Chapter 38 This Is My World
"You won't like where I'm going. " Ryker warned again.
I shrugged, a strange rush of energy radiating from every pole of my skin. "Okay? Is that supposed to scare me?"
He paused, probably expecting me to back down, but when he saw the look of determination on my face, he nodded and side-stepped me, heading towards the Range Rover.
"Nice choice of car you picked to go see that dickhead." He muttered.
I winced at that name-calling, but didn't say anything. Just followed behind him to the car. Ryker sat in the driver's seat while I dropped into the passenger's side.
"Seatbelt." He said, clicking his in place.
I buckled up fast, heart already thumping, bracing for whatever ride this was going to be.
"Hold on, I'm just gonna—"
A screeching sound cut him off as the car launched forward, throwing me back in my seat.
He shot out of the parking lot and onto the road like the car had grown wings.
He stepped on the gas, the car bolting off with a maddening speed that sent me grabbing the door's handle, my knuckles turning white.
"Ryker, slow down." I shouted. The wind slammed into my face, practically stealing the words from my mouth. The car was literally flying on the road.
Honks blared from every direction. Shouts and curses spilled out from the other drivers. Brooklyn traffic was brutal on every other normal night, but with Ryker behind the wheel, it felt like we were in a race no one else had agreed to join.
"Regret coming with me?" he called out, not even looking at me.
The car bounced hard over a dip in the road, lifting me slightly off the seat and down again. My stomach dropped.
"Not yet!" I yelled, heat crawling up my neck and my face. My voice shook. He was definitely enjoying this.
One moment, he was this close to hitting a sedan, and the next, he was swinging past it. My pulse stumbled when he threaded the car between two trailers.
"You know that was insane, right?" I said, breathless.
My words barely hit the air before the car jerked left. My body slammed into the door as the car whipped into some narrow alley I didn't know existed there.
He slowed down, but my pulse didn't.
Then I saw it.
Rows of cars lined both sides of the street, all packed. All the headlights were on, flashing through the dark, lighting everything up in this eerie alleyway. Smoke filled the air, it obviously came from the tires and too many cigarettes. Engines rumbled low, mixing with the jam music playing in the background.
People were scattered everywhere, some sitting on the top of their cars and on the open trunk. Others were spinning bottles, probably in a betting game. Some were smoking, playing cards, and engaging in various activities. My eyes caught the few boys and girls curled up against cars, making out.
What really caught my attention were the similar tattoos on their bodies.
Ryker had them too.
Piercings, dyed hair, and tattoos were like the norms in this place.
Overall, it looked like a scene out of a thriller movie.
"Is this some kind of underground?" I asked, still staring out the window, feeding my eyes.
Ryker didn't say anything. Just pulled up beside a grey car, killed the engine, and sat there for a second.
I looked over at him. He had that look on his face, like a switch had been flipped.
"This," he said finally, voice low, "Vanessa... this is my world."
"Your world?" I squinted my eyes at him. "What are you?"
He didn't blink. "Aside from being a CEO... I'm a racer. I sometimes fight in rings too."
I blinked back at him, my jaw slackened.
"No one outside of this scene knows," he added quietly. "Not even the Hollands."
His fingers tapped the wheel.
"Well, except you now."
I bit my lower lip, processing everything. "So... you don't just race. You fight? In this underground?"
"Yes. And before you ask why, I'll tell you." He leaned toward me, eyes locked on mine. "Out here? I don't get to play by any rules. I'm far from the responsibilities that come along with being a Holland and my life doesn't get to be dictated in the underground. It's like a breath of fresh air."
"Or you mean, where you escape?" I asked quietly.
He chuckled. "That works too."
Ryker pushed open the door and stepped out. The second his boots hit the pavement, a voice shouted across the lot.
"Well, well, look who decided to show up looking like a damn Fast & Furious character."
I didn't know him. But from how excited he looked, he seemed to be close with Ryker.
The young man jogged over, grinning widely with his arms spread open. Ryker barely had time to brace himself before he got pulled into one of those rough, back-slapping hugs that always seemed more like a wrestling move.
"Miles," Ryker grunted, half-laughing as he shoved him off. "You're so dramatic as hell."
"Of course. I can't be happier to see you here," Miles shot back, then finally looked over the car roof and straight at me. His grin got bigger. "No way. That's your girl?"
Ryker nodded, motioning me out. I climbed out of the car slowly, suddenly hyper-aware of all the people and engines around us.
"Vanessa," Ryker said, walking around to my side. He slipped an arm around my waist like it was the most casual thing he had gotten used to. "This is Miles, my best friend. The one I told you about."
Right.
Miles gave a mock bow. "I'm charmed...and shocked. I can't believe he actually brought you down here." He turned to Ryker, eyes wide. "You let her see your reckless side? Are we planning a wedding or a funeral?"
Ryker rolled his eyes. "She wanted to see it."
"Well," Miles said, grinning at me. "Welcome to the lawless underground, Vanessa. Hope you brought snacks and maybe bail money."
I laughed, nerves loosening just a bit.
Ryker's hand squeezed my waist. "She'll be fine."
Miles raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?"
Ryker didn't answer. He just looked at me.
My throat tightened, but I nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."
Miles nodded, his gaze turning serious for the first time. "Alright. Ryker, it's almost time."
Then, he disappeared into the crowd.
I turned to Ryker, catching the sudden change in his face.
"Time for what?"
He glanced at me, then looked away.
"Ring fight with Grant Miller."