head and glare at him.
“The only action you’ll be getting from my tongue will be when I cuss you out, ass,” I answer, taking the belt from him.
“Oh, feisty. I like it when you use your tongue and your mouth.” Nolan smirks. I whack him with the belt. “Ouch. Ok, Ok. I’ll stop for now, but the pain went away for a minute didn’t it?” Nolan says, with his hands in the air.
“Yeah, it did. Thanks.” I answer. “Hey Nolan,” I add still looking at him. “Thanks for everything. I really appreciate it.” He leans down and kisses my lips gently. When he pulls back, there’s something in his eyes I can’t quite figure out.
“I’d do anything for you, Ash. But you’re going to hate me in a minute,” he whispers.
I take a deep breath and put the belt in my mouth. I turn my head into the pillow and a set of strong hands hold my back onto the bed. Nolan’s hands pick up my left arm.
“Hang onto her. She’s going to buck and try to get up. Don’t let her move until I’m done.” Nolan says to Rush.
“Ok, here we go.” Nolan lets out a deep breath. “On the count of three. One, two, three.”
I brace myself for the pain. Nolan yanks my left arm backwards and fire races through my shoulder. He keeps pulling and Rush is holding me down as I struggle to buck off the bed.
“Keep ahold of her, I almost have it.” I can hear the pain in Nolan’s voice.
“Fuck." The belt muffles my scream.
I bite down as hard as I can, my teeth sinking into the leather. Tears spring to my eyes when I feel a popping noise and relief fill
s me at once. Nolan carefully sets my left arm on the bed and helps me sit up. Rush is backing away quickly like I’m going to kick his ass.
“Thanks, Rush,” I reply. “If you didn’t hold me down, I would’ve hit Nolan.”
“You’re welcome. Can I go back to Noah now? Are you done with me?” he asks.
“Yeah. Do you want to talk about it?” I ask him.
“Not right now. After you shower and get cleaned up, we will.” He offers me a small smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his dark eyes.
This accident really affected him, and we need to talk, just the two of us. He runs a hand through his black hair, making the blonde highlights messier.
“Ok, I’ll see you in a few,” I answer.
Rush leaves the room quickly. It’s just Nolan and me now. He stands and helps me up. We walk quietly towards the bathroom.
“I’m going to give you a few minutes. Then I’ll be in.” Nolan says, giving me a quick kiss. There’s something he wants to say but doesn’t. There’s something weighing on his mind, but I have to believe he’ll tell me when he’s ready.
I watch as Nolan leaves and shuts the door behind him. I take a deep breath before looking into the mirror. My reflection staring back at me shocks me. I have dark purple marks under my eyes from lack of sleep. There’s dried blood on the side of my forehead and down the left side of my face. My blonde hair is dirty and next to my scalp is more dried blood. The bruise from when Shaun knocked me out earlier is dark against my tanned skin. I have Noah’s blood from his head wound on my chest and arms.
Tears spring to my eyes when all the past couple of days events catch up to me. I turn on the shower, making it as hot as I can stand it. When the bathroom fills up with steam, I strip my clothes off and step into the shower. I stare at the dirt and blood swirl around my feet, cleaning away everything that’s happened to me and my family in the past. I speculate as I watch the water turn clear if all of the pain and suffering is worth it. I wonder if I shouldn’t just give up and let them force me out. There’s too much shit that has gone down the last few months, I feel emotionally and physically drained.
The memories of the night my parents died flash in my mind and I begin to weep. What I wouldn’t give for the advice from my father, the bright smile from my mother. I would give up everything to watch my little brother grow up and become a man. See him go to his first dance, have his first girlfriend, receive his first taste of independence. I feel so broken and drained.
Suddenly, strong arms wrap around my waist and Nolan’s naked body is flush with mine. He moves my wet hair back and kisses the side of my neck, gently.
“Everything will be OK, Ash. We’ll get through this together.” Nolan whispers in my ear.
He helps me shower, washing my hair and body. Erasing all the ghosts and demons of my past. Realizing he’s here for me, helping me, strengthens my resolve and the heartache I’m suffering eases a little. I can do this, I can deliver justice to my family, to my crew, to my parents and little brother, whose life was taken way too soon.
Chapter 34
Ashley
A few hours later, we’re all gathered in my living room. Nolan and Ashton are in an intense argument in my kitchen. Rush and Hotflash are huddled together in the dining room, sitting at the table. Hotflash keeps glancing over at Ashton every few seconds, but my focus is on Noah right now. He’s curled up on the couch, all cleaned up, staring out into the night. His body is bundled in a blanket and he shivers every few moments. He looks so fragile and young sitting there. I sit next to him and rub my hands on his back. He lends me a sad smile and continues to stare out the window.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask him.
Noah hesitates for a moment then starts to speak. “How do you manage this? How can you get back behind the wheel of a car, knowing your life could end at any moment?” he asks.
I consider my explanation for a moment before answering, remembering the first time I wrecked my car. It wasn’t a pretty outcome and I was hospitalized for a few days, recovering from my burns. “It’s not about getting behind the wheel of a car or in a car, Noah. It’s about facing life head on and saying, fuck you. You’re not dragging me down. I’m going to keep on fighting and continue doing the things I love and you’re not stopping me.”
