Maks couldn't believe that he'd let himself be talked into it.

He didn't like crowds. He was a little claustrophobic; people surrounding him from all sides were making him anxious. He wanted to run and hide from this racket, but there was nowhere to hide. There were just Aleks, who had his wrist in a steely grip and was pushing forward like a juggernaut, and Maks, clutching at him desperately but still looking around, unwillingly captivated.

It was dark and bustling. The only lights were coming from cars scattered around with complete disregard for any parking rules, and it was their engines that were making most of the noise. It looked like a flash mob or some kind of mass event. How were all these people just hanging out carelessly by the National Stadium, and no one knew about it? No one was supervising and keeping things in order. Where were the police?

He leaned toward Aleks. "Is there always so many people?" he whispered, but Aleks didn't react, and Maks realized that whispering in this place was pretty pointless. "Is there always so many people?" he yelled.

Aleks turned around. "If they're racing, then yeah," he said casually.

"Are they always racing?"

"Of course not always."

They've got out of the worst crowd, and Aleks led him up the concrete stairs towards the main entrance, but suddenly stopped to sit on one of the steps. "Watch now," he instructed, so Maks obediently sat next to him and watched as the red Corvette, equipped with bells, whistles, and all possible gadgets, positioned itself in line with the inconspicuous black Audi. The engines kept roaring. "He doesn't stand a chance," Aleks judged expertly. "The guy in the Corvette."

"Really?" Maks frowned. "The red one looks faster," he said stupidly.

Aleks rolled his eyes. "It's what's inside that matters," he informed him patronizingly.

"Wow, that's deep," Maks snickered. A pretty, short-haired girl stood between two vehicles and raised her hands. The roar got louder, and when she dropped her arms abruptly, both cars took off, speeding up towards the parking exit. "Where are they going?" Maks asked, then looked at Aleks when he didn't get an answer. His eyes were fixed on the cars' rears, quickly disappearing from their sight. "Aleks?" Maks waved his hand in front of his face.

Aleks blinked, snapping back. "What?" he asked with exasperation.

"Where are they going?" Maks repeated.

"Do you always have to go somewhere?" he asked rhetorically. "They're just going." He shrugged, still with that dreamy smile on his face.

"Boys and their toys," Maks commented with amusement.

"Don't tell me you don't get a hard-on when you see something like that," he challenged.

Maks coughed awkwardly. "Jesus, Aleks." He shook his head, astonished. "No, I don't get a hard-on when I see a nice car—"

"Nice?" Aleks echoed with indignation. "Flowers can be nice. Cars are magnificent. Breathtaking. Spectacu—"

"Yeah, okay, I got it." Maks cut him off, laughing. "Do you want me to leave you alone?" he asked innocently. "Do you need some relief?"

Aleks glared at him. "Fuck off," he muttered. "You don't know anything."

"You're aware it has a name, right? Feeling sexual attraction towards cars is one of the most common forms of paraphilia."

"Did you just call me unoriginal?" Aleks scowled.

"That's what you're most worried about?" Maks shook his head in resignation.

Aleks grinned and was going to answer, but something drew his attention. "They're coming back," he said. Maks turned towards the gate but saw nothing until Aleks pointed to the other end of the stadium. The blue Audi came flying around the bend with the red Corvette sitting on its tail. The crowd started to scream.

"It didn't take long," Maks remarked mildly.

Aleks shrugged. "They've just jumped through one bridge and made a loop through the other one. I could have bet something," he added regretfully, standing up. Maks nodded slowly. He wasn't a big gambling fan, but if Aleks had been so sure that Audi would win—and had been right—then he guessed he could have.

"So that's it?" he asked, following him again down the stairs.

"For now," Aleks said, mingling back with the biggest crowd. "Until the next volunteers turn up." He glanced over his shoulder to make sure that Maks was still behind him. "We could—" he broke off when his way was barred by a tiny guy with a broad smile and narrow eyes that made Maks shudder. Aleks stopped abruptly, and Maks bumped into him.

"Something to loosen up?" the guy offered promptly. "Cannabis, hash?"

"No, thanks," Aleks muttered, trying to get past him.

