Fatal (Portland Street Kings Book 2)

by Evie Harper

  I fidget in my seat more and push out a frustrating breath.

  At that time, Kodi and Reed walk over. Their expressions are gentle with slight frowns and their arms hang loosely by their sides.

  I stand instantly. I don’t remember a time when they weren’t in Rex’s life, therefore, mine too. They might not feel the same, but Rex’s friends were the closest thing to a family that I had growing up.

  Mack also stands and wraps his arm securely around my waist to stop me from stepping forward any further.

  Kodi and Reed’s eyes turn hard on Mack, and I can’t fault them for it. They would never hurt me.

  I shift my body around to face Mackson. I smile reassuringly and kiss him on the side of the neck, lingering for a second longer than normal. Then step out of his arms and embrace the men, who won’t ever realize how much of a part they played in my young life and who will always have a small piece of my heart no matter time or distance.

  I burrow between Kodi and Reed and sigh contentedly, taking in the warmth and their familiar smoky scents.

  “We’ll get him through this, Lana. Don’t you worry, Rex is gonna be okay.”

  I nod into Kodi’s chest while listening to Reed’s words and hoping with everything that I am that he’s right.

  I take a step back from them and force a smile. Pretending to be okay is exhausting. Acting as if this waiting game isn’t killing me is crippling. I’m on the verge of losing it. I’m desperate to tear down every door between my brother and myself. He needs me.

  Heat hits my back and Mack takes a hold of my hand. Strength surges through me, and the tears recede. My heart’s rapid beat slows and the terror flowing through my veins ease.

  Corey appears and murmurs in a strained voice, “We have a problem.”

  “What?” Mack questions.

  “Delivery day and Bone is at the garage and asking where Rex is. He’s fucking pissed.”

  “Shit,” Kodi whispers. “What do we do?”

  My body tenses and I fist my hands. “That asshole needs to know what he’s done. What my whole damn family has done to Rex, to one of their own,” I try to whisper, however, my voice rattles with so much anger, that I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to hold in this rage.

  “Lana, they can’t find out Rex is addicted to the drugs,” Corey demands.

  “Why?” I question angrily.

  “They’ll kill him, Lana. He’s a liability they won’t hesitate to take out to protect the secrets of the Family,” Corey answers.

  I shake my head. “No, no. I know they’re ruthless, but he’s family, no matter what they protect their Family.”

  Mack squeezes my hand. “The mafia’s love affair with power, money and drugs is greater than that of their own family members. It’s been this way for generations, Lana. Those brought up in the family know the repercussions of getting addicted to the drugs. Yeah, they take the shit, but Rex is way past doing it for fun at a party. He’s so far gone that he would spill their secrets to anyone, to any pig, who would help him get a hit.”

  “Shit, shit, shit,” I say, losing it right here in the Emergency Room.

  Mack grasps my elbows and I grab hold of his biceps. He gently walks me around the corner. Corey, Kodi and Reed following closely. I’m dizzy, lightheaded and breathing is becoming difficult. Mack pushes me up against a wall to help me stay upright.

  “Breathe, Dove… in and out… slowly.” His words are gentle, but their soothing tone isn’t working to calm me down.

  The two inhales I try to take are ruined by my trembling chin and shaking body. I take hold of Mack’s shirt, needing something to ground me. I wrap the material in my fingers. “If the drugs aren’t killing him, it’s my family.” My own words hit me hard and I begin to fall, but Mack squeezes my arms tighter to hold me up.

  “We won’t give up, Dove. I promise we’ll do all we can to help him.”

  “I can’t lose him,” I state in an achingly sad voice.

  Mack’s face turns pained and his eyes fill with sorrow. He stays silent and I know it’s because there are no words, no promises he can make to ensure my brother’s safety or life. Mack straightens and we embrace, holding each other tighter than we ever have before.

  While still holding me, Mack instructs Corey, “Tell Bone, Rex was racing and he hit a pot hole and spun out hitting a tree on River Park Road, down by Shawnee Park. A car crashed into the tree along that road only four days ago, there’s still debris and old police tape. Tell Bone, Rex has a head injury and you’ll keep him updated on his recovery. How often does Bone deliver?”

