This is an AI-assisted story as I wanted to see how close it could come to the storyline I wanted to write. Surprisingly, it came close but, as you can probably tell, it is not written in "my voice",
The Test Drive series will be the only one I will write with AI-assistance.
Created using NovelAI with a little bit of my own voice thrown in.

Two years earlier, the city's underbelly pulsed with the roar of engines and the thrill of illicit bets, as Cam, second in command of the Lightning Corp, revved his modified muscle car at the starting line. He glanced at his rival, Asp from the Viper Syndicate, whose smirk promised chaos, but Cam's mind was fixed on proving his worth to Flash and securing their gang's dominance in the streets.

As the flag dropped, Cam's bald head gleamed under the streetlights, his goatee twitching with determination. He gripped the wheel tightly, the expensive watch on his wrist—a gift from Flash for a previous win—glinting as he shifted gears. The race wound through the labyrinth of the city's back alleys and overpasses, a gauntlet designed to test every ounce of skill and nerve. Cam's car, a beast of black steel and roaring power, surged ahead, weaving past slower traffic with precision honed from years of mafia-backed street battles. He could hear Asp's engine growling behind him, a predatory sound that made his pulse quicken.

Asp, with his wild eyes and a penchant for destruction, wasn't about to let Cam pull away. The Viper Syndicate man pushed his vehicle to its limits, the engine screaming as he drafted close, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. "You're mine, Corp rat," Asp muttered to himself, his voice a low, venomous whisper lost in the wind. The two cars tore down the boulevard, headlights cutting through the night like knives, drawing honks and shouts from startled drivers who scattered out of their path.

Cam felt a surge of adrenaline, his thoughts racing back to how he'd climbed the ranks since joining the Lightning Corp at thirty. He remembered the suits and ties of their meetings, the way Flash demanded loyalty and results. This win would solidify his position, maybe even earn him a bigger cut of the operations. But as they approached the bridge, Asp made his move. With a ruthless grin, Asp swerved his car, clipping Cam's rear bumper just enough to send it fishtailing.

The impact was catastrophic. Cam's vehicle spun out of control, slamming into the bridge pylon with a deafening crunch of metal. The car split in two, the front section tearing away and spinning wildly across the road like a deranged top. Shards of glass and twisted steel flew everywhere, colliding with other cars that screeched to a halt in a chorus of blaring horns and shattering lights. Cam's world blurred into pain; blood streamed from a gash on his forehead, and he tasted iron as he fought to stay conscious amid the wreckage. His body was thrown against the seatbelt, every breath a ragged gasp, but his mind screamed defiance. "Not like this," he thought, gripping the ruined dashboard as if it could somehow hold him together.

Through the haze, Cam saw Asp's car ram through the chaos, barely slowing as it plowed over debris. Asp sneered at the bloodied figure slumped in the wreckage, his laughter echoing over the din. "Look at you, Corp boy—always thought you were untouchable," Asp taunted, not bothering to stop as he accelerated toward the pre-determined finish line a few blocks away. The Viper Syndicate driver felt no remorse, only the rush of victory, his heart pounding with the havoc he'd wrought. This was his way, a life dedicated to sowing discord and toppling rivals, and tonight, he'd delivered a message to the Lightning Corp.

Meanwhile, at the finish line, Flash Anders stood with his arms crossed, his bald head reflecting the neon lights of the surrounding buildings. Next to him was a masked figure, her short red hair peeking out from under the helmet, her presence a mystery wrapped in shadows. Flash scanned the road, impatience etching lines on his face as he waited for Cam's car to appear. "Where the hell is he?" Flash grumbled, his voice carrying a mix of Vin Diesel's gravel and Samuel L. Jackson's edge. The masked figure said nothing, her gloved hands clenched at her sides, but Flash could sense her tension.

Asp's car finally roared into view, skidding to a halt at the line. He killed the engine with a flick of his wrist and climbed out, his boots crunching on the pavement as he laughed heartily. "Cam? Oh, he'll be around shortly," Asp said, his tone dripping with sarcasm, wiping a speck of blood from his sleeve—likely from the carnage he'd left behind. "Just had a little detour. You know how it is with these Corp types; they crumble so easily."

The masked figure stepped forward then, her movements deliberate and fluid. She pulled off her helmet, revealing a face that held a flicker of something deeper—perhaps regret, or calculation. Her short red hair caught the light, framing features that spoke of unresolved loyalties. Without a word, she closed the distance to Asp and pressed her lips to his in a kiss that was equal parts passion and possession. It was a moment of alliance, a seal on the night's events, but in her eyes, there lingered a shadow of the past, a hint of the Juliette who had once been tangled in these very webs of rivalry.