"It's prime shit, straight from the Czech Republic. I've got good cocktails too... No? What about something for the party, Speed, Molly? Some Candy?" Aleks just laughed and kept ignoring him. "Come on, Aleks, just take some in advance, cause you're gonna want some later, and I'm not gonna be here. I need to go to Mazo in an hour," he kept talking rapidly. Maks was eyeing him warily.

"You're hassling everyone like that?" Aleks asked impatiently. "Business must be slow, huh?"

"We have no reason to complain, thanks. And, of course, not everyone. It's a family-only thing," the guy said with the least trustworthy smile Maks had ever seen. "For you... fifteen percent discount. Come on." Aleks just rolled his eyes, this time not even bothering to answer. "Maybe for a friend then?" he asked, suddenly addressing Maks, who didn't expect that and blinked, astonished, when this weird guy put an arm around his shoulders and winked knowingly. "How much is it gonna be? A gram? Two? You'll share with Aleks, as far as I know him, I guarantee that he'll pound a beer or two and will be begging for someone to pass him a joint—"

"All right." Aleks cut him off, apparently losing his patience. "He doesn't want anything, and we have places to be," he said for Maks, grabbing his wrist and pulling him through the mass of people. The dealer was still talking, but they couldn't hear him anymore.

"A friend of yours?" Maks asked casually, but there was a trace of malice in his tone.

Aleks pulled a face. "'Friend' is a big word."

"Do you know a lot of people who sell this stuff?" he wondered distractedly, mainly focusing on not losing Aleks in the crowd.

"Sure. Aren't they everywhere?" he asked rhetorically. "I mean, what's the most lucrative industry there is?"

"Crude oil," Maks answered promptly.

Aleks blinked. "What? No. Pharmaceuticals. Maks, keep up," he scolded him. Maks was going to protest, but he didn't let him. "There are a lot of them here, especially cause everyone can deal here."

"Why wouldn't they?" he asked curiously.

"Normally everybody's got their area and doesn't really roam out of it," he started patiently, but then broke off. Maks was going to keep questioning him, but fortunately Aleks didn't need any encouragement and just went on, "The stadium is mostly neutral, so everyone can do whatever they want here, as long as they keep it civil. Street racing must be neutral. It wouldn't be fair if either side had too much sway over it. Do you want a drink?" he asked out of the blue, changing the subject.

Maks didn't want a drink; he wanted Aleks to keep talking. "Either side?" he repeated with a frown.

"Either side of the river," Aleks specified plainly.

"So what? There are two gangs?" Maks guessed. "Who are at war and fighting to take over the city?" He was only half-joking. "Like in the movies?"

Aleks snickered. "Sure, Maks, everything is always just like in the movies," he said with pity. "But no, it's not so clear-cut. I mean, sure, there's more friction between certain people due to conflicts of interests, but it's more the remnants of the deep-rooted rivalry. Come on, you're a Varsovian. You must have come across it before. Don't you hate East Siders?"

Knowing that Aleks was from Praga, that was a pretty awkward question.

"Not really," Maks shrugged. He didn't hate them; he was just... wary of them.

"Good for you. I don't care for this whole feud either. But it's still common to—" Aleks was getting animated and would have probably kept talking if he wasn't cut off by a gruff voice.

"What are you doing here?"

Maks turned around rapidly, aware that Aleks had done the same, but much more casually. There were three guys standing behind them, all pretty tall—taller than Maks and definitely taller than Aleks. They were also rather beefy, except for the one in the middle, who was very thin, almost bony, but he was making up for it with a grim expression. Maks tensed under his gaze and was fighting the natural instinct to make an 'L' with his hand and yell 'Legia!' just in case before running the hell off, but there was always a risk that they favored the other club. Shit. These thugs would wipe the floor with him and Aleks in a second. He suspected that either of them, on their own, could still rough them up. He felt his heart rise to his throat.

"We're sightseeing. Is that illegal?" Aleks asked cheekily. Maks' eyes widened. Did he want them to have their asses handed to them?

