“It was amazing!” she replied as she grinned from ear to ear.
“I want details later!” Brooke demanded.
Paige just smiled. Brooke figured they hit it off very well seeing how happy she was right now.
“Where’s Blake?” Asked Ethan.
“Don’t know. He is normally the first one here.” Replied Liam.
Hunters Ford Mustang came screaming around the corner and slammed on the brakes just before his friends.
He got out of the car and slammed the car door hard.
“Blake’s in the hospital,” he said as he walked up to his friends.
“What? What the fuck happened?” asked Ethan.
“Car accident!” he said as he looked over to the group of people with the South Side mob. One of the members shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
“Car accident my ass! Southside took him out. They tried to kill him!” he said.
“FUCK! What are we going to do? Blake is our monkey! He always checks the car before the race!” said Dean.
“Plus, you know they will be trying to take you out. Notice Tony is here. He is their head goon. He can’t race. Bet he is here to do a hit!” said Ethan.
“Hunter you can’t race. This will end badly!” said Liam.
“They can’t take me out if they can’t catch me!” said Hunter.
“You can’t be serious! This is a death trap!” said Ethan.
“Dean, make a couple of calls. Make a distraction in the first section of the race. Delay Tony!” said Hunter.
“You got it!” said Dean.
Dean stepped away from the conversation and got on his phone.
“If you get caught, you know you will be disqualified!” said Liam.
“We won’t get caught. Dean knows what he’s doing!” said Hunter.
Dean returned to the conversation.
“You need to be in first on the highway. Look for two plain white semi-trailers. Once you get past them they will stay side by side so no one is using the juice the entire stretch of the highway.” He said.
“Perfect!” exclaimed Hunter.
Hunter and Octavia walked to the center of the yard. Ian was there with two large men standing behind him.
“Gentlemen, welcome to Saturday night racing. You know the rules. Stay on course. NO detours. If in the third stretch you find any unwelcome company, do what you can to shake them, but you cannot travel fewer miles than the course total race. GPS trackers are active. I want a clean race.” He said looking at Tony and Hunter on the last statement.
“Now, anti-up!” he said.
Everyone handed him 5 bricks of money, totaling 50 grand each.
“Good luck everyone!” said Ian.
The drivers went to their cars and started them. They pulled up to the starting line and waited. The tall busty brunette stood between the two center cars with a green flag in her hand. She pointed to each driver in the row one by one, waiting for them to nod at her. Once all four drivers confirmed they were ready, she held the flag high in the air. The Saturday night race she always waited longer for the added dramatic effect of the start of the race. Hunter didn’t watch the flag, he watched her shoulder. The second her shoulder twitched was the second he hit the gas. This gave him a microsecond head start on the rest of the racers and always secured first place out of the yard.
Her shoulder twitched, Hunter slammed the gas pedal, the flag dropped and the race was on. Hunter was the first to reach the one and the only way in or out of the yard. He raced down the narrow single road entrance and once at the end cranked his wheel to the right and slid across the open abandoned road.
“See the dots, Hunter is Red, Tony is blue and in second, and the other two racers are yellow and green.” Said Dean as he explained the laptop screen to Paige.
“They are so close, are they literally on top of each other?” she asked concerned.
“No,” he said with a smile.
He hit the plus sign on the computer and the map zoomed in. The dots were further apart on this view.
“I’d say Tony is about 10 feet away from Hunter.” He said.
“That’s pretty close! Is he going to be OK?” she asked.
“In street racing, 10 feet is like a mile. Tony can’t race to save his life. So outmaneuvering him is easy for Hunter.” He said reassuring her.
They watched the monitor closely and watched until Hunter was approaching the long straight line on the map. Dean clicked the minus icon on the screen and the map zoomed out.
“This is where the fun comes.” He said.
Dean pulled out his phone and made a quick call.
“He just hit the highway!” he said and hung up the phone.
Hunter slammed on the gas as he hit the open highway. He saw a few miles down the road two sets of tail lights from two semis, one in each lane.
He had a substantial lead and could not lose it.
Hunter reached over and hit the Nitrous button.
His head snapped back in their chairs. His car was approaching 180 miles per hour and the taillights were fast approaching.
“Yes!” He said to himself.
He hit the button immediately causing his Mustang to slow down. He applied the brakes gently bringing his car down to 100 miles per hour. He slowed down to the posted speed limit of 70 miles per hour as he pulled up along one semi. The other was just ahead and there was exactly enough room for him to pass the semi in the right-hand lane.
He saw Tony about half a mile behind him and smiled. He passed the semi and stomped on the gas. He watched as the semi in the left-hand lane slowed down making it impossible for any driver to pass.
“One for the record!” he said calmly knowing tonight’s race was going to be a walk in the park. He pushed the juice button and then raced the next 20 miles at over 200 miles per hour. The highway was perfectly straight as the highway race by in a blur.
“Hit it!” he said to himself once again.
He turned off the juice and the car slowed down. Hunter took the exit at a calm 60 miles per hour.
“He has a monster lead!” said Dean to Paige.
