Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
The night was hot and humid as I walked across the parking garage, a slight breeze coming from the east and whipping the skirt of my dress. A perfect night for a storm.
I headed for my Jeep parked in a far corner. I could even see the flash of lightning in the distance, cutting across the sky.
As I slid into the driver’s side and shut the door, I immediately turned on the car and cranked up the air.
Glancing in the driver’s mirror, I studied my face.
No make-up save the foundation to cover the dark circles under my eyes.
I readjusted the lace strap of my dress, a dark green sheer thing that made me look like a wicked fairy.
It was all I had in terms of light wear since my gym clothes and few pairs of shorts had yet to be washed and I didn’t feel like sweating in long pants.
I expected our meeting to be short. Dom was going to tell me what he knew and how he was going to help, and the rest could be done by phone. Once my sister was back, we could move on.
As I set my hair away from my shoulders, I gripped the steering wheel. I’d been on edge all day. I’d taken the day off from work to be with my dad and brother, half of the time spent at the police station. Then I drove back home to get ready to see Dom. Little time to prepare or take a breather.
Once this was done and I got some answers, I’d go home and take a bath and then go to bed. Jamie said he was coming early tomorrow morning so I’d at least have him to keep me company.
Ignoring the pounding of my heart, I put the Jeep into reverse. I headed toward the river, going south.
The city was busier than usual, the bars open and packed on a Friday night.
There was also a music festival going on so cops were out in full force and groups of people were making their way to the central plaza, sneaking drinks as they walked.
The address was just outside the major part of the city, close to the river and the bridge leading to Canada.
It wasn’t until I was turning down a desolate road into what looked like an abandoned industrial complex that I started to worry.
Why would he want to meet here of all places? It wasn’t like we were meeting for a drug run for fuck’s sake.
My anxiety heightened until I turned the corner of one building and halted.
Oh, you have got to be kidding me.
There was a crumbling building ahead, what looked to be an abandoned parking garage.
But that wasn’t what caught my attention.
It was the dozens of cars and motorcycles parked out in front of it on a gravel lot with groups of people partying.
Next to the lot was a long stretch of open road cutting through a field littered with piles of concrete and construction machines.
Supped-up sports cars flew down to road toward the bridge, their tires screeching and kicking up smoke.
“Seriously, Dom?” I said aloud. Of all the places, it’s at a fucking street racing hangout. An illegal street racing hangout. Even if this was the motor-city, police would throw your ass in jail so quick just for being a bystander.
I was half tempted to go home and ignore every text he sent me. Why did they have to involve me in their criminal shit?
I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. I was being uptight. I knew it. The Lena from nearly a year ago would have said “hell yeah” and been right in the center of it. She probably would have even joined in the racing.
But with my sister gone and possibly an accomplice to murder, I didn’t need to have a record too. My anxiety was my personality at this point and staying out of trouble was kind of necessary.
I opened my eyes and glared ahead. Fuck it. I wasn’t going to stay long anyway. And most of the cops were out at the music festival. If I got caught, I would take those damn twins down with me.
Slowly I made my way down to where the other cars sat and parked a few yards away.
People with drinks in hand walked past as I got out, a few eyeing me curiously.
Some men wore biker gear, while others were in anything between a polo shirt and a leather jacket.
Girls wore cute skimpy dresses or tank tops with leather, and I felt out of place in my too fine dress, worn mostly for theater events and weddings.
I had a get-up perfect for this kind of event…but it got dirtied and worn when I was in the church. I remembered the night Eve and I went to that erotic goth party and wore leather garters and short dresses. It seemed like ages ago.
Maybe if I was here to impress anyone, I would have taken the time to wear something like that again.
I slung my purse over my shoulder and started to make my way toward the crowd of people. I noticed more eyes on me, and when I caught one guy staring, I realized his eyes weren’t on my face but at the braces on each of my legs.
Well, at least it wasn’t my chest so there’s that. I’d gotten used to being stared at already, especially when I was in the chair. But this wasn’t exactly the kind of attention I needed right now, being alone in unfamiliar territory.
Ignoring the looks, I continued on. It felt strange being alone while everyone was in groups or coupled. Bikes shot by and heavy bass played from a few of the cars. Some people hovered around them while most watched the racing, hollering and screaming as the cars went by.