The guy in the middle smirked and stepped towards them. Maks moved involuntary and stood between him and Aleks, trying to look as threatening as possible. The thug looked amused when he fixed his gaze on him, and Maks felt the need to gulp. Why had he decided to play the hero?

"You've got a new pit bull. The last one was more impressive," the guy remarked, giving Maks a scornful once-over.

Aleks rolled his eyes, pushing Maks out of the way and giving him a significant look that told him not to get involved. Fucking suicidal. "Yeah, I'm into brains lately."

"You weren't supposed to be here," the guy reminded him accusingly.

"It's not even Praga," Aleks scoffed. "Not the real Praga anyway. What can possibly happen here?"

The guy pursed his lips. "Try not to get caught by cops," he instructed quietly, leaning in. "And don't race."

"Wasn't dreaming of it," Aleks assured him lightly, then bit his lip. "Though I was going to borrow your car," he added openly and without a trace of remorse. "Do you mind?" The moment he grinned innocently was when Maks finally decided that he really should stay out of it, as apparently he didn't understand shit. Aleks glanced above the guy's shoulder at his goons. "Kostek, come on," he spurred him quietly, seeing that he was eyeing him critically and visibly hesitating.

"Okay, take it," the guy, Kostek, agreed eventually, still narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "You weren't drinking, were you?"

"Course not," Aleks assured him cheerfully. Maks frowned. Apparently, two glasses of wine and one rum and coke didn't count. Kostek sighed, then reached into his pocket and threw Aleks the keys. "Thanks."

"Don't stay here too long," he warned before nodding at his goons to follow. "And don't lose your pit bull," he added derisively, passing them by.

Aleks' smile widened. "I will watch him like a hawk," he promised, then grabbed a confused Maks and pulled him in the opposite direction. He exhaled loudly when the pack of hooligans disappeared from their sight.

"What was that?" Maks asked. At some point, he just stopped letting himself be surprised by anything. When Aleks didn't answer, he urged him on, "Who was that guy?"

"My brother," Aleks said, glancing at him over his shoulder. Maks blinked. "He's a little bit overprotective and neurotic, but he's mostly all right." Maks kept on walking, trying to process it. Overprotective thug brother. Noted. "But look, you were upgraded to pit bull," Aleks added, visibly amused. "And you've come to my rescue. Needlessly, cause from Kostek, but still. It was sweet." He sounded pleased.

Maks scowled. "It was temporary insanity," he tried to excuse himself.

"I know. Don't do that again, cause one day you're going to come across someone who's not ours, and they're gonna ruin your face. And believe me, that would be a shame," Aleks said casually with a meaningful glance that made Maks' insides twirl. "Best not to get involved unless you have someone much bigger with you," he instructed him reasonably, then smiled disarmingly. "And you... not that I don't appreciate your sacrifice, but I don't think you would have much chance," he assessed apologetically.

"Yeah, me neither," Maks agreed. "I just thought that it would be better if I got my ass kicked instead of you," he explained awkwardly. Aleks was staring at him for a few moments before casting his eyes down. If Maks hadn't known him, he would consider this gesture almost shy. Suddenly, he realized something. "What do you need a car for?

"I thought we could go on a trip," Aleks said immediately with a broad smile. "I know this really awesome place—"

"You're kidding, right?" Maks cut him off. Aleks blinked, not understanding his problem. "You've been drinking," he accused him sharply.

Aleks rolled his eyes. "I've barely drunk anything," he repeated the same bullshit he'd fed to his brother.

"That's nothing to you? So what? Up to one per mille doesn't count?" Maks scorned.

"Yeah, and it resets after three," Aleks quipped, but Maks didn't seem amused, so he sobered up. "Okay, fine. I'm not going to drive you anywhere drunk, so just chill out," he said soothingly. Being the object of Maks' anger felt like being stabbed.

"It's not about you driving me; it's that you shouldn't be driving at all. It's fucking dangerous not only to you but to everyone around—" Maks went on, still aggravated.

"Okay, I know," Aleks murmured for everyone's sake, fed up with this conversation. "It's just... I'm sober, okay? I. only had one drink two hours ago. And I'm a good driver, so—"

"You're eighteen," Maks pointed out indulgently. "How good of a driver can you possibly be at eighteen?"

