Page 60 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

Nolan

Present

Looking out the huge bay windows of my office, I pull myself from the memories of that night Ashley and I sought revenge on Marcus Dual, when there's a knock on the oak door. Ashton sticks his head in my office. I had to come back to Michigan to wrap up some loose ends before we make our move to the West Coast. I’m not letting Ashley out of my sight ever again.

“Hey Nolan, I have some news,” Ashton says walking into my office and taking a seat in the chair.

“What is it?” I ask.

He sits down on the plush leather chair in front of my red oak desk, shifting uncomfortably before speaking. “I don’t know how to tell you this,” he takes a deep breath.

“Just spit it out, Ashton,” I growl, irritated.

“Switch.” Ashton finally blurts out.

All the color drains from my face as I hear the name from my past. My heart skips a beat and there’s a pounding in my ears.

Ashton knows all my secrets and what this guy has done when I was a teenager.

All the scars that mark my body. I tune everything out he says.

I can see his lips move, but no sound penetrates my ears, as my mind wanders back to the most horrible time in my life.

Where I thought I left it burned and buried.

“He’s coming for you,” Ashton says quietly.

I heard that loud and clear. I take the file he’s trying to give me with shaky hands.

I open it and there, inside the file, is a picture of Izzy and Xavier.

Izzy’s green eyes are filled with fear and Xavier’s are filled with rage, staring into the camera.

Below this picture is an address I know all too well.

Dropping the file onto the oak desk, I grab my phone and dial Xavier's number. It rings a few times and goes to voicemail. I try again, strumming my hands on the desk. After the fourth ring, I give up all hope he will answer. A male voice on the other end greets my ears and panic sets in.

"Well, well, well. It's about time you called. I was starting to worry you didn't get my package. That wouldn't bode well for this hot piece of ass I’m staring at."

"What the fuck do you want, Switch?" I growl into the phone.

"I want you out here. You know where to go," Switch replies, casually.

"You better not lay a fucking hand on them," I state through clenched teeth. My hand grips the phone so hard, I'm shocked it hasn't snapped.

"I guess you'll have to come out and see for yourself.” There’s a pause. “Oh, and Nolan? Come alone if you want this hot piece of ass and her guard dog back in one piece." Switch hangs up before I can respond.

White hot anger flows through my veins and I slam my phone down on the desk cracking the screen.

"I'll get the guys around," Ashton says, standing up and walking towards the door.

"No, I need to do this alone." I declare.

Ashton stops at the door and whips around in my direction. He's pissed. "No, you’re fucking not. We're in this. All of us. Izzy and Xavier are our family too."

"If you guys come with me, he will kill them. I can't take that chance." I answer, standing up. I grab my suit jacket off the back of my chair and throw it on. "Call ahead and get my plane ready. I'm leaving now."

"Nolan, this isn't a good idea. You need backup. What if he gets back inside your head again?" We're standing toe to toe. Ashton's nostrils are flaring with each breath he takes.

"He won't. I'm not some young, na?ve teenager anymore. He can't fuck with my head. I won't let him." I push past him and out into the plush carpeted hallway. "Get my plane ready," I demand, over my shoulder.

Pushing the button to the elevator, I wipe the sweat from my brow with shaky hands. Switch wants this, but if I take my team with me, Izzy and Xavier will die. I've seen and experienced it too often. When Switch gives an order, you follow, or pain becomes your new friend.

The elevator doors whoosh open and I step inside. Hitting the button to the ground floor, I glance up. Ashton is standing in front of the doors, his arms crossed over his chest. Anger is radiating from every pore in his body. He narrows his eyes in my direction, shaking his head.

"It'll be fine, Ashton. Trust me." I tell him as the elevator doors close between us.

I breathe a sigh of relief when the elevator starts its descent to the lobby.

I walk quickly through the lobby, my dress shoes echoing off the marble floors.

I make my way to my car parked out front and climb inside.

Cranking the key, I rev the engine and shoot off into the traffic, weaving in and out, racing towards my past and the demon I've kept locked away for the past two months.

He's pounding against my chest, straining to break free of the chains I wrapped around him.