They watched the screen as they saw the red dot enter the city at the posted speed limit. It was a quiet drive as Hunter drove the remainder of the race at the posted speed limit. Passing several anti-street racing cop cars waiting to try and catch them. They could do nothing but watch as Hunter was doing nothing wrong.
He pulled into the yard and drove over to his crew. They got out of the car and received cheers and high fives from his friends.
Ian came over and handed him the money.
“Congratulations on a flawless victory!” he said.
About 5 minutes later Tony came racing into the yard and slammed on his brakes in the center of the yard. He jumped out of the car and screamed “CHEATER!”
Hunter shrugged his shoulders and smiled innocently.
“Ian, Hunter cheated. He made all of us sit behind two semis on the main highway.” He screamed as he pointed to Hunter.
“I did no such thing. I was behind those same semis. There was just enough room for me to squeak through them before the one caught up with another. You were just too far behind me to take the same advantage. I can’t help if you don’t know how to go fast!” he said taunting Tony.
Just then the other two cars came into the yard. The drivers got out and stood with Tony.
“And what about you two, do you think there was cheating?” Ian asked.
“I don’t think so. Just two stupid fucking semis in our way so we couldn’t juice!” said one.
“Yea, just dumb luck!” said the other driver.
Tony slammed his fists on the hood of his car. He pointed two fingers at his own eyes, and then the two fingers at Hunter. He got in his car and raced out of the yard.
“Guys, let’s go to the hospital and check on Blake. I sense we need to have someone watching him.” said Hunter, as he watched Tony storm off.
Chapter 5 – Visiting Hou
rs
Hunter and Octavia were the first to reach the hospital. They asked the clerk what room Blake was in.
“Room 204. But visiting hours were over hours ago.” Said the clerk.
“What time do visiting hours start?” asked Hunter.
“8 AM, Sir!” said the clerk.
“Can I ask how he is doing?” asked Hunter.
The clerk typed into the computer.
“Computer says he is in stable condition.” said the clerk.
Hunter breathed a sigh of relief. Octavia hadn’t seen this side of Hunter before. He obviously had deep feelings and love for his friend. She wrapped her arms around him in support of this trying time.
Dean and Paige arrived and a few moments later Liam, Ethan, and Brooke.
“8 AM is when we can see him.” Said Hunter. “Who wants first shift?” he asked.
“I’ll hang, no one will touch him.” Said Liam. “You guys go get some rest. Come back in the morning and we will figure out a plan then!” he said.
Hunter placed his hand on Liam’s shoulder.
“Thank you! We’ll be here early.” He said.
Liam had a seat in the visitor’s waiting room as the rest of the crew exited the hospital. He picked up a copy of yesterday’s paper and found the comic section first. He began reading the comics while keeping an eye out for anyone else that may come to visit in the middle of the night.
Chapter 6 – The Tale of the Accident
Hunter and Octavia arrived at 7:40 AM. They saw Liam sitting in the visiting room. His eyes were bloodshot from being awake all night. There were 4 empty Styrofoam cups beside him.
“Long night?” asked Hunter.
“Quiet as a church!” he said. “Which makes for a long night, Yes!” he said with a forced smile.
Ethan and Brooke arrived a few moments later, and Dean and Paige shortly after that.
“It’s 7:55, Ethan, you’re with me. We will go in at 8 and see what’s going on.” Hunter said creating the visiting plans.
“Liam, Dean, you guys next!” he said.
8 AM showed on the clock in the waiting room. Hunter and Ethan walked past the clerk and asked if it was ok to go now. The clerk gave them a nod as they walked down the hall to room 204.
Hunter opened the door slowly as they walked in.
Blake opened his eyes and smiled.
“Morning bro!” said Hunter. “You’re looking good!” he said trying to start with some comical conversation.
He saw Blake laying in the bed, his right arm in a cast, cuts, and bandages on his face and head and an IV in the back of his left hand. He had a tube under each nostril of his nose that ran to a nearby oxygen tank.
“Feeling like a million dollars! When can I get out of this prison cell?” said Blake.
“I don’t know man. They have you as stable, so they are clearly talking physical only, not mental!” he said laughing.
“Asshole!” said Blake laughing lightly with him.
“Seriously, what happened? Who did this?” he asked.
“Southside. I’d left the café after we had dinner like I do every time we race. I made a pit stop to get some water as I forgot to bring some with me. Then as I was leaving the convenience store, they were on me. Three black SUV’s tinted windows. I knew it was Vinny’s crew.” Blake started shaking his head.
“I tried to shake them. I was able to lose one of them but the other two were just too good. They forced me onto a heavy street and next thing you know one was beside me. Their SUV slammed into my driver’s door a few times. The passenger pulled a gun, and I swerved so I would not be shot and hit a parked car. I flipped over and the next thing I knew I was here.” He said explaining the events as he recalled them.
Hunter looked over at Ethan and nodded.
Ethan left the room and took out his phone and made a call.
“Listen, my friend. You’re in good hands. Someone will be here 24-7 watching you. So you need not worry, OK?” said Hunter.
“Thanks! What kind of selfie do you think I should take for my new dating profile pic?” he said laughing then holding his ribs as he was reminded quickly how banged up he really was.
