50. Bay
FIFTY
bay
Home.
It’s full of burning rubber, squealing tires, rice burners, and the roar of small-blocked engines with their throaty exhausts.
South Shore is in full swing tonight.
Anyone who strictly rides or dies with us is here tonight. From our OG townsfolk, who have lived, worked, and were raised here to the kids who will do the same.
Tonight was supposed to be my official coronation.
However, since I handed the shit to Torin, it ended up being a few races and money I needed to use to pay for Marshall’s poor Roadrunner.
I’m behind Dad’s Nova with my fingers strumming along the steering wheel, patiently waiting for my race to start. Levi’s Malibu is cooling down because I decided to be extra tonight and bring both cars.
In honor of both men who have meant so much in my life.
Juice replaced our race initiator with some redhead whose name I can’t remember, but he comes up and talks to her every half hour. I’d use the word smitten if I hadn’t seen him with a brunette yesterday.
All that to say, tonight is perfect.
The sidelines are full of lawn chairs and coolers. The streets are blocked off with scouts to let us know if Muncy is on his way to break up the show.
And I fully plan on giving a show.
Ten thousand is on the line tonight, and I have every intention of pocketing the money and using it.
Mind you, I have no house payment, thanks to my silent and confusing-as-fuck husband. Nonetheless, there are bills, Marshall’s damage to his Roadrunner, and my goal has always been for the girls to have everything they need.
“You want her by that lanky little fuck, Peter, or no?”
My eyebrows clench at the sound of Hot Rod’s voice near my car door. This is the last moment to have a conversation about anything because if we don’t start this race soon, my tires are going to cool, and my block is only getting hotter by the second.
“Are you new here?” I lightly chide, staring straight out my windshield. “I’m about to start a race.”
“Yes or no.”
God.
“ Yes ,” I clip out, steering my irritated glower toward him. “Leave her alone.”
“I don’t like him.”
“Then watch him.”
“Do you think I have a guy to waste on that little prick?”
“Then don’t worry about it.”
Hot Rod begins to lean his forearm along the edge of my door, but I swat at it before he can land it. “Absolutely not. Move .”
“We’re talkin’ about this when you’re done.”
Whatever.
He steps away, and I heard him, I did. If he has an inkling Peter is compromised, then I’ll hear him out. The last thing I need is for him to use my sister in any capacity, which would lead to me getting involved.
We all have enough on our plates to last a bit. And I’ll be damned if some teenager gives me another one.
The redhead Juice is mildly obsessed with steps between my Nova and the Supra that’s looking to dust my ass. She lifts her flashlight, glances at both of us, and doesn’t make a huge show of it like Nessa used to. It used to drive me crazy how she’d purposely wait to start a race when both the other driver and I already had surges of adrenaline pumping through our veins.
The new girl flicks the light, almost at the same time I hit the trans brake, and Dad’s car comes alive in the night with vengeance.
I wish he were here .
It’s the first thing I think of when the classic vehicle engages and does exactly what she’s supposed to do.
The Nova roars, and it sounds like a distress signal of emotion, of loss. Everything I have yet to manage and sort out because when has there been the time?
Not that I believe time will heal those wounds. It’ll be an emptiness I’ll feel for the rest of my life; I just need to deal with it somehow.
From the corner of my eye, the Supra’s bright orange front end catches my attention as I shift into my next gear.
Then it’s bye-bye.
I cross the line, winning the race, and expect all hell to break loose at any given minute.
It doesn’t.
Having minutes like these, alone and without someone breathing down my neck, are lacking these days. I may be one step closer to winning the ten-K, but I can’t help feeling like things are about to get worse.
Shit is about to shift again.
I ease the Nova back toward the starting line, earning a raised hand from the guy driving the Supra in a silent expression of good race.
I don’t believe him.
My trust issues go up. I expect something to blow up. But all I hear are shouts of excitement and the next set of cars lining up to begin their set.
Talk to Hot Rod. Do not take what he says lightly.
I make quick work of parking my car and popping the hood. A few masked men—The Nameless—surround the thing like a pit crew as my car door is opened for me next.
Tall, blue jeans, and a light green shirt, muscled up as fuck.
“You don’t have to do all this,” I say as I get out of the car, not bothering to look into a face I can’t see behind the white mask. “I can manage.”
