Racing Dirty, L.A.

by J. Lynn Lombard

  “Keep an eye on things, we’ve got business to take care of."

  “You got it boss,” tattoo man says.

  “Let’s get to it. Are you going to step up now?” Rush asks me. Still on a high and loving the way it makes me feel I nod my head.

  “Yes. I’m in. This is where I belong,” I say scanning the crowd. Rush’s face breaks out in a huge smile and relief fills his eyes.

  A young boy who looks to be about thirteen catches my eye. He is in the back of the crowd trying to hide, but I still see him. Something draws me to him and I have an urge to find out who he is. He has on a dark hoodie and torn, black jeans. I can see pieces of his black hair that’s covered in a baseball hat, pulled down over his green eyes. He’s looking everywhere but at me and he looks like he’s on edge, ready to run. I turn to Rush.

  “Who’s that boy?” I ask him.

  “What boy?” Rush asks, discreetly scanning the crowd.

  “The one with a dark hoodie, torn jeans, black hair covered with a baseball hat, and green eyes. Standing in the back of the crowd,” I answer not looking in the boy’s direction.

  I can tell when he finds the boy because his reaction is the same as mine. Rush sucks in a deep breath and he nods his head at tattoo man, who is approaching us. Rush whispers to him and he nods his head. I watch as tattoo man disappears into the crowd.

  “He’s going to find out. He reminds me of Austin,” Rush whispers to me.

  All I can do is nod my head as the screams try to break free. I take a shaky breath and Rush notices.

  “C’mon let’s get out of here,” he says gently.

  He puts his hand on the small of my back and leads us to his car. I open the passenger door and get in, shutting out the noise of the people around us. Rush gets in the driver side and looks at me.

  “It’s going to be OK, Ashley,” he says covering my small hands with his large ones.

  “I know. You’d think after all this time, I would be able to deal with it better, but I haven’t. I’m going out of my mind, Rush. I can’t take it anymore. Everywhere I look, I see them. Every time I hear tires squealing, the screams come back. I’ve been trying to get them out of my head, but they don’t leave." Tears sting my eyes and I wipe them away. “I can’t get them out of my head. How do I deal with it?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m here. We’re all here and once Redline knows exactly who you are, he’ll be here for you too. Let’s go take care of business and we’ll figure something out."

  A few minutes later we pull up to a huge red brick building. Rush parks his car in front of it and gets out. I compose myself after my little breakdown and lock the screaming away in the back of my mind. I need to have full concentration here. This part of the business is easy as pie. I can negotiate like the best of them. Something I learned from my father.

  Rush opens the heavy metal door and holds it for me to walk in first. I walk inside and see an open space area and a huge table in the center of the concrete floor. There's fluorescent lighting above us, making it easy to see in every corner. Redline is already at the table, his hazel eyes are watching me cautiously. A few of his guys are standing off to the side behind him. My eyes land on him and I smirk. Redline stands tall as we approach.

  “Rush, what’s she doing here?” Redline asks, ignoring me.

  “Redline, I’d watch it if I were you,” Rush growls. I see my opening when Redline continues to ignore me.

  “Maverick.” I snap. Redlines hazel eyes fly to mine and his pierced eyebrows raise high in shock.

  “How do you know me?” he asks.

  “Maverick Morrow, aka, Redline. Leader of the West side. I know all about you,” I respond moving to the seat at the head of the table. I sit down, and Rush takes the seat right next to me. He nods his head at me and I continue. “Born January first, a New Year's Day surprise to your mother and father. Your father was the leader of the West side until his retirement a few months ago. You stepped up to take his place. Have a smooth operation of drugs and guns in that area and have been going strong and fast. I can see potential in you and know you’ll make the right choices when it comes down to it. You’ve been having some issues with the Tres-Seis Gang, but that’s something you and your boys can handle. I’m not worried about any issues you come across because you know what to do. I think that about covers it." I finish.

  Redline’s still in shock, his mouth opening and closing, and Rush snaps his fingers, breaking him out of his trance.

  “How do you know all of this?” he asks.

