The adrenaline from the narrow escape still pulsed in Zara's veins as Rev sped through the streets. The city's skyline blurred in the rearview mirror, and the heavy thrum of the engine echoed in her ears. Zara's mind was racing faster than the car, trying to piece together everything Rev had just revealed—and everything that had been left unsaid.
Beside her, Noor was silent, her eyes fixed out the window, her expression unreadable. She'd been right to be wary of Rev, but Zara could sense the weight of the situation was heavier than either of them realized.
"We need to talk," Zara said finally, her voice breaking the tense quiet. She could feel the pull of the truth getting stronger, the strings of mystery tightening around her like a noose.
Rev didn't look at her, his gaze focused on the road ahead. His jaw was clenched, the same hardened expression from earlier plastered to his face. He was hiding something, and it was gnawing at Zara.
"Noor's right," Zara continued, her voice steadier now. "We need answers. I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm done being your pawn. If you want me to trust you—if I'm going to do anything you say—you need to tell me the full story. No more secrets."
Rev finally flicked his gaze toward her, his eyes darkened with a mix of guilt and defiance. "You don't understand," he said, his voice low. "You have no idea what's really going on."
Zara felt her temper flare, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Then make me understand."
Rev took a sharp breath, exhaling slowly as if debating whether to continue. "The race, the accident—it wasn't just a random act of violence. It was planned. And you weren't the only target."
Zara's stomach churned. "What are you talking about?"
Rev's knuckles tightened on the steering wheel. "The crash wasn't an accident. It was a setup designed to take you out of the picture. Whoever is behind this—" He paused, his eyes narrowing as if searching for the right words. "They're still out there. And they'll stop at nothing to finish what they started."
Zara felt a chill run down her spine. Her past—the accident that had haunted her every waking moment—wasn't the accident she'd thought it was. Someone had planned it, and they weren't finished yet.
Noor spoke up, her voice sharp and full of skepticism. "Why the hell are we still running around? Who are these people, and what do they want with Zara?"
Rev's face darkened further. "I don't know yet. But I've been trying to find out. That's why I left. I couldn't risk putting you in more danger."
"By disappearing?" Zara's voice cracked with disbelief. "By leaving me to pick up the pieces alone?"
Rev's eyes flicked to hers, and for a brief moment, she saw the regret in them. "I did what I thought was best. I didn't want you involved. I thought I could handle it."
"You thought you could handle it?" Zara repeated, incredulous. "You put me in the middle of it! If you cared about me at all, you would've told me what happened—told me who was behind this. Instead, you left me with more questions than answers!"
The words hung in the air, sharp and heavy.
"I didn't leave you by choice," Rev said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was trying to protect you from something bigger than either of us."
Noor shifted in her seat, leaning forward. "Is this about the races? Who's behind them? Who's pulling the strings?"
Rev hesitated, clearly struggling with whether to divulge more. Finally, he sighed, as if the weight of the situation had become too much to bear. "There's a group, Zara. A powerful one. They've been operating in the shadows for years. The races, the money, the influence—they're all part of something much larger than we ever realized. And it's only getting worse."
Zara's head was spinning. She had come looking for answers about her past, but now, she was facing something much more dangerous than she had ever imagined. She was tangled in a web of lies, manipulation, and threats she hadn't even seen coming.
"We're almost there," Rev said, breaking her thoughts. He glanced over at Zara. "You're about to get answers. But once you walk through that door, there's no turning back."
Zara didn't answer. She couldn't. Every part of her screamed to stop, to turn away from this mess. But her curiosity—and the need to know the truth—kept her moving forward.
Rev's car screeched to a halt in front of a nondescript building. The lights were off, the windows dark, and there were no signs indicating what the building even was. It looked abandoned, but Zara knew better.
"Stay close," Rev warned, his tone colder now. "You're not safe here."
Zara's heart hammered in her chest. She had trusted Rev before, but now, everything about him felt different. Was he still the man she had once known, or was he hiding something much darker?
She glanced at Noor, who gave her a look that conveyed both concern and resolve. "Whatever happens in there, we stick together."
Zara nodded. "We always do."
Rev led the way, his footsteps heavy on the concrete. The door creaked open, revealing a small room filled with old furniture, dim lights, and a single figure waiting in the corner. The figure was cloaked in shadow, but Zara could make out the outline of a man.
Rev stopped just inside the door, then motioned for Zara and Noor to follow. "This is the person who can answer your questions. But be careful. Not everyone is here to help."
Zara took a deep breath, then stepped inside, knowing that whatever was about to happen would change everything.
The man in the corner shifted, revealing himself fully. Zara's stomach twisted when she recognized him.
"Elias Ward," she muttered, her voice a mix of disbelief and recognition.
The former street racing legend turned informant. The one person who had always been too elusive for her to catch.
Elias smiled, a cold, calculating grin that sent a chill down her spine. "We've been expecting you."