The O'Conner Code

Chapter 9

Brian stepped out of the truck, boots hitting the pavement with the kind of authority that only comes from years in the game. He shot a glance over at Tommy, who was already making moves to take off. The kid had grown, no doubt, but Brian wasn’t worried about him—Tommy knew how to handle himself. No, what had Brian’s mind locked in was the race ahead. Tonight wasn’t just about speed; it was about power. About control.

He watched the truck disappear into the night, then turned his attention to the Toretto garage. Vince was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, his sunglasses hiding more than just his eyes. The air was thick with tension—the kind that always preceded a storm. The crew was ready, but this was different. Everyone could feel it.

"You ready for this?" Brian’s voice broke the silence, pulling Vince out of his thoughts.

Vince pushed off the door, cracking his neck, the kind of sound that made you think twice before crossing him. "Always. What’s the plan?"

Brian didn’t answer right away. He let the weight of the moment settle. It wasn’t just another race. This was a message. A warning. You either played by the rules, or you didn’t survive.

"Follow me," Brian said, finally turning toward his car. "Keep it quiet. We don’t need any heat showing up before we’re ready."

Vince slid into the driver’s seat of the Hellcat, throwing Brian a nod. Brian slipped into the passenger seat, his eyes never leaving the road. Tonight wasn’t about taking the easy way out. There were no rules. No mercy. It was kill or be killed.

Brian fed Vince the route, the detour, the extra mile to make sure no one was tailing them. This wasn’t just about the race anymore. This was about survival.

The city buzzed around them, but Brian’s focus was razor-sharp. Every passing car, every flicker of movement—he was tracking it. His instincts were always on high alert, but tonight they were screaming. As they neared the outskirts of town, the air grew heavier. They were crossing into enemy territory now, no turning back.

Vince shot him a glance, catching the intensity in Brian’s eyes. "What’s the backup plan?"

Brian didn’t flinch. His jaw tightened, but he stayed silent, keeping his thoughts to himself. They rolled down side streets, industrial shadows swallowing them whole. The lack of streetlights only deepened the feeling of danger. There was no way out once they entered this world. Not if things went south.

"I’m not saying a word," Brian muttered, his voice low and controlled. "We keep moving. Keep our heads down."

Vince raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask further. He kept his focus on the road, feeling the weight of what they were about to do. This wasn’t a race—it was a fight. A fight for everything they had left.

Brian’s eyes narrowed as they hit the industrial district, the streets quieter, darker. "Stay sharp," he warned, his tone hard. "This guy we’re up against? He doesn’t play nice. You think you know the game, but this? This is different."

Vince didn’t say anything, but Brian could feel his skepticism. It was the same look Vince had given him when he first brought him into the fold—the “What the hell are you getting me into?” look.

"Right," Vince muttered. "No rules. Got it."

They made another turn, entering a lot surrounded by cold, lifeless warehouses. The engines revved in the distance, getting closer. The air here was heavy with anticipation. But it wasn’t just the race that had Brian on edge. It was everything that was hanging in the balance. The underworld was watching, waiting. This wasn’t a game anymore.

Brian’s phone buzzed, but he didn’t even glance at it. He shoved it back into his pocket. There was no room for distractions. Not tonight.

"I’m riding shotgun," Brian said, his voice steady. "I’ll be there to help, but you’ve gotta drive like it’s your last lap. Like your life depends on it."

Vince didn’t flinch. His grip on the wheel tightened, eyes flicking to Brian for just a second. "You sure about this?"

Brian didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he surveyed the area, watching for any signs of movement. This wasn’t just about crossing a finish line anymore. This was about everything. Every move, every decision—they were playing for keeps.

"That’s right," Brian said, his voice low. "And I’m not going down without a fight. Not now. Not ever."

Vince kept quiet, eyes locked on the road ahead, but Brian could feel the tension building between them. The race was close, but it felt like it had already begun. Brian’s pulse quickened as they neared the rendezvous point. It was all or nothing.

When the lot appeared in the distance, Brian’s hand tightened on the seat. This wasn’t just a race—it was a war. And tonight, the only thing that mattered was coming out on top.

"Let’s do this," Brian muttered under his breath. The words were simple, but they carried the weight of everything they were about to face.

Vince gave a silent nod, and together, they prepared to step into the storm.