  “Every two to three months, it depends on how much he delivers today on when he’ll be back,” Corey replies.

  “Two months minimum then to get a story together and a strategy, for his next visit.”

  Everyone agrees with the plan.

  Peeking through my swollen, wet eyes, still clinging to Mack, I spot the guys nod to him with respect and then give me one last lingering stare before they leave the hospital, promising to return as soon as they can.

  Minutes pass and I calm. While Mack is comforting me, we hear a friendly and formal voice. “Miss Scavello. You can come up and see your brother now.”

  I turn quickly and find one of the nurses who helped take Rex up when we arrived. She’s holding open one of the Emergency Department’s automatic doors as if giving us the magic key to get through and finally see our loved one.

  I don’t look at Mack. I don’t need to. We take each other’s hand and quickly walk through the open door and listen to the nurse as she instructs us on how to find Rex. We nod and quickly move through the hospital to the fifth floor and room ninety-seven.

  Entering a large room with sunlight streaming in through the huge glass windows, the light hits the bed in the middle of the room. If Rex was awake, I know he’d have to shield his eyes from the brightness of it. But he’s not awake; he’s passed out and has numerous tubes and cords coming from his body.

  The soft drip of the fluids and the beeping heart monitor is like a sad song. Each beep closer to giving life or should I savor them? Will it be the last time I hear the rhythmic beeps of my brother’s life? Looking at him now, helpless and lost, all I see is misery.

  Mack pulls the curtain halfway across the long window and the sunlight dims in the room.

  I walk over to Rex and place my hand on his shoulder.

  A chair bumps the back of my legs and I glance over my shoulder to see Mack gesturing for me to take a seat. I do.

  “Lana, I have to go to the race. I’ll fill Slater and the others in when I’m there. I should be back in an hour since Corey and the guys won’t be able to make it to Speed Wars. Mickey will call a no-show.”

  “What happens then? To Parklands chances at the Death Race?” I ask.

  “They’ll lose points for not showing up, and I’ll automatically win the race and get the points.”

  I swallow hard and look at my unmoving brother. “Speed Wars really didn’t mean anything to Rex,” I inform Mack quietly. “He found out you guys were entering and had to compete against you all.”

  “Yeah?” is all Mack replies and we have silence for a moment before he continues, “Rex is a great racer. Slater always beats my brothers and me, easily. But Slater was always rattled when he knew he was going to race Rex.”

  That pulls a small smile out of me. Yes, he is a great racer, he even taught his little sister a few moves. Mostly if I ever needed to turn quickly in case of an accident, or what would happen if I pressed on the brakes suddenly and had to control the car. We did take some time to muck around and race as well, but Rex was always miles ahead of me, even before my tires stopped spinning and I was able to take off.

  Mack spins my chair and cups the back of my neck. “Back soon, okay?” I nod and Mack kisses me. It’s soft and sensual. It causes a fluttering sensation in my chest. He bites gently on my bottom lip and ends our kiss. He gifts me with one last kiss to my forehead and whispers, “One
step closer to two million dollars, Dove. See you soon.”

  And with that, he’s walking out the hospital room and I’m left breathless.

  Two million dollars!

  I swing my gaze to my brother and stand from the chair. “Two million dollars?” I whisper to myself and also as a question to an unconscious Rex.

  I lean on the bed and look down to the stark white sheets and blue blanket. That’s a lot of money.

  My eyes find my brother again. That could change Rex’s life. Get him out of Parkland. Hell, out of the States. He could move to the other side of the world, somewhere the mafia and my mother could never find him.

  I step to the window and look out at the car park. Mack would be driving out about now, to a race he thinks he’s already won.

  I glimpse over my shoulder at Rex. I told him I’d fight harder this time. I promised to help him. Biting my lip anxiously I go over the scenario of me turning up to Speed Wars and racing my own boyfriend.

