A few days later, the atmosphere at the garage was a bit more serious than usual. Dax had decided it was time to meet with the business solicitor and go over Kane's contract in detail. He had been putting it off, but now it felt like the right moment to make a decision, one way or another.

Erin, Rev, and Jinx were busy working on a customer's car, a sleek black BMW that had been in the shop for a few days for some performance upgrades. The task kept them distracted from the looming conversation that Dax was having with the solicitor. They were used to their jobs, used to the rhythm of turning wrenches, ordering parts, and getting cars in top shape. It was the calm before the storm, a familiar place to retreat to when things outside the garage got complicated.

"So, I was thinking about doing some custom work on the exhaust system," Jinx said, his voice focused as he worked on securing a pipe. "You think that'll give it a little more bite, or should we go for something subtler?"

Erin wiped the sweat off her forehead and glanced over at him, still deep in her work on the suspension. "It depends on what the customer wants. If they're looking for performance, a louder exhaust is the way to go. But if it's just for show, maybe something quieter, more refined. You know how people get picky about that stuff."

"Yeah, well, it's always a gamble," Jinx muttered, reaching for a wrench. "I just want to make it sound mean."

Rev, who had been working nearby, looked up from his task. "You know, we've done a lot of customer cars lately. It might be time to work on one of our own again, yeah?"

Erin chuckled, glancing over at Rev. "Tell me about it. Every time I turn around, it's someone else's project. I think we're all ready for something just for us."

They exchanged a knowing look, all three of them aware of the bigger project, Dax and Erin's shared build that was looming in the background. It had been put on the backburner for a bit, but Erin could feel the itch to get back to it.

But for now, they kept their focus on the BMW. The steady rhythm of the work helped them relax, even if they were all aware of what was happening behind closed doors in Dax's office.

Back in the office, Dax sat across from the business solicitor, a well-dressed man named Mr. Hamilton. He was a professional, sharp, and meticulous, the kind of person you trusted to go through legal jargon without skipping over the important details.

"So, Mr. Hamilton, you've had a chance to go over the contract?" Dax asked, tapping his fingers against the table, his mind elsewhere.

Mr. Hamilton nodded, pulling the contract toward him. "Yes, I've had a good look. Kane's proposal is substantial, but as with any deal, there are pros and cons to consider. If I were you, Damien, I'd be careful."

Dax leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Careful how?"

"Look at the clauses regarding ownership," Mr. Hamilton pointed out, tapping a section of the contract. "Kane wants a significant stake in the business if you accept his offer, more than what he's putting in financially. It's not quite a takeover, but it's close."

Dax gritted his teeth. That had been his biggest concern, losing control of the garage, the place he had built from the ground up. He had never been the type to hand over power, especially not to someone like Kane.

"I figured as much," Dax muttered. "But we can't just keep running on fumes, either. We need the business to grow."

"True," Mr. Hamilton agreed, nodding. "But you'll need to keep an eye on your stake. The more you give up, the less leverage you'll have in the long run. If you accept this deal, you might have to take a backseat when it comes to the day-to-day decisions. And that's something you need to decide if you're comfortable with."

Dax sat back, rubbing his temples. This was exactly the kind of thing he had been dreading. Kane's offer was tempting, especially with the influx of cash it would bring, but the price was steep, far more than he was willing to pay in terms of autonomy.

Back in the shop, Erin could feel the tension creeping in as the hours passed. She had tried to focus on the car, but her mind kept wandering to Dax, to the conversation he was having with the solicitor. She knew he was struggling with the decision, but it was hard to wait it out, not knowing what was going to happen.

Rev and Jinx were in the zone, hammering away at their own tasks, but Erin could tell they were just as restless as she was. It wasn't often that Dax took meetings like this without letting them in on the details, but she knew he was doing it to protect them, not wanting to burden anyone else with the weight of his choices.

"I'm going to grab some lunch," Erin said after a while, wiping her hands on a rag and looking toward the back office. "Want anything?"

Jinx looked up and shook his head. "Nah, we're good. You know the drill."

Erin nodded and grabbed her bag, stepping outside for some fresh air. She needed a moment, a chance to breathe and clear her mind. As much as she was determined to stay supportive of Dax, she couldn't help but wonder what the future held for the garage, and for them, as a team. Would they still be the same after all of this? Would things change if they took Kane's deal? The weight of it all felt heavier every second.

