Racing Dirty

by J. Lynn Lombard

  Fuck that hurt.

  My eyes meet his as he closes them and takes a deep breath.

  “I don’t want to hurt you Izabella.” he says softly. His voice takes on a harder edge this time when he opens his eyes. “Sometimes you piss me the fuck off though and need to be reminded that I’m in charge. I tell you what to do. Like letting that asshole touch you. I thought I made myself clear to him, but he doesn’t fucking learn. Now you have to pay for his mistakes."

  He stands up to his full height, towering over me, trying to intimidate me. My face still stings from his slap.

  If I had my hands free, I’d nail him in the balls then kick him in his face. I’m so fucking pissed from his slap. My adrenaline starts to kick in and my fight or flight instincts are taking over. I need to find a way out of these ropes tying me to the chair.

  I move my fingers back and forth, trying to loosen the knots, while I watch Marie and the guy walk into the kitchen arguing.

  Marie is all hyped up, her crazy is really showing. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but it doesn’t sound like Marie’s happy. I don’t want to draw any more attention to myself, but I really need to know how he knows me and why he is doing this.

  I know why Marie is, but I don’t know why he is. I feel the rope loosen a little and stop when their argument suddenly stops and they both turn to me.

  Marie looks furious and a little crazier than before if that’s even possible. She drags her eyes away from me and focuses on him.

  “Craig, why don’t you tell her who you are. She isn’t going to live long enough. Might as well get the truth out.” Marie spits at him. Craig’s nostrils are flaring furiously at Marie.

  “Oh, she’ll live. She will wish she was dead, but she’ll live. She needs to pay for her sins." Craig stalks from the kitchen and stands in front of me. Marie’s standing behind me. “Izabella, Izabella, Izabella,” he taunts. His hands start rubbing my calf muscles and vomit works its way up my throat. He works his way up to my thighs and stops.

  “I must confess.” Craig says. He takes one hand and touches my face again. I squeeze my eyes shut, willing myself to not flinch. My head suddenly yanked back hard, hands are in my hair. Tears spring to my eyes, it feels like some of my hair just ripped out from the roots. I open my eyes and find myself staring right into Marie’s cold, deadly eyes.

  “Look at him when he’s talking to you bitch.” she sneers at me.

  I nod my head the best I can and she lets go, pushing my head forward hard. I almost knock into Craig’s face, but Marie still has my hair and she pulls it hard before I make contact.

  “Why are you doing this?" I ask Craig.

  He stares off into space and the anticipation is driving me nuts.

  “Craig.” I say gently, trying not to piss him off again. His eyes snap to mine and a smile forms on his face.

  “Say it again.” he says and closes his eyes. I take a deep breath to stop myself from getting sick.

  “Craig, why are you doing this?" I ask again.

  Craig takes a deep breath and opens his eyes. The look he gives me turns my blood cold. His eyes are wild, and his breathing is shallow.

  “I’ve been waiting two years for you to say my name. To hear it roll off your tongue. I’ve been watching you, waiting for it to be my time. I was sent out to L.A. to watch you as a debt being paid to Calabrese. Marie wanted to know where you were at all times and what Marie wants, her daddy gives her. Then I’d see the way you’d look at me every now and then and I knew, I just knew you wanted to be with me. I knew you were too shy to approach me and confess your feelings for me. I understand, I really do. My heart would beat hard in my chest and my hands would get all sweaty when you came near me.”

  My tired brain is working overtime at his confession. He leans so close to me, his rancid breath floats across my nose and I hold back a gag. His eyes turn hard when he watches my reaction. He flings his hand back, balling his fist and hits me again on the left side of my face, almost knocking me over in the chair. There’s another hard yank on my hair and I can’t stop the tears this time. The sting from his fist takes me a few minutes to get my bearings back. My left ear is ringing and my vision is blurry. I shake my head to try and clear it, which causes me pain.

