28th November- Los Angeles, United States
Toretto house
Dom’s POV
I frowned as I watched Letty walk away from me; I had pissed her off and I hadn’t meant to. All I had wanted to do was apologize for being so insensitive about her feelings.
‘Maybe if I gave her the night to cool off I’d be able to talk to her tomorrow.’ I thought. Shaking my head I sighed as I headed to the stairs, throwing another backwards look over my shoulder at the closed bathroom door, before descending the staircase.
I smiled charmingly at Michelle as I returned to her side after grabbing myself a beer, sipping it slowly. She smiled back and immediately latched herself to my side. It didn’t take long before we headed upstairs and into my room for a while. On one hand I was glad the music was loud, but at the same time I knew it wasn’t loud enough to drown out Michelle screams. Not knowing what else to do I found myself kissing her just to shut her up for small periods of time. I knew she was over doing the noises, obviously she thought it was a turn on, but I didn’t want her to wake the girls. A big part of it was because I didn’t want Letty to hear; I didn’t want to be any more insensitive then I already had been. She said she didn’t have feelings for me but only part of me believed that. The idea of throwing things like this in her face bugged me.
The party started winding down in the early hours of the morning and much to Michelle’s disappointment I kicked her out with the rest when the party was over. After making sure everything was locked up and the girls were asleep and unharmed, Vince and I headed to bed for a few hours before the cleanup later on in the day.
29th November- Los Angeles, United States
Toretto house
Letty’s POV
I don’t know how I managed it but I successfully avoided Dom for the remainder of the weekend and even before school on Monday. I knew it was stupid to be pissed that he had been truthful about what he wanted to at the party. After all I had lied and told him I had no feelings and he had made his clear, I guess it just annoyed me because I wanted it to be me.
After school was a little difficult though, seeing as he picked both Mia and I up from school. I managed to stay as quiet as I could as we headed to the garage so we could work while Mia did her homework in the office.
“Why are you avoiding me?” I heard Dom ask quietly as he paused next to me as I bent over a car tightening a bolt.
“I’m not, I’m working.” I replied not looking at him.
“You know what I mean.” I could feel his stare on me but I refused to look at him as I continued working.
“Letty, I’ve been trying to apologize for days and you keep running off, the least you could do is talk to me for a few minutes.” He stated and I sighed turning to him but as I did the phone rang.
“The phone’s ringing.” I stated as I turned back to my work.
“Fuck the phone Letty, Vince can grab the damn thing. I want to talk to you.”
“I’m working Dom and you’re supposed to be, so it can just wait okay?” I said as I finished tightening the bolts and straightened walking away to grab another tool. I heard him sigh angrily as he walked away and a few moments later I heard him on the phone.
Dom didn’t bother me again for the rest of the afternoon, so when knock off time came I was glad to pack up and go home. My mum and Tony were home when we arrived and I said a quiet hello to Tony before going to greet my mum.
“Ready to head home?” She asked and I nodded smiling.
“Go grab your stuff.” Mia and I headed inside and we packed up my bag.
“You know you didn’t answer my question.”
“What question?” I asked confused.
“About you still liking my brother.” She supplied and I stayed silent.
“Come on Letty just tell me, I won’t make fun I swear.”
“Mia he doesn’t look at me as anything else but a little sister. He made that clear and I have him convinced I don’t feel anything, so it’s better I just forget about my feelings.”
“Letty it doesn’t work that way.” She stated and I rolled my eyes.
“Does now.” I said ending the conversation as we walked back downstairs and out the door where my mum was waiting.
“Ready.” I said.
“Okay say thank you to Dom for letting you stay.” I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop from saying something that would land me in trouble.
“Thank you for letting me stay over.” I ground out without being too obvious.
“It was no trouble.” He said softly giving me an almost pleading look.
“Thank you again Tony, for the weekend.”
“It was no trouble Maria. See you tomorrow afternoon Letty.” Tony said and I smiled at him before mum and I left.
“So did you have a good weekend?” she asked and I shrugged.
“It was okay.”
“Just okay? Something happen I should know about?” I smiled and shook my head.
“No mum everything’s fine.”
“Good glad to hear. Why don’t you run up to your room and start your homework.” She said as the phone started ringing. I nodded and did as I was told as she went to answer it.
