#Biggest Lexus SUV

[oaryra]

What major historical events do you remember? What started as a drop in the pond in some small towns in Nigeria, rippled into a full blown protest across major cities in the country, with the hashtag #EndSars trending at number across all major social media platforms with the hashtag garnering 28 million tweets on Twitter; now X, alone. The protest was so huge that Nigerians in the diaspora and foreigners alike joined the trend, not only on the social media but also on the streets; in front of the Nigerian embassy, with celebrities such as Ex England and Manchester United footballer, Rio Ferdinand, Jamaican singer Sean Kingston, British actor John Boyega and American singer Trey Songz and gospel artiste Kirk Franklin all lending their support to the movement. BACKGROUND The Special Anti Robbery Squad was established in 1992 to tackle incidences of robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes. Unfortunately, as with almost everything in Nigeria, this outfit would soon begin to morph into the very thing it was created to tackle. Over the years since its creation, it had been accused of high handedness, extortion, extra-judicial killings, kidnapping and various forms of human rights violation. In 2016 Amnesty International indicted the group of human rights abuse and other degrading practises. THE PROTEST(S) The 2016 Amnesty International report “shook” the barrel, a petition was signed by over 10000 people asking for the disbandment of the unit and submitted to the National Assembly, who in turn instead of disbandment, called for a total reform of the unit. You see why I used the word shook because, all these were perfunctory, as not soon after, SARS were back to their normal routine, if anything, they got worse and more daring. The Second EndSars protests Two separate incidences sparked what would be the biggest protest ever held in Nigeria, bigger even than the Aba Women’s Protest. On Saturday 3 October 2020, a video showing a SARS police officer shooting a young Nigerian in front of Westown Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, trended on the Internet. It was alleged that the police officers took away the young man’s vehicle – a Lexus SUV The trending video caused public outcry on social media, especially on Twitter, with the #ENDSARS hashtag trending. Just as the ENDSARS began to trend on Twitter, on Monday 5 October 2020, another report surfaced of SARS officers killing a 20-year-old up-and-coming musician named Daniel Chibuike, popularly called ‘Sleek’ in his neighbourhood. According to eyewitnesses, Sleek was sitting in front of a hotel with a friend when some SARS officers approached them, prompting them to flee. The officers chased after the pair, shouting “thief”, before shooting Sleek as they ran through a supermarket. His friend was then arrested. These were the sparks needed to ignite the nation as soon the streets were filled with protesters; many of them youths who were the major targets of these vile humans under the SARS umbrella. I must state that these protests were for the most part, peaceful, in fact, it was so peaceful that protesters were photographed giving food and water to police officers who were there to control them. There was one story where a police officer on seeing the mammoth crowd took to his heels but was caught up with and reassured that his life was not in danger. The police officer looked scared out of his skin in the pictures that trended online. These protests would soon start to deteriorate as state operators started to inject their spies into these crowds, these spies would wreak havoc, loot and attack other protesters. This guy is a political appointee today Various famous sites in the various cities were  the location of these protests, slowly all of Lagos State was abuzz with the EndSars movement, soon not only the youths came out to protest, but the adults too; parents who themselves have suffered police brutality or had some suffer it. The Lagos protest was massive, they moved like a snowball growing in size till they reached the tollgate where they pi...

[sandeepsrk007]

Navigating Luxury: Premium Car Rentals in Kochi

Introduction: Kochi, the queen of the Arabian Sea, is a vibrant city that perfectly blends history, culture, and modernity. Whether you're visiting for business or pleasure, navigating this bustling city in style and comfort can significantly enhance your experience. Premium Car Rentals in kochi offer just that—a taste of luxury, convenience, and unmatched service. Let’s explore how premium car rentals can transform your travel experience in Kochi.

The Luxury Fleet: The heart of any premium car rental service is its fleet. Kochi's premium car rental providers boast an impressive selection of vehicles that cater to a variety of tastes and needs. From the latest models of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi to high-end SUVs like Land Rover and Lexus, these vehicles are meticulously maintained and equipped with luxury amenities to ensure your ride is nothing short of spectacular.

Why Choose Premium?

Comfort and Convenience: Traveling can be exhausting, whether you're on a business trip or exploring the city's sights. Premium cars offer spacious interiors, superior comfort with plush seating, climate control, and a smooth ride that can make all the difference in how you experience Kochi.

Professional Chauffeurs: One of the biggest advantages of opting for premium car rentals is the professional chauffeur service. These drivers are not only skilled in safe driving practices but also excel in customer service. They are well-acquainted with the city’s routes and can navigate through traffic seamlessly, ensuring timely arrivals.

An Impression That Lasts: For business travelers, a premium car is more than just a mode of transportation; it's a part of the professional image. Arriving in a luxury car can make a significant impact when meeting clients or partners. It shows a level of professionalism and attention to detail that can set you apart.

Customizable Experience: Premium car rentals in Kochi often come with customizable options. Whether you need additional privacy, a specific type of car seat, or particular amenities like onboard Wi-Fi, companies are usually willing to accommodate your needs to provide a personalized experience.

Safety and Security: High-end rental cars are equipped with the latest safety features and technologies to ensure your journey is safe. Moreover, premium rental services often include comprehensive insurance, adding an extra layer of security for renters.

Occasions for Luxury Rentals: Premium car rentals in Kochi are not just for business or leisure travel. They are also a popular choice for special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, or even a glamorous night out. The luxury of arriving in a premium vehicle can make any event memorable.

Booking Tips: To ensure the best experience, it's advisable to book your premium car rental in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons or around major festivals when demand is high. Consider reviewing different rental companies for their fleet options, pricing, and customer reviews. Always clarify terms regarding mileage limits, fuel policy, and cancellation fees to avoid any surprises.

Conclusion: Kochi, with its beautiful blend of the old and the new, is a city best experienced in comfort and style. Premium car rentals offer a touch of luxury that can make your journey as splendid as the destination itself. Whether for business or pleasure, these services provide efficiency, safety, and a bit of indulgence, ensuring your travels in Kochi are nothing short of exceptional. So the next time you find yourself in Kochi, consider a premium car rental to enhance your visit and travel in style.

[the-firebird69]