  Mackson won’t be happy. His family took me in for the past two months and treated me as one of their own, and now I’m going to try and take something away from them that they’ve been fighting hard to get for months now? I rub my knuckles over my pressed lips conflicted.

  Decide Lana. Before it’s too late.

  Turning back to Rex and walking over to his bedside, I take his hand. I’ll go against the man I love and race for my brother.

  Mackson will understand. I pray he does. Because if I don’t do this, if I don’t at least try, I fear I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Mackson

  “What the fuck are we waiting for Mickey? No-one’s coming,” I yell to Mick, who’s in his caravan, which is the headquarters at Speed Wars. It’s covered in dirt and dust and is surrounded by security, who are there to make sure any trouble makers or fights that break out are dealt with quickly.

  Mick slowly steps out of his caravan, his black Speed Wars shirt appears first then his tall frame ducks under the small door and his full head of gray hair can be seen.

  He grins at me excitedly. What the fuck is he smiling about? Mick never smiles.

  I glance over my shoulder to Slater and my family all leaning against Fang. Well, everyone, but Lana. I need this shit to move along so I can get back to her.

  Slater’s looking at Mick with a curious expression and also a pissed off one. We need to win this race. And Parkland can’t turn up in time. We’ve already got word from a mate who drove past Rex’s garage and said Corey’s Mazda is still there. They’ll never make it here before race time and therefore, be disqualified.

  I hear Mick approach with a deep chuckle. “Hold your horses, Mackson. You know I can’t call a race until the time comes and they aren’t at the starting line, ready to race.”

  I sigh. “We already got word where the Parkland members are, and they can’t make it here in twenty minutes even if they wanted to. I got somewhere to be, Mickey, can we fucking just call it?”

  Mickey grins, wider this time. “A tip from me, boy, go get ready to race.” I narrow my eyes at Mickey’s back as he walks away.

  “That fucker knows something.” Slater appears at my back.

  “But what? Rex is in the hospital. Corey, Kodi, and Reed are still at the garage. Only those who signed the contract can race. There is no way Parkland is racing today. Mick’s probably just messing with us for kicks.” I turn and pat Slater on the shoulder. “Come on, I’ll get ready and then when they don’t show we can get the fuck out of here.”

  We walk over to Fang and Slater fills everyone in on what’s going on. Della decides to walk over by the fence so she can watch some races while we wait around. My brothers stay with me while we warm up Fang and I get her in the lineup. Four rows of cars are in front of me, no car beside me.

  My arms tense and I squeeze the steering wheel brutally.

  I should be back with Lana by now. This is fucking bullshit.

  Slater, Pacer, and Kelso are off to my right waiting near the fence, all of them looking around the dirt field for any sign of my competitor.

  Suddenly, I notice them all stand straight with shocked expressions. I quickly look at my rearview mirror and spot Lana. She’s walking away from a cab and toward Mick, who just threw her a set of keys.

  No fucking way.

  Watching as she awkwardly waves to my brothers, who can only stare back at her stunned.

  Mick calls her name and she races after him to a Nissan Silvia.

  No. Fucking. Way.

  I turn my stare to my brothers. Slater is pissed. Pacer’s face is still scrunched up in confusion and Kelso is laughing his ass off.

  They walk over to me.

  Kel’s the first to speak. “Your girl’s got balls, Mack. Fuck, definitely not the little Lana we remember.”

  “How’s Mick letting her race? She’s not on the contract,” Packer asks.

  “She’s family,” I say between gritted teeth, squeezing the steering wheel so hard it may break.

  “Family can race if someone on the contract can’t race due to a medical problem.” Slater shakes his head and looks me in the eyes. “You two fight?”

  “No, I left her at the hospital with Rex. We were fine. Fucks me why she’s doing this.” I unbuckle and get out of the car and watch as Lana maneuvers the Silvia to the lineup.

  “Whatever her reasoning, you’ll beat her. There’s no way she has the experience you do,” Slater adds confidently.

  He’s right I will beat her, but I don’t want to have to race my damn girlfriend. I want her at my back, supporting me in my race.