“Never said you couldn’t, Astor.”
Levi.
My eyes bulge before I quickly correct myself. Moving forward, I close the distance, but not too close or it’d look weird.
“What are you doing here?” I mutter while someone else rips through the street behind me to warm up their tires. “You shouldn’t?—”
“You didn’t think I’d miss your coronation, did you?”
My face skews because he knows, for one, it’s not anymore. And, two, yes, it’s awesome to have him here, but how the hell does someone not notice it’s him?
You didn’t.
Yeah, well, I didn’t gaze into his fucking eyes either.
Relaxing my features, it’s pointless to argue. I’m not going to say I hate the idea of him being exactly where he’s meant to be. I’m also not going to insinuate it’s not dangerous either.
That’s all we seem to do.
“You racin’ tonight?” I ask, closing the car door and stepping down the backend for Levi to follow and us to not be eavesdropped on.
“You lendin’ me back my car?”
I smile, turning on my heels to face him again. “Can’t. My best friend would have my ass if I allowed another man to sit in his car.”
“I think he’d do more than that,” Levi emits, his voice this naturally sexy-ass octave that peppers goosebumps along my skin. “I think he’d fuckin’ run him over with it.”
“Wouldn’t want to scratch the paint.”
“Didn’t you do that not too long ago?”
I pin my narrowed eyes on him, but they hold no more than a ha, ha, fuck you expression. “I got carried away by its power. Plus, I saw someone I had to settle a score with.”
Levi palms the top of Dad’s car and blocks me from the view of The Nameless, something that would scream red flags if I were part of the babysitting squad.
These men have been up my ass since the whole Matteo jumping me and losing the baby thing. Someone is going to come over here in a minute and see what’s up.
“And how’s that score doing?”
I try not to shift my weight, but I swallow my nervousness anyway. “You mean the ex-shithead?”
“No, Ozzy.”
I slice my focus to him because I already told Hot Rod and Juice my husband knew our dirty little secret. “Quiet. He hasn’t said anything, or I’d have Torin up my ass.”
Levi glances around over my head. “Where is that little prick? I’d love to see him.”
Rolling my eyes, I don’t fall for it. “I think Baby Wildes read the room.”
“And he thinks by being absent, it’s going to get my men to follow him?” He scoffs his disapproval, but Levi knows damn well his guys would never suit up fully behind his rival. “Doesn’t matter. They know to follow you, title or not.”
I’m slightly flattered, but the lack of personal space isn’t exactly what I signed up for.
“I’m just happy to be on the street again,” I reply.
“I think the title looks nice on you.” His green eyes slowly descend the length of my black jeans and white hoodie. Not my most alluring outfit, definitely not made for a so-called queen, but it’s chilly tonight, and I wasn’t looking to make a fashion statement. However, my blood heats anyway from the way Levi is taking his time. How we kissed and fucked and still haven’t really nailed things down yet. “Maybe you should keep it.”
“Hard pass. It fits you better.”
“How so?”
“You’re bossy as fuck.”
He smirks through the open mouthpiece of his mask. “Someone needs to do it. And you like it when I tell you what to do.”
I hit him with an exasperated look. “Says who?”
“Say when, Astor.”
“Do you really think it’s wise to be standing this close to her?” Hot Rod’s voice chirps into our conversation, but it still does nothing to stop the heated blush from Levi’s words creeping up my cheeks. “According to your orders, I’d be beating your ass right now.”
Levi doesn’t spare him a glance, he just keeps staring at me like he’s still lost in our broken moment. “You’re more than welcome to try.”
“Bro”—Rod reaches for Levi’s arm, giving it a slight tug, but my bestie doesn’t move an inch—“if you wanted a minute, I could’ve arranged it.”
“I’m not standing off on the sidelines while Astor races,” Levi gripes out a bit. “Stand here if you want and monitor.”
“I have other shit to do.”
“Then go do it.”
Hot Rod rolls his hazels and glances over at me. “Peter.”
Right.
I bow my head because, obviously, it’s bothering him and say, “What did you find?”
“Nothing other than the fact that he won’t stop holding her hand and—” Levi shoves at Hot Rod’s chest and sends him an unimpressed glance.
“Get the fuck out of here before I bust your ass.”