“Don’t laugh. Relax. Stay put. Ethan is making some calls right now. We will take care of this.” Hunter said.
“Thank you!” He said with a tear in his eye.
Hunter grabbed his friend’s left hand and kissed the back of it near the IV.
“Stay strong! I am going to let the others see your ugly mug! Never know you may just get that selfie yet!” he said holding back his own tears.
Hunter walked out of the room and saw Ethan on the phone. He leaned against the wall and waited until Ethan was done.
“What’s the word?” asked Hunter.
“Description of the SUV’s is out. We know its South Side. Won’t be long before we find them. Black SUV with a banged-up passenger side will be pretty easy to spot!” he said.
“Good work!” he said as they walked back to the visiting area.
Liam and Dean walked out of the waiting room and into Blake’s room.
“Hey man! How you feeling!” asked Liam.
“I’m ok. Little hungry if I am being honest!” he said.
“Have you sampled any of the hospital food yet?” asked Dean.
“No, I am assuming that luxury is coming any second!” he said.
“What happened?” asked Dean.
Blake explained the story again as he told Hunter and Ethan.
“That’s fucked up! What happened to Vinny was his own doing, we had nothing to do with it!” said Liam.
“I know. But they obviously are blaming us!” said Blake.
Just then a lady carrying a tray of food entered the room.
“Breakfast time!” she announced cheerfully.
She pulled the table on wheels up to Blake and placed his tray on the mobile table.
Blake lifted the lid to see one orange juice, one skim milk, a cup of coffee, a small bowl of oatmeal and a hardboiled egg.
Blake smiled at the person politely.
“Thank you!” he said as he watched her leave the room.
“Skim milk? Oatmeal? Guys, get me some real food before I die from starvation!” he said.
“We’ll take care of it! You’ll have some greasy heart-clogging healthy food in no time bro!” said Liam.
Chapter 7 – The Word Is Out
Dean and Paige went to the local McDonalds and ordered 2 Egg McMuffin’s, hash brown and a large coffee to go. They went back to the hospital and were about to head to the room when they passed the gift shop.
“Would it be ok if I brought him a bear or something to cheer him up?” She asked. “I know I haven’t met him yet, but I just feel odd visiting someone without bringing something!” she said.
“That is very kind! Of course, it’s ok!” said Dean.
Paige went into the gift shop and purchased a small cute teddy bear. She came back and held the Dean’s hand as they continued their trip to the second floor.
They opened the door to his room and walked in. Blake opened his eyes and saw Dean standing there holding Paige’s hand. He had a puzzled look on his face.
“Blake, this is Paige, my girlfriend!” he announced.
“Hi, nice to meet you!” she said. “I got you a bear, hoping you a speedy recovery!” she said.
Blake looked at Paige and smiled.
“Thank you! That is very sweet!” he said. “God I’m not even in the hospital for more than a day and you already have a girlfriend! Are we in a time warp or something?” He said trying not to laugh at his own humor.
“We went on a blind date last night. So it is fairly new!” he explained. “Here’s some real food for you. Egg sandwiches and hash browns. This should be a satisfactory amount of grease to get your day started!” he said with a chuckle.
“Thank you! I had one bite of the oatmeal and nearly died. I swear sawdust would have more taste!” he said as he bit into one of the egg s
andwiches.
“How bad is the arm?” asked Dean.
“Broke in two places!” he replied coldly.
“We’ll be sending a very clear message shortly. Don’t you worry!” he said. “Listen, going to cut this short. We’re heading over to the club for a meeting. Someone will be by this afternoon to update you. But for now, eat the grease and get some sleep!” said Dean.
“Get well soon!” said Paige as she waved goodbye.
“Paige!” he said before they left the room.
“Yes?” she replied.
“Thank you for the bear. It means a lot!” he said with a smile.
“You are most welcome. Get well soon!” she said as they walked out of the room.
Dean and Paige arrived at the club and headed to the office upstairs. Everyone was there already.
“Who’s looking after Blake?” asked Dean as he had not checked the visiting room before leaving the hospital.
“James is there. He is taking the day shift until the club opens later.” answered Hunter.
“OK!” said Dean.
“Ethan, what do you know?” asked Hunter.
“Definitely Southside. We’ve seen the SUV and traced the plates, it’s definitely them!” he said.
Hunter and his crew ran the Northside of LA’s mob. They were well connected in almost everything you could think of. Including insurance brokers who would look-up a license plate and find out who it is registered to.
“Good! Send a message!” he said to Ethan.
“Liam, go home to bed. You’ve been up all night. I will go to the hospital tonight and take over for James. Ethan keep me posted on any developments!” said Hunter.
“I’ll keep you company!” said Octavia.
“Thanks, princess!” he said.
Everyone got up and left the room. Hunter locked the door to the upstairs office behind him. They walked down the stairs single file and out to the parking lot.
Chapter 8 – The Artist
Paige and Dean got into his truck.
Jumper: 10 Seconds or Less (a bad boy romance) (North Side Kings Book Book 3) Page 3