ZOE DEAN'S POV
Nero's hand was warm in mine as we walked forward, the guards parting without hesitation. They bowed their heads like he was untouchable, like he was a God, and pulled the heavy gates wider for us.
A shiver ran down my spine. Just how much power does he hold?
My heart thudded wildly as I stepped through the gate. The tunnel ahead stretched long and dark, music blasting faintly from somewhere deeper inside. The beat rattled through the concrete, smoke curling in the air, carrying the sharp tang of cigarettes and engine oil. Somewhere far ahead, tires screeched against asphalt, the sound sharp enough to echo all the way to where we walked.
We passed a group of men and women huddled near the wall, smoke curling from their lips, their whispers cutting sharp in the heavy air.
"Isn't that Nero?"
"Oh my God, it is."
"He's so tall… and even more handsome than what we heard."
"What's he doing here? Nero doesn't come here anymore."
"Forget that. Who's the girl with him? I've never seen him with anyone before."
"Girlfriend?"
"It can't be. Nero doesn't date."
The last sentence hit me. He doesn't date?
My head tilted up before I could stop myself, searching his face for a reaction. But Nero's expression didn't waver. Calm. Unbothered. Like their words rolled right past him.
Doesn't date, I repeated in my head. I wasn't sure how that made me feel.
I swallowed hard, squeezing his hand tighter, partly for support, partly to remind myself he was real beside me. This wasn't my life. These weren't my people. And suddenly I felt like I was standing in the middle of a stage that didn't belong to me.
"You okay?" His voice broke softly into my thoughts, low and steady, meant for me alone.
I forced a nod, my throat dry. "I'm okay," I whispered, though my voice betrayed me.
The sound of engines grew louder with every step, until it felt like the tunnel itself was vibrating. By the time we reached the end, the noise swallowed me whole.
And then we stepped out.
I froze. My breath snagged in my chest, my eyes wide.
The sight before me didn't look real.
The racing grounds stretched out like chaos set on fire, smoke curling beneath neon, floodlights slicing through the darkness, car headlights glaring bright and merciless. The cracked asphalt trembled under the roar of engines, each one trying to outdo the other in noise and fury. Tires screeched, the smell of rubber burning sharp in my nose, mixed with gasoline, sweat, and cigarettes.
Crowds pressed shoulder to shoulder at the edges of the track, voices rising, bets shouted over the pounding music. Men threw crumpled bills into eager hands while women perched on hoods, their laughter sharp, careless, their boots swinging against dented metal. It was wild, reckless, a living current of adrenaline.
My chest tightened. What am I even doing here? Why did I agree to come here?
"Zoe!"
I blinked at the sound of my name, startled, and turned.
Emily came running toward me, her boots thudding against the ground, denim jumpsuit hugging her frame, a white shirt tucked neatly underneath. She looked so different from the girl I'd seen that morning, like she belonged here. Behind her, Benny strolled casually, his hands in his pockets, an easy grin plastered on his face.
"Hey, man." He reached Nero first, clasping his hand firmly.
Nero shook it, his grip steady, his other hand never letting go of mine. "What's the latest?" His voice was calm, controlled, like this was just another night for him.
Benny let out a short breath, almost a sigh. "Rhino's been boasting about winning for weeks. Glad you're here, you can finally put him in his place."
Nero's mouth curved slightly. "Glad I took the bet."
I turned to him sharply, my brows lifting. The bet? But before I could say anything, Emily jumped in.
"Guys, please," she cut, rolling her eyes in mock annoyance. "Can we not stand here and talk? The race is about to start. Move." She gestured toward the track.
Her presence made me exhale for the first time since stepping into the chaos. I smiled at her, grateful, the knot in my chest loosening just a little. At least I'm not completely alone in this.
Then Nero turned to me. His fingers brushed against my cheek, slow and deliberate. The gentleness of it contrasted sharply with his personality and the madness roaring around us. My heart fluttered, my breath stuttered, and for a second, it was just him and me.
"Will you be fine with Emily?" His voice dipped low, for me alone again. His thumb lingered against my cheek. "I have to race."
I nodded, forcing a small smile. "I'll be fine. Go ahead."
His eyes searched mine, like he didn't quite believe me. "Are you sure? I can take you with me if you're not."
