บท 3: 2
Chapter 2: At Full Speed
The roar of engines and the smell of gasoline filled the air in the backstreets of Los Angeles. It was two in the morning, and the asphalt vibrated under the tires of the cars ready for a night of underground racing. The crowd had gathered around the vehicles, eager to see the action. Among them, Marco stayed in the shadow, observing, analyzing, and preparing his entrance.
It had been several weeks since his mission at the Continental, and his new assignment had brought him to the heart of the Los Angeles street racing scene. The organization's investigations had detected a series of truck heists, which seemed to be related to one of the most notorious groups in the city. Leading this group was Dominic Toretto, a local legend known both for his driving skills and his fierce loyalty to his "family" of racers.
Marco had been sent to infiltrate Toretto's group and gather information about the heists. For that, he needed to make a name for himself on the streets, something he wasn't worried about. His training had taught him to adapt to any environment, to fit in where necessary, and to stand out when it was appropriate. He had acquired a decent car, a black Nissan 240SX with a souped-up engine and a look intimidating enough to catch attention. The car wasn't the most important; the skill behind the wheel was.
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As he approached the crowd, the murmurs ceased for a moment. Some looked at him with curiosity; others, with distrust. Marco kept his calm demeanor, aware that here, more than anywhere else, first impressions were crucial.
Dominic Toretto was leaning against his iconic black Dodge Charger, talking with his team. A slight smile appeared on his face, but his eyes remained attentive to the surroundings, always vigilant, always in control. Marco knew that Toretto was the kind of person who valued loyalty and skill above all else. If he wanted to infiltrate his group, he would need to prove both.
—New around here? —a voice asked behind Marco.
He turned to see a young woman with dark hair and a defiant attitude. She was Letty Ortiz, Toretto's girlfriend, known both for her driving prowess and her fierce personality.
—Just here for the races —Marco replied, keeping his tone neutral but friendly.
Letty studied him for a moment before smiling slightly.
—We'll see if you can keep up. —She took a step back and pointed to one of the race organizers—. Talk to Hector if you want to join. But I warn you, we're not an easy group to impress.
Marco nodded and headed towards Hector, a burly, friendly-looking guy who handled the betting and organization of the races.
—Looking to race? —Hector asked, without even looking at him.
—Yes. —Marco pulled out a wad of bills from his back pocket and showed it—. I'm here to compete.
Hector looked at him, surprised by the amount of money, and then nodded in approval.
—Alright, rookie. There's a race about to start. Winner takes it all. But if you lose… well, you know how this goes.
Marco nodded again, handing over the money and walking toward his car. As he approached, he felt everyone's eyes on him, evaluating, judging. But that didn't worry him. He had been in much more dangerous situations than this. For him, this was just another mission.
The cars lined up at the starting line, engines roaring, waiting for the signal. Dominic approached Marco, assessing him with a calculating gaze.
—Good luck —Dominic said, though his tone implied that Marco would need more than luck to win.
Marco just nodded, started the engine, and focused on the asphalt in front of him. The tension in the air was palpable, and then, suddenly, the girl acting as the signal gave the command, and all the cars shot forward.
Marco's car accelerated with controlled power. His hands steady on the wheel and his feet moving precisely on the pedals, shifting gears effortlessly. The city lights passed by in a blur, and the wind hit his face through the open window. His senses were on high alert; every movement of the cars around him was analyzed and countered in fractions of a second.
It soon became clear he was no ordinary rookie. As he overtook one of the more experienced racers, he felt the pressure increase. The race was a circuit through the deserted streets of the downtown, full of sharp turns and long straights. Perfect for someone with his skill level.
Halfway through the race, Marco was in second place, just behind the leader, a man named Vince, who was one of Toretto's closest members. Vince was aggressive, cutting corners and blocking any attempts to overtake. But Marco wasn't intimidated. On a sharp turn, he pretended to lose control, causing Vince to lower his guard for a moment. Seizing the opportunity, Marco accelerated and passed on the inside, leaving Vince behind.
Now only the final stretch remained. Dominic was right behind, staying close, watching how Marco handled the pressure. Marco knew Toretto was testing him, seeing if he had what it took to be part of his team. He didn't disappoint. He maintained control, crossing the finish line in first place.
The spectators erupted in applause and cheers. Marco slowed down and stopped the car, feeling the adrenaline still running through his veins. Dominic approached him, with a respectful smile on his face.
—Not bad for a rookie —Dominic said, extending his hand.
Marco shook it, feeling he had passed the first test.
—Thanks. I'm just here to race and prove my worth.
Dominic nodded, understanding more than Marco was saying.
—We do too. Here, we value skill and loyalty. There's room in our family for someone like you, if you're interested.
Marco knew this was his chance. He needed to be inside to investigate the heists, and this was a good start.
—I'd like that —he replied, trying to sound genuine—. I think I can learn a lot from you guys.
Dominic smiled and took him to his group, introducing him to the others. Letty gave him a pat on the shoulder, and Vince, though still annoyed about losing, nodded in approval.
—Let's celebrate then —Dominic said, pointing to a nearby bar—. Tonight's on the house.
Marco joined the celebration, but his mind was already working on how to get closer to Toretto and his team. He knew he couldn't push too hard or raise suspicion. He'd have to earn their trust slowly, proving his loyalty and skill without revealing his true objectives.
Over the next few weeks, Marco integrated into the group, participating in more races and helping with the race preparations. He observed Dominic and his team closely, looking for any hints that connected them to the heists. He learned that Dominic valued family above all and would do anything to protect his own.
One night, while preparing for another race, Marco overheard Vince and Leon, another team member, talking in low voices about an upcoming "job". They mentioned something about an important shipment and the need for perfect timing. Marco kept calm, but his interest was piqued. It could be the opportunity he was waiting for.
However, Dominic noticed him and approached.
—Something on your mind, brother? —he asked, with a piercing look.
Marco smiled, showing his usual calmness.
—No, just focusing on the race.
Dominic seemed to accept his answer, but Marco knew he'd have to be more careful. He was in the right place to uncover the truth about the heists, but he had to play his cards right to stay in the game without getting caught.
So, as the roar of engines filled the air again, Marco prepared for another night of speed, intrigue, and danger. The mission was just beginning, and he knew there would be more challenges ahead.
———
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