There's a huge number of people who are paying attention to what's happening and it was Tommy F and he was out there in Maui ended up saving people and his son had him wrap his feet up cuz they were broken and it's still broken by the way when he's talking and his mom is not getting revenge it's a lot of people who wanted him to feel the pain. So our son went in there sort of and he had him rescue a whole bunch of people and the sex was really messed up and he's in surgery tonight no he got them fixed but it wasn't that bad and said you wrapped them up and it didn't move and he got about 50 people out and they all don't like him and he's wrong. We have an idea or two and we are going ahead with them and we're going to try and put it together now and it's really a kit car idea you said it's a pretty good idea to make a kit car out of cars that are already half bill and it's a chassis and you take like a Camaro chassis and you make a Z28 and it's a different body for real it's low profile looks like a supercar and it's pretty cool it's a good idea and it'll be cheaper than the Camaro. And his other ideas take the Humvee chassis and there's a lot of them it's like the H2 it keeps selling and you make a Hummer and it looks a little different and it'll be more towards what we're going to build permanently and you make a ton of them and just attach it to the Humvee chassis. Then he had some more ideas we have these Land rovers they said you take it and you take the chassis and you make the kit can you call it land roamer and you saw him his kids then you sell them to assembly factories is the kits would never keep up. He says to build the parts facilities and assembly in the perimeter and we get the idea it's good but these are great ideas they're very useful and we need to get going on them like the discovery and really it's called discover it's not a Land Rover he said just call it discovery and more but the biggest idea he had was to make sedans and make Audi Mercedes even Saab and Maserati Porsche they all have them and for SUVs you make Porsche and Ferrari and there's more that make SUVs like Mercedes and people will buy them buy The bushel okay Volvo too it's a good idea people like the roll case and I was always have integral cages and you can say that and it probably sell it crazy and then someone performance and by lightning the car lightening it you are the cars will be more aerodynamic usually they go 40 or 50 mph faster and it applies for a Kia too they have some luxury models like Infinity and Lexus and you can put like the top of the line except the interior you'd have to do up yourself then of course you have Mercedes Audi and BMW so when I get going on these ideas ASAP and put it out there to get volunteers to Captain these projects and it goes to Olympus and Frank Castle Hardcastle wants the captain the kit car project it's got a lot on his plate though he says I can do it and I'm going to sign it and we're going to sit and eat but we do accept it informally and we're going to give the honors and the keys and everything and they do come with it and he says terrific he says he needs Chris's Z28 keys and he can't have one of those Maserati four-door no it says it's a kit car and it says not really four-door Mercedes maybe Hera would have a bird. That would certainly get her to come out here even a Mercedes she's kind of smiling just get Alexis and Lexus I'm going to end up in my old Kia chassis she's laughing so we're going to go ahead and do that now

Thor Freya

Duke Nukem Blockbuster wants to the boat thing and he's into boats maybe not big time he says what about trucks that's kind of your area like the Hummer and he wasn't realizing it split that way and Thor Freya say it's not and so he wants the boat thing look at I argue about it good and it's me saying it that's where arguing

Olympus

[tazweedapp]

Best Resale Value Cars in Qatar

The majority of automobile owners are well aware that as soon as you drive your brand-new pride and joy out of the dealership, its value begins to decline. Maintaining its car resale value can be achieved by keeping it clean and getting any dents or dings repaired as soon as possible, although you'll probably suffer some loss. 

At Tazweed, we purchase pre-owned automobiles of all makes and models and resell them to clients looking for the Best Pre-owned Automobiles For Sale In Qatar. We have gained some knowledge along the way being the biggest used automobile reseller in the nation. If you're thinking about purchasing a car and want to know which ones retain their retail worth the longest, read our simple guide.

1) Nissan Patrol

The Nissan Patrol is without a doubt the best when it comes to price stability. A well-maintained Nissan Patrol is said to retain up to 88% of its value in the first year of operation. That decreases to an anticipated 82% after three years, which is still higher than the majority of other vehicles in the same price range. It's simple to understand why this automobile frequently takes the top rank thanks to its comfortable seats, superb design, and amazing amenities.

2) Lexus IS

The Lexus IS has some influence over maintaining a car's resale value. If you sell it during the first year of ownership, you can typically anticipate receiving about 80% of what you bought. Use our free automobile value calculator to quickly determine its value if you're considering selling yours. Simply enter the make, model, age, and mileage of the automobile, and we'll give you a quote in a matter of seconds. The Lexus IS is a highly sought-after used automobile in Qatar since it is regarded as something of a status symbol.

3) Toyota Land Cruiser 

Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs are practically a fixture in Qatar. They are equally at home in the desert as they are on the streets of Qatar because they are sturdy, dependable, and unfailingly cool. Even in the first three years of ownership, a well-maintained Toyota Land Cruiser should sell for about 74% of what it cost new. One of the coziest and most thrilling vehicles on the market, with a potent V8 engine under the hood and a variety of in-car amenities.

4) The Honda Accord.

The modest Honda Accord was created to stringent Japanese standards even though it may have a European feel. Therefore, if you sell this car within the first three years of buying it, you should be able to recoup about 70% of its value. With only a few clicks, you can find out how much using our online car value calculator.

5) Ford Edge

For anyone looking for a handsome pair of wheels that will retain its value for at least three years, the Ford Edge, which sneaks up behind the Honda Accord, is the best option. A well-maintained Ford Edge should sell for roughly 69% of what it cost new. A fantastic vehicle for families that require more luggage capacity and all the modern conveniences you would expect from this manufacturer.

If you're looking to sell or purchase used automobiles in Qatar, our helpful staff would be pleased to answer any queries you may have.

[paulkellymotor]

Financial Savvy 101: Why Investing in a Used Car Makes Perfect Sense Today

Are you someone who always strives to make wise financial decisions? Do you believe in investing your hard-earned money in assets that provide long-term value? If so, then this article is tailor-made for you. Today, we delve into the world of financial savvy and explore why investing Lexus Christchurch used cars makes perfect sense in the current economic climate.

Picture this: You're looking for a new set of wheels, but the thought of shelling out a considerable amount of money on a brand-new car sends shivers down your spine. Well, worry not!

This article will uncover the advantages of purchasing a used car and how it aligns perfectly with your financial goals.

Advantages of Investing in a Used Car

When making financial decisions, investing in a used car can be a wise move with several compelling advantages.

Cost Savings: Lower Purchase Price

When investing in a used car, one of the biggest advantages lies in the lower purchase price. Unlike brand-new vehicles that come with a hefty price tag and immediate depreciation, used cars offer a more financially prudent option. By opting for a pre-owned vehicle, you can save considerable money upfront.

Imagine driving off the lot with a reliable and well-maintained car at a fraction of the cost of its new counterpart. This saves you from burning a hole in your wallet and allows you to allocate those savings towards other financial goals or investments. With extra funds, you could embark on that dream vacation or even start building an emergency fund while enjoying the many benefits of owning an affordable used car.

Depreciation: Avoiding High Value Depreciation

In the world of car ownership, depreciation is an inevitable reality. However, when it comes to investing in a Lexus used cars, you have the advantage of avoiding the harsh blow of high value depreciation that plagues new cars. Picture this: You drive off the lot with a brand-new car, and its value drops significantly within seconds. But with a used car, that initial depreciation has already taken place, allowing you to maintain a greater portion of your investment.

By purchasing a used car, you are essentially sidestepping the steep decline in value that new cars experience in their first few years. Instead of watching your hard-earned money vanish before your eyes, investing in a pre-owned vehicle allows you to retain more of your financial resources.

Insurance: Lower Premiums and Coverage Costs

When it comes to insuring a used car, one can revel that lower premiums and coverage costs are within reach. Unlike brand new vehicles often with expensive insurance premiums, opting for a pre-owned car can significantly reduce this financial burden.

Insurance companies typically consider the vehicles value when determining rates, and since used cars have already experienced depreciation, their market value tends to be lower. This translates into more affordable insurance premiums for owners.

Variety of Options: Access to a Wide Range of Models and Features

Within the realm of financial savvy, one cannot overlook the remarkable variety of options that investing in a used car provides. It is akin to entering a treasure trove where an eclectic assortment of models and features awaits exploration. The range of choices is astounding from sleek sedans to robust SUVs, from compact hatchbacks to luxurious convertibles.

Whether you seek fuel efficiency or power, advanced safety features or cutting-edge technology, a used car is out there tailored perfectly to your desires.Step into this automotive wonderland and discover a world to which every whim can be catered.

Want a sporty two-door coupe that exudes elegance and speed? How about a practical family-oriented minivan with ample space for little ones and their accompanying gear? Or perhaps an eco-friendly hybrid vehicle that satisfies your conscience and desire for efficiency? The options are as diverse as they are tantalising, offering something for every taste and lifestyle. With such an extensive selection, you can find a used vehicle that aligns effortlessly with your specific needs and preferences.

