Luca was an experienced driver. After redeeming Brian's Mythical driving skill, his driving reached another level, and Gisele was no amateur either. In the original storyline, after joining Toretto's crew, she was especially good at using her looks to extract useful intel for operations.
Later, she died in a plane crash during an international mission—a tragedy for the whole racing family… at least, initially. Because somehow, she came back. Honestly, nobody in Toretto's circle ever stays dead for long.
Luca glanced at Gisele, who was lounging comfortably in the passenger seat, then walked around, opened the driver's door, and got in.
"How's your driving?" Gisele asked, clearly steering the conversation toward recruitment.
"I've seen plenty of good cars," Luca replied casually, "but none of them were the fastest."
He always handled women like this—circling, probing, never giving a straight answer. Then he added, "So tell me, what kind of car do you think is the fastest?"
As he spoke, he started the engine and released the handbrake.
Gisele watched his movements, her long legs pressed together as she leaned closer. "Is that even a question? The fastest car is the one that crosses the finish line first."
"That sounds like a challenge."
"Win or lose," she said with a teasing smile, "I'd still go on a date with you tonight. If you win, we'll celebrate with drinks."
Bold. Very bold.
Luca couldn't help thinking he'd spent too much time around old-school mobsters lately—guys who negotiated everything with guns and cigars—and had almost forgotten he could just win people over with his face. Turns out, that still worked pretty well. A luxury car plus a good-looking driver? He was basically the main character here.
For some reason, he felt a spark of excitement. Maybe it was Gisele's presence, maybe the atmosphere—but either way, he wanted to race.
He slammed the accelerator, the engine roaring like a beast as the car shot forward like a black cheetah. With both hands on the wheel, Luca turned slightly toward her.
"Help me fasten my seatbelt."
Gisele lifted her gaze, leaned in—and was immediately pulled into his arms.
"It's not fastened yet," she murmured, wrapping an arm around his neck. "You're my seatbelt."
The car surged forward again, adrenaline and tension rising together.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the scene, Elle Driver was staring at a tall blonde woman in sunglasses—none other than the Black Mamba or what we call her Female Bruce Lee.
She clicked her tongue internally. Of all people, this woman had come asking her for help. It had been almost a month since they last crossed paths in Vegas, and Elle thought—though she wasn't entirely sure—that Beatrix looked… a little fuller.
Weird.
More importantly, why was she here? Wasn't she usually glued to Bill's side? And she should know perfectly well that Elle didn't like her.
The atmosphere between the two women was tense, though Elle seemed more confused than anything else.
"Beatrix," Elle said coldly, "you know I can't stand you. If you came all the way here to find me, it's definitely not for anything good."
Beatrix—full name Beatrix Kiddo—had softer features compared to Elle's sharper, model-like face. Normally, she would've fired back immediately. The two had never gotten along, especially after everything involving Bill.
But this time, Beatrix didn't retaliate. Instead, she asked quietly, "You've barely been in touch with Bill these past few years. Since you stayed in New York… have you given up on him?"
Elle's gaze drifted for a moment.
New York had changed her. The club, the people, the atmosphere—it had all mellowed her out in ways she didn't expect. She took fewer assassination jobs, spent more time drinking, playing cards… occasionally spotting Luca sitting quietly by the window, reading a newspaper like some retired old man.
As for Bill? Somewhere along the way, she just… stopped caring.
"Don't mention him," Elle said flatly. "I don't want to see him right now. If you've got something to say, say it. I'm not here for small talk."
Beatrix hesitated, one hand unconsciously resting on her lower abdomen.
"Bill needs your help."
"Me? To kill someone?" Elle scoffed. "Then send the job. Why fly all the way to L.A. to tell me?"
"That's not what I mean." Beatrix looked straight at her. "He needs you by his side."
Elle's expression shifted instantly, like a cat bristling.
"Are you serious?" she snapped. "You're dumping your leftovers on me? I'm not interested in your relationship drama. Take it somewhere else."
Beatrix froze. She hadn't expected this reaction at all. Had Elle really changed this much? Did she not care about Bill anymore?
Elle sneered. "What, did you two break up? Or did Bill find someone new and dump you—too old to keep around?"
Beatrix's expression tightened. She hesitated, debating whether to tell the truth. She wanted out—wanted a normal life—but Bill would never allow it. He was too controlling. And if he found out about the child…
No. She couldn't risk it.
She changed the subject. "Fine. I'm here on a job. You've been in L.A. for years, so I thought you might have information."
"I don't," Elle said immediately. "I'm not an information broker. Go ask someone else. And if you've got nothing else to say, don't bother me."
She turned to leave, then suddenly paused and looked back.
"Beatrix… did Master Pai Mei ever pass on his true teachings to you?"
Beatrix blinked, caught off guard.
At the entrance to the race, a black car pulled up. Several plainclothes officers stepped out.
Vincent led the group, with Jack trailing behind him—his first day reporting to the Major Crimes Unit.
"Jack," Vincent said, "first day of training. Let's hear what you've got. Those racer gangs—are they here? What else do you know?"
Jack hesitated.
Honestly? I don't know much. Luca just said there'd be clues here.
But there was one more thing—something Luca had texted him earlier.
"There's a group here recruiting drivers," Jack said. "I don't know the details, but it's happening."
He added, thinking it through as he spoke, "These underground racers aren't just here for fun. I think it's connected to the robbery. We should start there."
Vincent nodded. It wasn't a bad lead.
"Alright. Let's move in and take a look."
The group entered the scene.
At the same time, Toretto was talking with Vince and the others.
Their cooperation with Luca had been… complicated, to say the least. But the modified GTR had been delivered on time—top-tier performance, exactly what was promised.
Luca was satisfied.
And now that business was settled… it was time to move forward with the next step.
The robbery plan.
TN: We hit the milestones last week, so there's 2 bonus chapters for today! Also, the original story ends at Chapter 242, plus one final announcement from the author.
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