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 lot of my own voice thrown in for these chapters.

The SUV hummed steadily along the winding road, the sound of gravel crunching beneath its tires a familiar rhythm to Tim Jovankah. He adjusted the rearview mirror, glancing at Allie in the back seat, her blue hair catching the early afternoon sunlight filtering through the windows.

She shifted uncomfortably, her fingers drumming against the leather upholstery.

“Seriously, Tim, you should’ve added more power to this thing,” Allie said, her voice laced with frustration. “What’s the point of having a family vehicle if it can’t keep up with a little excitement?”

Tim chuckled, shaking his head, “We’re not racing in midnight duels anymore, Allie. This is a family vehicle now.” He emphasized the last word, trying to inject a sense of normalcy into their chaotic lives.

The mention of duels sent a jolt through Allie. Memories of her last race against Juliette flooded her mind, the thrill of speed mingling with the sharp pang of betrayal. Juliette, her sister, once so full of life, had been entangled with the Vipers. The realization that her former lover was a part of that world had shattered Allie’s heart.

“Maybe she was blackmailed into it,” Joey Andrews chimed in from the passenger seat, his jet-black hair falling over his eyes in a casual, emo style. “You know how these gangs operate. They don’t just let you go. It’s all about control.”

Allie sighed, her heart heavy with uncertainty. “I just wish I knew what happened. Why she got involved with them in the first place. It’s like she vanished into thin air, and I’m left trying to piece together a puzzle with missing pieces.”

Tim glanced back at her, his expression softening. “We’ll find her, Allie. We’ll figure this out together. But you need to be careful. Flash isn’t going to take kindly to you poking around.”

She nodded, a flicker of determination igniting within her. “I know. But I can’t just sit back and wait. I have to act.”

There was a moment of silence, the weight of their shared past hanging heavily in the air. Allie’s voice broke through, “What made you want to adopt, Tim? You said you didn’t like kids.”

“No, I said I didn’t like little sisters who always stole things from my room.”

“I didn’t steal anything…I was borrowing on credit.”

“Bah,’ Tim replied.

“Tim will be the doting dad we both know he will be.”

“Gonna spoil the kid rotten?”

“If the quiet of a cabin on the lake front is spoiling them, then yes.”

“Them?” Joey asked with a grin.

As they approached a diner, Allie’s unease intensified. “Something about these hole-in-the-wall places makes me feel uneasy,” she murmured, her instincts kicking in.

“Relax, we’re just grabbing a quick bite,” Tim reassured her, but she could see the flicker of concern in his eyes. Joey, ever the adventurous spirit, chuckled and flashed the handgun tucked into his jacket pocket.

“Don’t worry, Allie. I’ve got your back,” he said playfully, but the gravity of their situation was evident.

They parked and stepped out into the crisp air, the diner’s neon sign flickering above them. The smell of grease and coffee wafted from inside, mingling with the faint scent of rain on the pavement. Allie hesitated at the entrance, her heart racing as they walked through the door.
Inside, the diner was a snapshot of Americana: red vinyl booths, a counter lined with stools, and a jukebox in the corner playing a soft tune. A man sat at the counter, a plate of pancakes in front of him. The moment Tim and Joey entered, his gaze shifted toward them, and Allie felt a chill racing down her spine.

“Murray,” Tim said, recognition dawning in his voice.

The man nodded slowly, his brow furrowing. “I’m not here for you two. I’m here for her,” he said, pointing a finger directly at Allie.

“Why?” Tim asked, stepping protectively in front of Allie, his instinct to shield his sister kicking in.

“Something she has on her,” Murray replied cryptically, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the trio.

Allie’s heart pounded in her chest, and she glanced at Joey, who was already reaching for the gun hidden in his pocket. “What do you mean?” she demanded, her voice steady despite the rising tension.

Murray leaned back, an inscrutable expression crossing his face. “Let’s just say the past has a way of catching up with you, Allie. Especially when you’re digging into things better left buried.”

“What do you know about Juliette?” Allie pressed, her voice rising with urgency.

Murray smirked, his demeanor shifting as if he relished the power he held over the situation. “I know enough. Enough to understand that you’re playing a dangerous game. And I’m here to collect.”

Tim stepped closer, his jaw clenched. “You better start talking, or this conversation is going to take a very different turn.”

Allie felt the tension crackle in the air, the weight of secrets pressing down on them. She knew they were teetering on the edge of something larger than themselves, a web of lies and hidden truths that threatened to ensnare them all.

Murray’s eyes danced with amusement. “Oh, I’m sure you think you’re ready for what comes next. But trust me, you have no idea what you’re dealing with.”

The atmosphere in the diner shifted as the other patrons turned to watch, sensing the tension. Allie could feel the eyes on her, the weight of their stares amplifying her anxiety. She wanted to scream, to run, but she stood her ground, refusing to let fear dictate her next move.

“Tell me what you know,” she demanded, her voice firm despite the quaking in her chest.

Murray leaned forward, a conspiratorial glint in his eyes. “You want information? You’re going to have to give me something in return. The world doesn’t operate on kindness. It’s all about the transaction.”

Tim’s protective instincts flared. “What do you want from her?”

Murray’s smile widened, revealing a hint of menace. “Oh, I think you already know. She have something I want, and I have something you need. It’s just business.”

Allie’s mind raced, piecing together the implications of his words. She felt a surge of determination, fueled by the desire to uncover the truth about Juliette. But as she stood in that diner, surrounded by the ghosts of their past, she couldn’t shake the feeling that they were about to plunge deeper into a darkness they couldn’t escape.

