It was the dead of night, the moon bright and the stars sparse. Toretto and his crew arrived outside the boiler factory, their designated starting point, and immediately began preparing the tools for the robbery—vehicles, grappling hook guns, and firearms.
Weapons were necessary, but only for intimidation and self-defense; word had gotten around that truck drivers were now armed, making robberies far riskier than before. Without weapons, who knew who'd end up robbing whom?
"Do not shoot or kill unless absolutely necessary." As the only one in the crew who had ever done time for murder, Toretto reminded them seriously, "Robbery and murder are two very different things. You all know what I mean."
He wasn't desperate for money anymore; his partnership with the Dove of Peace had already made him a good amount. But his crew still needed cash, so he stepped up—for them.
"After this job, we're all taking a long vacation."
Toretto signaled everyone to get in the cars, and the convoy rolled out toward the target highway.
Not long after they left the boiler factory, several vehicles began tailing them from a distance.
Vincent lowered his binoculars, a grappling hook gun resting beside him. "They came prepared."
Jack, behind the wheel, nodded. "Truck drivers reported a group using grappling hooks to force trucks to stop before looting them. Looks like Toretto's crew."
Vincent gave a short nod and immediately called for backup. Once the evidence was solid, they'd move in and make the arrests. The Los Angeles Police Department responded quickly—units deployed, even a helicopter was sent.
Leaning back in his seat, Vincent stared at the convoy ahead, a frown forming. If these were the grappling-hook robbers… then who were the ones who hit that tanker at gunpoint earlier? Different MO, different style—didn't add up.
When Brian and Mia arrived at the boiler factory, both the Dom crew and the police were already gone.
"Did your brother say where they were heading?" Brian asked.
"All I know is the boiler factory," Mia replied, studying the map. "But his targets should be somewhere along these highways. We can try searching."
Brian rubbed his temples. Searching blindly like this would take forever. Out of habit, he reached for his phone to call the Dove and report in.
Before he could finish explaining, Luca calmly gave him an exact address.
Brian blinked. "Dove… you know more than I do."
"Don't forget—I'm the Teamster branch president," Luca said evenly. "It doesn't matter where Toretto goes. I just need to know where's the truck headed. In this area, there's only one convoy of our trucks passing through this morning."
"… "
Brian smacked his forehead. "Right! I just needed to track the truck!"
"Got it. I'm on my way!"
He floored the accelerator, the green Mitsubishi turning into a streak of lightning across the road. He had never driven this fast in his life.
By the time Brian caught up, it was already around six in the morning, and the sky was beginning to lighten. The robbery had started.
Vince fired a grappling hook straight through the truck's windshield, anchoring it firmly. The rope connected back to a sports car pacing the truck at high speed, allowing Vince to climb up like some kind of highway acrobat.
Brian's face darkened. He didn't like Vince much, but watching him risk his life like that still made his palms sweat. If Vince got killed here, any chance of reconciliation was gone.
With that thought, Brian slammed the accelerator and pulled up alongside Toretto.
"Dom! Call Vince back! Now!"
His voice was swallowed by engine noise.
"Brian?!" Toretto shot him a shocked look—then immediately noticed Mia in the passenger seat, and his expression turned ice-cold.
Didn't I say not to involve her? And you bring her here anyway—along with yourself?
"Who told you to come?" Toretto roared. "Get out of here! Now!"
Brian kept gesturing frantically. "Dom! It's a trap! Stop right now—that's the Dove's truck! You've been hitting his trucks!"
Toretto froze, like he'd just been struck by lightning.
Luca's truck?
Memories flashed—Luca showing up at his shop, handing him business, acting like nothing was wrong. Had he known all along?
For a moment, Toretto's thoughts tangled—shock, confusion… even a trace of regret. But at this speed, there was no time to think.
"Stop! You're about to hit the Dove again!" Brian shouted.
Toretto took a deep breath and yelled, "Vince! Fall back! Abort!"
Vince, already on the truck, shot Brian a furious look but still disengaged the hook. Toretto pulled alongside the truck, and Vince leapt back onto the car roof.
The truck sped off, disappearing into the distance.
The operation had failed.
Everyone pulled over. Vince stormed toward Brian. "What the hell do you mean—your boss's truck?!"
Brian shoved him back. "I'm a senior member of the Teamster union! My boss is the branch president—so whose truck do you think you just tried to rob?!"
"That's bullshit!" Vince snapped. "I know the L.A. union president, and it's not your boss!"
"So what if he's the L.A. president?" Brian shot back. "Even the damn union chairman answers to my boss! Everyone on the East Coast knows who Luca—the Dove of Peace—is!"
"Then screw the East Coast! This is Los Angeles!"
"Enough!" Toretto stepped in, separating them. "Brian, I'm not arguing about this right now—but you'd better explain everything when we get back."
"Haven't I already? You stole the Dove's trucks—he won't let it slide! Look at what happened to Johnny's crew! I'm trying to save you!"
"I'm not talking about the trucks." Toretto pointed at Mia. "I'm talking about her. I warned you—if you hurt her, I'll break your neck. I don't care why you got close to her. You owe me an explanation."
Brian's expression stiffened. Great… future brother-in-law. No good answer for that.
Suddenly, police sirens screamed from all directions.
Brian's face changed. That was fast—faster than even the Dove of Peace.
Toretto looked around. Police cars blocked both ends of the road. Helicopters circled overhead. Officers closed in from every direction. No escape routes left.
A perfect ambush.
He glanced back at Mia and sighed. This was exactly what he feared—dragging her into this. And like Murphy's Law promised, the worst-case scenario had come true.
Fine. I'll take the fall alone.
At least Mia stays out of it.
A plainclothes officer stepped forward. Toretto recognized him immediately—Vincent, a well-known LAPD detective.
Vincent approached confidently with his team. The operation had gone too smoothly—almost suspiciously so.
Jack stood nearby, visibly excited. First day on the job, and they'd already bagged the suspects. Not bad at all.
"Take them in," Vincent ordered with a wave.
BROOM—
A thunderous engine roar cut through the scene.
Vincent turned. A black GTR tore into the perimeter, ignoring everything. Officers raised their guns instantly—
But the moment the car door opened, an invisible pressure swept outward.
One by one, the officers lowered their weapons, instinctively stepping back.
Disarmament.
Luca stepped out and walked straight up to Vincent. For some reason, Vincent felt a chill run down his spine—he couldn't even bring himself to reach for his gun.
"Detective Vincent," Luca said with a faint smile, "nice to see you again."
Vincent exhaled slowly, regaining a bit of composure. "Luca. You wanted the people who stole your trucks—well, here they are."
Luca turned to look at Toretto and his crew.
This little racing family had risen from L.A.'s underground scene all the way to the international stage… all starting from a few truck robberies. In the original path, Toretto would've become a wanted man, fled overseas, escalated into bigger crimes, and eventually dragged everyone into chaos.
But what if that path never happened?
What if someone rewrote it right here?
"Detective Vincent," Luca said calmly, "you've got the wrong people. Toretto and his crew… they work for me."
Vincent's heart skipped a beat, his face darkening instantly.
Of course.
That's why everything had been so easy.
Because the real problem… had just arrived.
Toretto and the others stared at Luca in disbelief.
The man who made entire Triad crews back down with a single sentence… was now stepping in to protect them?
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