Back at the starting plaza, the crowd was stunned into silence.
Even the music seemed to fade beneath the roar of the engines blasting through the speakers.
“That was insane…” “He took that corner flat out.” “I’ve only ever seen Dom do that.” Eyes stayed locked onto the giant screen.
No one looked away.
Not even for a second.
…
Out on the road, Liam already knew what was coming next.
A long six-mile straight with rolling elevation — subtle rises and drops that could easily destabilize a car at high speed.
His hand moved without hesitation.
Click.
The nitrous engaged again.
The Nova surged forward with violent force.
The engine screamed as if it might tear itself apart.
Liam felt the raw power deep in his chest — the heat, the pressure, the brutal acceleration.
His blood roared with it.
This was what he came for.
The world blurred around them.
Mountains and roadside barriers streaked past in flashes of color.
The speed climbed higher.
Faster.
Faster.
At that moment, Liam focused inward.
“System.
Begin collection of speed sensation.” The response was silent, but he felt the system lock into place.
Another turn approached.
Liam moved instantly — steering input, clutch, brake, handbrake.
The car’s weight shifted forward under brutal deceleration.
The rear swung wide, sliding outward as the Nova carved into the corner.
At the apex, he released everything in perfect sequence.
Gas.
Full throttle.
The car snapped back into alignment and launched out of the turn in a clean, controlled drift.
Perfect.
And then he saw it.
Up ahead.
The black Mustang.
“We’re catching him!” Mia shouted, her voice breaking with excitement.
“That’s Blackwood!” Her eyes were wide now, filled with disbelief and adrenaline.
“I can’t believe this… my brother barely beat him once.” The distance closed fast.
Engine noise thundered through the canyon, echoing off the rock walls.
Inside the Mustang, Blackwood’s confidence cracked for the first time.
He glanced at the rearview mirror.
The Nova was there.
Closing.
Fast.
“Hey, hey, they’re gaining on us!” the blonde passenger shouted, gripping her seat tightly.
“Shut up,” Blackwood snapped.
“They’re right behind—” “I said shut up.” His grip tightened on the wheel until his knuckles turned white.
“Five hundred says you don’t lose,” she shot back nervously.
That was enough.
Blackwood’s temper snapped.
Without warning, he swung his fist sideways.
Thud.
The blow slammed into her temple.
Her body went limp instantly, collapsing against the door.
Blackwood didn’t even look at her again.
His focus returned to the mirror.
Fifty meters.
That was all the gap left now.
The road stretched about eight meters wide.
Wide enough for two cars… if both drivers allowed it.
Blackwood didn’t.
He swerved left, then right, then left again.
Blocking.
Aggressive.
Deliberate.
Mia leaned forward, tension snapping back into her body.
“That car’s heavier than ours.
If he clips us, we’re done.” Liam already knew.
At these speeds, even a slight side impact could flip them or send them crashing into the guardrail.
There were no second chances.
Another S-curve approached.
Both cars entered at over 140 mph.
Blackwood drifted wide, his car angled across most of the road, leaving almost no room to pass.
Liam stayed tight behind him.
Waiting.
Watching.
Every input measured.
Every movement controlled.
At this speed, one mistake meant death.
Inside the Mustang, pressure began to build.
Blackwood’s breathing grew heavier.
Sweat dripped down his forehead.
He still held the lead, but the car behind him refused to fall back.
That constant presence… it gnawed at him.
The moment they cleared the final S-curve, both cars exploded forward again.
The canyon echoed with the roar of two engines pushed to their absolute limits.
“Three kilometers to the finish!” Mia shouted.
“Two and a half!” Liam’s eyes sharpened.
Ahead, Blackwood’s movements were changing.
The swerves were wider now.
Less controlled.
More desperate.
He was losing composure.
Liam’s lips curved slightly.
“If you’re driving on anger… you’ve already lost.” His hand slammed the nitrous again.
The Nova surged forward violently.
The speed climbed once more, pushing toward the limit.
Closing in for the final move.