That warmth again. It was strange, unsettling, but it tugged at me. I swallowed and nodded once more. "I'm sure. Emily will take care of me. I'll be fine."
He exhaled slowly, then reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. The small gesture sent a shiver down my spine. "I'll be back before you know it," he murmured. "Stay at the front row where I can see you. My men will make space for you."
I nodded, though something in me twisted. Why was he being… gentle? Protective? Nero wasn't supposed to be like this. He wasn't supposed to make me feel safe. "Okay," I whispered.
Then he said it. Quiet, almost like a promise. "I'll win for you."
I froze. My heart stuttered and then flipped violently against my ribs. I didn't know what to say. My tongue felt heavy, my mind blank. All I managed was a weak nod and a breathless, "Okay."
He gave me one last look before walking away with Benny, his shoulders broad and certain, like the whole night already belonged to him.
Emily slipped her arm through mine, pulling me gently forward. There was something reassuring about her presence, like she had decided to anchor me to this world of smoke and chaos.
"Nero seems very fond of you," she said softly as we wove through the crowd.
Her words jolted me. I blinked, turning my head. "Fond of me?" I repeated, like the words themselves were foreign.
She nodded, lips curving knowingly. "I've never seen him like this."
"Like what?" I asked before I could stop myself.
"Calm. Caring about someone other than himself." She shrugged, but the weight of her words clung to me.
I pressed my lips together, unable to form a reply. My chest felt tight as we reached the front row, where the crowd pressed close, restless with anticipation. The air was thick with smoke and gasoline, the beat of the music rattling in my bones.
From where I stood, I saw him. Nero. He stepped toward a car, sleek and dark under the floodlights. A woman in leather leaned in to speak to him, but his eyes searched the crowd. And when they found me, his gaze softened. He smiled, just barely.
Heat flushed through me, and before I knew it, I was smiling back. For a moment, it felt like there was no one else here. Just him. Just me.
Was Emily right? Was he… fond of me? And... was I feeling the same way?
Then he climbed into his car, and so did his opponent. Two beasts rolling into place at the starting line, their engines snarling and snapping at each other. The crowd surged forward, excitement spiking, but beneath all that noise, there was this strange stillness. A hush.
My heart pounded in time with the revving engines. My palms were slick, my chest tight, but I couldn't look away. I couldn't blink.
Was this safe? Would he be okay? What happens if he didn't win the bet?
A hand shot into the air. The signal.
Engines screamed, tires tore against asphalt, flames spat from exhausts, and then they were gone. Two blurs swallowed by smoke and speed, tearing through the night.
My throat dried instantly. This wasn't just fast, it was terrifying.
Beside me, Emily cheered wildly, but my body was rigid. My nails dug into my palms as I tracked the flash of Nero's car.
For a moment, he surged ahead, steady, controlled. But then, metal slammed against metal.
My stomach plummeted. Sparks flew as the rival car rammed into his side.
Oh God. No.
The bumping didn't stop. It was deliberate. The other driver—Rhino, Benny had called him—wasn't racing anymore. He was trying to destroy Nero.
"What the hell is Rhino doing?!" Emily shouted, her voice sharp with anger.
I couldn't breathe. Every swerve looked like it might be the one that sent Nero spiraling off the track. My heart hammered so violently I thought it might burst.
But Nero didn't falter. His movements were precise, ruthless. He fought back. His car slammed into Rhino's, sparks bursting again. The crowd roared, half in shock, half in awe.
"Nero! Nero! Nero!"
They weren't racing anymore. They were fighting, metal against metal, pride against pride.
Another hit. The rival's car fishtailed, veering wildly. Nero pressed harder, his engine howling like a beast unleashed. One last shove... and Rhino lost control.
The car spun out, screeching, smoke and sparks exploding as it skidded off the track. Gasps and cheers erupted around me.
Emily jumped, clapping. "Yes! That's how it's done!"
But I couldn't join her. I was frozen, trembling, my lungs aching from holding everything in—the terror, the adrenaline, the relief clawing at my chest.
Nero was free now. His car flew down the final stretch, a blur of black and steel, unstoppable. And when he crossed the finish line, the crowd erupted into a frenzy.
"Nero! Nero! Nero!" They chanted his name like a war cry.
My hands shook, my heart refusing to slow. I could barely process what had just happened.