It was about an hour into my homework when I heard voices downstairs. For a brief moment I got really worried and a sense of Déjà vu came over me. I relaxed though when I realized it was just Tony’s voice. I turned back to my homework and was in the middle of a math question when I heard someone enter my room. Wondering who it was I turned around and saw Tony standing at the door.
“Sorry Let, I didn’t mean to disturb you.” He said as mum came into view as well.
“It’s alright. Is everything okay?” I asked seeing them both looking on edge.
“Yeah baby everything’s fine, you just get back to your homework okay.” I nodded and watched as they walked out again and I heard their hushed whispers as they climbed back down the stairs. Shaking my head at their weird behavior I decided not to worry about it as I continued doing my homework until it was done.
1st December - Los Angeles, United States
Toretto garage
Working at the garage was great; Tony had taught me a lot in the short time frame I had been working. The hype with my father seemed to have settled down. I did notice that Tony and my mum were on edge about something, it worried me a little but I tended to block it out. If it was important I was sure they would have mentioned it.
The day after mum and Tony arrived home Dom had managed to corner me, literally, and apologized for being insensitive.
“I’m sorry about rubbing that in your face.” I sighed and forced myself to lie.
“Dom I’m not angry about that.” He looked doubtful.
“Okay, then what are you angry about?”
“The way you spoke to us. I’m not ten anymore Dom, I’m nearly sixteen and I hate being treated like a kid. Had you just asked outright could we have gone upstairs instead of ordering us I wouldn’t be annoyed. If you want to fuck random girls or bitches like Tran, go for it. It doesn’t worry me any.” He stayed silent as my words sunk in and I prayed I had been convincing enough.
“I’m sorry, you’re right I shouldn’t have ordered you about the way I did. I know your fifteen and you’re right, you’re not a kid. I’ll try harder to stop treating you like one.” I nodded in acceptance and had no choice but to forgive him.
“You know how you said you were trying to make Dom think you didn’t like him?” Mia asked while we were waited at the gates for someone to pick us up.
“I never said I liked him.” She rolled her eyes and turned to me with her hands on her hips.
“Look I may be the youngest but I’m not the dumbest, that spot belongs to Vince.” I cracked a smile at Mia.
“I wouldn’t tell him you said that.” I laughed and she shrugged.
“Anyway my point is I know you like him. You don’t have to pretend around me. You’re doing a pretty convincing job about lying to him.” She said quietly.
“Somehow I doubt he fully believes me.”
“No but the longer you go about it, the more he will.” I gave Mia a look.
“Got any tips? Cos I’ve just kind of been making this up as I go.” I asked the younger girl and she thought about it.
“Don’t ignore him as such just… don’t pay too much attention to him. Make up a lie about some guy at school. Say you have a crush on a different guy.” She smiled and I thought about it.
“I guess I can give it ago.”
“Oh I know. That guy, oh what was his name. The one you did your last assignment with?” I frowned.
“Cameron?” I asked doubtfully.
“Yeah that’s the one.”
“What about him?”
“Oh come on Let are you that blind? He likes you.” Mia giggled and I stared at her horrified.
“Mia are you crazy?” I said loudly.
“Oh come on, it would be perfect.” She begged and I hesitated. A loud honking noise made us turn to look as Dom had pulled up beside us. Giving Mia one last look I got in the back with Mia instead of the front.
“Uh why are both sitting back there? Do I look like a Taxi?” Dom asked as he turned to look at us.
“Do you really want me to answer that?” Mia asked smiling innocently.
“No I don’t. Would someone just get up the front please? Letty?”
“We’re in the middle of a conversation Dom.” He sighed and started to drive but I caught him looking back at us in the mirror.
“Talking huh, do I even want to know what about?” He asked meeting my eyes.
“Boys.” I heard Dom groan.
“Mia I thought dad banned you from having a boyfriend, if he didn’t I will.” He threatened.
“Funny Dominic… not about me, it’s about Letty.” I froze and I looked at her like she’d grown two heads. What was this girl playing at?
“Really?” He asked and I noticed he was watching me through the mirror. I felt Mia nudge me and I sighed taking the risk.
“Uh yeah.” I said nervously.
“Who?”
“What?” I asked.
“I said who?”
“Just a boy at school.” I mumbled.
“He got a name?”
