Racing Dirty, L.A.

by J. Lynn Lombard

  I’ve done this before several times and the thrill of getting caught makes my adrenaline flow every time. Nolan shifts the car into reverse and backs out of the parking spot. The owner of the car must be an idiot for leaving his car unlocked and running. If it was locked, I’d still be able to pick and hot-wire it, but this way is a lot easier. We didn’t have to worry about the alarm or time it takes.

  “Do you know how to drive this beast?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow in Nolan's direction. He reverses out of the parking spot and puts it in drive, the car growling under his command.

  “No, I don’t think I can, I only race cars in my spare time,” he responds sarcastically.

  “It’s different being on pavement than on dirt,” I counter, rolling my eyes at his sarcastic tone.

  “Well, we’re about to discover how different,” Nolan says seriously. His eyes cut to the back of the gas station as we drive by. Shaun is standing there, next to the van, watching us. Hatred and rage are in his eyes when they collide with mine.

  “Oh fuck. Go. Go. Go." I scream.

  My eyes don't leave Shaun's hate-filled ones as he roars at someone and jumps into a grey Chevy Camaro. The guy standing next to it tries to block him, but Shaun’s too quick. I recognize the other guy. It’s Ian Dual, the leader of the 38th Street Gang. Shaun slams the door to the car and fires up the engine. He peels out of the parking lot, heading right towards us.

  “Nolan, you better drive this fucker like your ass is on fire,” I advise.

  “Don’t worry, I got this.” he replies, shifting gears with confidence.

  We pass four sets of headlights approaching us from the opposite side of the road and my heart is in my throat when two the cars come into view.

  “Fuck, that’s Rush and Redlines’ cars. I thought Rush was back there with Shaun and Ian.” I say aloud.

  “No, and it looks like Ashton and the rest of my team are following them,” Nolan responds.

  “What the actual fuck is going on?” I ask.

  “I don’t know but hang on the best you can,” Nolan says as he throttles the gas a little more.

  Bright lights appear in the back window, blinding the rearview mirror and I shift in my seat, trying to figure out how close Shaun is. I can’t see anything behind us. Nolan drops the clutch and shifts into fourth gear. He’s got to pick up speed faster than this if he wants to shake Shaun.

  “Nolan, not to tell you how to drive, but you need to move faster if you don’t want Shaun to catch us.” A panic edge is in my voice.

  “Patience," he replies calmly.

  He keeps looking into his side mirrors, hardly moving fifty miles per hour. I stare at him like he’s crazy when a smirk appears on his lips.

  “Bingo, mother fucker,” Nolan says with a grin.

  Chapter 32

  Nolan

  I continue watching my mirrors, waiting. Ashley has this expression in her eyes, she’s going to ream me a new ass, but I know what I’m doing. When Ashton passed us, I flashed my brights at him three times and tapped my brakes twice. It’s a code we worked out a few years ago when we were working on a case that led us on a car chase. Ashley didn’t notice his brake lights flashing back at me, she was too concerned about Shaun behind us. I hold my speed around fifty miles an hour and Shaun’s right on my ass, trying to blind me with his high beams. I spot the four cars do a sharp U-turn and Ashton’s is in the lead.

  “Bingo, mother fucker,” I whisper with a grin on my face.

  I punch the gas, forcing the RPM’s up to eight. My speed has increased to over eighty miles an hour and I drop the clutch, shifting into fifth gear. The freeway entrance ramp is approaching fast. Adrenaline is flooding my veins at the thrill of the chase. I love this shit and I never want to give it up. My hands are tight on the steering wheel, trying to stop the shaking of excitement.

  “Head North,” Ashley tells me.

  I give her a nod, not taking my eyes off the road. My speed rises to a buck twenty as I drop the clutch again and shift into sixth gear. I weave in and out of traffic once we enter the freeway, heading North, further away from L.A.

  Shaun is still behind us, but Ashton cut him off when he caught up. I watch in my mirror as Redline and Rush box Shaun in, giving us a chance to get away. Releasing an unsteady breath I didn’t realize I was holding, I shift my attention back to the road in front of me as we speed down the dark freeway.