  Rush points to me before answering Redline. “Redline, meet Krimson.”

  Redlines face drains of all color as he sits down hard in his chair, shaking his head back and forth. “No way. I thought you were a myth. Something the bosses used to keep us in line. Not a real person. I knew it with the way you were driving. There was only one other person who shifts the way you do.” He’s referring to my father. Redline voice grows quiet before he continues. “I’m really sorry to hear about your family. I respected and looked up to Anthony. You have my support. Anything you need, you got it.”

  I release a deep breath. I didn’t realize I needed to hear that until the words left Redlines lips. The screams of torture are tucked away for now being around these two. I hope I can handle them when I’m alone.

  “Thank you, Redline,” I answer quietly.

  “Are you stepping up now?” he asks.

  “I have to finish my Senior year at high school before I do. I graduate in a couple of months. I know I’m only seventeen, but this is where I belong. I want to go to college for art, but I need this too. I need to continue my father’s legacy. He trusted me to continue where he left off, but I was too young when he passed. I didn’t know how to handle what happened to them and went into the system. I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere.” I answer with a shaky breath. Rush’s hand covers mine and squeezes it gently to let me know he’s got my back.

  “Is there something between the two of you?” Redline asks looking at our hands.

  I let out a laugh right along with Rush. People who don’t know us or our history always think there is something going on, when he’s really a brother to me and not a lover. I shake my head before answering.

  “Nothing at all. We grew up together. He’s my family, all I have left.” Redline gets out of his chair and approaches me. He takes my other hand and squeezes it, sitting down in the other empty chair next to me.

  “You have one more,” he says, gently. I give him a grateful smile.

  “Thank you, Redline.”

  Rush clears his throat and gives me a stern look. “Now you need to ditch the douche. You’re not alone anymore. It’s the three of us and once Quickshift and Hotflash meet you, we'll all be united as one. The way it's supposed to be. Not the way it is now.”

  I take a deep breath and nod my head. I know I need to get rid of Shaun, I do care for him, but not the way he wants or needs, and his possessiveness is really not my style. I pull out my phone from my pocket and power it back on. It’s two thirty a.m., but I need to do this now. I can’t wait any longer. My phone dings with several new voicemails and texts. They’re all from Shaun.

  “Shit. He knows something's up.” I growl, showing Rush my phone.

  “Who knows?” Redline asks.

  “Her douche of a boyfriend. He's another racer who brought her back into the fold. Only he didn’t know who she really was.” Rush answers as he reads my text from Shaun. His face turns red and his body's vibrating with rage. His large hand curls around my phone so hard, I swear he's going to break it in two. The vein on his temple is throbbing.

  “Rush, what is it?” I ask.

  “Mother fucker's going to die,” he growls.

  I take my phone from Rush’s hand and read what Shaun wrote. My hands tremble and my heart stops beating for a second. Shaun has no idea who he just fucked with. The first message wasn’t bad.

  1:01 a.m.

  Shaun: Where are you? Why
aren’t you answering your phone?

  1:30 a.m.

  Shaun: I’m at your house and you’re not here.

  1:32 a.m.

  Shaun: This is fucking bullshit. WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?

  1:34 a.m.

  Shaun: ASHLEY ANSWER YOUR FUCKING PHONE!!!!

  2:00 a.m.

  Shaun: You’re out fucking HIM, aren’t you?

  2:15 a.m.

  Shaun: HE’S A DEAD MOTHER FUCKER

  2:30 a.m.

  Shaun: Your “parents” know all about what you’ve been up to. Surprise, surprise. They kicked you out.

  How do you like that BITCH?

  Anger vibrates through my body as I hit Shaun’s number on my phone. I listen quietly as it rings several times before he finally answers.

  “Where the fuck are you?” Shaun screams into the phone.

  “That’s none of your business, Shaun.” I swallow hard, trying to rein in my temper and remain calm.

  “The hell it isn’t. You’re my girlfriend, out fucking some other guy.” Shaun roars on the other end.