“But how? I don’t think I’m strong enough,” he whispers.
“Noah,” I look him directly in the eyes. His green ones staring back at me, with hope. “You are strong enough. Look at everything you’ve been through. The group home, the abuse, not knowing who your parents are. The family you have now, surrounding you with love. All of us want the best for you and if you never wish to get back into a car, we will support you. If you want out, we will support you. All of us, Rush, Hotflash, Redline, Quickshift, we all want what you choose. What is it you want to accomplish?”
“I don’t know. I know I don’t want to be afraid anymore. I want to be strong, be a leader, like you.” Noah replies thoughtfully.
“I don’t want you afraid anymore either.” Stiffing a sob, I continue, “I want you to stand up for yourself. I want you to show the world how smart you are, I want you to make a difference.”
I can tell the minute my words sink in. His face changes, his body becomes more relaxed. The shivers stop and there’s a gleam in his green eyes that was missing before.
Noah stands up from the couch and walks over to Rush and Hotflash sitting at the dining room table. I wait as he pulls Hotflash in for a hug. His tall, lanky frame towers over her. She hugs him back and gives me a wink. After Noah lets go of Hotflash, he turns to Rush. I’m standing behind him with a smile on my face, tears swelling in my eyes. Rush’s eyes appear cautious like he’s ready and prepared for the worst.
“Thank you, Rush,” Noah voice is strong and confident.
“For what? It’s my fault you were hurt.” Rush’s comments are barely above a whisper and his eyes drop to the ground.
“No, Rush it’s not your fault. It’s Shaun’s. I’m ready to fight for our family. I’m ready to meet this issue head-on.” Rush’s sad eyes snap to Noah’s, his jaw drops. “I want to be stronger, a leader. I want to bring down that asshole and I need your help. I want to learn to race.”
“Are you sure?” Rush asks. His black eyes are uncertain.
“Yes. I’m more than sure. Ashley’s right. I need to stand up for myself. I want to show the world how strong I am. I want to make a difference.”
He’s ready, he’s finally ready. I dry the tears that have rolled down my cheeks. This moment I will cherish forever. Noah, the young boy who Rush and I rescued from that awful group home, is finally growing up. He’s finally realizing he’s worth it. He turns towards me, his green eyes full of determination. “Let’s get on with it. Why are we still standing around?” Noah says. No one knows what to reply. They’re still in shock at his sudden revelation.
Suddenly a ping from Ashton’s laptop breaks the silence in the room. Nolan and Ashton come racing into the living room and almost trip over each other, trying to get to it.
“We’ve got a location,” Ashton shouts.
“A location for what?” Hotflash asks.
Oh shit, I never told them I had GPS on all their cars. I open my mouth to speak, but Nolan beats me to it. He throws me a wink, informing me he’ll cover for me. My secret is safe for now.
“Redlines car. I called in a favor and had every traffic cam on alert. Did you know L.A. is full of traffic cams? It took forever for his car to be located, but we found it. Come on let’s go.”
Nolan grabs a gun off the kitchen counter and holsters it on his hip. Ashton and the rest of Nolan’s team do the same. Once they’re locked and loaded we all leave the confinements and safety of my house.
“What happened to the car we stole?” I ask when we walk to my driveway. The car is nowhere in sight.
“Harris and Marks took care of it. They wiped down the inside of our fingerprints or fibers and returned it to the owner.�
�� Nolan says.
“Wait.” I tug on Nolan’s arm. He turns towards me and I have a devious grin plastered on my face.
“What?” He asks raising an eyebrow.
“We’re not going to fit in those two cars. Come on.” I answer, dragging him to my garage.
I open the side door and flip a switch. The garage becomes submerged in bright fluorescent lights and sitting under the lights, shining beautifully, is a black nineteen sixty-eight Dodge Charger. My baby, my pride and joy.
“Wow." That’s all the words Nolan can express. He says it repeatedly when he pops the hood. “Holy shit. Do you realize what this is?” he asks.
Everyone’s trying to fit inside the garage, so I hit the button to raise the overhead door. The rising sun reflects off everyone standing there in awe, giving them a soft, red glow.
“You have it finished?” Rush asks me.
“Yes. I have it all done.” I answer, a smile on my face.
“Do you understand how rare this car is?” Nolan asks. I saunter over to him and close his jaw with my finger.
“Yes, Nolan. I know. I rebuilt her from the ground up. It has a 425-horsepower engine with a 5,000 RPM, six-speed on the floor. There were just over four hundred of these cars sold and I got my hands on one. It has a sure grip rear axle, fifteen-inch Goodyear Speedway wide tires and so much torque, it will blow the doors off anyone trying to race me.” I state with confidence.
Honestly, this car scares the hell out of me, but the thrill and rush of the power under my hands and feet makes me excited. I can’t stand still. Nolan grabs my waist and pulls me flush against him.
“That’s so hot,” he whispers in my ear, his hardness rubbing against my stomach.
“Dios Mios. We don’t have time for that.” Hotflash says, throwing her hands up in the air.
“She’s right, come on,” I say against Nolan’s lips.
I walk to the driver’s side and open the door. Nolan comes around to the passenger side and slides into the leather bucket seat. Everyone else gets in the two other cars. Before I get into the car, Noah stops me.
Racing Dirty, L.A. Page 23