  “Ashley, do me a favor and turn around. Look what’s happening behind us.”

  Ashley adjusts herself in the seat and twists around. I hear a gasp escape through her lips and I smile. “Nolan, Redline, and Rush have Shaun boxed in. They’re forcing him to slow down. No, they can’t do that. He’ll run them off the road. He’s a dirty mother fucker racing.”

  Ashton pulls up beside us when the road is clear of traffic. He motions for Ashley to roll down her window, but she doesn’t see him. Her attention’s on Redline and Rush behind us, she’s biting her bottom lip with worry.

  “Ash, look out your window,” I tell her, calmly.

  “What? Why?” She asks me, still looking behind us.

  “Ashley. Roll down your fucking window.” Shit, I didn't intend to sound like an ass, but fuck, she needs to listen to me right now. We’re approaching more traffic and running out of time.

  The tone is my voice must have finally captured her attention because she swings around. Ashton is leaning out the window, struggling to hand her something and keep his car under control. Her fingers fly to the switch and rolls down her window.

  “Ashton, what are you doing?” she questions.

  “Just grab it," Ashton shouts through the wind whipping between them.

  We’re approaching the cars fast as Ashley unhooks her seatbelt and leans out the window. Her fingertips barely graze the object Ashton has in his hand. I veer to the left and Ashton swerves to the right to avoid hitting the cars in front of us. Ashley is thrown back into the car. A grunt slips through her lips as her shoulder slams against the seat.

  “Fuck," she cries through gritted.

  We meet up with Ashton again once the traffic clears. I spot Natalia in the back seat rolling her window down. She has whatever it was Ashton was attempting to hand us. I slow down slightly so Ashley’s window is even with Natalia’s.

  There are tears in Natalia’s brown eyes as she leans out the window and Ashley does the same. I grip the back of Ashley’s jeans with one hand and keep the other on the steering wheel. Once she has it in her hands securely, I pull her back into the car. We split off again at the last second and Ashley refasten her seatbelt.

  She turns the object over and it’s a phone. A lifeline to the rest of my team and her crew. She hits the button on the side and swipes the screen. Ashley shifts around to watch behind us again as she dials a number. I can hear a faint ring on the other end.

  “Come on, come on, pick up.” She pleads into the phone. Her fingers are strumming on her thigh. Finally, after four rings a voice fills the other end and Ashley let’s out a sigh of relief.

  “Noah? Thank God. Get away from him. He'll ram you off the road.” she’s quiet for a moment while Noah talks on the other end. I can’t understand what he’s saying. “Please, listen to me. He’s a dirty racer and will do whatever he can to get away from you guys.” The line goes silent.

  “Noah? Noah? What the hell is going on?” Ashley looks at the phone and see’s the line went dead. “Fuck, turn around, something happened.” She’s on the verge of tears. “Turn the fuck around Nolan, now."

  “Dial Ashton, tell them what’s going on.”

  I rattle off Ashton’s number as I whip into the first U-Turn we come to. Ashley dials the number and tells them what we’re doing. The tires squeal in protest as I turn the steering wheel, making a hard left. I drift around the corner, down shifting and pulling the emergency brake. I take the turn a little too wide and sideswipe the guardrail. I hear a groan from Ashley as she’s shoved into her seat. I get the car under control and race b
ack down the freeway. Ashton and the other car follow. I’m uncertain who’s driving it. It could be Ramirez. We all sail down the freeway at top speed. Ashley keeps glancing over to the opposite side of the road when I spot smoke billowing up in the air. I slow down and before I can reach a complete stop at the accident in the median, Ashley already has her seatbelt off and out the door.

  The familiar gray Nissan GT-R is suspended on its driver’s side, the tires are still moving, and smoke is coming from under the hood. I throw the car in first, turn it off, and get out quickly. I spot two people inside the car, both are unconscious. Ashton is running next to me as we race towards the wreckage. Ashley is already there, trying to bust the windshield with her good elbow. She’s screaming something I can’t quite understand.

