Los Angeles – Warehouse District – 11:57 PM
Engines growled like beasts on leashes. The scent of burned rubber and gasoline hung in the air like perfume for the damned. People crowded around rows of muscle and JDM monsters, the air pulsing with anticipation and basslines that made the ground tremble.
It was race night.
Four lanes were marked out in spray paint. Neon underglows lit the crowd like a low-budget rave. This wasn't for tourists. This was Toretto's territory.
Adrian Kade stood at the edge, watching. No flashy car reveal. No revving to impress. Just quiet observation. He was dressed in a plain black shirt, tactical pants, combat boots. A look that said: I'm not here for your approval. I'm here to win.
[System Alert]
Quest: Dominate First Race
Objective: Win without revealing full capability
Bonus: Impress Dominic & Mia
Reward: +1 Skill Point | Unlocked: Street Rep (Passive)
He stepped toward his silver Supra, doors lifting silently. It wasn't just modified — it was a statement. Custom-tuned with a twin-turbo setup, carbon body, self-calibrating traction control. Built in silence. Engineered for dominance.
People whispered.
"Who's that guy?"
"Car looks like it belongs in Europe…"
"Is that a Supra?"
"Bro, that thing sounds demonic."
Adrian tuned it all out — eyes scanning, assessing. That's when he saw her.
Mia.
She was laughing with a friend near Dom's car, but her eyes kept drifting—to him.
He caught her gaze.
Held it.
Didn't blink.
Her smile faltered, breath catching.
Then she looked away.
The Race Line-Up
Dom, of course, was racing — midnight black RX-7 gleaming.
Vince — in his Mustang, already glaring at Adrian.
A local rich kid with a modded Eclipse.
And now — Adrian Kade.
He rolled up beside Dom.
"You're late," Dom said, not looking at him.
"Right on time," Adrian replied, eyes on the road.
Dom smirked. "Hope that thing's more than just pretty paint."
Adrian's voice was smooth. "Hope you don't mind watching my taillights."
Vince barked a laugh from the next lane. "This clown? Please."
Adrian glanced at him. "You always bark when you're nervous?"
Vince growled, slamming his door shut.
Start Line – Tense Silence
The girl in short shorts stepped forward, raising her arms.
Engines roared.
Adrian's fingers wrapped around the gearshift. Calm. Controlled.
Green flag dropped.
Boom.
The cars screamed forward.
Race Breakdown
The first quarter mile, Vince jumped ahead—his Mustang raw and loud. Dom slid in behind, nosing forward with that calculated aggression.
Adrian?
He let them think they had it.
Half-mile mark.
His HUD flared in the windshield — stats, torque, live readouts. He shifted with inhuman precision.
Click.
Boost engaged.
The Supra surged.
From third to first — slicing past Dom like a ghost.
Dom blinked. For a moment, just a flicker, he thought: Who the hell is this guy?
Adrian crossed the finish a full two seconds ahead of everyone.
Crowd Reaction
Silence. Then eruption.
"Holy sh*t!"
"Did he fly?"
"Where did that guy come from?!"
Dom stepped out of his RX-7, jaw tight. Vince stormed off, cursing under his breath.
And Mia? She was already walking toward Adrian.
The After-Race Scene
Adrian stepped out of the Supra, calm as ever, wiping his hands with a microfiber cloth.
"You drive like you've been doing this your whole life," Mia said.
He handed her a bottle of water, without a word. Just that cool, effortless energy."You're full of surprises," she added, arching a brow.
"You haven't seen anything yet."
She tilted her head. "You planning to stick around?"
"Depends," he said. "Is there a reason I should?"
She smirked but didn't answer.
Before she could reply, Dom approached.
"You're fast," he said, arms crossed.
Adrian met his eyes. "You're not slow."
A pause. Then Dom nodded once — not approval, not acceptance, but recognition.
"You're coming to Race Wars next week?"
"I will now."
Dom looked over his shoulder at Mia, then back. "My sister—"
"—Can speak for herself," Adrian said calmly.
Dom's eyes narrowed. Not aggressive, just... aware.
Adrian added, "I'm not here to play games with your family. I'm here for the ride."
Dom gave the barest smile. "Then prove you belong."
He walked off, leaving Adrian and Mia alone again.
Mia leaned in just slightly. "He doesn't warm up easy. But... I think he respects you."
"I'm not here for his respect."
"Oh?" She smiled. "Then what are you here for?"
Adrian leaned in, his voice a low murmur.
"I'll let you know when I find it."
Their eyes locked. The tension was subtle but electric.
[System Notification]
Quest Completed: Dominate First Race
+1 Skill Point | Unlocked: Street Rep (Passive)
Your name is spreading in L.A.'s underground.
Mia Toretto: +20 Affection | New Status: Flirtatious
To Be Continued…