Severa had never imagined she'd see Mia like this, especially with a baby on the way. It was unsettling, to watch someone so young—someone who had once been carefree—now preparing to bring a new life into the world. It felt like a stark reminder of how quickly things could change, how life didn’t wait for anyone.
She was shaken from her thoughts by the sound of Dom’s voice near her ear. "Nervous?"
Severa flinched, surprised by the proximity, and turned to face him. The moment she did, she became acutely aware of just how close he was—close enough that she could feel the heat of his breath on her skin. Her pulse quickened, but she forced herself to steady her nerves, unwilling to let him see the effect he had on her.
"No," she replied, her voice firm, even though the tension in her body suggested otherwise. "Just focused."
Dom’s eyes flickered over her, searching for something, but he didn't press. Instead, he gave a small, knowing smile. "Just making sure you're ready," he said, his tone laced with something that felt a little too personal. "Big day."
Severa nodded, her gaze shifting back to the rest of the team, trying to hide the way her heart was racing. It wasn’t just the heist that made her anxious—it was the quiet, simmering connection between her and Dom that had been building for weeks. She wasn’t sure what it was, or what would happen if she acknowledged it.
Her gaze snapped back to him as he casually tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, the soft motion leaving her momentarily stunned. His fingers lingered too long, sending a brief, unexpected spark through her.
"You know what to do, right?" Dom's voice was low, his eyes never leaving her face as he continued to absently play with the ends of her hair. His touch was deliberate, like he was measuring her reaction. "Be ready to save our asses with that magic of yours if the time comes."
Severa’s pulse quickened, and she forced herself to focus, shaking off the strange sensation his touch had ignited. "I’ve got it covered," she said, her voice steady, though her mind was already calculating the escape routes, the contingencies. Magic could solve a lot of problems, but she’d been around long enough to know that things never went exactly as planned.
Dom met her gaze, his eyes dark and serious now, no trace of teasing. "Good," he said, his voice almost a whisper. "Just don’t let me down."
The words hit harder than they should have. Severa was used to being underestimated, used to the weight of others relying on her, but this—this felt different. She didn’t need to be reassured, but somehow, Dom’s quiet confidence in her made the stakes feel higher, and the pressure more intense.
She nodded curtly, trying to mask the tightening in her chest. "I won’t."
Neither of them moved, and for a long moment, they just stared into each other's eyes. Time seemed to slow, the noise of the team around them fading into the background. The only thing Severa could focus on was the weight of Dom's gaze, and the unspoken tension that still hung between them. She didn’t know how long it lasted until Mia’s voice cut through the air.
"Hobbs is on the other side of the city. We're not gonna get a better window."
The sudden shift in focus snapped Severa back to the present. She watched as Dom took a step back, his eyes lingering on hers just a little too long. Then, with a sharp exhale, he broke the silence.
"Okay, guys. It's showtime."
His voice was steady, commanding. But as his gaze finally shifted away, Severa could see the subtle reluctance in his expression.
"First team in position. Let’s go."
The command was all business, and within moments, the warehouse erupted into action. Severa took a deep breath, steadying herself as the team began moving. Her role was clear. There was no room for hesitation, no time to overthink things. The mission had begun.
Severa turned, watching as half the team piled into the stolen police cars, the engines roaring to life as they sped off into the city. She stood still, rooted to the spot, her mind racing.
One hour. Just one hour away from new lives. The thought lingered in her mind like a weight she couldn’t shake. She couldn’t picture herself stepping into that new world. Going from a professor at Hogwarts to... what? A street racer? She couldn’t wrap her head around it, couldn’t fathom the kind of life she might lead once this was all over. There was no plan, no backup—just the chaotic unknown.
But there was one thing she was sure of.
Whatever came next, she wanted Dom there with her. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut, unexpected but undeniable. She had fought the idea for weeks, tried to push it aside, but now, as the moment neared, the truth settled deep in her chest. She didn’t want to face whatever came after this on her own. She didn’t want to do anything without him.
Her breath caught, and she quickly turned away, pushing the thought from her mind. Now wasn’t the time for distractions. She had a role to play, a job to finish. But the feeling lingered, gnawing at her. Even as the sound of the cars fading into the distance filled the air, the question remained. Could she really walk away from everything she knew and follow Dom into whatever wild future awaited them?
She didn’t have time to think. The sharp, urgent shout of Brian’s voice pierced the air. "Cops!"
Severa’s heart skipped a beat. She turned just in time to see Mia and Brian sprinting for cover, disappearing into the shadows as military-grade cars barreled down the street, one even slamming into the back of Dom’s car.
Dom!
Without hesitation, she broke into a run, her mind clouded by nothing but the need to get to him. The chaos around her blurred as she pushed forward, her feet pounding against the pavement, the sounds of shouting and gunfire growing louder.
She rounded the corner, breath catching in her throat when her eyes landed on the scene. Dom and Hobbs were locked in a brutal struggle, each of them slamming into walls, breaking glass with the sheer force of their blows. The sound of their fight rang through the air like a violent symphony.
Her pulse raced, her instincts screaming at her to jump in and help, but she hesitated. They were both too dangerous, too skilled. She couldn’t get too close without making herself a target. Instead, she crouched low, keeping herself hidden behind a stack of crates, watching, waiting for the right moment.
Dom’s face was etched with grim determination, each punch he threw landing with precise force, but Hobbs barely flinched. The larger man was relentless, matching every move Dom made, his strength almost overwhelming. Severa’s eyes flicked to the side at the sound of movement.
Ten, maybe fifteen armed men were herding Brian and Mia into the center of the floor, their guns trained directly on them.
Severa’s heart raced, panic bubbling up as the weight of their situation hit her all at once: they were outnumbered, outgunned, and surrounded.
