>>5607313>>5607368Angela feels the familiar grip of the steering wheel under her gloves. The engine purrs and growls like a caged lion, eager to be released, as she pulls into the crowded lot. Heat City's neon lights cast a colorful glow on the gathering, a mix of criminals and adrenaline chasers from every corner of the city. The air is heavy with anticipation, the smoke of cigarettes, and the scent of gasoline.
Parking her sports car alongside other high-powered vehicles, Angela steps out of the car and straightens her leather jacket as she scans the scene, sizing up the crowd. Tonight isn't just any race, but a gathering of elites. Only the best of the city's racers are competing tonight, and the stakes are high.
That's when she sees him, leaning against the hood of his red muscle car, arms crossed over his broad chest. Ray. Of course he would be here. His sunglasses hide his eyes, but a roguish smile when she looks in his direction says that he's noticed her too. It's a smile that never fails to catch Angela's eye, even when she's as frustrated with him as she is now.
Images of the last time she saw that smirk flash through her mind. It was at high speed, through his car window, as she rode alongside him on her bike. Right before he escaped.
Angela's stomach clenches, and she strides over to him, her boots clicking against the pavement. The tension between them is as charged as an electric wire.
"Ray," she says through gritted teeth, trying to keep her voice steady. "What the hell are you doing here?"
He raises an eyebrow, his cool demeanor infuriating her even more. "Same as you, I guess. Racing."
Angela narrows her eyes. "You know what I mean. The city's a mess, and your boss is in the middle of it. So why are you here, acting like everything's just fine?"
Ray shrugs. "Like I told you before. My contract only pays me to drive. Anything on my own time, that's up to me." His smirk widens a little. "No point worrying about the inevitable, Ange. Tonight's about the race, not the war. Let's enjoy it while we can."
Angela's fists clench at her sides. She can't bring herself to say it. Change sides. Break the contract. Be with me again.
With a frustrated sigh, she lets it go. Ray would never break a contract. Not for her. Not for anybody. She tries to push the thoughts of their loyalties aside, and focus on the race.
The noise of the crowd and the revving of engines intensifies around them as the two silently size each other up. An unspoken understanding passes between them. Tonight, everything else takes a backseat. Tonight is about the race.
Suddenly, a voice cuts through the noise, amplified by a megaphone. "All right, racers! It's time to get in your cars and line up at the starting line!"
Angela and Ray exchange one last tense glance before they part ways, each walking towards their respective vehicles. The air buzzes with energy as they get in, start their engines, and make their way to the starting line.
