Elias Ward's presence filled the room, heavy and unsettling. His smile remained, though it didn't reach his eyes. The same man who had once been the shining star of the street racing world was now little more than a shadow of his former self—his reputation tarnished, his connections deep within the underground network that had once praised him.
"Elias," Zara said, her voice steady despite the surge of emotions that threatened to break through. "What do you know about the races? About the accident?"
Elias shifted in his seat, the dim light reflecting off his unshaven face, giving him a sinister edge. "I know more than you think," he replied, his voice a low rasp. "And you're here because you're smart enough to know that. But the truth—" He paused, eyeing Zara and Noor, then leaned forward slightly. "The truth is dangerous. Are you sure you want to hear it?"
Zara's breath caught in her throat. She had come this far, and there was no turning back now. The truth had always been elusive, slipping through her fingers like sand. But tonight, she had to face whatever lay beneath.
"I didn't come here for riddles, Elias. I need answers," Zara said, her tone unwavering.
Elias chuckled darkly, glancing over at Rev, who stood in the corner, arms folded, his face unreadable. "Rev here thought you weren't ready for the whole story. But I see you've made up your mind. Alright, Zara. But remember—you asked for this."
He stood slowly, his movements deliberate as he walked toward the window, looking out into the night. "There's a reason your accident wasn't just an accident. You were targeted, Zara. And the people behind it? They've been running things for years. They control the races, the money, the power."
Zara felt the words like a punch to the gut. She had suspected as much, but hearing it aloud made it all too real. "Who are they?" she demanded.
Elias finally turned to face her, his gaze hard. "A syndicate—bigger than you can imagine. But not just about racing. It's about control. Control of the underground, control of the city. And you, Zara, were a part of their plan."
Zara stepped back, the weight of his words settling over her like a dark cloud. "Me? How?"
Elias smirked, but there was no humor in it. "Your father. He had ties to them—connections you've never known about. Your family wasn't just in the racing scene; they were involved with the syndicate. And when they saw potential in you, Zara, they decided you'd be their ace in the hole."
The revelation hit Zara like a tidal wave. Her father's death had always been a mystery, something she'd never fully understood. But now, with Elias' words, the truth was starting to piece itself together.
"You're saying my father knew about this... syndicate?" Zara asked, her voice shaking with a mixture of anger and disbelief. "And he didn't tell me? He let me walk into this trap?"
Elias' expression darkened. "He didn't let you. He tried to protect you. But there are forces far more dangerous than you realize, Zara. Your father had enemies, powerful enemies who wouldn't stop until they had everything they wanted. And when he died, those enemies turned their sights on you."
Zara's mind was reeling. The past, the accident, everything she had thought she understood—it was all a lie. Her father, the man she had trusted, had been a part of something far darker than she had ever imagined.
"And the races?" Noor spoke up, her voice filled with suspicion. "What do they have to do with all this?"
Elias stepped forward, a grim look in his eyes. "The races aren't just about speed. They're a means to an end. A way to move money, power, and influence. And anyone who gets too close to the truth… well, they get dealt with. Just like your accident."
Zara's fists clenched at her sides, fury building within her. "So, it wasn't just about me being a racer. They wanted to use me, control me."
Elias nodded slowly. "Exactly. And if you keep digging, you'll only get deeper. There's a reason Rev disappeared, Zara. He knew what was coming. He tried to protect you by staying away."
Rev's face hardened at Elias' words, but he didn't speak. His silence, however, spoke volumes. Zara could feel the tension in the room thickening, the unspoken truths weighing down on her like a lead blanket.
"So, what now?" Zara demanded. "What do I do with all this information?"
Elias regarded her coolly, his expression unreadable. "You can walk away. You can leave the past behind, forget about the races, forget about everything. But if you do, you'll never get the answers you're looking for. If you want to go after the syndicate, after the truth, you'll need to be prepared. Because they'll come for you. And they won't stop until you're either part of their game… or dead."
Zara's heart hammered in her chest. The stakes had just gotten higher. Her father's past, her own accident, the world of underground racing—it was all intertwined in a way she couldn't ignore. She couldn't walk away now. Too much was at stake.
"We're in this now," Zara said, her voice low and determined. "There's no going back."
Elias studied her for a long moment, as if weighing her resolve. Finally, he nodded. "Then it's time to show you what's really at stake."
He turned to Rev, his eyes hardening. "Get her ready. You're going to need all the help you can get."
Zara exchanged a glance with Noor, the uncertainty still gnawing at her, but there was no other choice. This was the path she had chosen. And the price of truth had just gone up.