Conclusion

Considering the myriad benefits and advantages laid out in this article, it becomes clear that investing in Lexus Christchurch used cars is a prudent and financially savvy decision. So why wait? Take charge of your financial future today by making an informed choice that makes perfect sense and paves the way for a brighter tomorrow.

Source:- Financial Savvy 101: Why Investing in a Used Car Makes Perfect Sense Today

[nsebullcom]

Food-delivery workers in New York set to earn $18 minimum wage next month and ore drivers under 30 are falling behind on car payments

‘This is something huge for us’: Food-delivery workers in New York set to earn $18 minimum wage next month Uber, DoorDash and Grubhub are not pleased with the outcome, which they call “extreme” — while some worker advocates say the city fell short. Read More ‘Remote work doesn’t work’: David Sacks, ex-PayPal executive, blasts working from home as ‘lifestyle’ JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said back in 2021 that working remotely “doesn’t work for those who want to hustle.” Read More Americans haven’t felt this confident about house prices since July 2022, despite high interest rates. What gives? The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s latest survey gives fresh insight into how consumers feel about the trajectory of the housing market. Read More My wife owns her mother’s home. It’s in terrible shape, so we want to sell. Can we avoid capital-gains tax? ‘She’s not in good health, and my wife wants to sell the property.’ Read More Homeowners desperately need easier and better mortgage refinancing tools Millions of Americans didn’t refinance their mortage when rates were low. Now they’re paying the price. Read More First-time home buyers: Here’s how to take on the biggest challenges you face in this real estate market Homes were listed at an average 5.5 times first-time buyer income, according to an analysis of the first quarter of the year—too much for most new buyers Read More Check out the all-new, roomy Lexus TX 3-row SUV The Lexus Texas? It may be a fitting name for this big, new, luxury fullsize SUV crossover. Here’s the lowdown on models, pricing, tech and when you can get one Read More More drivers under 30 are falling behind on car payments, Fed says More Americans under 30 are behind on their car payments than at any point since the 2007-09 recession, according to the Federal Reserve. Read More Source link Read the full article

[superkilometerfilter]

The Best Mileage Car – The Most Fuel-Efficient Models

What is the best mileage car in the world? – this is probably one of the first questions that come to mind when we consider purchasing a vehicle. Fuel efficiency is a deciding factor for many, as it determines how much they will have to spend on gas. With the shortage of petrol supplies and the upsurge in prices, now it’s become more important than ever to use less gas.

Numerous factors can affect the fuel economy of the vehicle, however, its characteristics play the biggest role. If a car has a beast of an engine, the chances are you won’t be able to increase mpg substantially. Thus, it’s reasonable to examine the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the auto industry.

THE BEST GAS MILEAGE CARS IN WORLD

Top non-hybrid models

If you want to purchase an affordable vehicle, then fuel economy is one of the first things you should be considering. Low initial costs won’t mean anything if you have to waste a substantial amount of money on gas. But that doesn’t mean that you should necessarily buy a hybrid. Diesel and gasoline engines can also be budget-friendly.

Here’s the list of the most fuel efficient cars that aren’t hybrid or electric.

Mitsubishi Mirage

If fuel efficiency is your priority and you don’t really care about horsepower, then Mitsubishi Mirage is a perfect choice for you. It won’t blow your mind with speed and quick acceleration. In fact, you’ll need nerves of steel behind the wheel. However, we can turn a blind eye on that considering how fuel-efficient this fella is. It has an impressive 39 mpg combined!

Hyundai Elantra or Accent

Both Hyundai Elantra and Accent are reasonable choices for those who want to invest in high-mpg cars. The former delivers 37 mpg combined, while the latter can travel 36 miles per gallon. Both of these models are interesting, comfortable, and fun to drive. Satisfactory acceleration and horsepower will make your drive even more enjoyable.

Kia Rio

Kio Rio has the highest range among other cars on this list. This puppy will easily cover 490 miles with a single tank of fuel. With 36 mpg combined, this fella certainly deserves a place on the list of the best gas mileage cars!

Honda Civic

With increased horsepower, comes reduced fuel efficiency. But with Honda Civic, the reduction isn’t significant. This vehicle can travel 36 miles with a single gallon of vehicle, yet it still has 174 hp. This means that you’ll receive desired functionalities and capabilities without visiting the gas station every hour.

Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Seeing Toyota on this list shouldn’t be surprising for anyone. Their Corolla Hatchback is one of the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid models. It has a 2.0-liter engine that will drive you 36 miles with a gallon of petrol. It mightn’t be the most exciting model out there, yet it’s not the least impressive one either.

Nissan Versa

Nissan Versa with automatic transmission is also a great choice for those who want a budget-friendly car. Whether you buy it new or used, it still won’t break the bank. It will remain affordable while driving as well since its mpg is 35 combined. Plus, Nissan improved a thing or two to make the new version of Versa even more attractive.

Lexus UX 200

Naturally, we couldn’t complete this list without including at least one SUV. You’ll enjoy Lexus UX 200 a great deal if you prefer a more spacious vehicle. Even though it’s less fuel-efficient than sedans, it’s still worth our attention. After all, it’s an SUV that will drive you on a highway with 37mpg.

THE MOST FUEL EFFICIENT CARS

Top hybrid and plug-in-hybrid models

After discussing non-hybrid models, it’s time to take a look at the most fuel efficient cars in the world i.e. hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles.

Hyundai Ioniq

Similar to other fuel-efficient vehicles, Hyundai Ioniq isn’t an exciting model in terms of handling, acceleration, or speed. You could potentially drive better cars if you wanted to, but those fellas won’t deliver astonishing 58 mpg (or 24.7 kmpl). Ioniq is available both as hybrid and PHEV models, so you can choose the one that speaks to you more. Either way, you’ll drive a car that will force you to forget about frequent visits to the gas station.

Toyota Prius Prime

We’ve all heard the appraisals about Toyota Prius Prime. It’s a plug-in hybrid model with impressive fuel efficiency. This fella will drive 54 miles per gallon of fuel. Its MPGe (mpg equivalent for electric vehicles) is 133, which is also incredible for such a car. The electric range itself will leave a lot to desire. However, it reduces fuel costs significantly when paired with an ordinary engine.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

It’s not a bad idea to consider purchasing Hyundai Sonata Hybrid if you want to save money on gas. If we compare Sonata Hybrid and ordinary Sonata, we’ll see that their performance is quite similar. They both have excellent reliability scores, satisfactory handling, and comfortable seats. By paying extra for the Hybrid, you’ll save around $400 a year on fuel.

Toyota Camry Hybrid/Corolla Hybrid

With 52 mpg, Toyota Camry Hybrid is also a great option. You may have some complaints about its handling and regenerative breaking, however, it still outperforms other available models. If you don’t like Camry Hybrid for some reason, you could also go for the Corolla Hybrid.

Honda Insight

If you want something similar to the Ioniq, Honda Insight could be a solution. It’s less fuel-efficient compared to the Ioniq, yet its performance isn’t any less impressive. Insight is a reliable, functional, and spacious vehicle, but it still drives 52 miles per gallon. Add modern features and advanced assistance systems to the list and you’ll easily see the perks of Insight.

Toyota Prius

Can you imagine a list of good mileage cars without the Prius? – I can’t. The reason is simple – this car delivers 56 mpg effortlessly. Even though certain parts of it could be better, it’s still suitable for daily commuting and city driving. Prius will reduce your fuel costs significantly.

