Chapter 11: Destination Not Found, Wrong Turf, Exploding Car. (Bonus Chapter)

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Brian maneuvered the Eclipse through the quiet, dark streets, intending to take Dom and Guldrin home in a roundabout way to avoid attracting more attention. But as they turned a corner, Dom's eyes narrowed as he recognized the area. They'd somehow ended up in Johnny Tran's territory.

Brian slowed down, glancing at Dom with a hint of worry. "Maybe we should turn around," he suggested, sensing the tension suddenly emanating from Dom. 

Turning around to look out the rear, Dom noticed the distinct sign of motorcycles, "Ah great…"

"What," Brian asked and Dom frowned, "It's gonna be a long ass night, that's what." 

Dom clenched his jaw, but before he could respond, a swarm of motorcycles appeared in the street ahead, and behind.

Pulling up next to them, one of the motorcycle riders tapped on the car door with the barrel of a silenced SMG and spoke, "Follow us.

"Too late to turn around," Dom muttered, his voice low and calm. "Just keep driving, Brian. Let's see what they want."

Brian drove forward slowly, as the motorcycles encircled them, engines revving like a pack of wolves marking their prey. The leader of the pack, Johnny Tran, led them to an area labeled T&K Food, then slowed and dismounted, flanked by his cousin Lance and a couple of his gang members. They walked over, their expressions hard and unfriendly, eyes flicking between Dom, Brian, and the Eclipse. They had yet to notice Guldrin in the rear of the car as Dom and Brian exited the car.

"Look who decided to come pay us a visit, Thought we had an agreement, you stay away, I stay away, everybody stays happy." Johnny said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Thought this was my neighborhood."

Dom stared him down, unfazed, his voice cold and steady. "We were just passing through, Tran. We got lost, Johnny, I don't know what you want me to tell you?"

Johnny's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint in them. He looked at Brian, then at the Eclipse, his gaze lingering on the modifications. "Whose we?"

Dom pointed at Brian, "Umm, my new mechanic, Brian, meet Johnny Tran. That guy in the snake skin pants, that's his cousin Lance." He paused and looked at Johnny, "So when are you gonna give me a shot at that Honda 2000?"

Johnny ignored Dom and looked at Brian, "This your ride?"

"It was, it's his now."

"No, it's not, I haven't taken delivery."

Johnny tilted his head and ran his hand across the hood, "It's nobody's car, someone put in the wrench time… And what about the brat in the backseat? Come on out, yes, I see you." He waved at Guldrin, prompting him to exit the car, "Cute kid, didn't know you allowed them this young." He ran his hand through the kid's hair, a clear threat.

Brian clenched his fists, holding back from snapping back. He knew antagonizing Johnny wouldn't help, but he didn't miss the sharp look Dom shot at Johnny. Dom's tone was razor-sharp. "Hands off the kid, Guldrin, come over here." Guldrin quickly scurried over to Dom and hid behind him.

Johnny chuckled, crossing his arms. "Oh, that's cute, Dom. Really." He gestured to the Eclipse. "But if you're driving something like this in my part of town, I've got every right to know who is in the car and what's under the hood."

Dom stepped forward, his gaze like ice. "You got a problem, Tran? Then say it straight."

Lance, ever Johnny's aggressive backup, sneered, taking a step closer. "Maybe he doesn't have to say it straight, Dom. Maybe we show you instead." He reached forward, and before anyone could react, yanked the hood of the Eclipse open, exposing the engine.

Brian moved to stop him, but Dom held out a hand, gesturing for Brian to stay back. Johnny and Lance looked under the hood, taking in the work Brian had done, their expressions unreadable.

After a tense moment, Johnny straightened, crossing his arms with a mocking smile. "Impressive. Looks like you've been busy, Brian." He turned back to Dom. "But you know, Dom, maybe you should think twice before you roll into my streets unannounced." His voice turned menacing and stared at Lance who never lowered his SMG, "What do you think Lance?"

"It's an amazing machine,"

"Yes indeed," Johnny patted Guldrin on the head, slapped Dom's shoulder, and said, "Let's go," Everyone loaded up on their motorcycles and prepared to leave. "I'll see you in the desert next month, be ready to have your ass handed to you."