  “I’m talking to her first. This doesn’t make sense,” I say as I round the back of my car. I stop and cross my arms over my chest, watching as Lana pulls the black Silvia up next to Fang.

  “Lana looks smokin’ hot in a turbo. I’m getting a woody,” Kelso stupidly says beside me, mucking around and adjusting himself.

  I’m never in the mood for his jokes, but especially not now. He’s just pissed me the fuck off. I push hard on Kel’s right shoulder and he stumbles sideways, falling face first into the dirt.

  Pacer busts a gut laughing and Kelso gets up quickly dusting the dirt off his clothes and knees. “Fuck. You and Slater, so touchy about your women. I’m getting you both vibrators for Christmas to go with your pussies.”

  “Let Mack talk to Lana,” Slater orders my brothers and they walk back over to the fence.

  Lana jumps out of the Silvia as soon as it’s parked and looks at me warily. “I know this looks bad, but please let me explain.”

  I scoff. “By all means, tell my why my girlfriend is racing against me when she knows how badly I wanted the points for this race. You’re not going to win, Lana, so why do it at all? It’s only going to cause problems between us.” I throw my arms out annoyed.

  “The money,” she states quickly and I’m thrown by her words. “I need the money for Rex, Mackson.”

  Lana reaches out for my hand, but I pull away and step back. Her expression saddens, but continues anyway, “If Parkland can win the two-million dollars, Mack, we could get Rex away from my family. He could go somewhere far away to hide. He could be free of them. No more drugs, no more anything. For once he’d have a chance at a normal life.” She takes a big breath in and out. “I couldn’t control my mother leaving. I couldn’t control my father being an asshole. I couldn’t control Rex getting attached to the mafia or addicted to drugs. But this… I can try and control this. Helping him get away from it all and healthy again.”

  My eyelids blink rapidly as I try to process her words, but it’s not long before my body and mind lose the fight. The desperation in her words and also actions cut deep into my chest, sending cracks all through my body. She’s seeping in again, just like before, there’s no stopping it and I wouldn’t want to. She’s magnificent and she’s all mine.

  The easy way would be to walk away from her drug-riddled brother and fucked up family and come with me, wi
th my family. We’d protect her and I’d make sure she’d never want for anything.

  She’s grown into a stronger woman than I could have ever imagined she would.

  I’d take her in a heartbeat, if she took the easy road. But damn, her fighting with everything she has to save what little family she has left only causes me to want her more. I crave her loyalty for my own.

  “Mack?” Lana calls, pulling me out of my daze.

  There are no words for how I feel right now, so instead I decide to show Lana. I pull her to me by grasping her shirt and she tumbles into my arms, where I lower my mouth to hers and we kiss. I wind my arms around her back, pulling her flush against my body and push my hands under her shirt, loving the sensation of her warm skin against mine.

  When we break apart for air, Lana asks breathlessly and with a smile, “I’m forgiven then?”

  I lean my forehead against hers. “I understand why you want to do this and I’m proud of you.” I let Lana go and look into her eyes. “We both have family we need to take care of. Not being cocky. However, I am going to beat you, Dove.” I grin and Lana’s smile gets wider.

  “We’ll see about that. I still have some tricks up my sleeve.”

  I laugh out loud. “Let’s race then.”

  I’m walking back around my car almost to my driver’s side when Lana calls out, and I look across Fang’s red roof to find Lana staring at me intently.

  “Mack, I will understand if you win, but I’m going to try my best to beat you.”

  “Wouldn’t want it any other way, Dove.” I grin and jump into my car and buckle up.

  My stomach churns and I’m not sure if it’s the normal pre-race jitters, or if it’s the fact that I feel the urge to give Lana the race. Which goes against everything I believe in and have worked toward to get to Death Race.

  Seeing me back in the car, Slater runs over to my car window and leans inside.

  “I don’t know what’s going between you two, but remember, we’ve got big plans for that money. Lana is included in those plans if you want her to be, she wins both ways today,” Slater states, but he doesn’t get it.