Most importantly...
The big boss behind these racing tracks was Rex!
This was Rex's territory!
"Impossible! You can't be Rex!"
Augus held onto a sliver of hope, his eyes fixed on the man smoking the cigarette. "You're a Vinton. The Vinton family runs legitimate businesses. You couldn't possibly be involved in... in the underworld!"
This man had to be faking it!
But even as he tried to convince himself, his voice was noticeably trembling.
Douglas chuckled.
He casually pulled his phone from his trench coat and dialed a number.
A few seconds later.
Augus's phone rang.
Augus grabbed his phone, his shaking hands barely holding it as he stared at the caller ID. His pupils dilated in sheer terror.
He looked up at Douglas, utterly horrified.
The man puffed on his cigarette, a faint smile on his lips. "Not going to answer?"
Augus swallowed hard, panic suffocating him. With trembling fingers, he pressed the accept button.
Instantly, Douglas's deep, magnetic voice echoed through the speaker.
"Since when did my territory become yours?"
"Playing the local tyrant, huh?"
Augus watched with his own eyes as Douglas made the call. He watched him speak, and he heard Douglas's exact words coming from the contact saved as 'Rex' in his phone.
This man really was Rex!
He was undeniably Rex!
Augus lost his grip on the steel pipe. His legs gave out, and he collapsed heavily to the dirt, his face draining of all color.
It was over!
It was all too late!
They knew Douglas was powerful in the States, but they had no idea his reach extended this far.
Even a lawless local tyrant like Augus was scared out of his mind at the mere mention of his name.
Rex...
Isabella bit her lower lip, staring at the man standing protectively in front of Serena.
Serena's earlier arrogance made perfect sense now. She already knew Douglas's true identity and knew he had her back.
But Serena and Douglas had only just met for the first time today.
How did Serena know a secret that Isabella hadn't discovered in years?
She doubted even Holden and Kiera knew about Douglas's underworld ties.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Messing With Her? Are You Crazy!