A/N, by the way, this is what Emrys' car looks like, I forgot to include it in the last chapter x

Chapter {24}

Emrys Belle:

I arrived at the dusty old race tracks. It was an old business compound that had been demolished many years ago on the outskirts of New-York. It had not been claimed so the underworld of racing took it for its own and turned it into a race track surrounded by a type of arena style where the crowd is elevated and has a 360 view of the track.

As I arrived all eyes were on me since I was the only one that raced in vintage cars, specifically revamped mustangs. All the new racers always laughed and said that I would never be able to beat them with my old car since they had flash new ones, but the joke was always on them.

I parked my car, got out so that I could go sign myself into the race following the procedures that everyone had to do. I was scheduled to race obviously against Jeremy but there was a lot of people here today and a lot of races so we will be kept for last.

As I made my way to the counter where you get yourself registered for the race, I decided to have a look at the competition's cars and introduce myself but it seemed as I didn't have to because of all the stares and whispers I was receiving as I walked by.

Things like "that's the Dove" "she's back" and the one I'm the most confused about was " she's wearing the Dark Snakes jacket, one of the originals."

I tried to keep my confusion to a minimum as I walked past everyone to get to the counter.

"Dove," I said my race name and slipped the entry fee in cash on the counter.

I kept looking around, pulling my jacket closer to my chest feeling exposed with all these stares.

I gave a tight smile to the woman behind the counter and made my way back to my car only to find Jer and his gang parked right next to my car. I gave a frustrated sigh rolling my eyes at how cocky they all looked.

"Hello, my little Birdie," Jeremy smirked, pushing himself off his car.

"Fuck off." I turned to my car ready to get in to ignore him but my plan didn't quite work out.

"Aren't you going to give me out ritual kiss before the race?" he teased caging me against my car door.

"Do you not understand basic English? Fuck off, Jeremy." I spoke again and shoved him off me.

"Don't you ever fucking touch me again you bastard." I stepped forward making him walk backwards.

Once I judge that he was far away enough from my car I gave him a tight-lipped smile and turned around to walk off.

I felt a sting to my bum and I knew who it was from. On reflex, I balled my hand into a fist and swung around ready to punch Jeremy in the face but a warm hand wrapped around my fist and pulled me back into their chest.

"Don't," he whispered in my ear.

"Let me go, Damon," I growled glaring daggers at Jeremy who was smirking all he knew.

"Still feisty, just like I like them. See you on the tracks Birdie." Jeremy blew a kiss and got into his car followed by his two shadows and drove off.

I stepped out of Damon's firm grip.

"You shouldn't be here." I pointed at him, anger building up inside me.

"Me? What about you? What the fuck is this place?" He shot back matching my stance.

"Nothing of your concern. Where is Aj? Please tell me you did not bring him here." I felt worry surge through me mixing with the anger when I saw Damon's gaze shift to above us in the stands where I saw his mother with Aj in her arms sat next to his dad and their friend.

"You have got to be kidding me!" I exclaimed seeing Aj snuggled up to Everleigh with his hands over his ears because of the noise.

"He is going to have a panic attack, you idiot! Gosh, I can't even let your father take care of a 3-year-old." I groaned annoyed while running a hand through my hair.

"Hey! Don't go blaming me! I'm here to prevent you from making a huge mistake. Why are you where and why are you even talking to the prick that claims to be Aj's father?" Damon turned the conversation around.

"I'm doing it to protect my son and do what is best for him. I do not need you to take care of me. Take Aj back home, I'll deal with this alone like I always have." I turned around not letting him have a word to say getting into my car and driving off to the start line.

I was annoyed, angry, frustrated and highly upset that Aj was here and not safe at home with the Mortimers. I can't have Jeremy catching on that he is here or this will make my life a hell of a lot more complicated.

I looked into my rear view mirror and saw that Damon had joined his parents in the stands and he did not look happy at all. Everleigh was cradling Aj's head to her chest and I knew that he was upset by the noise even though there were cars everywhere, he could not enjoy the show. This was no place for a three-year-old.

"Ready Birdie?" I hear Jeremy yell from his car that was right next to mine getting ready to the gunshot announcing that start of the race.

"Ready to beat your ass for sure. There is no way you are ever getting near my son." I yelled over both our engines reeving.

"Keeping dreaming Birdie, I'm taking my son back whether you like it or not. This race is just for old times sake."

I didn't even hear the bang of the gun as Jer's words still wrung in my head. Once I realised what was going on I stepped on the gas feeling the thrill of driving like this come back to me, all the memories and all the victories.

I knew a lot of people were betting on this race, I mean who wouldn't? You have the two best illegal race drivers of the whole of America that used to be an item race against each other after almost five years.

I shifted the gears and caught up to Jeremy very quickly. We had to drive around three times around the track but it was not your normal rounded course it was in an 8 shape, which meant that we could possibly crash at the intersection.

That was what I was most afraid of, it had been a while since I drove on a track like this and Jeremy knew that I loved to play chicken when it came to it because he did too. He was the one that taught me to drive, I knew all his tricks as he did mine that's why we were always the best.

Jeremy was ahead of me as we came to the corner and I knew he was thinking he had me where he wanted me but I do not lose, I never have. I sped up after the turn and took over him during the second lap but in doing that I knew that at the intersection he would be coming straight at me and sure enough that is what happened.

