Page 91 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

Ashley

Nolan directs me to a parking garage a few blocks away and we get out of the car.

The low fluorescent lights cast shadows over our faces.

I stretch my tight muscles as we wait for everyone else to catch up.

I watch him and Xavier talk and my heart breaks for those two.

They’ve been through so much in the last year, I pray this won’t push them apart.

Xavier has lost weight from the kidnapping and I’ll bet he’s starving.

I know he won’t eat until we get Izzy back, but I will have to force him.

He needs to be strong when we go after her.

They slap each other on the back, their bro code for everything is good again and Nolan must have said something because Xavier is cracking a small smile.

My smartass Nolan keeping things light in the face of danger.

I haven’t seen that side of him lately and a smile graces my lips witnessing it.

Ace and Ashton park their cars next to us and get out.

Nolan approaches me and drapes his arms around my shoulders, pulling me close to him.

He kisses the top of my head and I inhale his masculine scent, resting one of my hands on his beating heart and my head on his hard chest. We stay this way for a few precious moments and I revel in the love we have for each other.

“Everyone here?” I ask, not moving from Nolan’s hard chest.

“Yes, they’re all here,” Nolan’s strong voice rumbles in my ear. I pull away and we walk, hand in hand down the concrete steps and into the night.

We walk a few blocks and The Plaza comes into view.

Traffic is still crazy this time of night and we finally get a break to cross the street.

The colossal French doors leading into the hotel are beckoning me to enter and rest for a while.

A doorman opens them and we all file inside.

The beautiful white and gold marble floors are shining under the warm lighting as we walk across the lobby toward a gold colored elevator encased around white marble.

Everything in this hotel screams money and I suddenly feel out of place.

After we all pile inside, the doors close and I study each of us in the mirrors.

Something is wearing Ashton down; his shoulders are slumped forward, and his head is bowed.

Ace’s dark skin is shiny under the lights, but his light brown eyes are clouded over, filled with vengeance as he looks uncomfortable here.

Rush is feeling the jet lag from traveling across the country and going on a manhunt.

His body is stiff and straight, but his black eyes are tired.

Christian is finally feeling the adrenaline wearing off as he leans against the back wall with his arms crossed over his chest and he closes his eyes briefly.

Nolan’s team member Harris looks like he’s still ramped up and ready to go.

His towering frame is standing tall and at attention, as his black eyes keep scanning each of us, ready for someone to strike.

My eyes travel to Xavier. His jet-black hair is filthy from the lack of a shower and his athletic build appears to be shrinking like he’s losing the willpower to continue fighting.

His piercing blue eyes are dull from the stress of not having Izzy here and he looks like he will pass out any moment.

Then my eyes drift to Nolan. No matter what we’re doing or where we are, he still takes my breath away.

His whiskey-colored eyes collide with mine in the mirror and he gives me a wink while tightening his hold on my hand.

A silent moment passes between the two of us, we’ve got each other.

No matter what happens, he will pull me from the darkness and I’ll do the same.

We’re in this together, for the rest of our lives.

The elevator doors ding open and we step onto an elegant beige carpet littered with gold specks.

Christian uses a key card to open the main door of the Grand Penthouse Suite.

I walk into a majestic looking foyer and spot Mia sitting on an overstuffed gold covered chair, curled up fast asleep.

Her short red and blue hair is messy and sticking up all over the place.

Christian quickly strolls across the room and gently shakes her awake.

She blinks a few times before her eyes land on Xavier.

Tears swell in her brown eyes and she jumps up from the chair and runs to him and wraps her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

She’s crying hard onto his neck and won’t let go.

Xavier wraps his arms around her waist and hugs her back.

Tears are in his eyes. After a few moments, Mia pulls away and searches him for injuries.

“Where are you hurt? What can I get you? Do you need food? A shower?” Mia rapidly fires questions at him and doesn’t give him a chance to respond. “Come on, let’s get you something to eat. I’ve been going out of my mind worried. Where’s Izzy?”

“Mia,” Xavier responds, interrupting her rambling. “I’m OK for now, yes I need a shower and some food, but no physical injuries. We don’t know where Izzy is yet, but we’ll find her.”