“Not for you to know.” I said quickly. Man this was getting so out of hand. I didn’t even like Cameron, for Mia’s sake this had better work or I was going to throttle her.
“Your year?” Dom asked suspiciously and I knew what he was thinking. He thought I was covering and he was so right, but he couldn’t know that.
“Yeah, we did our last group assignment together.” He looked surprised but it was gone nearly immediately.
“Dom stop being so nosey.” Mia snapped and I laughed a little despite the situation.
“I’m just curious.”
I honestly didn’t think it would work but he seemed to fall for it and that afternoon at the garage I did as Mia said and didn’t pay attention to him as much as what I usually would. It was less awkward suddenly but Dom seemed fully convinced I was over him. In saying that though Dom and Vince suddenly wanted a name and details.
“Vince seriously, you can’t have his name.” I said annoyed.
“Oh come on Letty, we gotta make sure he’s good enough.” Vince tried with Dom nodding in agreement.
“No.” I said.
“At least give us a hint?” Dom begged.
“No.”
“Let.”
“Okay fine then stop hassling me about it okay?” I asked and they nodded.
“His name starts with a C.” I said reluctantly.
“That’s a great help Let.” Vince said sarcastically and I smirked.
“I know.”
“We’ll find out.” Vince vowed and I rolled my eyes.
3rd December- Los Angeles, United States
Toretto garage
The rest of the week passed by like a blur and I was pleased when Dom and Vince continued with our new found friendship. Over the course of the week I knew more about Dom and Vince then I ever had before and vice versa. They told me all about the drag races and the more I knew the more I envied them for being able to go but they both agreed to take me for my sixteenth, just the once. I noticed ever since Dom and Vince bought that my crush on Dom was over, Michelle Tran hung around more often. She’d come into the garage when Tony wasn’t there and they’d disappear together for a few hours but it wasn’t just Michelle, there were other girls too and I noticed V even disappeared leaving me to run the shop alone at times.
It didn’t take a genius to work out what was happening but I made sure not to be obvious because I knew they were still watching for my reactions. I even went as far as joining in with Vince to tease Dom when he did come back looking pleased with himself and the same with Vince if Dom started the teasing first.
“So what’s your plan’s for the holidays?” Dom asked. It was a Saturday and we sat out the back of the garage during our lunch break, Vince was off somewhere with a busty blonde that had come looking for him. Holidays had never seemed so inviting, Mia and I had finished yesterday and I was looking forward to the long days at the garage.
“Your dad’s got Mia working at the shop with Kim.” I explained. Kim was a somewhat elderly lady who ran the Toretto’s store while the boys worked the garage. Mia and I often found ourselves working there when she needed a hand but now that I worked at the garage it was going to be up to Mia to work at the store herself.
“I know I live with her remember? I asked about you. You haven’t been round the house lately.” He asked looking over at me with a smile on his face.
“I’ve had exams, besides working with you guys every afternoon and on weekends is enough; I don’t need to see you after hours as well.” I joked.
“Oh nice Letty, I feel the love.” He laughed and I shrugged smiling.
“I’ll be working with you guys, for what little work you both do.” I teased and he nudged me as I laughed.
“Lucky us getting stuck with you for the holidays. I hope you can handle it.” He said ignoring my comment about their work habits but he was smiling at me lightly as he said it and I rolled my eyes at his teasing.
“Have you heard from your dad?’ He asked carefully but I shook my head.
“No.” I said quietly.
“Do you want to?” I thought about it. Did I?
“I don’t know. Part of me does, the other part of me doesn’t.” I confided.
“It’s understandable.” He said as he picked at the label on his water bottle.
“Do you know what the go is with our parents?” I asked suddenly and he frowned.
“No dad’s been really edgy but he won’t tell me much; just that I need to keep a close eye on you.”
“I don’t need you to babysit me.” I stated with a roll of my eyes and he grinned.
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Sure you didn’t.” I stated as I stood brushing off my pants as he did the same before we headed back into the garage.
“So what’s the deal with you and this boy? Are you dating yet or what?” He asked and I grinned. I had gotten better at playing along with this.
“None of your business.” I smiled.
“For now. We will find out who he is.” Dom said as Vince came back in looking very pleased with himself.
“V pink really isn’t your colour.” I laughed at Dom’s words as a scowling Vince rubbed the lipstick off his lips.