“Fine,” Allie said, steeling herself for whatever was to come. “Let’s talk.”

As the words left her lips, she felt the weight of her decision settle upon her shoulders, a burden she was willing to bear for the sake of Juliette. But in the back of her mind, she feared that the path ahead would lead them into a storm from which there would be no return.

“We should have killed him and then gotten sushi,” Joey whispered,

Tim nodded.
 

Five years earlier, the city pulsed with life, its veins thrumming with the sound of revving engines and the distant echo of sirens. Tim gripped the steering wheel of the sleek black car, his eyes narrowed as he navigated the labyrinth of streets. Beside him, Joey leaned against the window, his emo-styled hair brushing against the glass as he scanned their surroundings, ever alert.

“Are you sure this is the place?” Joey asked, his voice tinged with skepticism. The dilapidated apartment building loomed ahead, its cracked facade and peeling paint telling stories of neglect and danger.

“Nick wouldn’t send us if it wasn’t,” Tim replied, his tone steady. “Murray Richard’s been skimming off the top for too long. Time to bring him in.”

Joey shrugged, his casual demeanor a stark contrast to the tension crackling in the air. “I vote for pizza.”

“Pizza? Seriously, Joey.”

“Why not?”

“I’m thinking sushi.”

“Even better,” Joey replied with a grin.

As they parked and stepped out, the chill of the evening settled around them like a shroud. They exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. Guns drawn, they approached the entrance, the heavy door creaking as they pushed it open. The musty smell of decay wafted out, mingling with the metallic tang of fear.

They moved stealthily down the dimly lit hallway, the floorboards creaking under their weight. Tim’s heart raced, adrenaline coursing through his veins as they neared the door at the end of the hall. He could feel the weight of their mission pressing down on him, a reminder of the life they had chosen—a life tangled in shadows and uncertainty.

“Ready?” he whispered, glancing at Joey, who nodded, determination etched on his face.

Before Tim could even raise his hand to knock, a bullet shattered the stillness, whizzing past them and embedding itself in the wall beside the door. Instinct kicked in, and they both dove to the side, seeking cover.

“Shit!” Joey yelled, his voice rising above the chaos. He quickly returned fire, the sound of gunshots echoing through the narrow space. Tim kicked the door in, splintering the wood as they surged into the room.

Murray Richard lay on the floor, his face pale and eyes wide with shock. The room was a mess, papers strewn about, remnants of a life lived on the edge. Tim and Joey paced around him, guns still trained on the informant.

“Looks like he’s dead,” Joey said, panting slightly from the adrenaline rush.

“He wishes he was,” Tim replied, grabbing Murray by his thinning hair and yanking him up to meet his gaze. “Murry, you’ve got some ‘splaining to do.”

Murray winced, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. “You’ve got a lot of nerve, Tim. You think you can just barge in here and—”

“Cut the crap,” Tim interrupted, leaning closer, his voice low and threatening. “We know you tipped off the cops about the last job. Why?”
Murray swallowed hard, the fear evident in his eyes. “Nick had the cash to spare. I thought it’d be worth it to keep my head above water.”

“Yeah? And now you’re drowning,” Joey chimed in, stepping forward, his posture relaxed but with an edge of menace.

Murray’s gaze shifted, his bravado faltering. “Look, I’m not the enemy here. I can help you. There’s something bigger going on.”

Tim raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. “What do you mean?”

“Project Arbok,” Murray said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “It’s been in the works for a while, led by someone named Ekans. They’re hunting down a girl named Allie.”

The name sent a jolt through Tim. Allie. His sister. He felt a surge of protectiveness rise within him, mingling with a sense of dread. “What do you know, Murray?”

“Only that they want her for something big,” Murray replied, his tone shifting from defensive to almost pleading. “I don’t know the details, but it’s not just some petty gang war. There are bigger players involved.”

Joey exchanged a glance with Tim, the weight of the revelation settling heavily between them. “And why should we trust you?” Tim asked, keeping his voice measured.

“Because I’m telling you this out of self-preservation,” Murray replied, desperation creeping into his tone. “If they find out I’m talking, I’m dead. You want to protect your sister? You need to know who’s after her.”

Tim felt a pang of uncertainty. The world they had left behind was creeping back in, threatening to engulf them once more. He had fought hard to escape that life, to carve out a future for himself and Joey, but now the shadows loomed larger than ever.

“What’s your angle?” Tim pressed, narrowing his eyes. “You want to trade information for your freedom?”

Murray nodded, his expression earnest. “I’ll tell you everything I know about Project Arbok. But you have to get me out of here. I can’t stay in this city; it’s too dangerous.”

Joey stepped back, shaking his head. “We’re not your bodyguards, Murray. You’ve burned too many bridges.”

“Please,” Murray implored, his voice rising in urgency. “You don’t understand what’s at stake. You think the mob is dangerous? They’re nothing compared to what’s coming.”

Tim hesitated, weighing their options. The thought of Allie in danger ignited a fire within him, pushing him to act. “Fine. We’ll get you out, but you better deliver on your end of the bargain.”

Murray nodded, relief flooding his features. “Thank you. I promise, I’ll give you everything I know.”

As they moved to secure Murray, Tim’s mind raced. The implications of this new threat hung heavily in the air, a reminder that the past could never truly be escaped. They were once again entangled in a web of danger, and this time, it wasn’t just their lives on the line.

With Murray in tow, they exited the building, the city’s chaos swirling around them. Tim felt the weight of his choices pressing down, but he couldn’t turn back now.

“So, ixnay on the sushi?” Joey asked.