We were directly driving towards each other, playing chicken waiting to see who would be the first one to give up. I changed gear to give my car a kick, my knuckles turning white on the steering wheel and the gear stick.

"Move Jeremy, move like you know you will." I chanted keeping my gaze straight on him.

I saw him smirk through the mirror, we were seconds away from crashing into each other at over 150m/h when I saw him extend his arm out of the window of his car, the shape of a gun forming in his hand.

The bastard is going to shoot me down.

He shot the whole round, aiming at my tires until one exploded on impact sending my car to swerve off the track. I lost control of the car as much as I tried not to. I still managed to not make the car tip over and roll but I still ended my ride in the barrier walls hitting my head on the side of the door.

I groaned and brought my hand up to my forehead wincing as my fingers touched the cut on my forehead blood staining the tips.

The car door was ripped open and I was carried out by strong arms. I was carried bridal style away from the flaming car the smoke starting to fill my lungs making me cough.

I wrapped my arms around my saviour's neck and realised it was Asher who had carried me out. Damon rushed over to us as Ash brought us back to the starting line far from the car.

"You alright Sunshine?" Damon asked as he cupped my cheeks his eyes roaming my body to see if I was hurt.

"You have a gash. We need to get that checked out. Oh, baby, I told you not to do it." he spoke in a patronising voice.

Asher put me back onto my feet letting me regain my balance.

"I"m fine Damon, move." I pushed past him and charged my way to Jeremy who looked all smug sitting on the bonnet of his car clearly knowing he had won the race.

"You piece of shit! You shot at me!" I yelled walking to him.

"Well, Birdie it's the only way I could find to stop you."

I threw a punch to his jaw on instinct feeling amazing after I had thrown the hit.

"That's cheating and you know it. I want a rematch and we will play by the rules." I pointed a finger at him and spun around walking off shaking my jacket to get the dust off.

The crowd was still cheering, some booing since the show came to an end, the dealers giving money to the ones that had bet.

"Emrys."

My name was called but I chose to ignore it marching straight to where Everleigh was still holding Aj in her arms. I took him and started walking off to get away from the crowd.

"EMRYS! STOP!" Damon's strong voice coming from behind me.

"Leave me alone Damon. I'm taking Aj home." I spoke trying to ignore the headache that started to form.

"Emrys you are coming home with me, hand me over Aj you are in no state to go home by yourself, hand me back Aj," he demanded, putting his hand out.

"No. I don't need you, I'm going home." I whined pulling Aj closer to me to which he snuggled up to my chest.

I sighed and ran my free hand through my hair.

"Why did you come here?" I asked somewhat hurt.

"Why don't you ever let me help you? Why did you have to be here anyway? What the hell is going on?" He asked aggravated.

"What is going on with you? You could have died! What would have happened to Aj then? Jesus how can you be so reckless and stupid!" his arms were flailing around making Aj whimper.

"Damon calm down you are scaring Aj." my voice going soft as the adrenaline rush was coming down, my head pounding.

"No! You have to listen to me. This was dangerous, what if he would have shot you, what if the car would have exploded before my dad would have caught up to you? Hein! Have you thought of that before dropping everything and coming here?" he continued to rant.

"Damon–" I opened my mouth, my balance failing a little as I sidestepped.

"No Emrys, I'm not done." he cut me off.

"Damon I think that's enough." Everleigh's voice rang from behind us.

"Stay out of this mum," Damon growled glaring at his mother who was followed by his dad and Paul.

I have never seen him this angry before and it was starting to scare me a little.

She came over to take Aj out of my arms giving me a concerned look seeing as I was a little wobbly.

"Damon I–" I held my head trying to calm the pounding a little but his voice was getting louder as he continued to yell at me telling how irresponsible I had been.

"ENOUGH!" Asher's voice boomed in the silence of the night car park.

"Everleigh go to the car with the little man," he ordered next.

She simply nodded her head and walked off.

"Damon, don't you ever forget whose daughter you are talking to. Carter's heir deserves more respect." Asher scowled his son.

"Why are you talking about my dad?" I asked confused, my head still turning.

Damon, Asher and Paul all three turned to me, their faces pale and in shock as if some secret had been revealed.

"Why are you all staring at me like that? Did you know him?" I pushed taking a shaky step forward.

"Emrys, we'll talk about this when we get you home." Paul reasoned but I just shook my head making me even more dizzy and unstable.

"No, tell me. Why do you know my dad's name, no one knew him." I rubbed my forehead, closing my eyes at the pain.

"He was part of the gang, my second in command in fact," Asher confessed taking me by surprise.

"What?"

I could feel my eyes watering but I refused to cry but the more I held it in the more my head was hurting and I could feel my body aching because of the crash. I took another step forward but my legs gave out sending me tumbling to the ground.

"I'm taking you home sunshine." Damon gave a glare to his father and uncle and scooped me in his arms.

I felt like crying as he carried me away.

"Why did no one tell me?" I spoke, my voice cracking at the end.

"Shhhh baby girl, ask questions tomorrow, this night has been long. I'm sorry I yelled at you." Damon kissed my forehead finishing his words.

I chose to keep silent, not feeling strong enough to talk without breaking up in tears questions running in my mind.

________________________

Damn

Sorry for the wait, it took me a while to get this chapter together as I didn't quite know where to take it

I hope the length of it makes up for the time waiting for it!

Thoughts? Predictions?

fav bits?

xoxoxo