Page 80 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

Nolan

Darkness. That’s all I see surrounding me is darkness. I fade in and out of consciousness several times.

Voices. Muffled, hate-filled voices assault my ears when I slip in and out of consciousness.

Pain. White hot pain pierces my body. My arms and legs are numb from the burn of the ropes and I fall in and out of consciousness.

Confusion. Waking up in total darkness blurs my mind, my aching body, and my tortured soul.

Where am I? What happened? Why are my hands tied? Why can’t I move? These questions assault my mind as I fade in and out of consciousness, again.

Dreams. I dream about better times, happier days filled with love and laughter.

Ashley is the star of my dreams. The first time I heard her voice, the first time I saw her.

These memories flip through my mind like a movie playing on repeat.

They can torture my body, but they can’t touch my mind as I slip back into unconsciousness.

“Nolan,” Xavier stops me from walking toward my Dodge Ram pickup.

His jeans are covered in grease and his blue eyes are etched with worry.

We’ve been working on their race cars non-stop.

They have a couple of days before their big race and both of them are trying to deal with Izzy’s dad still in a coma after his accident.

Not to mention there’s someone out here trying to hurt them.

“I need a favor. With our big race coming up, I want to do something for Izzy. Something to put a smile on her face. I have a cell number for her friend she lived with out in California. Will you call her and see if she’ll come out to support Izzy?

She hasn’t said it, but I know she misses her. ”

“Of course, I will.” Xavier hands me a piece of paper and I put it in my pocket. I need to get back to my office, but I must play it cool. Xavier doesn’t know what I do for a living and it needs to stay that way, his life could be in more danger if he finds out.

“Thanks, bro, I owe you one,” he replies with a smile. His blue eyes are shining in the sunlight and he walks back into his garage with some stress lifted off his shoulders.

I climb in my pickup and pull out my phone from my pocket. I dial my right-hand man, Ashton Iverson. He picks up on the second ring.

“Boss, what’s up?”

“Iverson, can you track a number for me? Xavier said he wants to have Izzy’s friend from California out here, but I want a full background check on her to make sure she’s legit.

They don’t know the whole situation of these people.

Her name is Ashley Force and I have her cell number if you need it. ” I rattle off her cell phone number.

“Give me a second and I’ll have the information.

” I can hear him moving around on the other end.

The telltale sound of a laptop comes through the line and I listen as he hits the keys.

“Got it. She’s legit. Studies at Otis College of Art Designs in Los Angeles, California.

Born and raised in the area and has been everything Izzy has said about her. She’s got the green light.”

“Thanks, bro.”

“Anytime.”

We end the call and I start my black Dodge Ram.

I pull out of Xavier’s driveway, the exhaust growls when I touch the gas, and head toward my office in town.

I park my pickup in front of the immaculate building and pull out my phone again.

I dial the number Xavier gave me with unsteady fingers.

What the hell is wrong with me? I’ve never been this nervous before.

The phone rings several times before a charming melodic voice comes on the line.

“Hey! This is Ash, I can’t answer your call right now. I’m either livin’ it up or in class. Either way, leave a message and I’ll call you back!” The phone beeps for me to leave a message.

“Ashley, you don’t know who this is, but I’m a friend of Izabella’s. Please call me back as soon as you can. Thanks.” I hang up the phone and twist it between my thumb and fingers. I climb out of my pickup and head inside.

The sunlight spilling into the lobby is bright against the marble floors as I make my way toward the set of elevators on the opposite side.

The security guard to my left nods his head when he sees me.

I nod back, push the up button and wait for the elevator to descend.

The doors whoosh open and I step inside.

I watch my reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirrors and the cart carries me up to the top floor.

Thanking my grandfather for this opportunity to have a different life, I step out of the elevator and walk down the hallway and into my office.

Everything is where I left it this morning.

My massive red oak desk is neat and tidy, and my large leather chair is pushed in. I pull it out and swing around, staring out the enormous bay windows. My phone vibrates from my desk and I answer it without checking to see who it is.

“Ryan here.”

“Nolan? It’s Izzy’s friend Ashley.” Her sweet melodic tone draws me in and I’m stunned. I’ve never heard a voice like hers. It’s like an angel is talking to me “Are you there?” she asks softly.

“Sorry, yes I’m here,” I respond. My tongue is tied, I can’t find the words I wanted to say.