When she returned a little later, Dax was back in the shop, walking toward her with a look that was half-determined, half-confused.

"Hey," she greeted him softly, taking a step toward him. "How'd it go?"

Dax paused, his eyes tired but steady. "We're not making any decisions today. I need to take a bit more time to think it through." He glanced over his shoulder at the guys, who were busy working on the car. "It's a lot to take in, you know?"

Erin nodded, understanding. "I know. You'll figure it out, Dax. Whatever you decide, we're with you."

For a moment, they just stood there, a quiet solidarity between them. The shop hummed around them, the work continuing, but it didn't feel as heavy as before. Not yet, anyway.

A few days later, the atmosphere at the garage was a bit different—quiet but with a sense of anticipation in the air. Dax had spent the last few days going over the contract with Mr. Hamilton, making sure that everything was in order and that the protection of the garage was prioritised. He'd insisted on making some key changes to the agreement, including ensuring that the garage would remain under his ownership, with Kane contributing a small cut of his finances to help the business grow. It was a compromise, but Dax was comfortable with it, knowing it gave him the security he needed.

Erin, Rev, and Jinx had spent the day getting ready for the meeting at the hotel, where they'd meet Kane again. This time, though, things were different. There was an unspoken understanding between them all, they were walking into the meeting as a team, with the knowledge that they had each other's backs, no matter what.

Erin stood in front of the full-length mirror in the small flat she was renting, smoothing down the fabric of her green dress. It was a simple but elegant number, something that highlighted her curves without being too showy. She was used to being in practical clothes, grease under her nails and hair pulled back in a messy ponytail but tonight felt different. There was something about the way Dax was handling things, the weight of the decisions on his shoulders, that made her feel the need to step up and look the part. She added a few final touches to her makeup and took a deep breath. This wasn't just about the garage anymore; it was about the future. It was about them.

Downstairs, Dax was adjusting his leather jacket, checking himself over in the mirror. He was dressed casually but still sharp, wearing his usual style: a dark leather jacket over a simple shirt and black jeans, paired with boots. He wasn't one for the fancy business suits, but tonight he knew he had to look the part.

Rev was nearby, tugging at the sleeves of a knitted jumper, while Jinx was adjusting his shirt collar, looking a bit uncomfortable in the smarter clothes.

"You think Kane's gonna like the new changes we made?" Dax asked, his voice low, his gaze flicking to the door as if he was expecting it to open any second.

Jinx snorted and shot a look at Rev. "It's not about him liking it, mate," he said. "It's about us holding our ground and making sure we don't get screwed over."

Rev nodded in agreement, giving Dax a serious look. "We've got your back, always."

Dax nodded, appreciating their support, but he couldn't help but feel the weight of the decision. Tonight wasn't just about the garage anymore. It was about a future that none of them had planned for.

Erin appeared in the doorway, her green dress catching all their attention. She looked stunning, fresh, poised, and a little out of place, but in the best way possible. There was something about her confidence that made her look even more beautiful.

"Ready?" she asked, her voice calm but with a hint of nervous energy.

Dax couldn't keep himself from smiling. "You look amazing," he said, his tone a little softer than usual.

Erin raised an eyebrow. "That's not a bad outfit you're rocking either, Dax," she teased, walking toward him and giving him a small smirk.

Rev chuckled under his breath and nudged Jinx. "Man, I swear they're like a couple of lovesick teenagers."

Jinx just grinned and shrugged. "They always are."

As they headed out the door and into the car, the air outside felt cool, the city lights reflecting off the pavement as they made their way toward the hotel. It was the same place as last time, and the luxury of it felt like a far cry from their garage back home.

Inside the hotel, the elegant lobby was lit with soft lighting, and the faint sound of classical music played in the background. They were led to the same private booth in the hotel's bar, where Kane and his assistant were already waiting.

Kane was sitting casually, a glass of scotch in front of him, his gaze shifting as they walked in. His sharp eyes flicked over the crew, his expression unreadable but still intense. His assistant, a tall, poised woman with platinum blonde hair, was already tapping something on her tablet, though she raised her eyes as they arrived.

