At the auto repair shop, by the time Luca and his crew arrived, Mia and the rest of the racing crew were already gathered—Dom's girlfriend Letty included, along with the usual lineup of his loyal guys.
Luca swept his gaze across the group. As expected, almost everyone here counted as a "card," most ranging from C to A rank, each with their own specialized skills—mostly tied to racing or robbery. Still, after unlocking "Man and Vehicle as One," Luca didn't find these minor abilities all that impressive anymore.
The moment Dom walked in safe and sound, everyone crowded around him, firing off questions. Vince, meanwhile, had already grabbed a double-barreled shotgun, clearly itching for trouble.
"Dom, I'm in! Let's go settle things with Johnny right now!" Vince barked, gripping the shotgun like he meant business.
He was the most hot-headed guy in the crew—fiercely loyal, fiercely emotional. What did he love? His brothers… and Mia. And naturally, that meant he had zero patience for any guy getting close to her.
Like Brian.
The moment Vince spotted Brian standing next to Dom, his expression darkened. Ever since this blond guy showed up, nothing good had happened. First, Dom delayed the robbery plan because of the car build, cutting into Vince's income. Then Brian started exchanging looks with Mia—and worse, Mia didn't seem to mind.
Years of chasing her, and nothing. This guy shows up and suddenly he's got a shot?
That stung.
"Brian, look at the mess you caused!" Vince sneered. "Funny how the cops suddenly decide to raid tonight. They never do that. What, you one of them?"
Brian's face turned green. A week ago, that accusation would've hit a nerve. Now? It just felt ridiculous.
"What does that have to do with me?" Brian shot back. "Get it straight—I'm the victim here! My car's wrecked! And that GTR? Totaled!"
"Vince! Knock it off!" Dom shoved him back. "This isn't on Brian. The cops came out of nowhere—no warning."
Letty crossed her arms. "LAPD's been cracking down on truck robberies lately. They're watching every street crew in L.A. .Raids like tonight? They're gonna keep happening. Lay low for now. If you want to race, wait for the big one at the end of the month."
Mia glanced at Brian, then at Luca, who stood nearby finishing a call. Her expression was complicated. That Mitsubishi alone was expensive. Add the GTR, and the damage easily hit two or three million. There was no way their crew could cover that.
Brian gave her a reassuring look. "Don't worry. Whoever did this is gonna pay. Nobody messes with Dove of Peace—or my ride—and walks away."
"You?" Vince jumped in again. "What makes you think you can do anything to Johnny?"
Brian didn't even bother responding this time. If not for the job Dove of Peace gave him, he wouldn't be hanging around here so often—getting close to Mia included. He wasn't stupid. Sure, he liked her, but part of this was still the mission. Otherwise, they wouldn't have even gotten this close.
Right then, Luca ended his call and walked over. "It's handled. Johnny Chen and his father are coming to apologize. Dom, Brian—figure out the damages. We'll settle accounts when they get here."
Silence.
Everyone in the room looked at Luca like he'd just said something insane.
Johnny Chen… apologizing? In person?
Yeah, right.
Inside a villa in Chinatown.
Slap!
The sharp crack echoed through the room, and a bright red handprint instantly bloomed across Johnny's face.
"I told you—don't start trouble outside!" his father roared, chest heaving as he swung again, slapping the other side. "You spend all your time racing instead of handling real business! Do you even know whose car you destroyed this time?"
Johnny clenched his jaw, hand pressed to his face. "How was I supposed to know it belonged to the Mafia? How the hell would Dom Toretto be tied to them?"
"They hired him to modify the car!"
Mr. Chen was livid. "Couldn't you have asked first?!"
Johnny went silent. Dom had said it wasn't his car. Johnny just didn't take it seriously. He only wanted to flex, teach Dom a lesson, show off a little.
Now he'd kicked a hornet's nest.
"So what if it's the Mafia?" Johnny muttered stubbornly. "Can some New York family really run things in L.A.?"
"It's not about where they're from—it's who they are!" Mr. Chen snapped. "That's Luca—Dove of Peace! The L.A. family and the Russians are backing him. Can we afford to offend all of them?"
Johnny blinked, confused. He'd never even heard that name before.
