DRIVER 88 (The Death Race Saga).

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1. The Warden's Offer

Jaxon's grip tightened on the shotgun.

His brother was alive.

But for how long?

The Warden leaned back in his chair, calm as ever, sipping his whiskey.

"You're a smart man, Jaxon. You know how this works."

Jaxon's heartbeat thundered in his ears.

The screen flickered again—Lucas, bruised and bloody, strapped to a metal chair, eyes barely open.

A countdown appeared below him. 10 minutes.

"Bomb's set to blow," the Warden said, adjusting his cufflinks.

"You want to save him? You do something for me first."

Jaxon forced himself to stay still. Stay cold.

"What do you want?" he growled.

The Warden's grin widened.

"You win the next Death Race."

Silence.

Jaxon blinked.

"Are you insane?"

The Warden shrugged.

"Maybe. But here's the deal. One final race. You win—you and your brother walk out of here alive. You lose?"

He tapped the screen.

"Boom."

Jaxon's breath was slow. Measured.

His mind raced.

The Warden never played fair.

This wasn't just a race.

This was a death trap.

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2. A Deal with the Devil

Jaxon lowered the shotgun.

"If I do this… you swear Lucas walks free?"

The Warden's smile didn't waver.

"Scout's honor."

Lies.

Jaxon knew it.

The Warden never kept his word.

But right now?

Jaxon had no choice.

He dropped the gun.

"Fine."

The Warden clapped his hands.

"Good boy. Tomorrow night, 88. One last race. Better start preparing."

Jaxon turned to leave.

But the Warden called out one last thing.

"Oh, and Jaxon? Don't bother trying to escape. If you do…"

The screen flickered.

Lucas—tied to the chair, a bomb blinking on his chest.

"You won't be fast enough."

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3. The Prisoner's Dilemma

Back in his cell, Jaxon sat on the edge of the cot, staring at the concrete wall.

His mind was a storm.

Escape? No. Not yet.

The Warden had too many fail-safes.

Lucas was a walking bomb.

The only way out?

Win.

He had to survive the race, take down the Warden, and get Lucas out.

All before the countdown hit zero.

Simple.

Impossible.

And yet…

Jaxon grinned.

He'd done the impossible before.

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4. Allies in the Dark

A low whistle from outside his cell snapped him out of his thoughts.

Vera.

She leaned against the bars, arms crossed.

"So… you're racing."

Jaxon exhaled.

"Looks like it."

Vera studied him, then smirked.

"Good. Because I've got something for you."

She slid a small black device through the bars.

Jaxon picked it up.

A detonator.

"You're not the only one who can play dirty," Vera whispered.

Jaxon's pulse quickened.

She had a plan.

And for the first time in a long time—

So did he.

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5. The Night Before the Race

Jaxon barely slept.

He memorized the track layout.

Reviewed the traps.

Analyzed every possible way to turn the tables.

By dawn, he was ready.

At noon, guards escorted him to the garage.

His car waited for him.

Stripped down. Sabotaged.

The Warden wasn't taking chances.

Jaxon smirked.

Neither was he.

Vera's voice echoed in his mind.

"Wait for my signal."

Tomorrow night, Blackridge would burn.

And this time?

The Warden would be the one buried in the ashes.

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6. The Calm Before the Storm

As the sun set, Jaxon stood by his car, running his fingers over the dented hood.

This would be his last ride.

Win or lose—it ended tomorrow.

He exhaled.

Then, for the first time in years—he prayed.

Not for survival.

Not for victory.

But for revenge.

The next time the Warden spoke his name—

It would be the last.

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END OF CHAPTER 10