Chapter 43 Chapter 43
Angelina’s POV
Every single person's attention locked onto the Lamborghini Veneno that had just appeared, unable to look away.
I knew this Lamborghini Veneno was famous even among casual car enthusiasts. For racing nuts like the guys standing around, it was the stuff of wet dreams.
"Holy shit... shit! Holy shit! Is that... is that..."
"No way. That's..."
I heard one of the short guys practically bug his eyes out when he spotted the Lambo, stumbling over his own words.
As for the guy standing next to him, he'd probably thought rolling up in his three-hundred-thousand-dollar Maserati would be impressive enough. He never imagined that the Lamborghini Veneno—the one he'd only seen in articles, the one that sold for six point three million—would actually show up here.
Six point three million dollars. Forget the fact that this limited edition hypercar cost twenty times what his Maserati did.
"That's insane!"
The words slipped out before he could stop himself.
I narrowed my eyes.
Honestly, I hadn't expected such an intense reaction from these guys.
I glanced over at my brother Leo, catching an expression that mixed normal envy with something else—raw ambition, hunger.
Seeing that, I smiled. That's more like it. Without ambition, how could anyone grow?
"Holy shit, that's my dream car! If I could just touch it once... the freaking Lambo Poison!"
"Bro, I can't handle this! I'm gonna faint!"
"Who owns that beast? That's like, stupid rich!"
Around me, people kept screaming, the noise refusing to die down.
I turned to Leo and asked:
"You like that car too?"
By then, the Veneno was already pulling away from the crowd. I'd told Fox to drive my car somewhere away from everyone.
Leo froze for a second when I asked, then answered without hesitation:
"Hell yeah!"
I knew this was every racer's dream—tearing down the track in a limited edition Lambo Poison, nailing one perfect drift after another, looking cool as hell.
I asked again: "Want to drive it?"
I flashed him my brightest smile, and I could see Leo momentarily dazed, as if just having me around meant he could actually climb into that Veneno's driver seat.
Before I could say more, an obnoxious laugh cut through the moment.
Somehow one of the guys had moved right in front of Leo and me. He was cackling obnoxiously:
"Ha! Your brother can want all he wants—he's never driving that thing! That's not your car! That belongs to someone loaded! Even our guy with the Maserati can't drive it. What makes you think you two can? Dream on! Hahaha! God, that's funny!"
Watching him laugh, I frowned and pulled Leo back three steps without making it obvious.
"What makes you so sure that car isn't mine?"
My voice came out cold.
The truth was, that Veneno wasn't just my car—I'd customized the exterior and rebuilt the internal components myself. Nobody knew it better than I did.
The guy was practically wheezing with laughter. He doubled down on the mockery:
"Pfft... Okay, look, you're hot and all, but come on—that car's yours? In what universe? That's like saying you own a spaceship. Right?"
The guy next to him didn't respond, but other members of the rival crew jumped in eagerly.
"Yeah right! That's like saying you won the lottery twice. Not happening!"
"Delusional much? Some billionaire's Veneno, and you think it's yours? Please!"
"I almost feel bad for the real owner—some random girl's out here claiming his car!"
"Ha!"
They wouldn't shut up, talking over each other, one jab after another.
My gaze turned icy.
I'd never been the forgiving type. I didn't start fights, but if someone came at me... they'd regret it.
My left hand, hanging by my side, flipped slightly. In a movement none of them noticed, a small, razor-sharp blade appeared in my palm.
Small as it was, in my hands it could become a lethal weapon in seconds.
But before I could make my next move, Leo suddenly pulled me behind him.
"What the hell's your problem? My sister asked me a question, and you're over here running your mouth? Yeah, you—the short one who looks like a damn ferret! What are you so hyped about? Keep it up and I'll mess you up!"
Leo stood in front of me, going off on the rival crew. Like he was ready to throw down with anyone who dared insult me.
Leo's counterattack left them stunned speechless for a moment.
Before they could recover, more voices joined Leo's.
"That's right. Aria's with us now. She's our—look, she's important to the team, alright? You clowns need to back off! And when we race later, you better hold on tight 'cause we're gonna smoke you! Screw you guys!"
That was Jax. Right after Leo, he jumped in front of me and went off on the rival group, cocky as hell.
"Okay, 'important' still sounds kind of lame coming from Jax..."
Blake rubbed his forehead, then quickly continued:
"But seriously, Aria's the only girl on our team. We've got her back. You want to mess with her? You'll have to deal with all of us. Race, fight, whatever—we're down!"
The rest of them—Mason and Samuel—chimed in too.
"Hell yeah!"
"Let's go! We're not backing down!"
I was completely surrounded by the five of them, protected.
This was what it felt like to have teammates who had your back. Something I'd never experienced before. Being protected—it felt warm.
Looking at the five of them standing fierce in front of me, I blinked, then broke into a smile.
Howlers?
You pissed off my teammates. Today, you're done for.