Page 68 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

Nolan

Ashley and Mia just left the motel room and Ashton is glaring at me, his nostrils are flaring. Feeling like a kid who stole some candy, I take a seat on the twin bed and hang my head. I know I've fucked up big time.

"Nolan, you've got to stop trying to deal with this shit on your own. That's what we're here for." Ashton scolds me.

"I know. It was stupid, but I thought I could handle it. I still can but can't do it alone. We need to regroup. Tell me what you know." I answer, looking up.

Christian is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, looking just like his brother.

Ashton is sitting in the tiny chair against the wall, his huge form taking up most of the small space.

Redline is leaning against the door, his blue eyes are watching me.

I didn't have time to wonder what he's doing here instead of Rush earlier, but now the question is running through my mind.

Ashton leans forward in the chair, his fingers are steepled in front of him.

"I ran a check on Tatiana like you asked me to.

She's been in and out of jail for several years for either fighting or illegal shit the cops couldn't pin on her.

She does have a little sister named Alessia.

She's involved in the gang just as much as Tatiana. "

"Anything about Tatiana having a little boy?" I ask, holding my breath.

"Nothing I could dig up yet. Marks is still searching, but he needs to do it carefully.

They've got shit under control after you left.

Any time someone searches for any of them, their security system flags it and alerts Switch.

These guys have come a long way since you were in.

We need to get someone to work undercover and penetrate their walls.

" Ashton responds. There's something he isn't saying. I can see it on his face.

"I'll do it," Redline says. "I can get in and out and they'd never know."

"I don't know Redline. These guys are dangerous. I think Ashley has to have a say on that. You are part of her family, which makes you a part of ours." I explain.

"Ashley won't care. Nolan, I need to do this. I need to do something. I feel terrible about the way things went down between us out in L.A. and this will be my chance to make it up to you." His blue eyes are pleading with me to let him do this.

"Let's talk to Ash first, then we can decide," I counter.

"Fair enough, but I want to do this. I can handle it."

Christian’s phone rings, breaking the silence that followed our conversation. He pulls it out of his jeans pocket. "It's Mia."

He swipes it and answers. "Mia, what's wrong?" He pushes away from the wall and paces back and forth in the small room.

"Are you sure?" he speaks into the phone.

I can't hear what she's saying, but relief crosses Christian’s face.

"OK. I'll swing by the hotel in a little while and check on you.

Lock the doors and don't answer it for anyone but me, Ashton, or Nolan.

" He disconnects the call and looks at me. "Your girl is good."

"What did she do?" I ask, confused.

"She convinced Mia to stay out of this. She's on her way to The Plaza. Mia wouldn't tell me what Ash said or did, but I'm relieved. I couldn't talk her out of staying at home. Whatever Ashley told her worked. I'm going to swing by there and check on her when we leave here."

"We’ll all check on her. Now, back to business. Redline, if you’re serious there are a few things you need to know. The best way in is to fight."

"You mean like a street fight? Like walk up to one of their members and knock him out cold?" His eyebrows wrinkle in confusion.

"No.” I shake my head, “That'll get you killed. Have you ever been underground?" I ask.

"No."

"There are no rules down there. Only bring what you have and go in hard and fast. I trained for months before going in, but we're going to have to get you up to speed fast. The longer they have Xavier and Izzy, the worse it is."

There's a soft knock on the door, interrupting our conversation. Redline moves out of the way and I open the door. Ashley is standing on the other side, relief written across her delicate face.

"Hey, I convinced Mia to head to a hotel. Did she call?"

"Yeah, she just talked to Christian. She's heading to The Plaza. What did you say to her?" I ask.

"Nothing much." She casts her eyes down onto the worn carpet. "I don't want her involved. I didn't tell her anything about you or your past. I just did what I had to do."

I grab her hand shoved in her jeans pocket and pull her into the room, shutting the door behind us. A passive look crosses her face and she glances up at Christian.

"I'm sorry Christian, but she can't see this side of us.

I know she'd probably be able to handle it, but I don't want to take that chance.

There's a lot of shit that will go down and I want to protect her from it.

It's bad enough Izzy is seeing this side.

" Her bottom lip trembles at the thought.

I wrap my arms around her and pull her soft curves against my hard body.

Running my hands up and down her back in a soothing motion, Ashley relaxes against me.

"It's OK, Ash. I didn't want her to come in the first place. She's stubborn and strong-willed. I'm just relieved you could do what I couldn't." Christian says. "What did you say to her?"

Ashley looks at the ground and then meets my eyes before answering. "I showed her some pictures of what the Corridore Rosso's are capable of. They weren't as bad as what they've done in the past, but it worked."

"How did you get pictures?" I ask, baffled. My heart is pounding against my chest and my palms are sweaty. Has she seen what I've done? Does she realize how dangerous I really am?

"I have my own resources, Nolan. I know more than what you give me credit for and I'm still here.

" Her honey-brown eyes bore into mine, revealing she knows about my past. How much? That I’m not sure about, but like she said, she's still here and letting me touch her, hold her.

If it disgusted her, she wouldn't even be able to look at me.

What's reflecting in her eyes is acceptance.

She accepts my past and what I've done. There's a weight lifted off my shoulders and I swallow hard.

A smile lights up Ashley's face and she rests her head on my chest, breathing my scent in.

"Uh, Ash...," Redline mumbles, breaking into our little bubble. She picks her head up and looks at Redline. "I have an idea and need to run it by you."

"What is it?" she asks.

"There's only one way into the Corridore Rosso Gang and that's through me. I can go undercover and penetrate their walls."

"What. No, no way." She shakes her head back and forth. "You're not putting yourself at risk. I won't allow it."

"Please, Ash. I need to do this. Not just for Nolan, but for me too. I acted like a complete ass to Nolan in L.A. and I feel this is the best way to make up for it, please." His blue eyes plead with her.

"I can't let you, Redline. You don’t know what they're capable of and even if you did, how would you get in?"

"We've got that under control," I answer.

"You want him to do this?" she asks, peering up at me.

"No, but I don't see any other way. Ashton needs to be here with us and Christian is too much like a cop and they'll see right through that. I obviously can't go in and I can't let you. Redline is our way in. He'll be safe as long as he sticks to the plan and keeps his head down."

"Please Ash, I need to do this." Redline pleads again. Her body stiffens with apprehension before answering.

"Fine. But if they suspect you of anything, you get the fuck out of there. I don't care where you are or what you're doing. You get the fuck out, Redline."

"I will. Thank you," his blue eyes light up with excitement.

"First, you need to learn how to fight and it will have to be a quick lesson," I say holding up one finger.

"Second, once you get in, keep your head down.

They're going to make you do some shady shit and it will try to change you, possibly break you.

" I hold up two fingers. "Don't let it. Don't get sucked into that world, Redline.

Once she sinks her evil claws in you, she won't let go.

It's an adrenaline rush and one that's addicting.

Third, you're going to want an outlet after you fight and there's one girl who can do that," I hold up three fingers.

"That'll be your in. Cozy up to Wrath but watch your back. "

"What can she do?" Redline asks, his sapphire eyes are wide, soaking in everything I'm telling him.

I hesitate to answer when Ashley splays her fingers along the worst scar marring my body over my shirt. The warmth of her hand encourages me to be strong. I lift my shirt over my head and hear gasps coming from the room. I keep my eyes on Ashley as I speak.

"This one here," I say pointing to the long, jagged scar from my armpit to my collarbone.

"Is what she's capable of when she's pissed.

She used a dull knife and found immense pleasure in making it.

" I swallow hard and keep my eyes locked on Ashley as my mind drifts back to one of the worst days of my life.