"You'd be surprised," he said cockily. Maks shook his head, convinced that he was full of shit. "If you don't wanna go anywhere, what's the plan then?" Aleks asked amicably, after a long silence.

Maks pursed his lips. "We could sit back and watch these driving people some more," he suggested reluctantly.

Aleks shot him a triumphant smirk. "See? Told you," he said proudly. "I told you it's addictive. Okay, though it's so agonizing, watching it and not being able to gun it myself," he groaned sullenly. Maks was going to say something about stupidity and risking his life for a rush of adrenaline when he saw blonde hair out of the corner of his eye. Very familiar blonde hair.

"Wait." He stopped abruptly and gripped Aleks' elbow. "I know her." That was all Maks said before he just took off, looking pissed.

He felt silly approaching a group of people that were clearly enjoying themselves, but he had no choice. He put his hand on the girl's shoulder, and she turned around with a blasé smile that dropped immediately when she saw his face.

"Maks?!" she cried out, gaping at him like she'd just seen a ghost. Maks just raised one eyebrow in answer and crossed his arms. "What are you doing here?" she asked, still slack-jawed. She blinked hard, as if she thought she was having hallucinations.

"I should ask you that question," he countered harshly. She seemed to already digest the fact that he was here and was now trying desperately to find a way out of it, but before she came up with a plausible explanation, a burly guy stood next to her, challenging Maks with his glare.

"You've got a problem?" he growled, looking like he was only waiting for Maks to give him a reason to punch him. Aleks, who had just managed to catch up with him, stopped behind his shoulder and eyed the guy warily, waiting to see what would happen.

"No, that's... that's my brother," Wiki explained pitifully to the other guy, presumably to calm him down.

Maks, in the rare burst of courage, sent him a smug glance that said, 'yes, I'm her brother, so fuck off'. "Let's get out of here," he said, grasping her wrist. "The party's over."

"Hey!" the guy called out, grabbing him and pulling him off her forcibly. "Brother or not, you're not gonna tell her what to do." Maks let Wiki go to push him away.

Aleks finally jumped in. "Hey, don't make a scene," he commanded, getting in between them to keep them separated. "Adrian, come on, that's his sister," he addressed the other guy quietly, trying to make him see reason. "We're going to take her home."

"You stay out of it, Szczęsny," the guy barked, looking at Aleks in fury. "You're still the first in line to get fucked up just for principle. If you piss me off on top of that, I'm not even gonna care that we're at the stadium," he threatened, his eyes narrowing hatefully. "Just take a look at your ugly mug, and no one's gonna blame me."

Aleks raised his eyebrows, but it wasn't his regular cocky expression; it was more wary and calculating. Maks felt a stab of guilt. Oops. This must be what he'd meant earlier. This one definitely wasn't 'theirs'.

"If being civil is a foreign concept for you, you shouldn't be allowed here," Aleks said, appearing collected, though Maks could see he was a little tense.

"It's pussies like you that should be banned from here," Adrian shot back, flexing his muscles and eyeing Aleks as if he were something very small and annoying standing in his way.

"That's the best you've got?" he asked dismissively and started to turn around to walk away.

"You really want me to break your nose in one more place? You don't have enough?" Adrian growled, stepping forward and yanking Aleks back by his arm. Maks was torn between standing up for him and taking Wiki out of here, but before he managed to make any decision, Aleks was raising his chin challengingly, not caring that Adrian was looking down on him.

"Did I really get under your skin so much that fucking me up is worth the trouble?"

"You think anyone would give a shit about you?" he cackled nastily.

Aleks smiled back, just as frostily. "We could go to Partyka and ask," he suggested innocently. "I mean, I'm sure you're right, and he would definitely take your side, wouldn't he?"

Adrian's frown was barely discernible, but it was there. The staring contest lasted for a long moment, both of them waiting for the other one to avert his gaze first. Neither did, and Adrian eventually scoffed. "I've got better things to do," he shrugged with disdain.