I weaved my way into the crowd, looking for one singular car. A Mustang with a red stripe down the sides. Dom’s car. Unless he came in a different car, it should be here. I searched around and saw all types of sports cars and more than a few Mustangs but none that looked like his.
A group of men blocked my way and started fighting. I dodged one body and went around them.
Well, at least they’re having—
I inhaled sharply as I froze in place.
A few cars ahead was a Dodge Hellcat. Standing next to it with a group of people was Leslie.
He was grinning ear to fucked up ear, a joint in his hand. There was a girl at his arm in leather shorts and a tank top with long, dark hair like mine, laughing.
He offered her the joint and she took it without hesitation. I couldn’t seem to look away as a wave of feelings flooded me. I felt hot and cold all at once, my heart sinking to my stomach at the mere sight of him.
Slowly, I backed away, then started heading in a different direction, away from him. I searched around wildly for Dom. Where the hell was he?
I got further down the line of cars and stood around. Cursing, I slipped a hand in my bag to get my phone. I should have just called him before I’d even left my car to save the trouble.
The sounds of laughter from behind made me stiffen. I looked around and found myself face-to-face with a man wearing a black and gold bandana over his mouth.
“Yo, hey, what’s up?” He got up close enough I could see the whites of his eyes and smell the liquor on his breath.
I glanced around and saw he wasn’t alone. There were several others wearing the same bandana as him, circling me.
“You new?” the first man asked. “You’re looking a little lost.”
“Uh…” I shifted away from him. “Yeah. I’m looking for someone.”
“Yeah, who’s that, sweetheart?”
My face heated almost instantly. “Dominic.”
“Dominic who?”
Christ, I didn’t know their last name, they’d probably changed it several times.
“Shit, wait, you talking about Silent Dom?” said one of the others.
“That’s right, have you seen him?”
A couple of them looked around. The rest didn’t take their eyes off me.
“Nope, sorry haven’t,” they replied.
“You two dating?” asked the first guy.
I was immediately about to say no. Then I hesitated. “Yeah…yeah, kind of.”
“Kind of?” They all started chuckling like damn hyenas.
“Only recently, but yeah, we’re going steady so—”
“Steady? Who says that anymore?” said one behind me.
“Nah, I think you have to be lying,” said the first guy, still close enough his breath made me cringe.
My fist tightened around the strap of my bag, ready to swing. “Why would I be lying about that?”
“Cause every girl here be thirsting over either him or his bro, and several girls are claiming that same shit.”
“Okay…” Who the fuck were these assholes anyway? “You just asked if we were dating.”
“So?”
Brother and mother in Christ. “Are you on drugs?”
“Yes,” one blurted.
“Pierre, shut up, man,” said bad breath.
My composure was slipping. I went to pass around them and was cut off.
“Hey, come on, we’re just playing. We’re sorry. We believe you, okay? Come hang at our spot and will help you find Dom.”
“I’m just going to call him.”
They laughed.
“You know you won’t get an answer, right?” One snickered. “Even if he picks up?”
“Okay, you know what, just leave me alone.” I went to go around him again, and bad breath had the audacity to put his arm around my shoulder. I shoved him off and the laughter died.
“Woah, girl, okay, no need to be a bitch about it.”
They were following me as I tried to get around them. Oh, fuck this.
As he went to reach for me again, I screamed so loud I couldn’t even hear the music.
“DOOOMMMMMM.”
I screeched like a banshee and the men jumped away in fright. More than a dozen people looked our way. I took a deep breath and screamed again.
“DOOOMMMMM.”
The men looked around nervously, starting to back away.
“Damn, crazy bitch,” bad breath said, looking like he might take a swing at me to shut me up. He backed away until he hit a fleshy, six-foot-something man with black eyes and an expression of death.
“Oh, fuck.”
Before the guy could even react, Dom took hold of his collar and lifted him off his feet, then swiftly slammed him on the ground.
None of the guy’s friends came to his aid. But more and more people started to watch, and a few started to film.
“Bro, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” the guy pleaded, his hands up in surrender. He looked really scared. And admittedly so was I. Dom looked like he might lose control any moment.