After shooing Mia and Letty away, Dom showed no intention of chatting in the living room.
"Walk with me."
He stood up and motioned for Hunter to follow.
They headed outside immediately. Hunter was puzzled for a moment, then a realization hit him. His expression darkened slightly.
He remembered Mia mentioning that the police had searched the house after Dom's arrest.
Hunter quickly understood Dom's paranoia. If the FBI had tossed the place, there was a high probability they had planted bugs or cameras.
The thought that his wild night with Mia might have been broadcast to a room full of federal agents made Hunter's scalp tingle.
However, the worry was short-lived.
Hunter realized that even if the FBI bugged the place, they wouldn't put listening devices in Mia's bedroom, the bathroom, or the kitchen. Federal warrants had limits. They would target Dom's study, the living room, and his bedroom—the places where business was discussed.
Moreover, with his enhanced senses, Hunter was incredibly sensitive to being watched and could even detect the faint electronic hum of nearby devices.
He hadn't sensed anything peculiar inside. This meant that at the very least, most of the house was clean.
They walked in silence until they were a good distance from the Toretto house.
Only then did Dom speak.
"My house was tossed a couple of days ago."
"It's likely bugged. Audio, maybe video."
"Talking in there isn't safe."
Hunter nodded. "Dom, if you need something, just ask."
"For Mia's sake, I'll help however I can."
Hunter guessed Dom was planning his exit strategy. Or, if not leaving immediately, he needed to clean up loose ends that could implicate him. Since Dom and his crew were currently under heavy surveillance, bringing in an outsider like Hunter was the only logical move.
Dom heard Hunter's pledge and finally cracked a smile on his usually stoic poker face.
"Mia has good taste."
Dom stopped and turned to face the younger man.
"You've figured it out by now, haven't you?"
It was phrased as a question, but his tone was certain.
Hunter was prepared for this. Just like yesterday with Mia, he gave the same answer.
"The California Highway Hijackers... that's you and your boys, isn't it, Dom?"
Seeing Dom didn't deny it, Hunter continued with a faint smile.
"Back when I worked at the garage, I read the reports about the hijackers. And I've worked on your cars."
"It could have been a coincidence."
"But I noticed the modifications. Your Civics are practically identical to the ones used in the heists. The only difference is the paint job and the underglow."
"So when the FBI started sniffing around and asking me questions about you..."
"I knew my guess was right."
"Over the last few years, a crew has hit dozens of trucks on California highways, stealing over a hundred million in consumer electronics. That crew is you."
A look of genuine surprise finally broke through Dom's stoicism.
Dom wasn't as reckless as he looked. He had led his crew on a multi-year crime spree, stealing a fortune in high-end electronics, and had only recently hit the FBI's radar. That spoke to his operational security.
Yet Hunter—this Asian kid that everyone, including Dom, had previously overlooked—had pieced it all together from scraps of information.
Combined with the fact that Hunter had warned them through Mia, and then bailed them out when they got pinched...
Dom was increasingly convinced that Hunter was a rare talent.
Certainly sharper than the muscle-heads in his own crew who were good for driving and lifting but not much else.
He might actually make a decent brother-in-law, Dom thought.
With that thought, the look in Dom's eyes softened considerably.
"So that's why you warned us through Mia."
"Yeah." Hunter nodded but didn't elaborate.
He could tell Dom had an ask. He waited for the other shoe to drop.
Dom didn't make him wait long.
They walked until they were a full block away. Seeing the street was empty, Dom stopped again.
He turned to Hunter, weighing his words carefully before finally asking, "Hunter, can I trust you?"
Hunter met the big man's gaze, his expression turning serious.
"Of course."
"As long as Mia is involved, I'll do whatever it takes to help."
Hunter deliberately emphasized Mia's name.
Dom wasn't stupid; he understood the implied condition. I'm doing this for her, not you.
Having already accepted Hunter as potential family, Dom simply smiled and patted Hunter's shoulder.
Then, his face turned serious again.
"Then I have a favor to ask."
"Letty, me, the whole crew... the FBI is watching our every move."
"I have a stash. It's from the last job. We didn't have time to fence it before the heat came down."
"I need you to move it out of town."
"I've already lined up a buyer. The goods are sitting in a container down at the docks."
"Find a truck. Haul the container out of the city."
"Once you get to the drop point, call the number I give you. The buyer will handle the rest."
"You're clean. The FBI isn't watching you like they're watching us. You're safer than any of us right now."
"Will you help me with this?"
Dom paused, locking eyes with Hunter.
"I won't ask you to take the risk for nothing."
"The shipment is worth about four million dollars. Once it's delivered..."
"You get a fifteen percent cut. That's six hundred thousand dollars."
Hunter, who had been hesitant about getting involved in federal crimes, heard the number.
Six hundred thousand.
His hesitation vanished instantly.
"Done. I'm in."
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