Wands & Wheels

Chapter 16. Hobbs

Rio De Janeiro

Severa couldn't help but smile as she rolled down the window, the wind blowing in her hair as Dom sped down the mostly empty road. If this was getting fresh air—speeding down a road with the wind in her hair and the man she liked driving—this wasn't going to be the last time.

The roar of the engine was a thrilling soundtrack to their escape from the mundane. Dom glanced over at her, a grin on his face. "Enjoying yourself?" he shouted over the wind.

"More than I expected," she replied, laughing. "I didn't realize how much I needed this."

Dom's eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and something deeper. "Sometimes, you just need to let go," he said, shifting gears and accelerating even more. "Forget about everything else."

Severa's heart pounded with each surge of speed. She could feel the road beneath them, the vibrations of the car merging with her own pulse. Her hair whipped wildly, and she felt a sense of freedom she hadn't known she was missing.

"So, where are we heading?" she asked, her voice catching with excitement.

Dom pointed ahead. "There."

Her eyes followed where he was pointing, and she could hear the faint sound of music and laughter, see the flicker of lights and the shadows of people mingling around cars. As they drew closer, the details became clearer—a pop-up street party, alive with energy. Rows of sleek cars lined the sides of an open lot, their hoods up, engines gleaming under the streetlights. The smell of grilled food wafted through the air, mixing with the scent of gasoline and burnt rubber.

Severa felt her heart quicken, a thrill of anticipation running through her. "A street meet?" she guessed, glancing back at Dom with a knowing smile.

Dom nodded, his grin never fading. "Figured you might like it. Plus, it's been a while since I've shown my face at one of these."

As they pulled into the lot, heads turned, and a few people waved in recognition. Dom maneuvered the car into a spot, his hand steady on the wheel, clearly at ease in this environment. The music grew louder as he cut the engine, and Severa could feel the thumping bass in her chest.

He leaned closer, his voice low. "You up for it?"

Severa chuckled, feeling a surge of excitement. "What exactly are you asking?"

Dom's smile widened. "I'm asking if you want to race. For old times' sake."

Severa hesitated for only a moment, remembering the thrill of the chase, the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Her eyes scanned the crowd, then landed back on Dom. "Another time," she replied, her smile growing against her will. "We should get out and stop Roman from getting himself slapped."

Dom chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, that sounds about right. Knowing Roman, he's probably already halfway to causing a scene."

They stepped out of the car, the warm night air wrapping around them like a blanket. Severa could already hear Roman's voice—loud, teasing, and unmistakably on the verge of trouble. Her eyes scanned the crowds, looking at groups of people clustered around cars, each one a mini-celebration of speed and style.

It didn't take long to spot Roman. He was flirting shamelessly with a woman who looked less than impressed. Her arms were crossed, her foot tapping impatiently against the asphalt, her expression a mix of irritation and amusement.

"Come on, I'm just saying, you look like you could use a little fun," Roman was saying, flashing his most charming grin.

The woman's eyebrows shot up. "And you think you're the one to provide that, huh?"