Aleks smirked and started to turn around again, looking at Maks and trying to let him know with his eyes that they were evacuating and to keep an eye on Wiktoria because she looked kind of out of it, moving her vacant stare from one person to another. Maks felt it was the best idea Aleks had ever had.

Adrian glanced over his shoulder at the rest of his group. Most of his friends looked like they were just waiting for a sign from him to get involved. "Let her go, boys. If the cunt wants to go with them, then she can fuck off," he muttered.

Maks saw red and would have done something if Aleks wasn't faster. "Okay, forget the lesson," he said, and before Maks had time to grasp what it meant, he swung, and in a split second, his fist made contact with Adrian's face, making a loud crack. Adrian took a step back, covering his bloody nose with both hands. Aleks hissed in pain too, quickly examining his knuckles, then raised his eyes at Adrian's buddies, who stepped forward simultaneously like they were programmed.

"Don't call women cunts. It's beneath even your dignity. Now we're even," he said with a crooked smile. They saw rage in Adrian's eyes when he finally looked up, but Aleks was already tugging on Maks' jacket. "Let's get out of here," he whispered frantically, so Maks grabbed Wiktoria's arm, and they were off like a shot, bolting along the stadium and not stopping until they were on the other side, next to the descent down to the river. Maks leaned down, resting his hands on his knees and trying to catch his breath.

"Are they chasing us?" he panted, looking over his shoulder. Wiki slumped against the wall.

"I think we've got away this time," Aleks said, looking uncertain, like he wasn't sure if he could already relax or not. Maks shook his head, wondering what had just happened, and suddenly he cracked up, sat on the curb, and just lost his shit. He couldn't stop laughing so hard that he was close to tears. He'd never felt such a refreshing thrill in his life. His amusement must have rubbed off on Aleks, because he started to chuckle himself, falling next to him on the concrete.

"You said you don't pick up fights if you don't have someone much bigger to protect you," Maks reminded him reproachfully when he cooled off a bit.

"And then I told you to forget the lesson," Aleks shot back promptly, looking smug.

Maks rolled his eyes. "Isn't it banned here? You're not going to get in trouble?" he asked with concern.

Aleks bit his lip hesitantly. "We'll see how it plays out," he shrugged.

"Come on, do you really think that he's ever going to admit that he got knocked out by... whoever you are?" A quiet, slightly slurred voice cut in. They both turned to Wiki, who approached slowly to sit heavily on the other side of Maks.

"Maybe not," Aleks said, leaning in to glance at her curiously. "I hope not," he added, wrinkling his nose. Wiki didn't answer; she just put her cheek on Maks' shoulder, looking bleary. Aleks smiled, and Maks exhaled loudly, trying to settle down.

"I don't even want to know what you were doing in a place like that." He shook his head incredulously but still embraced her awkwardly with one arm. She didn't react, apart from turning her head, so now she was resting her forehead on his shoulder.

"And with that kind of people?" Aleks added, appalled. "I can guarantee that this guy is not appropriate company for a young lady—"

"Yeah, who was that?" Maks cut him off. Aleks averted his eyes, not looking very keen to answer him. "My sister is hanging out with them. I have a right to know. Tell me," he demanded.

"He's someone who thinks he's much more important than he actually is," he said after long deliberation, choosing his words carefully. "Keep her away from them," he added quietly.

Maks instantly turned back to Wiki, drawing them apart to keep her at arm's length. "You heard him."

"So what, what does he know?" Wiki scoffed absently. "He just talks shit. And you have no right to tell me who to hang out with—"

"I have no right?" Maks echoed with disbelief, feeling his blood pressure escalating again. "You literally have no right to be here. What is happening here is illegal, and you're underage," he said harshly, shaking her a little to make her understand.

She yanked away. "Leave me alone, you prat," she murmured, hiding her face in her hands.

Maks frowned. "Hey, you're okay?" he asked with concern, putting his hand on her shoulder, though his voice still sounded stern. He wasn't able to muster up any gentleness. "Kiddo, what's going on?"

"Nothing, fuck off." Her voice was muffled by her hands.