Toretto house
Dom’s POV
I frowned as I watched Letty walk away from me; I had pissed her off and I hadn’t meant to. All I had wanted to do was apologize for being so insensitive about her feelings.
‘Maybe if I gave her the night to cool off I’d be able to talk to her tomorrow.’ I thought. Shaking my head I sighed as I headed to the stairs, throwing another backwards look over my shoulder at the closed bathroom door, before descending the staircase.
I smiled charmingly at Michelle as I returned to her side after grabbing myself a beer, sipping it slowly. She smiled back and immediately latched herself to my side. It didn’t take long before we headed upstairs and into my room for a while. On one hand I was glad the music was loud, but at the same time I knew it wasn’t loud enough to drown out Michelle screams. Not knowing what else to do I found myself kissing her just to shut her up for small periods of time. I knew she was over doing the noises, obviously she thought it was a turn on, but I didn’t want her to wake the girls. A big part of it was because I didn’t want Letty to hear; I didn’t want to be any more insensitive then I already had been. She said she didn’t have feelings for me but only part of me believed that. The idea of throwing things like this in her face bugged me.
The party started winding down in the early hours of the morning and much to Michelle’s disappointment I kicked her out with the rest when the party was over. After making sure everything was locked up and the girls were asleep and unharmed, Vince and I headed to bed for a few hours before the cleanup later on in the day.
29th November- Los Angeles, United States
Toretto house
Letty’s POV
I don’t know how I managed it but I successfully avoided Dom for the remainder of the weekend and even before school on Monday. I knew it was stupid to be pissed that he had been truthful about what he wanted to at the party. After all I had lied and told him I had no feelings and he had made his clear, I guess it just annoyed me because I wanted it to be me.
After school was a little difficult though, seeing as he picked both Mia and I up from school. I managed to stay as quiet as I could as we headed to the garage so we could work while Mia did her homework in the office.
“Why are you avoiding me?” I heard Dom ask quietly as he paused next to me as I bent over a car tightening a bolt.
“I’m not, I’m working.” I replied not looking at him.
“You know what I mean.” I could feel his stare on me but I refused to look at him as I continued working.
“Letty, I’ve been trying to apologize for days and you keep running off, the least you could do is talk to me for a few minutes.” He stated and I sighed turning to him but as I did the phone rang.
“The phone’s ringing.” I stated as I turned back to my work.
“Fuck the phone Letty, Vince can grab the damn thing. I want to talk to you.”
“I’m working Dom and you’re supposed to be, so it can just wait okay?” I said as I finished tightening the bolts and straightened walking away to grab another tool. I heard him sigh angrily as he walked away and a few moments later I heard him on the phone.
Dom didn’t bother me again for the rest of the afternoon, so when knock off time came I was glad to pack up and go home. My mum and Tony were home when we arrived and I said a quiet hello to Tony before going to greet my mum.
“Ready to head home?” She asked and I nodded smiling.
“Go grab your stuff.” Mia and I headed inside and we packed up my bag.
“You know you didn’t answer my question.”
“What question?” I asked confused.
“About you still liking my brother.” She supplied and I stayed silent.
“Come on Letty just tell me, I won’t make fun I swear.”
“Mia he doesn’t look at me as anything else but a little sister. He made that clear and I have him convinced I don’t feel anything, so it’s better I just forget about my feelings.”
“Letty it doesn’t work that way.” She stated and I rolled my eyes.
“Does now.” I said ending the conversation as we walked back downstairs and out the door where my mum was waiting.
“Ready.” I said.
“Okay say thank you to Dom for letting you stay.” I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop from saying something that would land me in trouble.
“Thank you for letting me stay over.” I ground out without being too obvious.
“It was no trouble.” He said softly giving me an almost pleading look.
“Thank you again Tony, for the weekend.”
“It was no trouble Maria. See you tomorrow afternoon Letty.” Tony said and I smiled at him before mum and I left.
“So did you have a good weekend?” she asked and I shrugged.
“It was okay.”
“Just okay? Something happen I should know about?” I smiled and shook my head.
“No mum everything’s fine.”
“Good glad to hear. Why don’t you run up to your room and start your homework.” She said as the phone started ringing. I nodded and did as I was told as she went to answer it.