"Yeah. you're going to need more than that crotch rocket,"

"Ohh, I got something for you." With that, they started their engines and pulled away.

Brian let out a breath, tension easing from his shoulders. "That was… intense."

Dom nodded, his eyes still on the direction Johnny had gone. "You don't mess with Tran. Not unless you're ready to finish it." He glanced over at Brian. "Next time, we steer clear of his turf."

Brian nodded, "Understood. Let's get out of here before we attract any more attention."

Dom glanced back at Guldrin, who had been silent throughout the exchange, his expression serious. "Remember this, kid. People like Tran, they're not about family or loyalty. They're about power. Respecting someone like that gets you nowhere."

Guldrin nodded, absorbing Dom's words. Tonight had been a hard lesson, and he was beginning to understand just how dangerous the world they lived in could be.

Just as Brian, Dom, and Guldrin turned to head back to the car, a low, menacing rumble of engines echoed down the street. Dom's instincts kicked in immediately, his body tense as he whipped around. Johnny Tran and his gang had returned, headlights blazing like predatory eyes in the night, circling them once again, this time with an unmistakable hostility.

Guldrin froze, caught off guard, as Tran's motorcycle pulled up just a few yards away. Johnny and Lance didn't dismount but aimed their SMGs at the car, each brandishing their guns with cold, unyielding expressions. Dom's face hardened, and in a split second, he reached out, pulling Guldrin back toward the shadows of a nearby pillar.

"Get down!" he hissed, his voice low but urgent.

Guldrin's heart pounded as he crouched beside Dom, Brian was left outside the driver's side of the car, just in time to hear the first silenced shot ring out. Bullets ricocheted off the pavement and metal, the sharp clanging of steel echoing in the open air. Sparks flew as Johnny and his crew aimed directly at the Eclipse, unloading rounds that shattered windows and tore through the bodywork.

In a flurry of motion, Dom shoved Guldrin further behind a concrete barrier and to the floor, making him scrape his hands on the ground. Emily, who was holding onto his shoulder, whined as the gang kept firing. Dom's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched, his mind racing for a way out in case Tran wanted more than to destroy the car.

"Stay low," he ordered, his voice calm but firm.

The shots continued, ripping through the car, the once pristine green paint now riddled with bullet holes. One bullet found its way to the fuel tank, and in the next instant, a fiery explosion erupted, engulfing the Eclipse in flames and sending a shockwave through the parking garage. The force of the blast rocked the concrete structure, Brian who had run across the street for cover, along with Dom, and Guldrin, felt the intense heat as they shielded themselves behind the pillar, debris flying past them.

Brian watched his car burn, eyes wide with a mix of horror and anger. "That… that was my car," he muttered, barely able to process what had just happened. The Eclipse was nothing but a twisted, flaming wreck, the bright green paint charred black, metal crumpled beyond recognition.

Dom, always alert, watched the car. "You can get another car, Spilner. What matters is we're alive." Sensing something wrong, Dom shouted, "NOS!" Dom held Guldrin down, covering him with his body and, Brian, who had already returned to look at his destroyed car, ran for cover of his own before the entire car exploded once again in blue and green flames.

Johnny's gang lingered just long enough to ensure the damage was done before retreating, their laughter echoing down the concrete levels as they revved their bikes and sped off, satisfied with their destruction.

Dom took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as the silence returned, punctuated only by the crackling of flames from the wrecked Eclipse. He looked at Brian, his expression grim but composed. "Looks like Tran just made this personal."

Guldrin, still crouched behind the pillar, looked up at Dom, his face a mix of fear and admiration. "I've never seen anything like that… It was like they were out for blood."

Dom glanced at Guldrin, his expression softening just a little. "Come on, kid," he said quietly. "We're getting out of here."

With Brian on one side and Dom on the other, they carefully made their way out of the area and down the street, leaving the wreckage of the Eclipse behind as a stark reminder of just how quickly the stakes could escalate.