  Once Ashton and I approach the car, I can smell gasoline big time. I take in our situation in a blink of an eye and immediately realize I have to get these guys out of the car before it blows up. Ashton and I work fast, climbing up the side of the car and ripping the passenger side door open. Between both of our strengths, we have it open and I’m leaning into the car on my bare stomach in no time. I brace Noah’s head with my hands, his blood coating my fingers. Ashton climbs inside, braces Noah’s body with his own and cuts his seatbelt off. He carefully lifts him up towards me. Ashley is right next to me, helping me pick him up out of the car. Ramirez, Harris, and Marks are waiting down below, and we hand Noah off to them. They take him away from the scene towards our waiting cars. Hotflash is waiting up there and immediately begins accessing his injuries. She gives us a quick nod of her head and I breathe a sigh of relief.

  Rush is a little more difficult to get out. His body mass is a lot heavier than Noah’s. I climb into the car with Ashton. It’s a tight fit for all three of us, but we have to get him out. The loose wiring is sparking and if it becomes close enough to the NOS I know Rush has under the seat, we’re all dead. I start kicking the windshield out with my boot as hard as I can. Ashton follows suit and after a few moments, it finally gives away. Ashley is right there in the middle, not letting my guys help. She shoves Harris hard when he tries to move her.

  “Fuck you, Harris. I’m not moving and if you touch me again, I’ll rip your fucking balls off and feed them to you." she sneers at him.

  Harris throws his hands up at her and Ashton cocks an eyebrow at me. I shrug my shoulders and we get back to work getting Rush out. Once we have his body supported, Ashton cuts his seatbelt off. Rush lets out a grunt as we carry him through the windshield into Ashley, Marks, Ramirez and Harris’ waiting arms. They move him quickly up next to Noah and gently set him on the ground.

  Ashton climbs out of the car first and I immediately follow. I can hear sirens in the distance, heading our way. We run back up to the cars.

  “The cops are on their way. Do you want to wait for an ambulance for these two or take off?” I ask Ashley.

  “Get them loaded up in the cars and meet at my house. I don’t want the cops involved.” She states.

  The boss running in her veins is taking over as she barks out orders. I can understand why people listen when she gives commands. There’s no denying she has what it takes to be a leader. Rush is more coherent and sitting up as we load Noah up in the back of the Mustang we stole. Ashley climbs into the back seat and we set Noah’s head in her lap. She’s brushing away the hair that spilled onto his face. He’s still unconscious as I climb into the driver’s seat. Natalia helps Rush into the passenger seat. She shuts the door and gets into the passenger seat of Ashton’s car. Harris takes the backseat. Ramirez and Marks climb into the other car and we all drive away. Once we’re about two hundred feet from the accident, a giant boom rattles the ground. Rush’s car explodes into a massive fireball.

  “Fuck, I loved that car.” Rush whispers, staring straight ahead at the traffic in front of us. The rest of the car ride is silent as we watch our speed and make it to Ashley's beach house.

  Chapter 33

  Ashley

  We arrive at my beach house and Nolan shuts the car off. Noah’s still out cold but his breathing is deep and even, not shallow and shaky. Nolan turns around in the seat and looks me over. A mournful smile is on his lips, he’s trying to reassure me, but he can’t find the words. Rush is still staring straight ahead, into the dark night, not saying a word.

  “I’m going to get Ashton and Harris and do a sweep. Stay in the car until we come out to get you. Ramirez and Marks will remain out here on guard until we come back.” Nolan says.

  I can’t answer, all I can manage is a nod. If I talk, then I’ll break down and weakness isn’t something I can afford right now. I don’t notice Nolan getting out of the car. The adrenaline that was engulfing my veins earlier has disappeared, leaving me drained and my shoulder is aching deeply. My hands are shaking as I push the hair back from Noah’s bloody forehead. He shifts a little and mumbles something under his breath. I can’t make out what he’s saying. I notice the dried blood on his forehead from the accident, I need to clean that up when we get inside.

  Suddenly there’s a tap on Rush’s window that causes both Rush and I to jump. We look out the window and see Hotflash standing there, grief etched on her face. She’s motioning for Rush to roll his window down. His fingers slowly push the button and it rolls down. The night ocean breeze drifts into the car, calming me. He doesn’t say a word as she leans into the car.