“Oh, then sit and I’ll bring you some food from the kitchen,” Mia answers and pulls Xavier to the sofa. She forces him to sit and disappears out of the living room with Christian following behind her.

Xavier gives into Mia’s demands and stays on the sofa, his head is bowed, and his hands are clasped in front of him.

He’s trying to keep it together. Occasionally, I can see his back shake from trying to hold in a sob.

Nolan is sitting next to him on the sofa, and Ace and Ashton are standing at the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Central Park.

They’re talking quietly between themselves.

Probably coming up with ideas on what to do next to get Izzy back.

Harris is sitting at the dining room table with the laptop fired up looking at the layout for The Graveyard. Rush is pacing back and forth from the foyer to the living room and back again. When he passes by me, I stop him from turning back toward the living room.

“Talk to me, Rush. What’s on your mind?” I inquire.

He stops pacing and stands in front of me. “I’m trying to figure out what they want with Redline. Diablo has had issues with him, but why would Switch take him? What is it with him they want?”

“What if I call Diablo and ask him?” I suggest.

“If we do that, we tip our hand knowing he’s involved,” Rush counters.

“Not if I play dumb. I’ll tell them he’s missing and wonder if they’ve seen him.”

“That could work,” Nolan says from the couch. I didn’t realize he was listening. “Go for it, do your thing.” He encourages.

I take my phone out of my pocket and dial Diablo’s number. It rings several times before he answers. “Krimson, what do I owe the pleasure?” I can hear music and loud voices in the background fading away.

“Diablo, have you seen Redline? He isn’t answering his phone and I can’t seem to find him.” I ask, getting right to the point.

“Redline, hmm,” he pauses dramatically, and I roll my eyes. “Can’t say that I have. Last I heard he was with you in New York while you chased the demons of your boyfriend’s past.”

“Well, here’s the thing. Something pissed him off, and he hopped on the first plane back to L.A.,” The lie rolls off my tongue and guilt surrounds me. “I tried to call him, but he isn’t answering. I didn’t know if he’s sniffing around your bitch, again.”

“My bitch as you blatantly call her knows better.” Anger radiates through the phone.

“Actually, I got rid of her ass a few days ago when she started asking questions she shouldn’t be.

” Shocked, I scramble to find the words to say, but he beats me to it.

“Shocking, I know. A man can only take so much bullshit in my line of work and if I can’t trust her, she’s gone.

Now, tell me the real reason you called, and don’t bullshit me either. ”

My eyes fly to Rush, and he nods his head. This isn’t how I planned the call would go down. Diablo speaks before I can, “Krimson, I was actually expecting you to call before this. I thought you would’ve figured it out long before now.”

“How are you involved with the Corridore Rosso Gang and why?” I ask, getting right to the point. He already knows I know, so there’s no point in beating around the bush.

“Honestly, Marcus Angelo and his hotheaded son Switch, approached me years ago when I first took over, before I realized what they were involved in. I’ve been trying to get out from under his thumb for years, but he doesn’t let go very well.

Some of his thugs are here sniffing around.

I’ve got protection, but your crew doesn’t have enough.

When you got out of the guns that pissed several people off and they turned their back on your crew.

I can offer protection, but it’s got to be under my terms. I’ll let you think it over and call me back.

Don’t wait too long, though, or things will get very ugly for you and I’m sure you don’t want anything to happen to that fine Latina ass or the nerd.

Quickshift has his own connections and can take care of himself, but that won’t be enough either.

This thing is bigger than us separate, but together, we can bring these fuckers down. ”

“Why would you help me?” I ask the question rolling around in my head.

“Because I like you and I admire you going somewhat legit. Few people have your vision and I want to help you. I don’t need too, but I want to. There’s a difference,” Diablo’s honesty shocks me.

“Let me think it over and call you back,” I respond.

“Talk it over with Rush. I know he’s next to you. You’re predictable and that’s got to stop. You’ve become too comfortable and everyone knows wherever you are, Rush is with you, since the whole Reiser incident. Can’t say I blame him since Reiser is missing.”