"I guess we are walking?" Guldrin asked as he held Emily to his chest, his heart still pounding in his chest. Sniffing the air, Guldrin smelled Vietnamese food from one of the shops nearby, "Dad, can we get some food? I brought my money…"

Dom shook his head, a slight smile gracing his lips, "We get shot at and chased by the cops, and you are still hungry? Sure… Son," The word still feeling foreign to him, "It looks like that shop there is open, what do you want?" Dom felt it was absurd but chalked it up to Guldrin's peculiarities, and just shook his head waiting for Guldrin's answer.

"FOOD." He answered smoothly, making Dom and Brian laugh, "Okay, food it is… I don't think Tran will have a problem with us buying food in his turf… But just in case…" Brian then looked at Dom thinking this might be a chance to earn good will from him, "I will pick it up, you stay with the kid and protect him.

The smell of late-night city air, tinged with a faint hint of smoke from the Eclipse's charred remains, lingered as they made their way down a quieter side street. With each step, Dom held Guldrin close, his hand resting protectively on the kid's shoulder. Tonight had shaken something loose in him, an awareness of just how raw and unpredictable this world could get, especially when it came to people like Johnny Tran.

Brian, freshly on edge from the encounter, took up a cautious position slightly ahead of them, his eyes scanning for any sign of Tran's gang coming back. His stance was still guarded; tonight, his actions had spoken louder than his words ever could in trying to edge his way into Dom's world, but he was still the new guy, an outsider trying to figure out the rules and alliances at play. Even though Brian had saved them from the cops, Dom wasn't ready to let his guard down entirely. He knew trust took time, time that Brian hadn't yet earned.

They slowed as the street opened up into a quiet plaza with a few shops still open, their fluorescent lights spilling warmth onto the street. Guldrin's attention shifted, his eyes widening as he caught the scent of something savory from a Vietnamese food stand across the plaza. Even in the aftermath of the chaos, the kid's appetite hadn't waned.

Dom caught Guldrin's eager look and smiled, a bit of pride flickering in his gaze. "Still got that appetite, huh? I thought maybe you would lose that hunger as your adrenaline came down…" He chuckled, "Though I didn't think I would get away without getting you food…"

Guldrin nodded, his wide-eyed gaze fixed on the food stand. "I'm starving… and it smells good." He patted the small pouch at his side. "If money is the concern, I brought some money too." He once again showed his saved-up money, thinking that was why Dom didn't want to get him food.

Dom chuckled, "Don't worry, kid. Tonight's on me." He motioned to Brian. "You mind grabbing some food for him? Looks like the little glutton isn't going to be happy if he doesn't get some of the local food. I'll keep a lookout." Dom handed Brian some cash to pick up the food.

Brian gave a short nod, catching on to Dom's unspoken caution as he moved across the plaza. While Brian waited for the food, Dom turned his attention back to Guldrin. He felt the weight of tonight's events settle over him, and a flicker of regret surfaced.

Inside the Vietnamese shop, Brian blended into the late-night scene of sleepy diners and flickering neon lights. He scanned the menu, ordering a mix of dishes with the hope that it would satisfy Guldrin's appetite. His fingers tapped lightly on the counter as he waited, eyes catching his reflection in a nearby mirror. The wreckage of his Eclipse still flashed in his mind, a reminder of the dangers that came with trying to infiltrate Dom's world. Yet, for all the undercover play, tonight had brought him closer than ever to Dom and his crew, at least closer than they knew. And whatever secrets Dom and this kid, Guldrin, carried, he'd bide his time to uncover them.

Outside, Dom leaned against the wall, a silent sentinel watching over the street. "Dad… What's Tran's problem with you, anyway?"

"Look, kid," Dom started, his voice a little softer than usual, "tonight… it wasn't supposed to be like this. There's a lot I wanted to keep away from you until you were ready. You're still a kid." He let out a breath, his gaze serious. "People like Tran… they don't think like us. They don't care about loyalty or family. They're in it for the power, for themselves. We had some bad dealing, and now we are like two rival forces, he stays away from us and we do the same. We showed up on his turf and he overreacted."

Guldrin nodded, listening intently, his fingers absently petting Emily, who had nestled into the crook of his arm, her white eyes watching Dom intently as if sensing the tension in his voice.