  “Shaun, you have no idea. I suggest you rein it back in and listen for a second, asshole.” I respond, my voice low and deadly. He must have finally sensed something in my tone because he grows quiet. “Now, listen up. You want the truth? I’ll give it to you. Rush is my family. Has been since the day I was born. Now you have two options. Do you understand me?” I stand up and pace the warehouse floor, the echoing of my boots surrounds me. Rush and Redline are still sitting at the table, watching, and waiting.

  “What are they?” Shaun responds quietly.

  “One, we’re done with, over. I don’t need the toxic you bring. I don’t need the shit storm you try to create. You will accept that. Don’t try anything stupid and I’ll let you stay in my racing circuit.” My voice is cold and deadly.

  “Ha. Your racing circuit? If it wasn’t for me, you would have never been there in the first place. It’s MY racing circuit, MINE. YOU don’t tell ME what I fucking will or won’t do." Shaun screams into the phone.

  I pull my phone away from my ear and stop pacing. The guys can hear how angry his is. Rush is clenching and unclenching his fists. Redline is pacing back and forth, his body vibrating with anger.

  “Shaun, shut the fuck up. You have no idea who I am, and I suggest you keep your fucking mouth shut. Yes, MY racing circuit. The fucking rumors are true asshole. Krimson is alive and kicking. So, if you want to continue to race with us, earning clean money, then I suggest you choose your next words wisely." The calm in my voice surprises me.

  “What’s the other option?” he asks. His voice is hollow and disconnected.

  “The second option is, if you don’t stay away from us and continue to bash my family or me, you won’t live to see another day. I hate to do this to you over the phone, I’d rather do it face to face, but you left me no choice. Getting me kicked out of my parents' house and accusing me of fucking Rush is the last draw.”

  “I thought we had something special. How the fuck can you do this to us?” Shaun pleads on the other end of the phone. I take a deep breath and release it before answering.

  “Shaun, you helped me more than you can know, but we don’t belong together. It was never going to work out between us. There’s stuff you don’t know about me and my family that I could never tell you. I didn’t trust you enough to tell you and when you became all possessive and controlling, I knew it wasn’t going to work. When you met Rush, that was when I first made up my mind, but I thought I’d give you another chance. Now you either need to find another racing circuit if you can’t keep it together or keep your mouth shut when you see me. I can guarantee you will be seeing me around, but we will never happen again. Move on."

  Silence greets me on the other end. I can hear him breathing hard into the phone, so I know he didn’t hang up.

  “Fine, I’ll stay away. But I have one question for you?” Shaun asks.

  “What?”

  “Why didn’t you break it off before?”

  “I don’t know. I'm sorry if I hurt you, but this is for the best. Go find another girl who can treat you the way you want to be treated. That isn’t me. Good bye, Shaun.”

  I hit end on my cell phone and take a deep breath. If he really did tell Mike and Sharon, I’ll need a place to stay. I turn to Redline and Rush watching me cautiously.

  “All good?” Rush asks.

  “Yeah, all good. He'll stay quiet, but I think I might have another issue. If he told Mike and Sharon, I'll need a place to stay.” I answer taking a seat next to the guys. I rest my elbows on the cold metal table and run my hands through my hair. My heart rate has calmed down and my hands stopped shaking.

  “I got that covered.” Rush answers.

  I give him a grateful smile and turn my attention to Redline. “No one can know I’m taking over until I speak with the bosses. Thing’s will be changing around here, and I need to break them in gently. I want us to go as legit as possible. Now that the drama called Shaun is out of the way, I can concentrate on finishing school and taking back my rightful spot. Redline, keep an eye out for retaliation from Shaun. Rush you need to do the same. I’ll watch my area and races.”

  They both nod their heads in agreement. The heavy door creaks open and we all turn to see tattoo guy enter with the boy I spotted in front of him. I release a breath and a smile forms on my lips. His green eyes grow huge when he sees the three of us huddled together. Tattoo guy gives Rush a brief nod and leaves quietly.

  “Hey, come in and take a seat.” I tell the kid, motioning to the chair across from us.