  “How’s he doing?” she asks.

  “He’s OK. He moved and mumbled something just before you came to the window,” I speak quietly. She turns her attention to Rush and rests a palm on his cheek.

  “This isn’t your fault, Rush. Shaun is un idiota. A dickhead. None of this is your fault.” Hotflash reassures him.

  He doesn’t answer, just continues to stare out into the darkness. Hotflash gives him a small, sad smile. Nolan and Ashton return from inside the house. He’s put a black t-shirt on and strides towards us.

  “C’mon, let’s get Noah inside,” Nolan suggests, opening Rush’s door.

  Rush gets out of the car on unsteady legs and Hotflash is there in an instant to help him. He drapes his arm over her shoulder and she wraps her arm around his waist as he limps towards the back door. My crew, my family, is suffering so badly right now and I don’t know how to fix it. Nolan pushes the passenger front seat up and Ashton does the same for the driver’s seat. Once Ashton’s massive body is part way inside the car, he carefully lifts Noah up from my lap and hands him over to the waiting arms of Harris, Ramirez, and Marks. I watch as they carry him into the house. He hasn’t moved except that one time a few minutes ago.

  “C’mon Ash, let's get you cleaned up,” Nolan gently says.

  He holds his hand out and helps me out of the car. My shoulder is screaming at me in protest and I feel so dirty. I need a shower, but I need to check on Noah and Rush first. We walk into the house and the familiarity of my home immediately relaxes me. My eyes become heavy as we step into the living room. Rush is sitting on the floor; his knees are up, and his head is dropped between them. Hotflash is sitting next to him, rubbing his back, whispering something in Spanish to him.

  “Where’s Noah?” I ask.

  “In the second room upstairs,” Ashton answers from the window.

  There’s something in his tone that catches my attention. I glance over in his direction, but he’s facing the window, watching and waiting. I follow him with my eyes as his slide to Rush and Hotflash for a second then he looks back out the window. I see him do this a few times when he thinks no one’s paying attention. Ashton releases a deep breath and leans his head against the window. Hotflash is keeping him in her sights while she’s talking to Rush and a wistful expression passes over her face. She shakes her head and turns away from Ashton.

  I walk over to them and sit down next to Rush. I force him to disentangle his arms around his knees and grab his hand.

  “Rush, look at me,” I demand. He ignores me and keeps his head down. “Rush, none of this is your fault. Please look a
t me.” He finally picks his head up and he has tears rolling down his cheeks.

  “This is my fault, Ashley.” He whispers and wipes his tears away.

  “No, it isn’t. You’re not the one who ran me off the road, you’re not the one who chased us down the freeway. You. Are. Not. Responsible.” I reassure him.

  “If Noah doesn’t pull through,” Rush says, and his voice drops off. He can’t finish the sentence.

  “Noah will pull through. He’ll be stronger than before. We have to think positive, Rush. We won’t lose him like we did Austin, I promise. Come on lets check on him.” I stand up carefully.

  Rush and Hotflash follow me up the stairs and I take a deep breath before opening the door. We walk into the room and I practically drop to my knees. Noah is laying on the bed, dried blood is caked on the side of his face, his chest is moving up and down and he has cuts and bruises all over his pale skin. I shuffle into the attached bathroom, turn on the water and wet the washcloth. Fire shoots through my shoulder from moving my arm, but I force the pain away, walk back to Noah and begin cleaning him up. I wipe away the dried blood from his forehead and in his black hair carefully. Rush is sitting by Noah’s chest, gripping his hand. He doesn’t say a word as I continue to clean Noah’s wounds.

  Hotflash also left to get a towel to help me. She’s working on one side while I’m on the other. Nothing appears to be broken. We quickly change his clothes to make him more comfortable. We sit there for a while, watching and waiting. Finally, after what seems like hours, but is only a few minutes, Noah starts moving. He opens his green eyes and blinks a few times.

  “Hey, don’t move too much, Noah,” I suggest putting my hand on his chest.

  “What happened?” he whispers.

  “You were in a car accident,” I explain. “Do you remember any of it?” I ask. He shifts slightly and covers his eyes with his arm.