  “Now, as I was saying Izabella.” he says softly. “One of your friends went to visit her dad and told him about Marie’s indiscretions with your boyfriend. She asked Calabrese to send me out there to watch over you and make sure you don’t come back. Every Friday night I’d watch you from a distance on the beach, soaking in the last rays of the sun, letting the waves hit your feet. It’s at that time I knew we were kindred spirits, destined to be together. Calabrese made me come back and that’s when Marie came up with the plan to kill your dad. Of course, I took the opportunity. When you came back here after I sabotaged your dad’s car, I was excited. We would finally be together. I’d be the white knight coming to you in your time of need. When I saw you with Xavier at the track, I lost it. I knew there was one way to get you to be mine. First, I called him and warned him. That didn’t work, so I paid both of you a visit."

  I’m so confused and it’s not from the blows I took to the head. It’s what Craig’s telling me. He’s just as psychotic as Marie. Why would she want me to stay away, then have Craig sabotage my dad’s car trying to kill him when they knew I’d come back? I need to ask him.

  “If Marie wanted me to stay away, why would you try killing my dad? She must have known I’d come back if anything happened to him."

  Marie pipes in, “I had him sabotage your dad’s car so I could get you here and kill you. I wasn’t allowed to leave the state, but I knew I needed you here so I could get to Xavier. He’s my lover and I’ve missed his touch and big dick for the last five years." She walks in front of me and squats down, so we’re eye level.

  I pin her with a deadly glare. “He remembers everything from that night Marie. He never touched you willingly. You drugged him.”

  “Details.” She shrugs her shoulders. “That doesn’t matter, what we have is special and once you’re gone, he’ll be mine again. His heart will be so broken, that I’ll be there to pick up the pieces.”

  My stomach starts turning, bile rises up into my throat, burning it. I swallow hard to keep it down. Marie wants me dead and Craig wants me for himself. I thought Mia has a crazy side. These two make her look like a saint.

  I drag my eyes to Craig. “You’re the one who broke into my house?" I ask him. Craig nods his head, watching my reaction.

  “Yes. When that asshole dropped you off, I knew I had to get you away from him. I didn’t count on him coming back there so quick. I wanted to make it look like someone broke into your house and it was a robbery gone wrong. I figured I could get you to come with me, then you’d see we were perfect for each other. When that didn’t work, I had to step up my game. I smashed his car in and warned him to stay away from you. That you were mine." Craig’s hard glare pins Marie to her spot. “Marie was supposed to keep Xavier distracted while I took you away, but she didn’t hold up her end of the deal. I would get you and she’d get him. It was a perfect plan."

  Marie finally breaks free from Craig’s glare and steps up right into his face, rage consuming her voice. “I fucking tried asshole. Every time he wasn’t with her, he was with that dick or that fucking pig. He was never alone. The dick knew who I was, and the pig would figure it out. So don’t fucking tell me I didn’t hold up my fucking end. You had the easy part but couldn’t hold up your fucking end. You just had to get her and get out. That’s fucking it. But you decided to take your fucking time and it gave Xavier time to get back there."

  Marie’s eyes gloss over and she gets a crazy gleam in them. I start working at the ropes again. If I can get them off, I can get my gun. I need to keep them fighting.

  “Craig.” I yell. They stop arguing with each other and turn their attention my way.

  “What?” he snaps. I stop working on the ropes and look him in the eyes.
/>
  “If you wanted me, why would you tamper with my car tonight and possibly kill me?" I ask him.

  Craig glares at Marie. “I didn’t tamper with your car. I want you, not you dead. I was in police custody until a few hours ago.” His face turns a shade of red, the vein in his forehead starts throbbing as he starts putting the pieces together.

  I try to keep my smirk hidden but fail miserably. I need to keep pushing the subject. He needs to direct his anger at Marie for a minute, so I can loosen the ropes more.

  “Someone fucked with my car tonight. They loosened the lug nuts on my driver side tire. Do you know what that can do? Do you know if I was an inexperienced driver I would have hit the wall and possibly died?"

  “You fucked with her car." He roars at Marie, the vein in his neck starts throbbing.

  Marie shy’s away, not the bad ass she portrays herself to be. “I just fucked with her paint job." Marie says in a small voice.