HOW TO CHOOSE GOOD MILEAGE CARS?

To choose fuel efficient cars, you should follow simple steps, including determining your needs, estimating the budget, researching available models, comparing prices, and narrowing the options down. These steps might seem overwhelming, but they aren’t complicated at all in reality.

Think about your needs

It’s impossible to buy the right fuel-efficient vehicle (or any kind of vehicle for that matter) without thinking about your needs. Do you need a budget-friendly car to drive to work every day? Do you need something with a lot of cargo space? Do you live alone or with a family?

Answering these questions will help shift your thoughts from “what I want” to “what I need”. As you start scrutinizing your daily routines, you’ll come up with the type of car that will simplify your life.

Estimate your budget

Once you figure out what you need, it’s time to determine how much you’re willing to spend. Be it financing or paying upfront, you should still know what you can afford. You can find fuel-efficient options in every price range, be it under $10,000 or above $20,000.

Do your research

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of research. Nowadays, it’s unacceptable to make such important and expensive purchases without proper research. Examining reliability scores, reading reviews, and exploring other people’s experiences will help you out a lot. It’s one thing to read EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) estimates about mpg – it’s another to drive the car in real life.

Finding the most reliable and durable vehicles will pay off in the long run.

Compare prices and functionalities

Comparing the prices of the best gas mileage cars is also a great idea. Don’t forget to take functionalities into account to avoid overspending on models that aren’t worth the money.

If you want to buy a used model, you can check out the Kelly Blue Book price. That way, sellers won’t be able to rip you off.

Select a couple of options and check them out in person

The final step is to select a couple of options and examine them in person. You can take them for a test drive, check out the interior and exterior, and compare them with one another. By trying out selected models, you’ll be able to see whether you truly like them or not. You’ll also get the chance to ask the dealership about additional fuel-efficient features.

DOES MILEAGE AFFECT THE FUEL EFFICIENCY OF THE BEST MILEAGE CAR?

Higher mileage can affect the fuel efficiency of good mileage cars in certain situations. Even though it won’t happen with every high-mileage vehicle, it does influence the mpg.

We’ve all skipped scheduled maintenance once or twice. We’ve also exceeded the mileage limits of the engine oil. These things might seem like minor missteps, however, they affect the performance of our vehicles. More importantly, they affect the fuel economy. You mightn’t notice the increase in petrol consumption immediately, but you’ll certainly see the changes after a while.

That’s why we might notice that the fuel efficiency gets worse and worse the more we drive.

HOW DO PEOPLE SOLVE MILEAGE-RELATED ISSUES?

To compensate for the worsening fuel economy, some people choose to use the mileage blocker with fuel efficient cars. However, there are some tips and tricks on how to increase car mileage. They activate it to stop recording mileage and, thus, increase the value of the vehicle.

You see, high mileage cars are cheaper compared to their younger counterparts. Their price drops even more if the fuel efficiency is affected. Thus, certain sellers choose to mess with mileage to benefit from selling such vehicles.

You shouldn’t forget that the mileage blocker is better suited for the testing environment. Its only purpose is to help you check the functionalities of your car without adding unnecessary miles. Yes, some people choose to use it for the wrong reasons (which is also understandable given the circumstances), but that doesn’t change the ethical purpose of the mileage blocker.

FINAL TAKEAWAY

Finding the best mileage car isn’t a difficult task anymore – the market is steeped with fuel-efficient options. Each of these cars has its customers, which is why it’s so important to figure out what you need. By following all the necessary steps, you’ll be able to find a perfect option.

[skillstopallmedia]

Electric Lexus UX300e: what price increase with the biggest battery?

Thanks to a new battery, the Lexus UX300e gains 40% autonomy. But it pays off! Lexus’ first electric model had a modest range. With a 54.3 kWh battery, the UX300e was indeed announced with a WLTP combined cycle range of 313 km. But there is change! The small SUV from Toyota’s premium brand receives a new, much larger battery: 72.8 kWh. Logical consequence: autonomy jumps. Depending on the rims,…

[thecarevolution]

Lexus LX 570 Super Sport 2023 Model, Redesign, Release Date

Lexus LX 570 Super Sport 2023 Model, Redesign, Release Date

Lexus LX 570 Super Sport 2023 Model, Redesign, Release Date – The most recent technology through the famous Land Cruiser has arrived, and nowadays, we’ve been eagerly holding out to discover its significantly more high-quality iteration through the following-age team LX. According to the most recent documents, that can not arrive about so soon, and also, the approaching calendar year completely…

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

From car enthusiasts, an elegy for Pontiac Pontiac's GTO was arguably the original muscle car. The car quickly became an icon. By Michael Pollick Published: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 1:00 a.m. The Pontiac division of General Motors -- whose GTO was so famous that it became a classic song of the '60s -- will bite the dust, the victim of the automaker's need to reinvent itself and stave off bankruptcy. For American car fanciers, GM's announcement Monday felt more like a wake than a strategy question. "You hate to see a long-term brand like that just go away into nothingness," said Martin Godbey, owner of Vintage Motors of Sarasota and director of the Sarasota Classic Car Museum. "It's a huge manufacturing concern that inspires nostalgia with a lot of people, and it is gone." Then-GM designer John DeLorean immortalized the brand in 1964 with the creation of the Pontiac GTO. A few arguments from Mustang fanciers aside, the GTO was the original muscle car, Godbey said. DeLorean "took a Pontiac Tempest, a mid-sized two-door production car, and he dropped a big motor in it, put cool wheels on it, a four-speed transmission and hood scoops, and you've got an instant muscle car." That same year, a rock-and-roll group called Ronny & The Daytonas enshrined the car in a hit song called "G.T.O." Godbey has two GTO convertibles for sale, including a black beauty with three deuces, a four speed and a 389 (a big V-8 engine). The price tag for this car, with 53,000 original miles, is $69,000. What about noncollectible Pontiacs? Will prices plummet? "It is not going to be as dramatic as one would think," said Jesse Toprak, executive director of industry analysis for the auto Web site Edmunds.com. "The reason is that the values for domestic vehicles have suffered so much in recent months that we have probably reached a minimum threshold." Warranties are not a problem for Pontiac buyers because the government has already promised to back the manufacturer's warranty. Parts should not be a big deal either, a GM spokesman said. "I would not be worried about that," said Tom Henderson of the GM Services and Parts Operation. "We keep parts on hand typically for seven to eight years after the cessation of vehicle production." GM's press release indicates that 2010 will be the last model year for Pontiac. "I think it is going to be a very smart idea to consider purchasing a Pontiac this year. You're going to get a lot of car for the money," Toprak said. For the last few years, GM has been pushing dealers toward consolidating so that they typically offer Buick, Pontiac cars and GMC trucks from one store. There are only a handful of stand-alone Pontiac dealerships left, said attorney Michael Charapp of McLean, Va., who has about 300 car dealers as clients. In Southwest Florida, for example, most of the economic ramifications from the demise of Pontiac already have occurred, except for the write-off of the marquee by businessmen such as Robert Geyer, president of Sunset Automotive Group. In 2006, Sunset bought the Stinnett Pontiac car dealership, which had been a Sarasota fixture since 1944. In February, Sunset acquired the Carl Black GMC franchise and moved it into its Sunset-Chevrolet-Buick-Pontiac operation at 1800 Bay Road in Sarasota. Calls to dealership managers in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Punta Gorda were not returned Monday. That might be because the dealers do not really know what to say yet. A manager at Arcadia Chevrolet-Geo-Buick-Oldsmobile-Pontiac said Pontiac dealers will not know exactly what is going to happen and in what sequence until GM holds an internal get-together via the Internet, expected soon. One of the biggest concerns facing some of the dealers is survivability of the Buick-GMC combination without Pontiac, Toprak said. That is because Pontiacs provided the most affordable cars in that trio of brands. "You are left with Buick and GMC, and those two brands are not having the best time these days," Toprak said. "The consumers who do buy a domestic car are going for a cheaper car,