"Is he the boss of a New York family?"
"No."
"Then—"
"But he's more powerful than some of them!"
Mr. Chen exhaled heavily. "I called New York Triad. Dove is the most influential figure there right now. Multiple Mafia families support him. Cross him, and you're basically crossing half the Mafia Commission. We cannot afford that."
Johnny stared in disbelief. "How does Dom even know someone like that?"
"How should I know? All I know is—you're going to apologize. Right now. And you'd better behave, or I can't save you."
He paused, voice lowering. "No matter what grudges you have with Toretto—you swallow them. Or we're finished."
Johnny lowered his head, numb.
Two cars. That's all he'd wrecked.
How did that turn into… this?
Back at the shop.
When Johnny and his father finally arrived, the atmosphere shifted instantly.
Everyone—Dom's crew included—was stunned.
They actually came.
To apologize.
In person.
Johnny stared at Luca, confusion deepening.
This… kid? This was the most powerful gangster in New York?
Luca studied him in return. As expected, another "card"—but only C-rank. Motorcycle-related skill, better accuracy while shooting on the move. Nothing special.
The two groups stood facing each other. Luca's side had Brian and the crew. Johnny's side had a handful of Triad members.
Luca broke the silence with a cold chuckle. "What, you own the roads in Chinatown now? Can't even drive past?" He gestured lazily. "If that so. New rule, you don't leave Chinatown. Anywhere else you go, I smash whatever I see. Sound fair?"
The pressure in the room spiked instantly.
It wasn't just intimidation—it felt like something deeper, something instinctive. Even seasoned gang members found it hard to meet his gaze.
Mr. Chen stepped forward quickly, hands slightly raised. "In our culture, we say it's a joy to welcome friends from afar. You've come all the way from New York—it's our duty to host you properly. What happened before… was a misunderstanding."
Luca didn't react.
If he didn't have power backing him, would they be talking about hospitality right now?
Mr. Chen shot Johnny a look.
Johnny's fists clenched. This was humiliating—bowing to someone his own age.
And Dom? Don't get it twisted—he wasn't bowing to Dom.
"…I'm sorry," Johnny said finally, lowering his head. "I didn't recognize your car. I'll take full responsibility."
Mr. Chen added quickly, "We'll compensate you with two brand-new cars."
Luca's expression didn't change. "Do I look like I need money?" His voice turned colder. "I've got a race next week. Where are you going to find identical builds on that time? Your son's a car guy—he should know better. A driver doesn't want 'new.' He wants his car."
Johnny's frustration boiled over internally. To him, a fast car was a fast car. What difference did it make?
"I won't make it difficult," Luca continued. "One week. Two identical builds. Ready before the race."
Mr. Chen had no choice. "…Fine. That's fair."
"Dom. Brian." Luca nodded. "You two supervise. Models, parts—whatever you need, get it from them. They'll cooperate." He glanced at Mr. Chen. "Right?"
Mr. Chen nodded stiffly.
Johnny, on the other hand, was dying inside.
I have to take orders from Dom now?
This guy gets to stand over me?
No way.
"Johnny," his father snapped. "Thank him."
Johnny forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Thank you, Dove. You'll have your GTR before the race."
Dom's crew watched the whole thing unfold, stunned—and satisfied. Johnny had been acting like a king in Chinatown for years. Now he was bowing his head.
Dom was already thinking about how to squeeze every last dollar out of this deal. No way he'd waste this opportunity.
[Ding! You resolved the conflict between the biker crew and the Triads and upheld the peace of Chinatown.]
[Gain Skill Points x10]
[Gained 5 Skill Fragments]
Once it was over, Johnny and his people left in silence.
Before leaving, Luca turned to Dom. "Race at the big event?"
Dom rubbed the back of his neck. "My car's not on your level. Not even close."
How was a regular player supposed to compete with someone dropping millions like pocket change?
"Winning doesn't matter," Luca said with a faint smile. "It's about that moment—full throttle, nothing else in your head. Or what, you're just handing me the title of L.A.'s street racing king?"
Dom laughed, fire rekindling in his eyes. "Not a chance. I won't hold back."
[Bond: Familiar]
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