  I stop what I’m doing and speak. “Oh, so you didn’t fuck with my lug nuts to make me lose control during my heat or feature and possibly crash and die?"

  Marie’s eyes grow wide as she backs away from Craig. “No,” she whispers while shaking her head vigorously. She’s lying, and I know it.

  “You’re a liar.” I spit out. The ropes are loose enough for me to slip my hand out and get my gun. She spins around and glares at me.

  “This is all your fucking fault you bitch. If you just stayed away, none of this would be happening." Marie screams.

  “Do you hear yourself? You wanted me to stay away, then you wanted me to come back. Do you even know what you want Marie because you’re sure in the fuck are confusing me.” Marie calmly pulls her gun out of the back of her jeans raises it. She points it at my head with steady hands.

  “Before you kill me Marie, let me make sure I have this straight." I turn my head to Craig standing in front of me. “Craig, you think we’re soul mates destined to be together. Is that right?"

  “Yes, you and I belong together.” he grits out. His jaw is tight, murder is in his eyes at Marie pointing the gun at my head. I turn my head to Marie, but stare at the barrel of the gun instead. I swallow hard.

  “Marie, you want me dead so you can pick up the pieces of Xavier’s heart when he is crushed. All from an obsession you’ve had for him for the last five years."

  “Yes.” Marie answers.

  “Got it. So, how can you two work together if Craig wants me alive and you want me dead?" I ask them both, waiting for an answer.

  Marie clicks the safety off on the gun with a steady hand. Her minds made up. She’s going to kill me. I turn my head back and squeeze my eyes shut.

  “Bitch, I don’t give a fuck what he wants anymore. I’m the one with the gun and I’m in control. Say goodbye.” Her deadly voice penetrates my ears.

  This is it, this is my final race. I’m crossing the finish line with the checkered flag waving, only this time I’m not winning. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, waiting for it to end.

  Chapter 40

  Xavier

  I’m driving toward the old farm house at break neck speed. My hands are gripping the steering wheel so hard, my knuckles are turning white. I keep pressure on the gas until I spot a mailbox almost falling off a post. I slam on the brakes and Nolan throws his arms up to stop himself from kissing the dashboard. I throw the car in park and yank my door open. Night is approaching us fast and my nerves are getting the best of me. Before I can charge up the driveway, Nolan grabs my shoulder and yanks me back, halting my progress.

  “Fucker, we need a plan. We can’t just go in, guns blazing." Nolan says.

  “Nolan, they’ve had her for God knows how long, doing God knows what to her. We need to get in there and get her out.” I plead with him.

  “I know but let me do what I do. We need a plan, and this is where I excel. This is what I do.” he says gently. I glance at Nolan confusion clouding my mind.

  “How is this what you do? How do I not know any of this? It’s like I don’t even know you."

  “Now isn’t the time to get into it. I need you to trust me and I’ll explain everything later.” He grips my arm, silently begging me to understand.

  A black SUV pulls up behind us and the four muscle freaks from the track get out. They’re all strapped down with guns and knives. They approach us, appearing more menacing than at the track, which I didn’t think was possible. They’re all standing stiff and rigid, waiting for orders. The one that is Christian’s brother speaks first. “Boss, what’s the plan?"

  Before Nolan answers him, he pins me with a look I haven’t seen before. His brown eyes have lost all humor I’m used to seeing and he’s afraid. He’s afraid I won’t accept him and his secrets.

  “Please Xavier, trust me.” Nolan says. Immediately, I know my answer with no hesitation. I’ve known Nolan almost our whole lives. I trust him with my life and I trust him with Izzy’s. I nod my head in agreement.

  “I trust you brother, but I need an explanation later.” I tell him.

  Relief fills his eyes and he turns to the four men standing to attention. “Harris, Marks and Ramirez. You three take the south side. Come up through the woods and cover the back door. Stay low and out of sight.” His voice is sharp and to the point, what a great leader is made of.

  “Got it boss.” one of them says.