Maks was staring helplessly, having no idea how to work with her, so Aleks rose to his feet slowly and crouched in front of her until they were on the same level. "Hey, look at me, okay?" he pleaded quietly. "Can you do that for me?" Wiki raised her head with effort and fixed her dilated pupils on him. He was evaluating her silently for a few seconds, felt her pulse, and touched her forehead. "Do you have a headache? Are you nauseous?" She looked at him with resentment, which he took as a 'yes'.

"Jesus, is she high?" Maks whispered, horrified. He was almost sure that he was right and had no idea where to even start fixing it.

"Not anymore," Aleks cheered him up. "She's coming down, so now she's gonna feel like shit for a while."

"It's not fucking funny," Maks chastised him. "You're talking about my sixteen-year-old sister."

Aleks looked appropriately remorseful. "She's gonna be fine. Promise," he said without a doubt after a few beats.

"Okay, so what is she supposed to do to stop feeling like shit?" Maks asked obtusely, because he knew nothing about dealing with this kind of thing, then he stood up and vainly tried to make Wiki do the same.

"Get high again. That's how it works," Aleks said curtly. "Or wait it out. I suspect you like the second option better," he figured. "Come on, let's take her home. She should sleep it off."

Maks nodded, got her arm around his shoulder, and held her upright. Bargaining with her seemed pointless. Jesus, what would have happened to her if he hadn't been here? Was it the first time, or had she done this before, and he had been none the wiser? Fuck, the truth was that he knew literally nothing about his little sister's life, and from the look of things, he should take a little more interest.

"You want me to drive you?" Aleks asked innocently.

Maks glowered at him. "No fucking way, you were still drinking, so you're not driving me anywhere, and you're especially not driving my sister."

"You're just being difficult," he sighed, sounding tired. "I'm completely sober now. It's the fastest way to—"

"How am I supposed to know that you can actually drive?" Maks grunted.

Aleks looked like he'd never in his life been more insulted. "I do this—" he emphasized, pointing to the next two cars that just took off, speeding up to a hundred kilometers before they even got to the exit gate. "—on a daily basis. Do you need more proof?" He crossed his arms defiantly. Maks bit his lip, feeling a little torn.

Wiki giggled out of the blue. "I did it too, you know?" she announced happily. Maks' head jerked to look at her with dread. She'd never even sat behind the wheel. "I weaved. And they lifted off," she added blithely, watching a girl in the middle of the parking lot with a dreamy expression.

Maks exhaled in relief, closing his eyes and trying not to lose his patience. "That's great," he said for her sake. "We'll take a cab," he decided, fed up with foolish kids doing everything in their power to make him prematurely gray. He looked at Aleks like he was just waiting for him to dare to oppose him, but he apparently sensed that it wasn't the best time to argue. Maks pulled Wiktoria with him, but she didn't seem very balanced, so Aleks came from the other side to help them.

She glanced up at him in confusion. "Who are you anyway?" she scoffed suspiciously, suddenly looking scandalized by his presence. "Maks, who is this?" she added almost hysterically.

Aleks raised his eyebrows, looking amused. "I'm Aleks," he said slowly. "I'm a friend of your brother."

"Oh! You hit Adrian," she realized.

Aleks smirked. "I did," he admitted proudly.

"Because he called me a cunt. Fucking douchebag," she muttered, and Aleks grinned. "Thanks."

Aleks shrugged. "I should be the one thanking you. I've been looking for an excuse to do that forever."

He kept looking at her with a gentle, curious smile while she was looking at him in rapt admiration, and Maks suddenly felt fed up with it all. "Okay, that's enough," he grunted, interrupting this sickeningly lovely scene and feeling much more pissed about it than he had any right to. Wiki looked away, abashed. Aleks, on the other hand, sent Maks a quick smile that only made him more angry. The little shit thought he could smile first at his sister and then at him, like he could have it all. Maks scowled and was going to say something venomous about both of them when they all heard a police siren.

People reacted in a flash, jumping into cars, starting the engines, and screeching away. Suddenly it was twice as loud as before—people without cars bolting in all directions, cars doing a pretty good job not blocking each other but leaving the premises one after the other. Two squad cars pulled up to the parking lot from both ends of the stadium; the third one went off chasing the last race that would never be settled.

