Chapter 3

THREE

I watch the rich boy, Evan, go in surprise. I thought he was a weak pushover, but I'd been in my car, watching for my sister, when I noticed him. He moved with purpose and intention, both fast and lethal, taking down the two guys almost double his size without even breaking a sweat. I was going to leave him to it until I saw my little sister huddling behind him. I didn't know he had been defending her, but that only makes me narrow my gaze on his retreating back. No guy beats the shit out of someone without a reason.

Does he want my little sister?

He won't get her. She deserves better than him, and anyone who can effortlessly kick ass like that has some serious training or anger issues like me and shouldn't be around her.

"Stop it," Alice scolds, elbowing me.

Yes, Alek Anders and Alice Anders. My mom thought it was funny, go figure.

"What?" I mutter, staring down at her while I ruffle her hair. She smacks my hand away as I smile, watching her fix it.

"He's a nice guy, plus he just helped me," she points out with a narrow-eyed look aimed at me. I glance at him once more before looking back at her. Sometimes, I don't know how we grew up in the same house. She is so innocent, everything I'm not. That's why it's my job to protect her from everyone, especially rich boys like him.

"No guy helps a girl for free," I warn her. "I don't like it."

"Trust me, I'm not Evan Shaw's type." She smiles knowingly, her eyes twinkling as she adds the next part when I just look confused. "You likely would be."

I raise an eyebrow, but she simply rolls her eyes at my denial.

"Trust me, I'm just not. Now let's go before you're late for work again."

I let her take my arm as we head to my car, but my eyes return to Evan's retreating form, wondering what his type is and why I care.

I drop Alice off at home and park my car in my garage. Leaving my everyday car behind, I strip out of my tee and jacket, put on a clean new one, and toss the one I had on today in the laundry so oil doesn't get all over my pristine place. My garage is my baby. I saved up forever to rent the place and gut it out.

The white walls are covered in graffiti and art from some friends, and my everyday car is parked to the left, with my race car to the right. My workbench is behind me with a TV and radio, along with all my paint tools. The LED lights I installed flash from red to blue in each corner as I head over to the bathroom and wash up, brush my curls back, and peer at myself in the mirror. I stare into the eyes I see in my little sister every day, and guilt assaults me for a moment. If Alice knew what type of work I was doing tonight, she would never forgive me.

She's begged me time and time again to be careful, not to do anything stupid, but I do what I have to for her. My sister deserves the world, she deserves a better chance than I ever got, and I'll give it to her no matter what it takes.

Shaking off the emotions I can't afford to have, I turn off the sink, quickly drying off, and head back into the main room .

I grab a drink from the fridge and down it before eyeing my car for tonight. It's a Nissan Skyline. I traded it for a car I spent years rebuilding. When I got it, it was nearly fucked, but I managed to bring it back to life, and now it's my pride and joy. Wrapped in metallic black that shines blue and purple in the light, with hand-painted flames down the side, it's my baby in every sense of the word. It's also how I can afford to send my sister to such a nice school. It took me a few years after dropping out of school to earn it, but I'm here, and now, so is she. That doesn't mean I can afford to stop though. I want to own my own shop one day. It might not happen, but until then, I need to keep working and racing.

Sliding on my black-and-white striped leather jacket, I grab my key and sink into the leather seat in my Skyline. The engine purrs to life, and I hit the button for the garage door and pull out onto the quiet street. It's empty around here, just some other businesses dotted around, but they are usually gone by nightfall, which works well for me. I hit the button again, and the garage door lowers and locks as my lights shine across the dark street, catching on the fluorescent lines.

Hitting the radio, I crank up the rock and lean back in my seat, ready for a long night.

It's busy tonight. The deserted stretch of road is filled with cars pulled to the side, their hoods up to show off their engines and speaker systems. Music pumps from each one as I roll down the middle and pull into an empty space, reversing without even looking. My eyes scan the crowd. It's a mix of guys and girls, racers and viewers, but I find what I'm looking for. Sanjay is in the middle, taking bets and talking to drivers.

Bingo.

He's a few heads taller than the others around him since he's such a lanky fucker. His hair is braided back tonight, and he's in a loose boiler suit and some brand-new kicks. Sliding from my car, I ignore the crowd as they recognize me, instead heading his way as he grins at me.

"There he is, the man of the hour, your god, Alek!" he calls, and the crowd turns to me. I ignore them and the looks I get. I'm used to it, used to the attention and the girls wanting to fuck me. I clasp his hand, sliding money between our palms.

He nods with a grin. Sanjay might be a vain fucker, but he's also smart as hell. "How many tonight?"

"How many do you have?" I ask, looking around. I know some of the drivers here, and they groan when they see me since I'm undefeated, but there are a few newbies as well, all cocky enough to think they can claim my title.

"Five races so far," he replies with a shy smile. It's always a good night for him when I turn up, which is why we get along so well.

"Count me in for all. High stakes, I need the cash," I tell him. Alice's tuition will come around again soon, and I want to make sure I'm prepared, not to mention the new laptop she wants and her rent for the new place she's eyeing.

"You always do. Are you sure you don't run some sort of chop shop?" He smirks. "Or is it for that sweet little sister you are always bragging about? When are you going to introduce me, brother?"

"Never, you're a pig." I smirk as he laughs, and I head back to my car, ignoring the looks and calls. Never give them an inch or they will take a mile.

I'm untouchable to them, the ice-cold asshole who owns these roads, and that's how I like it.

I don't have time for softness or friendship, not in this industry, because it will get you killed.