  Nolan turns to me and other muscle freak left. “Iverson, you’re with me and Xavier. We’re going up and covering the front." He directs his attention to all of us. “None of you move until I give the signal. Shoot to kill. Everyone have their mics?"

  They all nod in agreement and Nolan walks behind the SUV. A few moments later he comes back with a nine-millimeter gun and two extra ear pieces. He handed the gun and one ear piece to me.

  “Xavier, you need to strap up. Put this ear piece in and you can communicate with us all."

  I take the earpiece and put it in. When I hear everyone, I give thumbs up. I take the gun and cock it back, chambering a round.

  “Ok boys, we’re going to go in fast and hard on my signal. Remember, Izzy is our priority. Get her out and shoot to kill anyone in our way.” Nolan says, bringing his own gun out from behind his back and cocking it, chambering a round.

  The three men, Harris, Marks, and Ramirez disappear into the woods. I strain to listen, but I don’t hear them stomping through the woods. Nolan puts a steady hand on my shoulder.

  “Ready brother?" he asks.

  “Yeah.”

  “Let’s go get your girl and finally end this."

  Nolan is calm and collective, he’s in his element and I have so much respect for him right now. “Let’s do it.”

  Night has completely fallen and we’re silently jogging down the heavy weeded two track road that use to be a driveway. As we approach the open field leading to the house, Nolan throws his right hand up, fist closed. Iverson and I stop jogging and we assess our surroundings. There’s an old, depleted white farm house in front of us. There is a faint light coming from the west side of the house. There’s boards over the windows and the wrap around porch is falling in. That’s both an advantage and a disadvantage to us. They can’t see us coming, but we can’t see inside either.

  Birds and crickets are chirping in the woods surrounding the house and there is a rundown red barn to the left. Nolan signals to go towards the barn instead of hitting the house straight on. I catch three figures in the back of the house moving low and fast from the woods out of the corner of my eye. If I blinked, I would have missed them.

  Nolan, Iverson, and I stay low and move with quick paces towards the barn. When we reach it, Iverson disappears inside for a minute and comes back out.

  “Clear boss, just a rusty old car and a shiny Mercedes inside.” Iverson whispers.

  “Got it, now we’re going to stay low and quiet, approach the house from this end, and assess what we’re walking into.” Nolan whispers back. He looks directly at me. “Do not go in half cocked. If you do, Izzy’
s life will be in danger. Let us do our jobs and we’ll get her out safely. I’d tell you to stay out here, but I know you won’t listen. Stay behind us and bring up the rear, watch my six. It’s show time, brother."

  “Got it." My hands are shaking, sweat is breaking out on my forehead, and my heart is beating fast in my chest. Adrenaline is flowing through my veins as we approach the side of the house.

  Nolan is the first to step onto the fallen down porch, Iverson following him. Neither one of them are making a sound and I follow their footsteps. One wrong step and it could alert whoever’s on the other side of our presence. Yeah, I’ve watched enough action-packed movies to know that. Great, I’m freaked out and rambling to myself.

  I think of the last time I talked to Izzy. Her beautiful green eyes, pierce mine as she tells me off. I think of the last time we were together in the back of my pickup. Her sweet ass giving me an eyeful as she rode me like there was no end. When I promised her forever at the hospital, I meant it. She’s my forever, my checkered flag, and winners circle. Nothing or nobody will ever take her place.

  Nolan snaps a finger in my face, bringing my attention back into focus. We’re crouched down by the front door. Nolan and Iverson have their guns drawn, pointed up in the air. He points his first two fingers on his left hand towards his eyes, then he points at me, then the house. Oh! He wants me to watch the house. I give him the same signal and a nod back.

  He taps his mic and his whisper fills my head. “Everyone all set back there?"

  One man, I’m not sure who, whispers through the earpiece. “All set boss.”

  “On the count of three.” Nolan whispers in my ear. He stands up against the side of the house, gun pointed towards the door, finger on the trigger. His feet are shoulder width apart, hands steady as he nods his head at Iverson.

  Iverson stands up and silently approaches the door. He has one foot in front of the other, preparing to kick it in. His gun is steady, pointing at the door as Nolan count’s down.