Hot Rod glowers. “ Dude , why are you trying to draw attention? You said you were going to lay low. You’re still not healed up. You’re not even supposed to be out of bed. ” Levi spares his right-hand man a glance which makes Hot Rod appear more stressed the hell out. “I knew you weren’t going to chill. Why the hell I even listen to you?—”
“We’re fucking around, right?” Levi quirks an eyebrow. The last thing Rod would ever do is make it look like the true King of South Shore is alive and well. “Push me back if you’re that worried about it.”
“Fuckin’ dumbass,” Rod mutters before turning away and throwing a middle finger up in the process.
He needs a drink and a girl to take his mind off everything tonight. I can’t imagine all the things running through his head and how Levi has him running wild with keeping me guarded and making sure secrets stay safe.
“He’s right, ya know?” I hedge evenly as Levi flicks his attention back to me. “You shouldn’t be out here.”
“Why? Isn’t that what the mask is for?”
“You’re not easy to miss. I can spot you from a mile away.”
“No, you can’t,” he retorts lightly. “I was standing by you before the race, and you didn’t even notice me.”
“Was my back turned?”
“Yes. However, you should always know when I’m around, Astor. I thought we had a sixth sense thing going on here.”
“Get the fuck away from my car,” I grumble, wrinkling my nose in annoyance. “I have things to do.”
“Want me to help—” I tighten my eyes. “Fine. I’ll go be a lap dog for someone else.”
“Don’t talk to anyone.”
“I know.”
“And don’t drink. Aren’t you on medication?”
Levi’s eyes narrow slightly. “Yes, I’m on pain medication. No, I didn’t need you to remind me of what to do with or on it. I’m fine.”
“Just makin’ sure.” I pat his bicep lightly. “Don’t be a dumbass. Your safety is my top priority. Even though I’m glad you’re here, I can’t focus if I know someone is going to suspect you traipsing around.”
“Unlike you, I know how to be on my best behavior. You needn’t worry about me, Astor.”
“That sounds boring for you.”
“Do you want me to be good or not?” I grin, then he mumbles, “You’re a pain in the ass.”
“Love you, too.”
He smirks at me again and begins to turn on his heel. “I’ll say goodbye before I leave.”
Wonderful.
I watch him saunter away before my phone buzzes in my jeans and I shift my focus from Levi’s distracting ass to my screen.
Cairo.
“Hey, Sinatra,” I greet evenly. “I thought you said you’d be here tonight.”
“He’s with me instead,” a female voice replies with venom in her tone. “C’mon, Bay, use those street smarts of yours and read the room.”
Vivian.
My jaw clenches without much thought when I round up with, “I’ll be reading it just fine when I find your ass.” Why are you on Cairo’s phone? “What the fuck do you want?”
“Since you gave away your shitty little crown, I thought I'd give you a gift of my own.”
“I don’t want your Hello Kitty pen set, Vivian.”
She tsks. “No, bitch, I’m becoming Queen of Wharf Bay tonight.”
My brows crash together, but no words or shitty response leaves my lips. She’s too fucking crazy to even respond to.
“It’s not as trashy and crowded as your coronation would’ve been,” Vivian continues through my silence. “But we’re sealing the deal tonight.”
“Oh yeah?” I reply, moving away from the Nova and prying ears. “Is this my invitation?”
“As a matter of fact, it is,” she says too brightly. “But I’m afraid you’ll try to ruin it, so maybe it’s best I just send a photo. That’s your thing, right?”
“Right,” I mutter, feeling the hairs on my skin stand on end in warning. Cairo wouldn’t let her use his phone unless she forced herself into it.
Unless she had him.
But how?
She’s a buck ten in weight, and Vivian isn’t the brightest crayon in the box.
“Was that it?” I press when Cairo’s ex doesn’t say anything else. “I have shit to do.”
“I guess so,” she replies evenly. “I can’t wait for us to meet, and I can finally plan the demise of your entire life—” I hang up on her because her threats aren’t shit for me to be worrying about.
However, Cairo’s lack of phone is.
BAY: Track down Cairo’s phone. I need a location ASAP.
Moving toward the direction Levi just strode off to, I know Travis is going to get me what I need after I shoot him his number to hunt down.
Vivian finally snapped.
I can’t go alone.
I promised the man who holds my entire soul that I wouldn’t.