The group made their way back to the race venue along the same route. The event would run for several days, giving everyone plenty of time to race, party, bet on matches, or chase whatever thrills they were after.
On the drive back, Brian took the wheel while Luca rode shotgun, the two talking privately. Everything that had just happened was still fresh in Brian's mind, and honestly, he didn't even know how to begin thanking him.
The Dove of Peace had given him way too much—he'd let Toretto and his entire crew walk, all because of him.
Brian thought to himself that this was a debt he'd never be able to repay. Not in this lifetime.
"I sent you undercover, and you ended up falling for someone's sister," Luca said with a half-smile, clearly amused.
Brian laughed awkwardly. "Dove, feelings aren't exactly something you can control. It's like my respect for you—it just keeps growing, can't stop it."
"Cut the flattery."
"I'm serious!"
"Yeah, yeah." Luca waved it off. He wasn't about to ask something ridiculous like 'Mia or me—pick one.' He didn't see Toretto's crew as enemies, so that kind of choice didn't even exist in his mind.
"Now I've got a new task for you," Luca continued. "I meant what I said—this was the last time. There won't be a next one. Since you're determined to look out for Toretto and the others, this falls on you."
Brian thumped his chest confidently. "Don't worry, leave it to me."
"Good. Get them into the Teamsters union—make them members. That's your next job."
Joining the union would grant access to the [Union President] skill, and more importantly, it would raise trust across the board.
Brian: "…"
Wait—hold on. You're telling me to recruit a bunch of truck robbers into the truck drivers' union? That's not a step, that's a full-on teleport.
Luca frowned. "Problem?"
Brian immediately waved his hands. "Nope. No problem at all."
Luca's expression eased, and he smiled. "If you want things to work with Mia, you'll need to win over Toretto and the others. When the day comes, I want your wedding to be peaceful—and I want Dom to be the one who walks her down the aisle and puts her hand in yours."
Brian froze for a second. He hadn't even thought that far ahead before—but after everything today, his feelings for Mia were clearer than ever. If they could really make it all the way, that would be the best outcome.
And with the Dove of Peace backing him up, it suddenly felt possible.
With a hopeful look, Brian nodded. "Don't worry. I'll make sure Dom and the others join too."
[Bond: Close Friend]
Luca glanced at the progress and couldn't help thinking—could it really be that this goofy blond guy was the first one to hit the "partner" milestone?
By the time they returned to the race venue, it was already around ten in the morning, and a new round of competition had begun.
"That's the situation," Luca said.
At an open-air campsite, the group gathered under a sunshade, listening as Luca laid everything out.
"I came to Los Angeles to investigate the truck robberies, and getting close to you was part of that plan. But I wasn't certain you were involved—it was just a guess."
Toretto and the others fell silent. Even Vince, who usually had a short fuse, kept his head down this time.
Mia stepped in to explain. "Dove, we've never touched your fuel shipments. I can guarantee that. We don't deal in that. If we'd known you with the union, we wouldn't have gone near your trucks."
Luca's expression softened slightly. Toretto stepped forward and admitted it plainly. "Luca, we were in the wrong. No excuses."
"I've heard the apology," Luca said. "So if it wasn't you hitting my fuel trucks… who is it?"
That was the part bothering him the most.
If it wasn't Toretto, then who else was running those tanker jobs? In the original timeline, the crews Vincent chased went after bonds, rare metals—even banks—but oil tankers? That wasn't part of the script.
Still, nothing said it couldn't be them.
And beyond that, Los Angeles had no shortage of highway crews. Luca's intel mostly came from the Delana family and the Russians, and even that wasn't complete.
"Other crews…" Toretto frowned, thinking it through. "I know a few, but we mostly stay out of each other's way. I don't know if any of them are hitting tankers."
"Find out," Luca said. "If you need help, say the word. Call it a joint operation. Vincent isn't letting this go—I'm just standing in the middle right now."
But if you help me catch the real crew, I'll handle the police side. You won't have to worry about a thing.
Toretto blinked. "You're asking me to be an informant?"
Luca pulled out an Oreo, took a bite, and shook his head. "Not an informant. Just a trade. Brian sees you as family, so I'll treat you the same. I'm not interested in seeing Mia get hurt—and you're her brother."
There was no pressure in his voice, just quiet certainty. That calm, steady presence hit harder than any threat.
Toretto felt it again—that strange sense of trust he'd noticed back at the garage, only clearer now.
He glanced at his crew. They were all watching him, waiting.
Then he looked at Mia and Brian.
In the end, he made his choice.
"Alright," Toretto said. "I'm in. I'll find out who's been hitting those tankers."
[Character Card: Dominic Toretto][Rank: SSR][Source: The Fast and Furious Saga]
[Skill: Bald God of War]
Effect: The Less Hair equal the Stronger the Fighting Power. Permanently increases total Combat Power by 15% as long as the user maintains a completely shaved head. The lack of aerodynamic drag is matched only by the sheer intimidation of the chrome.
Learning Requirements: 60 Skill Fragments
[Skill: Turning Enemies into Friends]
Effect: There is no true bond without a little friction. When a target is in a Hostile state, Bond Growth efficiency is increased by 20%. Upon reconciliation, a follow-up 20% bonus is applied to all Bond gains until the [Close Friend] rank is achieved, at which point the effect expires.
Learning Requirements: [Bond: Close Friend] | 100 Skill Fragments
[Skill: Man and Machine as One]Effect: [Omitted]
[Skill: Family Hero]Effect: [Omitted]
[Skill: The Immortal Family]Effect: [Omitted]
[Bond: Friend]
Another oddly abstract skill.
Back in the original storyline, Toretto had clashed with all kinds of people—lawmen like Hobbs, international criminals, rival crews. Fought them hard… and somehow ended up calling them family by the end.
That "family" aura was borderline ridiculous. One line—"we're family"—and suddenly everyone's past grievances just… vanished.
The peace ambassador in Luca immediately saw the value in that.
He was bound to face countless enemies going forward. If he could turn even some of them into allies—or at least neutral parties—it would save a lot of trouble. Whether it was genuine reconciliation or temporary cooperation before taking someone down, this skill had enormous utility.
Abilities that boost bond growth were rare. Extremely rare.
As for the other one—the "Bald God of War"…
Useful, sure. Necessary? Not really.
Luca had no intention of sacrificing his hair for a 15% combat boost. Being handsome is a lifetime investment.
He closed the panel and looked at the bald, muscle-bound man in front of him, somehow finding him more and more agreeable.
Then he remembered something.
"Oh, right. One more thing," Luca said. "I need you and Brian for this."
He paused, then dropped the bomb.
"Braga's recruiting drivers. I want you to infiltrate his crew."
TN: We hit the milestones last week, so here are 2 bonus chapters for today! Also, the original story ends at Chapter 242, plus one final announcement from the author.
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