Chapter Five
Nadia
“That’s right, Pop.” Deck stalks forward.
“Take back what’s yours, Nadia,” Abby says to only me, pushing me in the Phantoms direction.
I look at Shane, at Skylar, at Hatchie, and the pink-haired girl. I look at the surrounding members of the Phantoms, at the Kingsmen not far away who I’m sure were eager to challenge first. I look at the rest of the LBC. Then, I look at the only one who matters.
Riven.
“Devereaux, I challenge you in front of all these witnesses and god herself to see, for your title as King of the Daredevil.”
It was mine first. I made it, I raced it, I won it. The real king is back, and I’m not playing games. His eyes narrow, a warning sign I know all too well. He’s pissed.
“Well-”
“Not so fast.” He’s interrupted. Tilting my head, I’m not surprised to see Dion Hattori, heir to the Kingsmen, strutting up like he owns the place with a slimy grin on his face.
“Way to steal my thunder, Slade.” He wraps his arm around me.
“Fuck off, Hattori.” I push him off of me.
“I can’t. Because I also wanna challenge this asshole for his title.” He squares up to Riven.
The tension in the air multiplies by a hundred. Shane and Hatchie are instantly there at his back, almost ready to hold him back. And Riven? He looks about ready to rearrange Dion’s face. Skylar stands next to Riven, but the pink-haired girl moves behind him.
“Hey, Roxy? How you been?” Dion leers at her. Riven fists his shirt and wrenches his attention away from her.
“Don’t look at her, look at me.” He grits. I look over my shoulder at Abby for some sort of explanation, but she just shrugs.
“I’m lookin’, Devereaux. Wanna know what I see?” I inch closer to hear better.
“I see the bastard whose crown I’m boutta steal.” His grin becomes malicious, showcasing all his teeth. Fuck that. Before anyone can stop me, I’m behind him, gripping his collar and shoving him away from Riven and back towards his crew.
“You’re cockier than you were the last time I saw you. But you’ll always be daddy’s little bitch.” That wipes the smile right off his face.
“You’ll soon find that cockiness blown away when you’re eating my dust on the track. But for now, you and I each need three qualifying races before we meet the daredevil. Ain’t that right, JC?” I call out.
“That’s right, Slade.” JC makes his way over, separating the three of us.
“For the first time, we have a three-way battle for the title of King of the Daredevil!” He cups his hands around his mouth, shouting to the crowd, and reigniting the hype.
“Qualifiers will begin next weekend, with the first one being a drag race. Opponents of our challengers will be named later. Challengers-” He looks at Dion and me.
“I suggest you take the next week and those that follow to prepare for your matches, for each other, and for the king.” He faces Riven.
“And king, you should do the same if you wanna retain your crown.”
“Betting opens now!” He adds before walking to his whip, a horde of people following after him. I don’t stay for the action.
“Holy fucking shit.” Deck mutters behind me.
“I know, right? My blood was pumping so hard, I was ready to cut one of these bitches.” Abby is jumping on her toes, manic grin on her face.
“You’re always ready for violence, Stabby.” Deck replies, hopping into the driver’s seat.
“I’ll catch a ride with Pop. Later, Nadia.” She pats my back and heads towards Pop’s restored Ford Ranger.
“Trouble.” I spin around, only to be engulfed in a hug by Pop.
“Missed you, girl.” He speaks into my hair.
“I missed you too, Pop.” I bring my arms up. “That doesn’t mean I’m not mad or that I ain’t got my questions and suspicions. All of which you’re gonna answer for when you come by the house in the morning.” He’s not asking.
“Pop,-”
“Don’t even try to argue, Nadia.” He pulls away.
“Fine, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving you the whole story.” I cross my arms.
“Nadia-”
“All in due time, Pop. Trust me.” I open the car door.
“Fine.” He exhales.
Deck doesn’t say a word as we drive away, but I can tell he’s got a lot to say.
“Just say it.” I sigh, leaning my elbow on the window.
“Well, since you’re making plans, don’t you think you should plan a visit to your boyfriend as well?” He asks.
“I don’t have a boyfriend, Deckard.” At least not anymore.
“Does Riven know that?” I roll my eyes, thinking back to how he had Roxy all over him tonight.
“I’m sure he’s more than aware.” I sigh again, resting my head on my hand.
“Look, all I’m saying is-” Deck suddenly brakes. Hard. We’re both jolted from our seats, only the seatbelts managing to pull us back.
“What the fuck, Deck!” I look him over, trying to make note of any injuries, but the idiot is completely fine. He’s just staring out the windshield.
“I swear to god, if you braked like that for a goddamn squirrel-” I turn my focus to the windshield, attempting to find the furry creature he just saved.
Only to find another set of headlights. Staring a little harder, forcing my eyes to adjust, I immediately recognize the body lines, the paint, the plate. Silver 1995 Acura NSX. PHANTOM.
“Looks like your boyfriend’s back.”
Riven Devereaux.