"Family's different," Guldrin said with conviction, his young voice steady. "It's the only thing that's real. All that other stuff… doesn't matter. That's what you keep saying…"

Dom's gaze softened further. "You got that right, kid." He clapped a hand on Guldrin's shoulder. "And protecting family… that's what really matters."

Brian returned, carrying a bag loaded with steaming containers and a curious look, watching the dynamic between Dom and Guldrin. He was still trying to puzzle out how this kid fit into the equation. There was something about him Dom was clearly guarding, but whatever that secret was, Brian hadn't earned the right to know it yet. He handed the bag to Guldrin, who accepted it with a gleeful smile, his eyes shining as he pulled out a container of fresh spring rolls, perfectly crispy on the outside, stuffed with noodles, and wrapped with fragrant basil leaves.

"Eat up," Brian said, watching as Guldrin practically dove into the food, his small hands working quickly through the spring rolls before eagerly moving on to a bowl of grilled pork and noodles topped with chopped peanuts, herbs, and crispy shallots. The kid's face lit up as he tasted each bite, the flavors clearly a welcome distraction from the night's stress. He felt a strange feeling in his body, but as quick as it came, if was gone and he devoured his food.

As Guldrin ate, Dom kept one eye on the street, his instincts on high alert despite the surrounding quietness. This was Tran's turf, and they'd just had a taste of his ruthlessness. An all-out war with Tran would be bad for everyone, it'd be too public, too chaotic, and, worst of all, it'd bring way too much heat onto Dom's other operations, like Race Wars and the semi-truck boosts.

He cast a glance at Brian, who stood off to the side, his own gaze occasionally drifting to Guldrin, curiosity flickering in his eyes. Dom could tell Brian was still trying to figure him out, trying to find a foothold in a family he wasn't yet a part of. And that, Dom thought, was the difference. Brian had come through tonight, but there was still a long way to go.

Just then, the familiar rumble of a car engine filled the plaza, pulling everyone's attention to the street. A white 1995 Volkswagen Jetta A3 pulled up, and Dom recognized Jesse behind the wheel, his face tight with worry.

Jesse rolled down his window, his gaze darting between them. "Yo, the scanner is buzzing with activity, I heard about a car explosion on Tran's turf. What happened?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. Everyone turned to look in the direction where the car was and saw tons of flashing lights, cops, and emergency vehicles alike.

Brian tensed slightly, his thoughts flickering to the charred remains of the Eclipse. "Yeah, that was… Tran's doing. The Eclipse is gone."

Jesse's face shifted into a mixture of shock and anger, his eyes widening as he looked at Dom. "Tran? What's the plan now? We can't just let him walk all over us like that!"

Dom folded his arms, the weight of the decision settling over him. "We're not going after Tran. Not unless it comes down to it. For now, we're lying low. Tran's got his issues, but we're not going to bring a war to his doorstep, much less our own, unless there's no other option."

"But Dom," Jesse protested, his voice edged with frustration. "Tran's not gonna just stop, he's already made this personal."

Dom's gaze hardened, a resolve filling his expression. "We are alive, safe and only down a car, Guldrin could have been hurt, yes I am pissed, but we lick our wounds and keep our distance, for now. Tran knows he pushed it, but he also knows we won't forget this. Right now, we can't afford to draw any more heat. But if he tries something again… we'll be ready."

Guldrin, who'd been quietly watching, looked up at Dom, his face serious. "So… we're just waiting? What if he doesn't stop?" Something inside Guldrin was screaming, 'This won't end well!'

Dom gave Guldrin's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "We don't go looking for trouble, kid. But if it comes our way… then yeah, we'll handle it." He glanced back at Jesse, his tone final. "But for now, no one moves. We've got other things to worry about."

Jesse's face softened, and he nodded, glancing at Guldrin. "Got it, Dom." He paused, then flashed a small, reassuring grin at the kid. "Don't worry, little tinkerer. You're in good hands with us."

Brian just watched from the side, his face thoughtful as Dom and Jesse interacted. He hadn't been fully let in yet, but tonight had brought him closer. For now, he'd have to accept his place on the outside, biding his time and proving he was worth the trust Dom seemed so careful to extend.