Mia blinked, still a little dazed.
She shook her head lightly.
“Liam… you’re seriously one of a kind,” she said, handing him a glass of champagne.
“Back there, while you were driving… I couldn’t figure you out at all.” She hesitated, choosing her words more carefully this time.
“I mean… street racing isn’t exactly something most people master like that.
And yet you—” she exhaled softly, still shaken, “—you made it look unreal.” Liam took the glass but didn’t drink immediately.
“Skill isn’t about where you’re from,” he said calmly.
“It’s about whether you’re willing to push far enough.” Mia studied him for a second, then smiled faintly.
“Then… how about coming over?
My brother’s back.
He already heard about the race.” Liam paused.
In his mind, the system interface flickered to life.
[The Fast and the Furious (2001): Speed Experience Collection Progress – 100%] [Host may return at any time.] [Maximum delay: 24 hours before forced extraction.] [Future entries into the franchise will unlock based on host progression.] So it was done.
The mission was complete.
He could leave now.
But… Liam found himself curious.
About one man in particular.
…
10:00 PM.
Mia’s car rolled to a stop outside a familiar garage.
Liam stepped out and immediately recognized it.
Toretto’s shop.
Exactly like the movie.
Inside, a tall blond man sat near the counter.
The moment he saw Mia’s car, he turned.
Brian O’Conner.
In the real world, the actor who played him was gone.
But here… He was alive.
Real.
Brian stood up and started toward the door.
Before he could reach it, another figure stormed out from the side room.
Vince.
He shoved Brian aside and marched straight toward Liam, anger written all over his face.
Mia jumped out quickly and stepped in front of him.
“What are you doing, Vince?” “Who is this guy?” Vince snapped.
“Why was he in your passenger seat?” “Since when is that your business?” Vince’s jaw tightened.
Just like in the film, jealousy burned through him the moment someone got close to Mia.
He tried to push past her.
Then— The garage door slammed open.
Heavy footsteps followed.
Dominic Toretto stepped out.
Broad shoulders.
Shaved head.
Presence that filled the entire space.
His expression was dark.
He crossed the distance in seconds and grabbed Vince, shoving him back.
“That’s enough,” Dom said coldly.
“You’re embarrassing me.
Back off.” Vince froze, then retreated without another word.
Dom turned toward Mia.
“Dom, Blackwood started it,” she said quickly.
“He—” “You did good,” Dom cut in.
“I already got the footage.” He stepped forward and handed Liam an ice-cold beer.
“Thanks,” Liam said.
“Don’t mention it.” Dom gave a small nod.
“Anyone who can beat a guy like that has my respect.” “You could do the same,” Liam replied.
Dom smirked slightly.
“Maybe.
But not at your age.” He studied Liam for a moment.
“You’ve got real talent.
Come inside.
Have a drink.” “I’ll pass,” Liam said, taking a sip of the beer.
“This is enough.
I’ve got somewhere to be.” Dom nodded slowly.
“Name’s Liam, right?
I’ll remember it.” “Same here.” “Next time,” Dom added, a faint grin forming, “we settle it on the street.” “I’d like that.” Mia stepped closer.
“You really have to go?
You could stay a few days.
I… still have a lot I want to learn.” Liam glanced at her.
“You’ve got Dom.
You don’t need me.” She hesitated, then smiled anyway.
“At least take a car,” she said.
“You can’t just disappear.” “Yeah, not in that thing,” Dom cut in, glancing at her ride.
He reached into his pocket and tossed a set of keys.
Liam caught them.
“A Dodge Charger,” Dom said.
“Take it.” Liam raised an eyebrow.
“Isn’t this your father’s car?” Dom’s expression softened slightly.
“The most important thing my father left me… is my family,” he said.
“You looked out for Mia.
That makes you good in my book.” Liam didn’t refuse again.
He understood what the gesture meant.
Respect.
Letty leaned against the doorway, giving him a small nod.
Brian lifted a hand in acknowledgment.
Liam returned the gesture, then slid into the driver’s seat.
The engine roared to life.
Deep.
Powerful.
Alive.
A true muscle car.
He was about to pull away when— Knock knock.
Mia tapped on the window.
Liam rolled it down.
“I didn’t get to say it earlier,” she said.
“Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” She hesitated.
“Will you come back?” Liam smiled faintly.
“Yeah.
Probably.” In his mind, he added silently: Next time… in the sequel.
He rolled the window back up.
The Charger roared forward, disappearing into the night like a predator unleashed.
Mia stood there, watching until the taillights vanished.
Behind her, the garage door creaked open again.
Dom stepped out, crossing his arms.
“What?” he said.
“You like him?” Mia shot him a look.
“Don’t start.” Dom chuckled.
“Kid’s not normal.
You wouldn’t be able to keep him here anyway.” She looked down slightly.
“He just… showed up out of nowhere.
And now he’s gone.” Dom nodded.
“Doesn’t matter where he came from.
He had your back.
That’s what counts.” Mia hesitated.
“You think he could be a cop?” Dom shook his head immediately.
“No chance.” “Why?” Dom smirked faintly.
“Because a cop wouldn’t pull a move like that.
What he did out there?
That wasn’t law enforcement.” …
Far from the garage, Liam drove into an underground parking structure.
He shut off the engine and stepped into a dimly lit stairwell.
No one around.
Quiet.
Perfect.
He closed his eyes.
“Return.” In an instant— He vanished.