I woke up to the sound of rain hitting the bedroom window. As I started to stretch, I heard some quiet snoring coming from the side of me.

I turned my head to the side to find West fast asleep next to me, his lips slightly parted and his hair stuck up in different directions. I couldn't help but smile, he looked so peaceful and not his angry usual self.

Then I just realized his arm was wrapped around my waist still. I started to wriggle a bit hoping that would make him change positions but it only made him hold on to me tighter.

My god this guy is strong, I really really have to pee.

So I poked his cheek.

"Erm West?" Absolutely nothing so I carried on poking him until he grunted.

"Hope its too early to start pissing me off, go back to sleep." He pulled me against his body like he did last night but this time my top slid up a little revealing my stomach which he placed his hand on sending shivers up my body.

Okay if someone walked in on us now I would have so much explaining to do, if he doesn't let me go soon I'm going to wet the bed.

"West I really need to go to the toilet" I rushed out hoping he didn't fall back to sleep. After a few seconds, he removed his arm making me feel cold all of a sudden.

I quickly jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. Obviously shutting the door first.

After I had finished I walked back into the room to see West sat up rubbing his eyes. When he noticed that I had come back into the room he gave me a small smile which I rarely ever see.

Okay, I need to stop staring at him. He looks so cute in the morning though, he spends most of his time being nasty to me. This is the longest he has gone without insulting me or being his usual grumpy self.

"So how are you feeling this morning?" I cleared my throat and walked over to the bed and sat next to him.

"I'm okay, not the most excited about tonight. It's not every day you get bargained for." I turned to face him so I could see his reaction. He just kept staring into my eyes reviling no emotion.

"Please be honest with me, does Jace have a chance of winning this race?" I nervously played with my fingers waiting for his answer. I looked down knowing I'm not going to like at what he might have to say.

He places both of his hands on mine and started to rub his thumb on the back of them, making my nerves settle down.

"Listen to me, I'm not one to sugar coat things or even be nice to people cause that's just not me and you know that" I rolled my eyes but I made sure he couldn't see. He hates it when I do that.

"But Jace is a good racer, he wins most of the time but I can't give you an honest answer till I know which guy he has chosen to race against us." He placed his finger under my chin lifting my head up making me look at him.

"If they win and try to take you away, I will kill every single one of them till I get you back. No one messes with me and lives to tell the tale." My breath gets caught in my throat after hearing his threat, and he was being deadly serious.

His eyes looked murderous and showed so much determination.

"Now go and do whatever you need to do to get ready, and make sure you tell your little friend what's happening. I don't fancy her blowing up any of our phones again. God, she's annoying." He removed the covers and made his way to the door.

"SHAW" Just before he was about to leave he turned his head around and nodded towards me.

"Thank you for staying with me last night, but don't call my best friend again. I might have to castrate you." His head fell backwards letting out the sexiest deep laugh I have ever heard.

"Oh baby girl, believe me, that will be the last thing on your mind when you see my dick" He sent me a wide flirty smirk my way.

"VIRGIN EARS. VIRGIN EARS."

"Not for long." Then he just left leaving me flustered. Oh, what have I gotten myself into?

___________________________________

The day went by so fast and before we knew it, it was almost time for the race to start. So much has been happening recently making me glad that my dad has gone away for a business meeting with my uncle for a few days.

As we parked up at the abandoned race track I noticed a huge crowd of people and quite a few cars parked up. Glancing around I saw some of the guys who ambushed us yesterday. There were numerous girls all wearing practically the same thing. Shiny short shorts and what looked like bras.

Jeez, don't these girls have self-respect?

I looked down at the outfit that I had chosen. A short black dress that reaches mid-thigh, my favourite leather jacket, and combat boots. My hair hanging in loose curls stopping just above my breasts.

Stepping out of the car with Callum and West whilst Jace sets of driving over to the starting line. Both of them stood in front of me, shielding me from staring eyes. My eyes kept scanning over the crowd. Callum was silent, not like his usual chatty self. West turned slightly towards him.

"Why don't you go and join Jace for a minute, I need to speak to Hope." He gave me a sad smile before walking away.

West took a step forward and placed both hands on my shoulders scanning over my face.

"You will be okay baby girl, they will have to kill me to even get close to you."

He moved slightly closer to me placing a long kiss to my forehead which made my stomach flutter.

A crackling noise was made before we heard a loud voice through the speakers.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN."

The crowd started screaming, arms waving in the air making me step back a little.

"TONIGHT JACE PORTER FROM THE BLACK SPADES VS HUNTER STONE FROM THE HEADHUNTERS GANG GO HEAD TO HEAD, WHOEVER WINS GETS TO KEEP THE BEAUTIFUL HOPE."

My eyes went wide, it wasn't a dream. This was real. A year ago I never would have thought that I would be involved in this sort of life. But here I am surrounded by dangerous gangs and their leaders.

"START YOUR ENGINES."

The roaring of the engines grew louder until I couldn't hear myself think, the sounds of people shouting haunting me. Reminding me what this race was for.

"ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET, GO."

Both cars sped off leaving a cloud of dust and smoke behind them. They were both dead fast and drawing with each other, drifting around corners with elegance but it just made me nervous because they were both equally good.

As they did the last corner before making their way to the finish line Jace's car started to lose control a little making me jump. I gripped hold of West's hand without even thinking but to my surprise he didn't pull away. Instead, he held my hand a bit tighter telling me he's not going anywhere.

Finally, he stopped the car from swerving and pressed down on the accelerator making him speed down the road and right past the other crossing the finishing line. I've never been so relieved in my entire life.

I started jumping up and down laughing and screaming. I wrapped myself around West, I felt myself being lifted up from the ground and spun around. He put me down and gave me a genuine smile, his face looking relieved.

"I will be back in a minute, I need to see Jace, just stay here" I nodded without the smile leaving my face.

As he walked away I couldn't help but stare at his back before he disappeared into the crowd. The sound of people shouting started to die down. Jace actually won, I can't believe it.

Suddenly I felt a large, sweaty, calloused hand cover my mouth and another hand pin both of my hands behind my back dragging me away from everyone else.

I felt the person's lips ghost over my ear "We don't play by the rules darling, either way, we was gonna have ya" I bit down onto his hand till I could taste blood making him remove it for a few seconds.

"WEST," I screamed at the top of my voice till my mouth was covered again but this time with a cloth and whatever was on it made me really sleepy.

My eyes started to become heavy making everything blur into one.

Before I passed out I heard him call my name over and over sounding terrified.

"HOPE....."