She giggles on the other end and my heart skips a beat. What the fuck is wrong with me? “You said you wanted me to call you, so what did you need? Is Izzy OK?”

Clearing my throat and composing myself I finally respond. “Yes, Izzy is as OK as she can be. Her dad’s still in a coma but that’s not why I called.” There’s silence on the other end.

“So, why did you call?” she questions.

“They have a big race coming up on Saturday, and I wanted to know if you could come out here to support her.” My words rush out, and I’ll be surprised if she understood me.

I’ve never and I mean never had a reaction to a woman like this before.

Must be from the lack of women around here.

My heart is hammering in my chest and my palms are so sweaty, I almost dropped the phone.

“Yes, I can be there. I can’t leave until Friday night though. Is everything else all right with her?” Ashley answers concern etched in her voice.

“Yes. She’s fine, just worrying about her dad. He’s still in a coma and the doctors don’t know when he’ll wake up. She’s been a beast on the track and making all of us proud.”

“That’s great to hear.” Ashley grows quiet, she wants to say something, but I don’t know if she will.

I should put her out of her misery, but I don’t want to finish this conversation and hang up just yet.

Talking to her is like a breath of fresh air and I’ve been drowning way too long.

“How’s Xavier treating her?” She finally asks. Ah, there it is.

“He’s treating her the way he should have all those years ago.

He’s an idiot and knows he is lucky to have a second chance with her.

She’s the sweetest person I know and loves with her whole heart for life.

” My grip tightens on the phone and rage consumes me with the thought of anything happening to either of them.

My ears start ringing and my hands start to shake.

The demon is waiting in the recesses of my mind to take over and destroy anyone who dares to hurt them.

“Nolan, are you OK?” Ashley’s voice breaks through the ringing and for some reason, it calms me down. That’s never happened before. It’s usually hard for me to snap out of it. “Do you need my help with anything?”

“What? No, I’m OK.” I shake my head. “Do you need me to pick you up at the airport? Let me know when you get in and I can be there.” I hear male voices in the background and her walking away, closing a door. Figures she’d have a man. A woman with that sweet-sounding voice can’t be single.

“No, I’ll be getting in really late. Just text me the address where Izzy will be, and I’ll be there Saturday morning.” I can hear a door in the background open and loud voices fill the line.

“Hey Krimson, we gotta go.” A male voice announces in the background. She mumbles something to them, then comes back on the line.

“Listen, I hate to cut this short, but I’ve got to go. I have some stuff I need to take care of before I head out there. Thank you for calling me, Nolan. I’ll meet you in a couple of days.”

I love the way my name rolls off her tongue. “No problem. Thanks for coming out on such short notice.”

“Any time. I told her all she needs to do is call me and I’ll be there in a heartbeat. I really have to go. Just text me the address.” Ashley says.

“I will, and I’ll see you in a few days.”

“Thank you, bye,” she responds. I don’t want to hang up, but the voices in the background are getting louder.

“Bye,” I answer, and the line goes silent. I stare at my phone for a few minutes until a loud knock on my door pulls me out of my head. Ashton’s massive build comes strolling in without a care in the world. He stops walking when he looks at my expression.

Cocking an eyebrow in my direction he asks, “Do I need to come back? You look like you want to have a moment to yourself.”

“What?” I ask shaking my head and dropping my phone onto the desk. “No, I’m good. I was talking to Izzy’s friend Ashley. She’ll be here late Friday night. Can you put Ramirez on her when she lands to keep her safe? I don’t want these assholes near her.”

“You got it, boss,” Ashton answers and turns to leave. “Oh, I have a new client who will be here in an hour. Can you sit in?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks, boss.” Ashton leaves my office and quietly closes the door.

I turn around and face the bay windows. Thinking back to the conversation with Ashley, my jeans become tight, her sweet voice echoing in my head. What the hell is wrong with me? I know it’s been a while, but fuck, this is crazy. I’ve never even met her, why would my body respond this way?

Then it dawns on me like a slap in the face. She controlled the rage brewing under my skin. No one has ever pulled me from my dark and deadly secret before. I respond to her. I wonder how I will react seeing her in person.

White hot pain penetrates my chest and I slowly open my eyes.

Blinking a few times, I can finally see where I’m at.

Fuck! This isn’t good. Not good at all. What are they planning to do to me now?

I’ve already been tortured and beat beyond submission.

They have my life on their hands right now. I’m powerless to stop them.