which Buick does not have, and the consumers going for an SUV are going for the car-based SUVs, or crossovers, like the Ford Escape, which GMC does not have much of." Toprak said that if he were on a GM task force, he would cut all brands except Chevrolet cars and trucks, plus Cadillac and Buick cars. In addition to selling the Saturn and Hummer brands, already under discussion, that would mean dropping the GMC truck and SUV line, Toprak said. "There is very little difference between Chevy and GMC SUVs and trucks." The resulting lean, mean lineup would make GM more like Toyota, which offers only three brands: Toyota, Lexus and Scion. Toyota has only 1,200 U.S. dealerships compared with 6,000 for GM. For the U.S. automaker, "prices go down because there are way too many dealerships for the same brand in one area," Toprak said. He said he would keep Buick because it is an extremely strong brand outside the United States. "In China, it is a real status symbol to own a Buick." In the meantime, for car dealership owners, there is a need for emotional as well as financial healing. "We've been talking to all our GM and Chrysler dealers for several months now about the need to be as lean as possible to make it through whatever restructuring takes place," said Charapp, the dealer attorney. "These days I am a business psychologist as much as I am a lawyer. These people have poured their lives into these dealerships."

[nightwingshero]

Hold Me Down Chapter 4

Yassss!!!! Hahaha!!!! Surprise!!! I was finally able to get this busted out!! Man, this chapter was...*whew*, it was a tough one! But she’s done and ready to read! It’s not fully edited because I’m too excited and want to post it now but I hope you guys like it!

@dieguzguz a special thank you to you, my dear. Sam, this would’ve been a train wreck if it weren’t for you. Thank you so much for being honest and putting me on the right track when I was going through my rough patch. With your help and advice, I was able to make this chapter everything it should be. Thank you!

The car ride was awkward. I felt like a five-year-old being forced to go to church on a Sunday morning, except I was a 27-year-old adult, being forced to move in with someone I hadn’t known for a full week. Someone, mind you, that had threatened to kill me and who I ended up holding a knife to. Part of me worried that I would wake up to one to my throat.

Atlanta was a decently sized,and with the traffic, it took us forever to get to our destination. The penthouse was on the outskirts of the city, giving what seemed to be a nice view of the city. But it had to have been built recently, the structure shiny and the windows huge. It’s almost intimidating as Randy turns, swiping a card at the gated entrance to the parking underneath.

The parking lot is dark, and I can’t help but remember all those scary movies I had seen in my lifetime so far. I eye Randy, because I know Viking Princess—Jane—is someone I can handle. I didn’t think Randy, or Jane, was a threat to me, especially in the light of current events. But in my life, you couldn’t be too sure. Someone was always ready to plunge a knife in your back, whether you were looking or not.

And I almost groan at the reminder of what I had agreed to. I didn’t know how the hell this was going to even work. I could pretend to be anything, anyone, to get what I needed. A businesswoman, a shallow woman who didn’t understand majority of things, even an escort at one low point in my life. But I had never tried to enter a fake engagement. I didn’t have the type of patience or time for that. A long con wasn’t something Dutch talked much about, despite teaching us the skill to do it. But cons were never the goal. No, our goal was much more sinister than that.

I rub my hands together as we park the SUV, glancing around to try and see through the tinted glass, but failing. As they step out of the vehicle, I follow suit, unsure of where exactly we were going, but I can tell that the garage is a few degrees cooler than being outside. It’s a nice relief, even if the eerie lighting threw me off. It didn’t, however, stop me from eyeing the line of cars.

An empty parking spot laid between a black Lexus and dark blue Jaguar F Type, making me curious to what was missing. I raised a brow, however, as I spotted an old black Mustang at the end of the line. Jane and Randy kept walking, as if it was absolutely normal, and it’s then that it occurs to me that maybe there were more people living in the building. I couldn’t wait to slip away to sweet talk the owner of the Mustang.

Stopping, Jane waves something in front of the elevator, a key card of some sort, and the elevator doors open. I’m grateful, as we ascend, that there isn’t any awkward elevator music playing to add to the odd atmosphere. I want to believe that this could fall under some sort of kidnapping, but I knew that wasn’t the case. I had come willingly, even if it felt like I didn’t really have the choice. Which seemed to be a reoccurring theme as of late.

So lost in my own thoughts, the ding of the elevator made me jump, forcing myself to face the reality of my new environment. The lights were off, indicating that no one was home. Despite the dark home, the massive windows at the other end showed the sun setting and the lights of the city shining around us. Mesmerized I walk forward, leaving Randy and Jane behind in the foyer. The lights switch on, and I realize that there’s a balcony there, the glass doors blending in perfectly with the windows, almost as if they weren’t there at all. The pool water sparkled, the blue of it creating a glow that clashed with the darkness of its surroundings. My skin itched to feel the gentle caress of the water, and I could bet anything that it was temperature controlled.

“I can show you to your room.” Randy called. I glanced over to see him waiting patiently at the bottom of a floating staircase, the dark black slabs embedded into the wall.

“Okay.” I replied, turning away from the view to follow him.

There were a couple of doors that we passed until we came to a small indent, not exactly a hallway, but something with a door on either side. “That’s John’s room.” Randy nodded to the right side. “If you need anything, he’s right across the way.”

I almost flinch a bit as Randy opened the door on the left. I’m sure he meant it to be reassuring, but I couldn’t bring myself to feel it. I was a misplaced object in this odd museum. The feeling just grows worse as we step into the room. The greys, blacks, and whites contradicting each other. It was probably the biggest bedroom I had ever seen, and my gut twists. Why the hell did someone ever find this necessary?

Randy gently placed the bag down on the bed and turned to me. “Take a few minutes to adjust and then come back downstairs. Jane is gonna whip something up for you.”

“And the prince himself?” I asked, continuing to look around.

“John is going to be out late tonight. He said that you were to eat something and to feel as comfortable as possible. You’re allowed to look around, most of the penthouse is open to you. His office and bedroom are off limits, though.”

I scoffed as I met Randy’s dark brown eyes. “Oh please, as if I would ever want to go anywhere near his bedroom.”

Randy’s lips grow into a tight line, but I can’t tell if he’s holding back laughter or a retort. Either way, it didn’t matter. He walked out, leaving me alone in my new gilded cage. I slowly walk around, noting how the windows were floor to ceiling, no way of getting out, especially from this high up. My skin crawled at the thought of there not being a way out, and I focused on my breathing. In and out slowly, because I wouldn’t let this get the better of me.

My fingers skim the silk fabric of the bedding, pressing down a bit, almost shocked at how soft it was. Feeling more like a child, I hop up on the bed and fall back. I sighed, my eyes closing briefly. I didn’t know what kind of mattress this was, but holy shit, was it heavenly. I open my eyes and stare at the ceiling. I feel this overwhelming urge to cry, the heavy feeling settling into my chest. I was finally given just a moment to myself, to be able to actually take a damn breath, and all I wanted to do was cry. I’ve been arrested, kidnapped, backed into a corner and forced into a fake engagement all while losing my apartment. There was no safe space for me anymore, nowhere for me retreat to. I was locked away with someone that was a clear threat if not handled correctly, and god, it was terrifying. I hadn’t felt less level of apprehension since Dutch. Always laying awake at night, scared of what next test he had in store. Part of me worried to waking with John’s hands around my throat.