It was about an hour into my homework when I heard voices downstairs. For a brief moment I got really worried and a sense of Déjà vu came over me. I relaxed though when I realized it was just Tony’s voice. I turned back to my homework and was in the middle of a math question when I heard someone enter my room. Wondering who it was I turned around and saw Tony standing at the door.
“Sorry Let, I didn’t mean to disturb you.” He said as mum came into view as well.
“It’s alright. Is everything okay?” I asked seeing them both looking on edge.
“Yeah baby everything’s fine, you just get back to your homework okay.” I nodded and watched as they walked out again and I heard their hushed whispers as they climbed back down the stairs. Shaking my head at their weird behavior I decided not to worry about it as I continued doing my homework until it was done.
1st December - Los Angeles, United States
Toretto garage
Working at the garage was great; Tony had taught me a lot in the short time frame I had been working. The hype with my father seemed to have settled down. I did notice that Tony and my mum were on edge about something, it worried me a little but I tended to block it out. If it was important I was sure they would have mentioned it.
The day after mum and Tony arrived home Dom had managed to corner me, literally, and apologized for being insensitive.
“I’m sorry about rubbing that in your face.” I sighed and forced myself to lie.
“Dom I’m not angry about that.” He looked doubtful.
“Okay, then what are you angry about?”
“The way you spoke to us. I’m not ten anymore Dom, I’m nearly sixteen and I hate being treated like a kid. Had you just asked outright could we have gone upstairs instead of ordering us I wouldn’t be annoyed. If you want to fuck random girls or bitches like Tran, go for it. It doesn’t worry me any.” He stayed silent as my words sunk in and I prayed I had been convincing enough.
“I’m sorry, you’re right I shouldn’t have ordered you about the way I did. I know your fifteen and you’re right, you’re not a kid. I’ll try harder to stop treating you like one.” I nodded in acceptance and had no choice but to forgive him.
“You know how you said you were trying to make Dom think you didn’t like him?” Mia asked while we were waited at the gates for someone to pick us up.
“I never said I liked him.” She rolled her eyes and turned to me with her hands on her hips.
“Look I may be the youngest but I’m not the dumbest, that spot belongs to Vince.” I cracked a smile at Mia.
“I wouldn’t tell him you said that.” I laughed and she shrugged.
“Anyway my point is I know you like him. You don’t have to pretend around me. You’re doing a pretty convincing job about lying to him.” She said quietly.
“Somehow I doubt he fully believes me.”
“No but the longer you go about it, the more he will.” I gave Mia a look.
“Got any tips? Cos I’ve just kind of been making this up as I go.” I asked the younger girl and she thought about it.
“Don’t ignore him as such just… don’t pay too much attention to him. Make up a lie about some guy at school. Say you have a crush on a different guy.” She smiled and I thought about it.
“I guess I can give it ago.”
“Oh I know. That guy, oh what was his name. The one you did your last assignment with?” I frowned.
“Cameron?” I asked doubtfully.
“Yeah that’s the one.”
“What about him?”
“Oh come on Let are you that blind? He likes you.” Mia giggled and I stared at her horrified.
“Mia are you crazy?” I said loudly.
“Oh come on, it would be perfect.” She begged and I hesitated. A loud honking noise made us turn to look as Dom had pulled up beside us. Giving Mia one last look I got in the back with Mia instead of the front.
“Uh why are both sitting back there? Do I look like a Taxi?” Dom asked as he turned to look at us.
“Do you really want me to answer that?” Mia asked smiling innocently.
“No I don’t. Would someone just get up the front please? Letty?”
“We’re in the middle of a conversation Dom.” He sighed and started to drive but I caught him looking back at us in the mirror.
“Talking huh, do I even want to know what about?” He asked meeting my eyes.
“Boys.” I heard Dom groan.
“Mia I thought dad banned you from having a boyfriend, if he didn’t I will.” He threatened.
“Funny Dominic… not about me, it’s about Letty.” I froze and I looked at her like she’d grown two heads. What was this girl playing at?
“Really?” He asked and I noticed he was watching me through the mirror. I felt Mia nudge me and I sighed taking the risk.
“Uh yeah.” I said nervously.
“Who?”
“What?” I asked.
“I said who?”
“Just a boy at school.” I mumbled.
“He got a name?”