  He looks around the warehouse, taking everything in. His hands are shaking as he slowly walks towards us. He takes a seat, swallowing hard. I stand up and slowly walk over to him. I perch my ass on the side of the table next to him.

  “Do you know who I am?” I gently ask.

  “Yes,” he stutters. “Yes, I do. I’m not supposed to know, but I pay attention. Can I ask why I’m here?”

  “Well, I saw you in the crowd and you caught my attention,” I answer, giving him a reassuring smile. “I might have a job for you, but I need to know your story. Do you have any family? What’s your name?” I move to the seat next to him, trying not to appear too intimidating.

  “Noah. My name’s Noah Del Marco.” he answer's quietly.

  “Well Noah, my name's Krimson. This is Rush and Redline.” I say, introducing the two guys behind me.

  “Hey Noah,” Rush says gently. He sees who I see in this boy next to me, Austin. He takes a seat on the other side of Noah. Noah’s wide eyes whip towards Rush and he nods his head. Redline looks just as confused as Noah, but he sits down next to me.

  “Good to meet you Noah,” Redline says.

  “What,” Noah starts to talk, then stops. He takes a deep breath, finding the courage I saw in him earlier. “What am I doing here?”

  “Well, Noah,” I respond gently. “Like I said, I have a job for you if you want it. There's something about you that caught my attention. You remind me of my little brother, Austin.”

  “What happened to him?” Noah asks quietly.

  The question catches me off guard and I hesitate to answer. Inhaling a deep breath, I sneak a glance at Rush and he nods his head. He feels we can trust Noah too.

  “He died a couple of years ago in a bad accident. I see pieces of him in you and I want to help you.” Sadness fills my voice.

  “How do you know I need help?” he asks.

  “I know because I see you. You've been through what I’ve been through. You lost your family, too. Now you’re alone." I state. It’s not a question, it's written all over his face. “Do you want the job I have to offer?”

  “Yes, I do.” Noah answers, nodding his head. “If it gets me out of the group home I’m living in, then yes." I smile at him and reach my hand out. He takes it and gives me a strong hand shake.

  "Good. I’ll get in contact with you once I set everything up. Stay safe in there Noah and thi
ngs will be OK.” I tell him.

  “Thank you, Krimson,” he says. His green eyes light up with excitement.

  “Anytime. But you can’t say a word to anyone. I'll come and get you in a few days. I want you to be a part of my family, Noah.”

  “Thank you,” he whispers.

  “You’re welcome. Now do you need a ride back to your group home?”

  “No, I can walk. It’s only a few blocks from here.” he answers, shaking his head.

  “Do you have a phone?” I ask.

  “No, I’m not allowed one.” Noah answers quietly. He slumps back in the chair and pulls his hat lower, covering his eyes. He's ashamed of his situation.

  Rush gets up from the table and disappears in the back. A few minute later he reappears with a burner phone in his hand. He turns it on and hands it to Noah.

  “This will be yours until we come and get you. It has Krimson, Redline and my numbers already programed into it. Don’t let it out of your sight and don’t let anyone use it. This is for you only. Can you do that for us?” Rush asks. Noah nods his head and take the phone out of Rush’s big hand.

  “Thank you.” Noah says again, the phone clutched in his hand.

  I give him a gentle smile. “Text me when you make it back, so I know you're safe. If anyone tries anything, you call me or Rush right away. Rush is closer and can have someone get you in a heartbeat.”

  “Ok I will. I’ll see you in a few days. Thanks again, Krimson.” Noah says.

  He stands up and hesitates to leave. I stand too and watch him. Noah turns back towards us and gives me a hug. The gesture surprises me at first and then I wrap my arms around him and hug him back.

  “Stay safe, Noah. I’ll see you soon.” I tell him, swallowing the lump in my throat.

  Tears form in my eyes as we break apart and he walks out the door. Rush puts his arm around me and gently squeezes my shoulders.

  “That’s a good thing you did, Ash.” Rush says.

  “I couldn’t just walk away from him. He reminds me too much of Austin. I couldn’t protect Austin, but I will protect Noah.” I confess, wiping away a tear and straightening my spine.