A knock on the door sounded, making me jump. “Yeah?”

“Food’s done.” Randy called and I could hear his retreat.

“That was fast.” I muttered as I rolled of the bed, my feet landing on the soft rug as I kicked off my boots.

On the way down the stairs, I cling to the railing as my socks slid on my first step, and I refused to have ‘falling down the stairs’ added to the day’s events. I didn’t want to make any more of a fool of myself than I already have. I eyed Jane as I went though, noticing that she leaned against the counter and texted on her phone. Cringing, I eyed the bruising that began to develop from me breaking her nose. I felt a bit bad for it.

“So…what exactly am I eating?” I asked as I slowly made my way to the island in the center of the kitchen. It was modern—like everything else—with the island bar made wholly of white marble. The cabinets and counters of the rest of it was pitch black with a black and white marble black splash. I would be lying if I had said I wasn’t at least a bit envious. It was gorgeous, everything sleek and clean, all the appliances matching perfectly.

Jane cleared her throat and shoved her phone away as I sat at the bar, my hands resting against the cool surface. “I uh, made you grilled cheese. Hope that’s okay.” She muttered before placing a plate in front of me.

“Yeah, that’s totally fine.” I gave her a small smile, but she didn’t see it. I could smell the cheesy goodness, the sandwich cut in half diagonally, showing off the golden melted cheese. I took a bite, the cheese oozing in my mouth. Chewing and swallowing, I watch as she leans back against the counter. She looks exhausted. Another twinge of guilt. “Hey, look, I’m sorry about the nose thing. It wasn’t personal.”

Jane’s sharp green eyes find mine with a raised brow. “Not gonna lie, part of me wants punch you to call it even, but I’m gonna ask in all fairness: how likely am I to win that fight?”

“Hmm.” I smirk before tearing off a piece of the sandwich. “Not very.”

She shakes her head with a laugh as I take another bite. “You know it’s Jacob that trains us, and to have your small ass put me on my face in front of my fiancé and trainer is extremely humiliating. Although, I gotta say as a fan of dramatics in that department,” she threw a mischievous look, raising her brow playfully. “That was pretty badass.”

“Thanks.” I laugh a little as I continue to pick at my food. “So, what happens now?”

“Now,” she sighed. “We play the game. You’ll need to keep a low profile while we set the stage. Obviously, it would be strange if it got out that you were living with John before you’re at least spotted together in public. If we play it right, I think we could make it seem like you’ve been secretly dating the past few months.”

“To the public?”

“Right. But as for the feds and Drubmans? They’ll see that you’ve wrapped John Seed around your finger, doing your job as the engagement gets announced.”

Finishing off half of the sandwich, I gave her a look. “When is that?”

“I don’t know. Honestly, I think it’s all a bit cliché. Just stage a damn break in. Rough John up a bit, break in for fake documents or something.”

I laughed at her as Jane shrugged. “There’s an idea.”

There was a relief in finding some common ground with Jane, something I didn’t realize I truly needed up until now. I didn’t have any allies here, but maybe I wouldn’t have to be so alone. The idle chatter between us was slow, nothing deep, both of us guarded. The trust wasn’t there, and I had to respect her for being smart enough to not give away any details I could use.

After I was finished, she offered a tour, but I stubbornly refused. I was going to walk around his palace and admire what he was, but that didn’t help me from my eyes wondering, eyeing the pictures of family here and there. Most of it was just abstract paintings he decorated on his walls, but I could see a family painting and a few pictures. There were black and white shots of planes on the wall behind me, for whatever reason. I crushed my curiosity down out of pride.  

I finally called it a night, throwing Jane a good night over my shoulder as I made my way back to the room I was assigned. Locking the door behind me, I sighed heavily. I could watch tv for the rest of the night, allow myself to slip into a mindless state to help with the tension that I was feeling. But my curiosity finally won out as I started to explore my room in more depth. I walked over to the double doors on the other side of the room, wishfully hoping it was a way to escape.

As I ripped the doors opened, I am both star-shocked and disappointed. Part of me wanted it to lead to a secret balcony of some sort, but what I found instead was an unnecessarily huge walk-in closet. I flipped the light on to see the racks completely filled with clothes: dresses, suits, designer jeans and shirts. There were sunglasses, jewelry, and shoes.

I almost died as I knelt down to check the bottom of the shelves, eyeing the boots that sat there innocently. It was like a damn bookshelf, all the boots at the bottom with a few gym shoes and then…then the heels made up for the rest of it. My eyes widened at the sight of a few Doc Martens, a regular pair, one knee high, and the last was heeled. I couldn’t help but smile in excitement, my love for boots knew no bounds in all honestly. I moved on, checking out the assortment of heels. Most were black, some blue, silver, and grey. There were a few red and burgundy ones, too, and I couldn’t help but…feel a bit of unease.

Frowning, I glance back around, noting the colors—or lack thereof—and I felt a chill. It was strange to me that somehow, whoever did this, knew my taste. Knew my style well enough to pull it off. I turned, grabbed a heel, eyeing that famous red sole before checking the size. I dropped it as if I had been burned, then ripped a black business professional dress off the hanger and checked the tag. A shaky breath escaped my lips as the dress slipped to the floor. Everything was in my size…how the fuck did this happen?

Catching sight of a gown bag, I swallowed before rushing over. I pulled it, carefully unzipping it as I went. Pulling a side back, I drop it and scramble away. Newly dry cleaned and packed perfectly away, was the same dress I wore that night at the gala. I tried to take a calming breath, convincing myself it was a coincidence and that I was just paranoid. But I’ve done this for so long, my instincts couldn’t help but scream, warning me that this was all just too much to not mean something, but I wasn’t sure what. He had seen the dress, maybe he had bought it knowing that. But that didn’t explain everything else.

I’m hesitant, because lately every time I tried to dig, something bad ended up happening to me. My curiosity had done nothing positive for me in weeks, and this was no better. I didn’t want to see this, I didn’t want to acknowledge the possibilities…but I wouldn’t be alive today if hadn’t done those things. Biting my lip, I slowly think up for a plan to see what I could find. A visit to a certain friend could help put things in motion in finding out anything I needed to know. So, I walk out of the closet with a bitter thought of how anyone could afford—or deserve to afford—even half the shit in that damn closet.

Those were my thoughts as I woke up the next morning in the slate grey sheets and expensive down comforter. Worse case scenario I suffered through this for a few months, getting a taste of what I could have when this was all over. It wasn’t that bad. I had protection, slept at a penthouse, all needs were taken care of. I could put up with the insufferable asshole. I had the patience for that.

Right?

I eyed the closet doors and felt a twist of doubt, unsure if I did. Half of me screamed to ignore it and keep my hand down for the sake of getting by without causing anymore trouble. The other demanded answers, curiosity and anger working together to piece every little thing together.

Groaning, I sat up and made my way to the bathroom, doing my usual morning routine. Throwing on a pair of black shorts and adjusting my tank top, I cautiously open the bedroom door. The smell of bacon hit me immediately, and I could hear the sizzling of something. I sighed in relief, shutting the door behind me and running my hand through my hair. If Jane was here, that would make me feel at least a tad better, even though I was the reason she was sporting black eyes now.