“Not for you to know.” I said quickly. Man this was getting so out of hand. I didn’t even like Cameron, for Mia’s sake this had better work or I was going to throttle her.
“Your year?” Dom asked suspiciously and I knew what he was thinking. He thought I was covering and he was so right, but he couldn’t know that.
“Yeah, we did our last group assignment together.” He looked surprised but it was gone nearly immediately.
“Dom stop being so nosey.” Mia snapped and I laughed a little despite the situation.
“I’m just curious.”
I honestly didn’t think it would work but he seemed to fall for it and that afternoon at the garage I did as Mia said and didn’t pay attention to him as much as what I usually would. It was less awkward suddenly but Dom seemed fully convinced I was over him. In saying that though Dom and Vince suddenly wanted a name and details.
“Vince seriously, you can’t have his name.” I said annoyed.
“Oh come on Letty, we gotta make sure he’s good enough.” Vince tried with Dom nodding in agreement.
“No.” I said.
“At least give us a hint?” Dom begged.
“No.”
“Let.”
“Okay fine then stop hassling me about it okay?” I asked and they nodded.
“His name starts with a C.” I said reluctantly.
“That’s a great help Let.” Vince said sarcastically and I smirked.
“I know.”
“We’ll find out.” Vince vowed and I rolled my eyes.
3rd December- Los Angeles, United States
Toretto garage
The rest of the week passed by like a blur and I was pleased when Dom and Vince continued with our new found friendship. Over the course of the week I knew more about Dom and Vince then I ever had before and vice versa. They told me all about the drag races and the more I knew the more I envied them for being able to go but they both agreed to take me for my sixteenth, just the once. I noticed ever since Dom and Vince bought that my crush on Dom was over, Michelle Tran hung around more often. She’d come into the garage when Tony wasn’t there and they’d disappear together for a few hours but it wasn’t just Michelle, there were other girls too and I noticed V even disappeared leaving me to run the shop alone at times.
It didn’t take a genius to work out what was happening but I made sure not to be obvious because I knew they were still watching for my reactions. I even went as far as joining in with Vince to tease Dom when he did come back looking pleased with himself and the same with Vince if Dom started the teasing first.
“So what’s your plan’s for the holidays?” Dom asked. It was a Saturday and we sat out the back of the garage during our lunch break, Vince was off somewhere with a busty blonde that had come looking for him. Holidays had never seemed so inviting, Mia and I had finished yesterday and I was looking forward to the long days at the garage.
“Your dad’s got Mia working at the shop with Kim.” I explained. Kim was a somewhat elderly lady who ran the Toretto’s store while the boys worked the garage. Mia and I often found ourselves working there when she needed a hand but now that I worked at the garage it was going to be up to Mia to work at the store herself.
“I know I live with her remember? I asked about you. You haven’t been round the house lately.” He asked looking over at me with a smile on his face.
“I’ve had exams, besides working with you guys every afternoon and on weekends is enough; I don’t need to see you after hours as well.” I joked.
“Oh nice Letty, I feel the love.” He laughed and I shrugged smiling.
“I’ll be working with you guys, for what little work you both do.” I teased and he nudged me as I laughed.
“Lucky us getting stuck with you for the holidays. I hope you can handle it.” He said ignoring my comment about their work habits but he was smiling at me lightly as he said it and I rolled my eyes at his teasing.
“Have you heard from your dad?’ He asked carefully but I shook my head.
“No.” I said quietly.
“Do you want to?” I thought about it. Did I?
“I don’t know. Part of me does, the other part of me doesn’t.” I confided.
“It’s understandable.” He said as he picked at the label on his water bottle.
“Do you know what the go is with our parents?” I asked suddenly and he frowned.
“No dad’s been really edgy but he won’t tell me much; just that I need to keep a close eye on you.”
“I don’t need you to babysit me.” I stated with a roll of my eyes and he grinned.
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Sure you didn’t.” I stated as I stood brushing off my pants as he did the same before we headed back into the garage.
“So what’s the deal with you and this boy? Are you dating yet or what?” He asked and I grinned. I had gotten better at playing along with this.
“None of your business.” I smiled.
“For now. We will find out who he is.” Dom said as Vince came back in looking very pleased with himself.
“V pink really isn’t your colour.” I laughed at Dom’s words as a scowling Vince rubbed the lipstick off his lips.