Chapter 47 Adrenaline rush
Melissa’s POV
Despite everything, a small, broken laugh escaped me. “What?”
“Should I beat someone up for you?” Jason asked again, completely serious. “Because I will. Just give me a name.”
I shook my head, wiping at my eyes with the back of my hand. “That’s not going to help.”
“Maybe not. But it might make you feel better.” He shifted, then stood in one fluid motion. “Come on. Let’s go somewhere.”
“Where?” I looked up at him, confused, still clutching my father’s photo against my chest.
“Anywhere that’s not here.” He offered his hand. “Get dressed. Something comfortable.”
“Jason, I really don’t think…”
“Trust me, Warrior Girl.” His hand stayed extended between us. “You need this.”
I stared at his hand for a long moment. Then at the photo in my arms.
Slowly, I took his hand and let him pull me to my feet.
—————
Twenty minutes later, we were in Jason’s car, heading away from the penthouse. I’d changed into jeans and a simple black t-shirt, pulled my hair into a ponytail, and washed the tears from my face.
The city lights streaked past the windows as Jason drove, his music played low with a heavy beat that thrummed through the speakers. He didn’t ask questions. Didn’t try to make small talk he just drove with one hand on the wheel, the other draped casually over the gearshift.
We left the familiar streets behind, heading toward the industrial district on the city’s edge. Warehouses loomed in the darkness. Empty lots stretched between crumbling buildings.
“Where are we going?” I finally asked.
Jason’s mouth curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “You’ll see.”
We turned down a side street, then another, until we pulled into what looked like an abandoned parking lot. Except it wasn’t abandoned at all.
Sleek expensive cars lined the perimeter…with custom paint jobs that gleamed under the scattered streetlights. Engines rumbled like living things. Groups of people clustered around the vehicles, hot looking guys and half naked females, some leaning against hoods, others sitting on the asphalt itself. Some were making out behind the cars.
The air smelled like gasoline and rubber.
“What is this?” I asked, staring.
“It’s an illegal racing track.” Jason said, killing the engine.
My heart stuttered. “You race here?”
“Sometimes.” He was already getting out. “Come on.”
I followed him across the lot, acutely aware of the eyes tracking our movement. He was obviously very popular in third place…I could see it in the way they straightened, the way conversations paused as we passed.
Jason led me to the back of his car and popped the trunk. Inside was a duffel bag I’d never seen before. He unzipped it and pulled out what looked like racing gear…a jacket, gloves, boots.
Then he pulled out a second set.
“Put these on,” he said, handing them to me.
I stared at the bundle in my hands. The jacket was leather, supple and expensive-looking, in deep burgundy with black accents. The boots were sleek, designed for function rather than fashion.
“Jason, I can’t…”
“Yes, you can.” He was already shrugging into his own jacket. “Trust me. You’ll want to be dressed properly for this.”
I hesitated, then pulled on the jacket. It fit perfectly, hugging my curves, the leather was cool and smooth against my skin. The boots came next…they laced up to mid-calf and had reinforced toes.
When I looked up, Jason was staring at me as if lost.
He blinked. Coughed then looked away quickly.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing.” His voice came out rougher than usual. “You just… that looks good on you.”
Heat crept up my neck despite everything. I zipped the jacket higher, suddenly self-conscious.
Jason cleared his throat again and gestured toward the track. “Come on. We’re up next.”
“We’re what?”
But he was already walking, and I had to jog to keep up.
The crowd had grown thicker near what looked like a starting line…two spray-painted strips across the asphalt. Cars were lined up, engines revving, drivers checking their vehicles with practiced efficiency.
The energy here was different from anything I’d experienced. Raw. Dangerous. Alive. My hands were itching for my camera. I loved this so much.
A girl emerged from the crowd as we approached. She was stunning…tall and curvy with long dark hair that cascaded over her shoulders, wearing a crop top that showed off her toned stomach and jeans so tight they looked painted on.
“Jason!” She threw herself at him, with her arms wrapping around his neck like she owned him.
His entire body went rigid.
“It’s been a while,” she purred, pressing herself against his chest. “I was starting to think you’d forgotten about me.”
“Back off, Luna.” Jason’s voice was ice as he grabbed her wrists and physically removed them from around his neck.
She pouted, but her eyes were calculating. Sharp. “Don’t be like that, baby. I’ve missed you.”
“I’m not your baby.”
“You are.” Her gaze slid past him to me, and something cold flickered in her expression. “Who’s this?”
“None of your business.” Jason stepped between us, blocking her view.
Luna’s smile turned brittle. Dangerous. “Since when do you bring random girls here? You know the rules…no outsiders.”
“She’s not an outsider. She’s with me.”
“With you?” Luna laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Jason, sweetheart, you don’t do relationships. We both know that. So who is she really? Some new toy you’re planning to break?”
“Watch your mouth.”
Something in his tone made Luna pause. She looked between us, eyes narrowing as she reassessed the situation.
“Oh.” Her smile turned cruel. “Oh, this is interesting. Does she know…”
“Move.” Jason’s voice dropped to something dangerous. “Now.”
For a moment, I thought she might push back. Might say whatever it was she’d been about to say.
Then she stepped aside.But not before shooting me one last venomous look that promised this wasn’t over.
“Ex-girlfriend?” I asked once she’d disappeared back into the crowd.
“Something like that.” Jason’s jaw was tight. “ She is just obsessed, and can’t take a hint. She has been stalking me for six months.”
“She seems… intense.”
“That’s one word for it.” He shook his head, then turned to me with a grin that looked almost genuine. “Forget about her. You ready?”
“For what?”
He gestured toward a car at the starting line. It was not his usual vehicle…this one was lower,and built for speed. Midnight black with crimson accents that matched my jacket.
“To ride,” he said.
My stomach flipped. “Jason, I don’t think…”
“Do you trust me?”
Instead, I found myself nodding. I love sports and photography but I never thought about racing.
“Then come on.” He led me to the car and opened the passenger door. “Get in.”
The interior was all black leather and carbon fiber. The seat hugged my body as I slid in, it was more complex than anything I’d seen in a normal car.
Jason got in beside me, and buckled in. His hands moved over the controls with the ease of someone who’d done this a thousand times.
“The rules are simple,” he said, starting the engine. It roared to life, the sound vibrating through my entire body. “Hold on tight. Don’t scream…it messes with my concentration. And whatever happens, keep your eyes open.”
“Keep my eyes open?”
“You’ll want to see this.” He glanced at me, and for the first time tonight, I saw him smile for real. “Trust me.”
Before I could respond, someone appeared at Jason’s window…a guy with a flag.
The car beside us revved its engine. Another challenger.
My heart hammered against my ribs.
The guy with the flag raised it.
Jason’s hand moved to the gearshift.
The flag dropped.
And we fle