My feet hit the cold surface of the stairs as I made my descent, glancing over once the kitchen came into view, and freezing on the spot. I debate running back up the stairs, but he glances over his shoulder at me. There’s no going back now.

I would have never guessed that John could cook, and even if he did, I didn’t think him the kind of person to cook for himself. So, it’s a shock to me, and it’s the excuse I use as I stare at him. His back is bare, with him being in only grey sweatpants that hung low on his hips. It gave me the perfect view of his tattoos. A huge black and blue raven spreading across his shoulder blades, a symbol on his left shoulder, a knife and snake under it, and a plethora of smaller, individual ones along his forearm. I couldn’t get a better look on his other side, but I was so sure that he had others. And as much as I admired the ink across his skin, it was the lines of scars that threw me.

Taking my time, I continued down while keeping a watchful eye on him. I had underestimated him; I knew that much. I just wasn’t sure how much. Joseph showed some cards yesterday, enough for me to know and understand that crossing him would be a terrible mistake on my part. But John…he was still a mystery, and I couldn’t afford any more surprises.

“Wren.” He looked over his shoulder briefly once more, before turning back. It’s alien, how my name falls from his lips. It makes me feel something else that I don’t know how to place. “It’s about time. I thought I would have to come up and make sure you hadn’t died in your sleep.” He called as I stood by the island. His voice had a deepness, almost husky, and I wondered if he sounded like that every morning. Up close I could see the red scars better. Some were random lines, others were words. Sins carved into his skin harshly, as I spy Sloth under his right forearm along with the other tattoos there. I force my attention away from it, swallowing my curious questions.

“I thought Jane would be making breakfast.” I shot back with a shrug that he couldn’t see, so focused on the skillet in front of him. “I was disappointed.”

John moved, transferring whatever he made onto a plate. “Jane is with Faith at their house. She doesn’t stay here. Faith prefers her fiancée at home.” He turned with the plate in his hand, placing it on the island and pointing at the barstool. “Sit. You need to eat.”

Any retort died in my throat as he fished his phone out of his pocket. His chest was well toned and lean. He wasn’t big like Jacob seemed to be, but he had muscle to him. Part of me wondered how much of a challenge he would be if it were an actual fair fight, just him and I. His body was lithe, for sure, so not only would he have strength on his side, but he would be fast, too. I’ve already had a taste of that.

My eyes trace the lines of the scales he has tattooed just under his chest and ending just above his belly button, with another starting right under. A smaller version of the symbol in the center as dark lines and shading to give it a dark glow, with a design underneath that was cut off by his pants. I sat down, feeling uncomfortably warm, and looked down at the plate. “I’d appreciate you not acting like you’re my dad, telling me what to do.” I snarked.

John stopped texting to throw me a dark look, the corners of his mouth twisting the slightest in a smirk, opening his mouth to say something. He stopped himself, hesitating, before his mouth forms a tight line. “Just eat.” He began typing away again, his hair falling in his face a bit. “We’re going to have to announce our…relationship to the public soon. I’ve made a reservation for us this weekend. It’ll give your face time to heal and the sooner we get this going, the better.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he tossed his phone on the counter. “I hope you like Italian.”

He leaned against the counter, his hands gripping the edge as he stared at me. I almost rolled my eyes. How this man could be nothing but business while walking around in sweats was just ridiculous. “Oh good, I love spaghetti.” He said nothing, but I could see the frustration and ire working its way into his eyes. “I’m kidding. Italian is fine.” This time I did roll my eyes.

“Good. There’s plenty of clothes in your closet, and I hope you found something that suits your taste in the bathroom. I don’t know what brands you use, or whatever.” His phone buzzed, gaining his attention.

“You were the one that did that?” I asked, raising a brow at him, my thoughts going to mystery of the wardrobe I had been given. John snapped his gaze to mine.

“No.” he answered, quickly and almost snapping at me. Clearing his throat, he continued. “No, Whitney and Faith did that. I couldn’t be bothered with it. She thought you and Jane were about the same size.”

I narrowed my eyes at him when he looked away. That was…awfully fast, especially for the amount that littered that damn closet. It didn’t really make sense, but I shove it aside, not wanting to start a fight first thing in the morning. “And here I thought it was for the women I’m sure you have milling in and out.”

Ah. So much for no fighting. Pull a punch only to throw another. Good job, Wren.

But John scoffed, a small smirk on his lips. “My one-night stands don’t stay, my dear. And no one would ever be allowed to keep anything here, let alone a full closet of that size.” He threw me a taunting look. “Which I’m sure you’ll understand.”

I frowned, my nose wrinkling. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“I mean you seducing all those men you con—”

I threw my head back, a laugh escaping before I look back at him. “Oh, no. I don’t sleep with my marks. Ever. That’s a rule of mine. I don’t ever mix business with pleasure. Besides, most of those men are old and cringy. No thank you.”

“Why?” he asked, folding his arms as he leaned against them on the island. “Bad experience?” He smirked at his own innuendo and I hesitated. I didn’t trust him, not by a long shot, and I didn’t want to ever give him something to use against me. But on the other hand, he was supposed to be an ally, my employer’s brother, and for this particular job, my partner. So, against my better judgement, I decide to be honest.

“When we’re recruited, we learn that creating ties is dangerous.” I stared, playing with the food with a fork. “So, we’re taught how to kind of…shut our emotions away.” Sighing I give him a look. “And for some people, it’s harder said than done.”

He quirked his brow at me. “You don’t have sex because you will get emotionally attached?” John laughed. “Oh, you’re one of those. A bit needy and can get a bit clingy because they end up wanting something more.”

I immediately frowned, irritation making my face hot. Fucking playboys. “No, I don’t sleep with them because they’re disgusting, greedy leeches, and it’s unprofessional. Sex complicates everything, because you’re always messing with someone’s emotions, and that’s where I draw my line. I’m in the game of stealing, not manipulating someone’s emotions just because I can. That being said,” I hopped off the stool, pushing the plate away, before I lean close to him. “Just because some women want something more, and have feelings, doesn’t make them needy or clingy. In fact, they aren’t the ones to blame at all. It’s not their fault you’re a heartless asshole.”

I turned, making my way back up the stairs without another word.

Coming back down a bit later, I found him no where in sight. Jane and Randy sat at the island instead, playing poker. They looked up at the sound of my approach. “I need a car. Unless you two wanna drive me around all day, although I would prefer to be alone.”

Randy hesitated looking uneasy. “Uh, I don’t think—”

“Just give her the keys to the Lexus. John has been using the Audi, he’s not gonna miss it.” Jane cut him off, throwing me a smirk. I couldn’t help but return it, the guilt slowly faded away more as the mutual respect began to grow between us. I had a feeling we were going to get along just fine.

He gave Jane one more look before turning back to me. “The table in the foyer, there’s a black tray where he keeps his keys. Do not grab anything other than the keys for his Lexus.” Randy warned, pointing at me. I rolled my eyes, making my way over.

I raised a brow, seeing the keys neatly laid out. How many cars did this guy have? I rolled my eyes, grabbing the Lexus key fob. I was ready to get the fuck out of here and see what I could find, both with the wardrobe confusion and the apartment issue.

Duncan, you asshole.

 I huffed as I parked on the side of the street, eyeing the building. This was the right place, right? Checking my mirror, I open the door and exit the car. I immediately miss the air conditioning, but I push that aside. I was on a mission and this was long overdue. I should have done this before anything else, but it had gotten away from me. I guess being kidnapped had a way of taking up your time.