As the crowd around them cheered and bets were settled, the air thickened with the unspoken consequences. Flash's expression darkened; he knew this loss would demand retribution, and the Viper Syndicate's growing boldness could unravel everything. For Cam, fighting for breath in the ruins of his car, the night marked a turning point, a scar that would fuel his future vendettas. And for the masked figure, now stepping back with a enigmatic smile, the kiss was a facade hiding her own secrets, ones that would eventually ripple into the present, connecting the dots to a missing sister and a family's unrelenting search.

The sun hung high over the city, casting long shadows that danced along the asphalt as the members of the GG's gathered at the starting line. The air buzzed with anticipation, the scent of gasoline mingling with the faint aroma of burnt rubber from previous races. Waller, the cocky young member of the GG's, paced back and forth, his eyes darting to the sleek, menacing figures of the Viper Syndicate as they rolled in.

“Hey, Kurt,” Waller called out, trying to mask his anxiety with bravado. “You ready for this? You know those Vipers won’t play nice.”

Waller, the tall leader of the GG's, leaned against Kurt’s car, arms crossed, a smirk plastered on his face. His brown hair ruffled slightly in the breeze, and he exuded an air of confidence that was hard to ignore. “Ready for anything,” he replied, his tone casual, almost dismissive. “Nothing’s gonna stop us. We’ve got this.”

Kurt nodded, though a flicker of uncertainty crossed his features. Kurt’s bravado was infectious, but Waller couldn’t shake the feeling that this race was different. The Vipers were notorious for their ruthlessness, and Asp, their wild card, was known to thrive in chaos.
As the engines roared to life, Kurt shot a quick glance at Asp, who leaned against his car, a smug grin plastered on his face. “You think you can take me today, Kurt?” Asp taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. “This isn’t your usual Sunday drive.”

Kurt chuckled, unfazed. “You think you’re something special just because you’ve got a bunch of thugs backing you? I’ve seen better drivers in my rearview mirror.”

The tension crackled in the air as the racers lined up. With a nod from the unofficial starter, the engines revved, and the world around them faded into a blur of noise and color.

“Go!” The command pierced through the air, and they were off.

Tires screeched against pavement as both cars peeled out, the sound echoing like a gunshot through the streets. Kurt took the lead, his heart pounding with adrenaline as he navigated the interstate, weaving in and out of lanes, forcing other cars to veer aside. He could feel the rush of the wind against his face, the thrill of speed surging through his veins.

Asp was hot on his tail, relentless. “You’re gonna regret that, Kurt!” he shouted, laughter mingling with the roar of their engines.

The two cars surged forward, a blur of metal and speed. Kurt glanced in his rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of Asp’s car inches behind him.

The Viper wasn’t just racing; he was hunting.

As they neared the downtown area, traffic thickened, but it only fueled Kurt’s determination. He slammed on the accelerator, narrowly dodging a cab that swerved to avoid him. “Get out of the way!” he yelled, adrenaline coursing through him.

Asp, not to be outdone, took risks that made Kurt’s heart race even faster. He swerved dangerously close to pedestrians, a sinister grin on his face as he taunted them, “How many points do you get for hitting one?”

Kurt’s grip tightened on the wheel. He couldn’t let Asp’s reckless nature intimidate him. They approached a narrow road, a perfect opportunity for a decisive move.

With a surge of confidence, Kurt swerved to the right, ramming his car into Asp’s vehicle. The impact jolted both cars, and Asp nearly lost control, skidding dangerously close to a brick wall.

“Nice try!” Kurt shouted, the thrill of the chase igniting a fire within him.

Asp recovered quickly, his eyes narrowing as he clung to Kurt’s tail. The finish line was approaching, and the stakes had never felt higher. Kurt could see Waller waiting at the finish, his eager expression reflecting the tension in the air.

Just as they neared the end, Asp made his move, attempting to overtake Kurt with a burst of speed. But Kurt was ready. He slammed on the brakes, causing Asp to miscalculate his maneuver.

“Not today!” Kurt shouted, watching as Asp swerved, barely regaining control.

They crossed the finish line, and Waller’s face lit up. “You did it, Kurt! You actually did it! How’s it feel to to be a winner?”

Kurt took off his helmet, his blue-colored hair flowing out.

But Kurt wasn’t finished yet. With a sudden rush of power and adrenaline, he waked over to the masked rider who handed him a gun. Waller and

Asp looked shocked. Asp’s expression went into a maniacal gin.

“Ooh, look who’s grown a pair after all,” Asp said, as he doubled over in laughter.

“What the hell are you doing?” Waller exclaimed, his voice rising in panic.

Kurt’s gaze hardened as he turned towards Asp and pulled the trigger.

Asp fell to the ground a sickening thud.

Kurt swung his arm over and emptied the clip into Walker’s body,

“Now, I feel like a winner,” he declared.