Oops Wrong Girl to Bully (Angelina) by Xena Kessler novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Angelina’s POV

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A group of about fifteen people was walking toward us. In the center was man I immediately clocked as the race director–short, maybe 56“,

with a beer gut straining against a polo shirt bearing the Redstone Pack loco. Bald head, khaki pants, the self–important swagger of someone

who enjoyed having authority.

But it wasn’t him who caught my attention.

It was the man beside him.

Tyler Apex Cross stood 62, all muscle and swagger. His racing suit was nzipped to mid–chest, showing off a tight undershirt. Tanned skin, sharp features, and that distinctive tilt of his chin.

He was chewing gum, his jaw working in a slow, deliberate rhythm.

The group stopped a few feet away from us.

“Where’s Leo? Big Marc asked, his voice carrying the gruff edge of someone who didn’t like complications. “We need to do the pre–race

briefing.

Zion stepped forward. “Leo had an accident during practice. He’s in the hospital.”

Murmurs rippled through the group.

“This is his sister, Aria,” Zion continued, gesturing to me. “She’ll be racing his place tonight.”

Silence.

Dead. Fucking. Silence.

Tyler’s gum bubble popped.

Then he laughed.

It started as a chuckle, then grew into full–throated laughter. His crew joined in, the sound echoing across the pit area.

“You’re kidding me, right? Tyler looked at Big Marc, then back at me, like he was waiting for the punchline. You want ME to race against

HER?

I said nothing, just met his gaze with level calm.

“What is this, some kind of joke? Tyler took a step closer, looking me up and down like I was something he’d found stuck to his shoe. “She

even got a license? ‘Cause I’m not racing against some wannabe who’ll crash in the first turn.

More laughter from his crew. Someone whistled.

Tyler walked right up to me, using his height advantage to loom. “Look, sweetheart, I don’t know what your brother told you, but this ain’t go

karts. Badlands Circuit eats rookies for breakfast. MALE rookies with actual experience.”

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I could feel the weight of everyone’s stares. They were all waiting to see if d back down like they expected.

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Tell you what, little girl. Tyler said, his voice dripping with condescension. “Why don’t you run along back to your pack? Go home before you embarrass yourself. And your brother.”

He leaned in slightly, his breath smelling of mint gum and arrogance.

“Because when I’m done with you on that track, you won’t even want to look at a steering wheel again.”

The crew nodded along. Big Marc looked uncomfortable but said nothing.

I let the silence stretch, just long enough for everyone to think maybe Tyler had won this little standoff.

Then I smiled.

Not a friendly smile. Not a nervous smile.

The kind of smile that, in my previous life, made hardened criminals reconsider their choices.

“Funny,” I said, my voice quiet but cutting through the noise like a blade. was about to say the same thing to you.”

I let that hang in the air for a beat.

“Walk away now, Tyler. Because when I’m done with you tonight…”

My smile widened, cold and sharp.

…you’ll be the one too embarrassed to show your face in this circuit again

The effect was immediate.

Tyler’s jaw stopped moving. His crew went silent. Big Marc’s eyes widened. Even the race officials behind them looked stunned.

The only person who didn’t seem shocked was Zion–but that was probably because he’d already seen me drive and was having flashbacks.

Tyler’s face slowly turned red. His neck veins bulged. For a split second, h eyes flashed gold–the wolf rising to the surface.

His lead mechanic, a massive guy stepped forward. “Do you have ANY idea who you’re talking to? Tyler’s won championships before you even got your driver’s license!”

“This is fucking ridiculous, another crew member added. ‘She’s gonna get filled out there. And WE’RE gonna be the ones scraping her off the canyon wall!”

A young Redstone Pack member chimed in: “Meadow Pack must be desperte, sending a little girl to race. Pathetic. Just pathetic.”

Tyler was breathing hard now, trying to control himself. His finger jabbed toward me, trembling with rage,

You just made the biggest mistake of your life,” he said, his voice low and deadly. I’m gonna bury you out there tonight. And when I’m done, you ll NEVER race again. Not in Wildpath, not ANYWHERE.”

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He stepped even closer, invading my space.

Nobody talks to me like that. NOBODY.”

I could practically see the wheels turning in his head–already planning by he’d accidentally run me off the track, maybe even into the

canyon wall.

I just kept smiling that cold smile.

“Oh?” I tilted my head slightly. “I’ll be waiting.”

Tyler made a disgusted sound, spat his gum on the ground, and turned away. “Let’s go. I got a race to win.”

His crew scrambled after him like loyal dogs.

Big Marc lingered for a moment, looking at me with genuine concern. The he hurried after Tyler, calling out, “Tyler, wait, we still need to-

As he passed one of his assistants, I heard him mutter: “Get medical on standby. We might need them.”

When they were gone, Zion grabbed my shoulder and spun me around.

ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!”

I calmly removed his hand from my shoulder.

“Do you have ANY idea what you just did?!” He was practically shouting new. “That’s TYLER CROSS! Three–time Wildpath Champion! Thunder Racing Team! He’s got connections to half the packs in North America! Even Alpha–level racers give him respect!”

And?” I asked mildly.

And you you’re a NOBODY in this world! No racing history, no reputation, NOTHING!” Zion’s voice dropped to an urgent whisper. “If Tyler wants to end your racing career, he CAN. One word from him, and no pack will let you race. Hell, if he wants to make you ‘disappear‘ during the race, he COULD. Accidents happen on Badlands Circuit.”

He grabbed my shoulders again, desperate to make me understand.

“You just painted a target on your back. Do you GET that?!”

I gently pushed his hands away again.

And?” I repeated, my tone unchanged.

Zion stared at me like I’d grown a second head. He opened his mouth to s more, then just shook his head in defeat.

“Fine. FINE.” He raised his hands in surrender. “I tried. I fucking tried.”

He walked away muttering to himself, leaving me standing alone in the parea.