"Good evening," Kane said, standing to greet them. There was a cold professionalism in his tone, but Erin could tell he wasn't here to play games. This was all business now. "You all look... well put together," Kane remarked, his gaze lingering on Erin for just a second longer than necessary. She held his look, unwavering. "I trust you've had time to think about my offer?"

Dax stepped forward, his expression calm but guarded. "We've made some adjustments to the proposal. We're happy to discuss the terms."

Kane sat back down, motioning for them to join him at the booth. His assistant discreetly slid the contract toward the centre of the table. "I'm glad to hear that. Shall we go over the details?"

As Dax opened the contract and started pointing out the changes, Erin's thoughts drifted briefly to the night ahead. This wasn't just about a business deal anymore. It was about where they were heading, not just as a team, but as a crew that had grown together through thick and thin. Whatever Kane wanted to offer; it would have to be right for all of them.

And she was determined to make sure it was.

Dax and Kane were deep in conversation, their voices low as they went over the specifics of the revised contract. Kane's assistant was taking notes on her tablet, her eyes flicking up every now and then, but mostly staying out of the conversation.

Dax's brow furrowed slightly as he read through the adjustments on his side, checking that everything was in line with the new terms. "I'm good with this," he said after a few moments, his voice calm and measured. "But I want to make sure that the garage remains under my control. I don't want there to be any misunderstanding down the line."

Kane leaned back in his seat, swirling his drink as he considered the words. "You've got that," he replied smoothly. "The garage will stay in your hands. I'm just offering support in the form of investment. A partnership, not ownership. We can both win here."

Dax nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving Kane's face. There was something about Kane's calm demeanour that put Dax on edge, he was used to people like Kane, smooth-talking their way into deals, but he wasn't going to let himself be swayed. Not this time.

Erin, who had been absent-mindedly playing with the hem of her green dress, snapped back to attention when she realised the conversation had slowed. She had been so lost in her own thoughts that she hadn't caught the last few minutes of their discussion. She looked up just in time to see Kane's hand extended toward Dax.

"Well, then, I think we've come to an agreement," Kane said with a satisfied smile, his handshake firm. "I'll have my lawyer draft the final version, and we'll have everything signed in the next few days."

Dax shook Kane's hand, a firm grip in return. "Agreed. We'll get our team to review everything before it's finalised," Dax said, his voice steady but with an undercurrent of resolve. "But this looks good."

Erin hadn't realised she had been holding her breath until the moment passed. She let out a quiet exhale and forced herself to focus. Her gaze flickered between Dax and Kane. She still wasn't sure if this deal was the right call, but she had no choice but to trust Dax. He was the one carrying the weight of all this.

Kane leaned back again and looked across at Erin. "It's good to see you again," he said with a smirk. "I wasn't sure if you'd be back in the scene after all these years. You seem... comfortable."

Erin raised an eyebrow but didn't respond immediately. She knew exactly what he was implying, but she wasn't in the mood for small talk.

Dax, sensing the tension, cleared his throat and turned the conversation in a different direction. "Well, looks like that's all squared away. We'll get the final draft from your lawyer soon, and we can all sign it." He turned to Erin, giving her a slight nod. "You good?"

Erin gave a small, tight smile and nodded. "Yeah, I'm good."

Kane stood up, gesturing toward the door. "It's been a pleasure, all. I'll have my assistant send over the final draft for you to review. Take care of yourselves."

As the crew gathered their things and headed toward the exit, Erin could feel Kane's eyes on her, but she refused to look back. She had made it this far without letting him get under her skin, and she wasn't about to give him the satisfaction now.

Once outside the hotel, the cool evening air greeted them. Dax led the group to the car, and Erin couldn't help but feel the weight of the evening settle on her shoulders. The deal was done, for better or worse, but she still had lingering doubts about Kane's true intentions.

"So, that's it, huh?" Jinx asked, breaking the silence as they piled into the car. "We're officially doing business with the guy?"

Dax nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah. It's not perfect, but it's what we need right now. We're going to keep a close eye on things, though."

Rev grinned, the excitement of the deal already lighting up his face. "Well, here's to more customers and bigger projects."

Erin didn't say anything as Dax started the car and pulled out of the car park. She had a lot on her mind. The deal had been made, but she wasn't sure what kind of future it would bring. She trusted Dax, but this was all new territory. She couldn't shake the feeling that Kane wasn't finished with her just yet.