DRIVER 88 (The Death Race Saga).

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1. Dead Men Don't Run

A cold wind swept through the streets of Las Cruces.

Somewhere in the underbelly of the city, a bounty hunter lay dead in an alleyway, his body twisted and broken.

His target?

Jaxon Carter.

Driver 88.

And he was still alive.

Perched on a rooftop across the street, the sniper lowered her rifle.

Her scope had been locked on Jaxon for five minutes.

She could've ended it.

But where was the fun in that?

"You won't run forever, Jaxon."

She smiled.

"I'll make sure of it."

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2. The Devil's Invitation

At an underground casino, a man in a white suit sipped whiskey as a dozen criminals gathered around a large screen.

Jaxon Carter's face flashed across the TV.

The bounty was now $25 million.

"The whole city wants him dead," a gang leader muttered.

The man in the white suit smirked.

"Then let's make it interesting."

He pressed a button on his desk.

A massive steel door slid open.

Inside?

A gleaming black race car with spikes on the wheels and mounted machine guns.

"Welcome to the hunt, gentlemen."

The Death Race was about to begin.

And Jaxon Carter?

Was the prey.

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3. One Last Job

Back at Reyes' garage, Jaxon wiped oil from his hands as he worked on a modified muscle car.

Vera leaned against the hood, arms crossed.

"You really think this thing is gonna keep us alive?"

Jaxon smirked.

"It's not about staying alive, sweetheart. It's about winning."

Lucas paced nervously.

"Winning what? The whole damn city wants you dead!"

Jaxon's fingers tightened around a wrench.

"Then I guess I'll have to remind them… why I was the best."

Reyes sighed, tossing Jaxon a set of keys.

"You're just as reckless as your father."

Jaxon's smirk vanished.

His father.

A legend behind the wheel.

Murdered.

And now, Jaxon was driving straight toward the same fate.

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4. The Streets of Hell

The first attack came before they even left the city.

A black sports car screeched around the corner, blocking the road.

Behind them?

Three more.

Engines roared.

Gun barrels glinted.

Vera cursed.

"We're boxed in."

Jaxon slammed the gearshift.

"Not for long."

Tires screeched.

The car launched forward.

A wall of gunfire erupted.

Jaxon swerved between bullets, gripping the wheel like a man possessed.

A motorcycle pulled alongside him.

A masked assassin raised a grenade launcher.

Jaxon gritted his teeth.

"Not today, asshole."

He yanked the wheel—

The side mirror clipped the biker's front wheel.

The motorcycle spun out of control.

The assassin was flung through the air…

CRASH!

Straight into another car's windshield.

The street was a warzone.

And Jaxon?

Was just getting started.

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5. The Past Catches Up

They lost their pursuers somewhere near the abandoned shipyard.

The car smoked, riddled with bullet holes.

Lucas stared at Jaxon.

"You're insane, man."

Jaxon chuckled, lighting a cigarette.

"That's what they keep telling me."

Vera wasn't smiling.

"They're not gonna stop, Jaxon. That bounty is too high."

He took a drag, exhaling.

"Then we take the fight to them."

She scoffed.

"Just like that?"

Jaxon looked up.

Eyes cold.

"Just like that."

That's when a shadow moved behind them.

A soft click.

A gun cocking.

"Hello, Jaxon."

He froze.

He knew that voice.

The sniper had finally caught up.

And this time?

She wasn't watching from the rooftops.

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6. A Bullet With His Name On It

Jaxon turned.

The sniper stood ten feet away.

Gun aimed at his chest.

Vera and Lucas stayed frozen.

Jaxon just smirked.

"Took you long enough."

She cocked her head.

"I like to make my kills last, remember?"

Memories hit him like a truck.

Years ago.

Mexico.

She had been a ghost on his trail.

A contract killer sent to eliminate him.

But instead?

They had ended up in bed.

And now?

She was back to finish the job.

Her finger tightened on the trigger.

Jaxon didn't flinch.

Then—

BANG!

A gunshot.

A body hit the floor.

But it wasn't Jaxon's.

Lucas had fired first.

The sniper staggered backward.

Blood pooled around her.

She looked at Jaxon.

And smiled.

"Still the lucky one, huh?"

Then—

She was gone.

Jaxon exhaled.

"Let's move."

Because now?

Every killer in the city knew where he was.

And this war?

Was far from over.

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TO BE CONTINUED…