"You still wanna take a cab?" Aleks asked rhetorically and skipped off away from the cops, so Maks grabbed Wiki's hand and followed him. She was barely able to run, so Maks picked her up in bridal style. Damn, she was pretty heavy for such a tiny little thing. He just figured that they didn't stand a chance if they were going to escape on foot, but at the same moment, he saw Aleks getting to the red Ford Escort and jumping into the driver's seat. Maks put Wiki down and helped her squeeze into the backseat, then got in himself next to Aleks, who had already started to back the car before Maks even closed his door. Apparently he considered turning around an unnecessary maneuver because he just looked into the rearview mirror and went off backwards with speed nobody sane used in reverse. He passed one of the patrol cars casually, got off the parking lot, and turned the steering wheel sharply to the left. The rear of the car slid on the asphalt, and they went flying sideways. Aleks didn't even wait until they were fully lined up with the road before changing gear and stepping on the gas.

"Jesus," Maks gasped, gripping the door handle and turning to check if Wiki was still alive back there. Her eyes were squeezed shut, and she was clutching the back of Aleks' seat for dear life.

"Hold on tight," Aleks warned, speeding up. They heard another siren, but he didn't even glance back. Maks could only helplessly watch the needle on the speedometer and pray.

"I'm gonna be sick," Wiki announced pitifully.

Aleks wrinkled his nose. "Please wait until we're out of the car or my brother will kill me," he said calmly, easing down just a little bit, then turning abruptly in one of the side streets.

"We're supposed to go to Ochota," Maks reminded him, pursing his lips and feeling his stomach churning.

Aleks gave him a crooked smile. "We are. I'm just making sure we've lost a tail," he said patiently, turning again. At this rate, they got to Wola in a few minutes and were back on Jerusalem Avenue in no time, including the huge detour. Maks jumped out of the car the second Aleks parked deftly at his building. He could barely feel his legs; they were like cotton wool. "It wasn't so bad, huh?" Aleks asked perkily, following him.

Maks looked at him as if he doubted his sanity. "Never again," he swore in a trembling voice, trying to recover. He opened the rear door and blinked.

"What?" Aleks asked curiously.

"She's fallen asleep," Maks said, gobsmacked.

Aleks went around the car, and for a few moments they were just standing there and gaping at Wiktoria, sleeping soundly on the back seat. "That's definitely a first," Aleks said, shaking his head in a daze and looking like he couldn't decide whether he should be offended or impressed. "Your sister is really one of a kind, isn't she?"

Maks narrowed his eyes, wondering what that was supposed to mean, because he had an irritating feeling that Aleks might like Wiki more than he should, and for some reason, it really pissed him off. He decided to stay silent. He pulled her out of the car and started to carry her upstairs, aware of Aleks' steps behind them. He opened the door, went to his bedroom, and just threw her on his bed like a sack of potatoes. He got back to the living room and fell on the couch next to Aleks, exhaling heavily and feeling as if, along with air, he had gotten rid of most of the tension.

"So? Did you have fun?" Aleks asked innocently, leaning back and crossing his legs. Maks sent him an accusatory glare and was about to inform him that it'd been the most fucked-up night he'd ever had, but suddenly hesitated.

During one night, he'd scored street racing, drug dealing, an almost-fight, a hasty escape from the bunch of thugs, and running by car from the police. That was literally more than he had done during his entire life, and all because Aleks wasn't able to stay out of trouble. And Maks had never been in trouble before, and sure, he'd been scared shitless, but the adrenaline was still running through his veins, and he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so alive. That was a fucking awesome feeling.

"Yeah. I actually did," he admitted, sounding surprised himself.

Aleks grinned knowingly, because from the very beginning he'd had a feeling that Maks was good at pretending to be a buzzkill, but in reality he had much more potential than any boy scout and had a dormant need to try everything life had to offer. He only needed something or someone to jerk him awake from his slumber and bring him back to life. And Aleks would love to be that someone and provide him with as much entertainment as his heart desired.

That had unequivocally been the best date he'd ever been on.