Chapter Two
Nadia
The dinner table is just as I remembered it, only now it’s stacked high with dishes and incredible food. Courtesy of Isla, another member of my family I’d abandoned. All the stops were pulled out tonight, though I hated that they were wasting money on me.
“So. You two got hitched.”
I stated the obvious as Deck took a dish from Isla’s hands, demanding she sit her pregnant self down.
She does, at the head of the table, while Deck places the bowl of mashed potatoes down before sitting on her left.
He takes her hand, adorned with a stunning silver engagement ring fit for a princess and matching wedding band.
“Yeah, it’s been about what? Like a year now.” Isla answered.
“We did a small backyard ceremony; Pop was our officiant.” Deck explained, scooping some potatoes onto her plate.
“Classic LBC wedding.” Isla smiled warmly at us, glowing from her sheer happiness.
“How’s Pop doin’ these days?”
Clive “Pop” Spencer is the original gangster.
One of the most notorious members and the leader of the LBC to this day.
He’s got a track record longer than the eye can see and has been to jail more times than I can count.
Never for more than a month or two at a time, though.
He knocked a woman up his fourth time in prison and had his son, Callahan.
And when his son died in a drive-by, he took in his granddaughter and raised her all on his own. Eventually, he took in Deck, Isla, and me and became our foster dad, so to speak. We may not have been blood, but the LBC ran in our blood, connecting us all and solidifying our bond.
“Same ole, same ole. Pop’s been doin’ fine, but he’s stuck in his ways. Still thinks he can keep up with business at his age. If I have to confiscate his stash one more time, I’ll lose my mind.” Deck rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, but he’s excited to have a grandbaby runnin’ around. Start on a new generation of LBC.” Abby grinned.
“He’s been worried about you, Nadia. He’ll be so damn happy you’re home.” Isla squeezed my fingers.
“Are you home?” Abby inquired solemnly.
“Or just passing through?” Silence ensued as I thought about how to answer. Lucky for me, Deck’s phone rings, breaking our standoff.
“Shit, we’re gonna be late.” He jumps up and presses a kiss on Isla’s forehead before both he and Abby run upstairs.
“Late for what?”
“Come on, don’t tell me you, of all people, don’t remember?”
“I don’t. What is it, Isla?”
“Sun’s setting, Nadia. It’s time to race.”
I look outside to see that it is, in fact, dark out. Deck and Abby come back down, dressed in fresh clothes. Deck has a red bandana sticking out of his back pocket; Abby has hers tied over her head. The color signifies their loyalty to LBC.
Every weekend, the three gangs of Stonebridge- the LBC, the Phantoms based on the West side, and the Kingsmen based on the north side- clash in illegal races and underground fights, going head to head in a wild and rowdy competition.
We’ve been doing this since Pop’s generation, each of the gangs wanting to assert their dominance.
It gets deadly. There is always a possibility that today you could walk out the champion and tomorrow you and your family will be dead in the street.
Tonight, races are happening, which was never Deck or Abby’s specialty.
Deck occasionally fights, but mostly handles the books and the behind-the-scenes shit no one wants to deal with.
Abby, on the other hand, is a fighter. One of the best I’ve ever seen.
She lives for getting in the cage and beating men three times her size into the concrete.
Isla’s taken a backseat, rightfully so considering she’s carrying precious cargo, but she was a force to be reckoned with.
One of the most vicious handlers we had for our dealers.
“What? You’re not coming, Slade?” Abby cocked her head teasingly at me, tying up her Timbs.
“Of course she’s coming; she loves this shit.” Deck clapped my shoulder.
“I don’t think I should go.”
“Why the hell not? Everyone’s gonna wanna see you.” Deck replied.
“It’s not a good idea.”
“And just imagine how much money we’ll make with you behind the wheel.” He grinned lightheartedly.
“I don’t race anymore.” That shuts them up so bad, you could hear a pin drop. I’m pretty sure the baby in Isla’s belly goes still too.
“How?”
“Why?” Deck and Abby asked at the same time.
“Stopped shortly after I left. I just… couldn’t do it.”
“Well, that doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t go.” Isla takes my hand.
“What? You sick of me already?” I teased.
“Honey, I’m not much company these days. As soon as you guys leave, I’m gonna knock out. You might as well return to your kingdom. They’ve been lost without you.”