The building was beautiful to say the least. And I wasn’t sure how the owner did it, mixing between old and modern. It was one of the classier tattoo shops I’ve come across. Made that familiar urge rise up within me again, that familiar and comforting sting that always left something beautiful behind.

Pain was temporary, but vanity…vanity was forever.

Making a mental note to come up with some ideas, I pushed the glass door open. This had to be the one. It was the only tattoo shop close to Mary May’s sports bar, and she did mention it was down the road. I would hunt them down, one by one, though. How many tattoo parlors could Atlanta have anyway? I was determined.

The air conditioning was welcoming when I entered, and a bell dinged to announce my arrival. The inside was gorgeous, to say the least. Dark walls with light flooring, a red accent wall that made the room pop in a way that drew you in. While most of it was sleek, there were Victorian touches here and there, from the plush couch to the light fixtures. A beautiful balance.

“Hold on, I’m comin’!” A male voice drawled, and I couldn’t help but allow my lips to curl into a smirk. I broadened when Sharky came around the corner. He stopped short, seeing me standing in the lobby, and I watched as he took a second to recover. “Oh. Hey there, Shorty. What’cha up to?”

I watched the way he shifted his weight from foot to foot while shoving his hands in his green hoodie. “Nothing much. I was in the neighborhood and thought I would drop by. Mary May said you got a new gig here recently. Didn’t know you were an artist, Sharky.”

“Oh, well.” He cleared his throat while throwing me a sheepish smile. “I actually do the piercings, you see. I ain’t good at drawing or any of that fancy stuff.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “To each their own. But uh…I came here for a reason.”

Catching onto my meaningful stare, he jumped with eyes wide. “Oh! Yeah, follow me this way. We can talk back here.” Sharky turned with a wave of his hand, and I followed him back down the hallway. I eyed the work hung up on the walls, but nothing stood out specifically to me. Just drawings or pictures of work that was done, very good work.

“Who did all these?” I asked.

“Our boss.” Sharky called over his shoulder as he opened a door at the end of the hallway. “He doesn’t come around much with his big-shot career taking up most of his time, but when he is here, he ain’t got any extra time. You gotta book him months in advance.”

I raised my brow, impressed. I’ve had my fair share of experience with talented artists, so it wasn’t that shocking that someone was so in demand. What was shocking was the fact that it wasn’t this man’s main gig. A big-shot career? What the hell did this guy do? And that question became even bigger as I stepped into what I assumed to be his office. Huge glass desk with a fancy computer, with blotch tests framed and amazing abstract paintings hung proudly on the walls. What really caught my attention was the one painting that seemed to be misplaced.

It was religious, that was for sure. A dark version of the Garden of Eden, Eve being entangled naked by a snake while Adam gripped her and bled. I had never seen anything like it before, but something about made you just stare. Sharky finally caught onto what had grabbed my attention.

“Oh yeah. He uh, he has an obsession with religion. I mean, some of his family does, too. Especially his parents, so…there are pieces like that in some of our rooms. Each one is inspired by a sin, I think.”

“And this one?”

“I think it’s supposed to be temptation or something. Or a warning to not touch snakes or naked ladies. I’m not sure.”

I shook my head. “Listen, I came here to check on you and discuss some business. I also need a favor.”

Sharky shifted uneasily. “What’s up?”

“I had some cops, and a fed, tell me they shook you down for information on me. They obviously have been following me because they had a photo of us talking. Any chance that they got anything on you?”

“Feds?” he asked throwing me a confused look. “Nah, nobody approached me.”

“Then what made you have a career change?” I asked.

“Thought it would be a good idea to make legit money, too. Besides, my boss wanted me.

“Is this the same guy whose name was on my lease?” Sharky flinched, giving me my answer, and I sighed. “Damn it, Sharky. I told you to put it under me—”

“My boss wouldn’t let me.”

“What do you mean?”

Sharky paled, making a show of glancing at a watch he didn’t own. “Oh, look. I gotta go—”

I immediately stepped into this path, crossing my arms as I blocked the door. “Sharky, explain. Now.”

“Okay!” he threw his hands up in defense. “My boss…well, he knows about you. Like, knows that you’re a total badass and stuff. So…he invested.”

“Invested?” I asked, an uneasy feeling coming over me. I thought I was flying under the radar, only coming out of the shadows because John had caught me. “What do you mean he knows about me?”

“Well,” he rubbed the back of his neck, unwilling to meet my eyes. “he knows of you. Knows what you can do. And well, he’s my boss Shorty. I can’t do business with just anybody.”

“Sharky, you’re a fence. That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do.”

“It’s more complicated than that.” He mumbled, staring at his feet. “If it weren’t for my boss, I’d be dead. He saved my life. So, no, I only do fence work for him and who he allows.”

My brows furrowed. This was supposed to clear up things, not making them more confusing. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t really want to talk about it, but my aunt got me out of some…family issues. And well, my boss took me under his wing, kinda. Protected me, you know?” My heart tugged for him. I knew family issues all too well, and he was lucky to have someone to be there for him. Well, fuck.

“So, this ‘Duncan’ is your boss?” I sighed. “And he…invested?”

Sharky perked up at the change of my tone. “Yeah! He was like, super impressed with what you did in L.A., so yeah. He invested.”

“He…he knows about what happened in Cali?” I breathed out, a chill going over my spine.

Of all the things, that wasn’t something I would want anyone to witness. I was still licking my wounds from my wounded pride, my actually injuries healed long ago. It was the first time I had been caught, a tip was given, and I had found myself fighting for my life. I was lucky enough to avoid law enforcement, which seemed to be a miracle. I definitely left a lasting impression and I wasn’t sure if I would ever walk into that city again. Not that I would ever miss it. Good riddance.

“Yeah, but don’t worry.” He waved it off with a roll of his eyes. “He ain’t worried ‘bout all that.”

“So…when you bought me that dress…” I trailed off, the dress coming to mind as I gave him a look.

“He did. I ain’t that good at woman shopping.” Sharky replied with a laugh. “He has good taste, knows exactly what to get. That knife strap still working good?”

“The strap is fine.” I replied absentmindly. I had returned that dress, never keeping things that I used or wore on jobs to destroy any connection. I didn’t like this, not one bit. There was an extremely small chance it was a coincidence. It might not have even been the same dress I wore, just a replica that Whitney had bought. It could have been a joke on John’s part. Perhaps I was just reaching due to paranoia. I sighed and decided to change the subject. But…about that favor?”

“What do you need?” he asked cautiously.

“I need a new set of throwing knives. Just like, three of them. Custom made with the blue blades.”

Sharky threw his head back and groaned. “Girly, you know how much those cost? You want regular throwing knives, I got you. But those customized ones? My boss—”

“If he’s really invested, then he’ll get them.” I replied sternly. “I’m assuming he’s going to want me to do a job for him then?”

Sharky sighed, shaking his head. “It’s complicated. I don’t know what the dude wants, but he keeps the money comin’ for yah.”

“Well…that might be a blessing with what work I have cut out in front of me.” I walked towards the desk, finding it neat and clear of any documentation. Nothing that I could swipe, but there were interesting paperweights and fancy pens. No pictures of family…nothing. “I got myself tied up in a job for the next few months, at least.”

“Job with who?” he asked, not even noticing me taking note of everything I could. I was desperate for a clue, for anything, that could lead me to who this guy was. I didn’t like that someone was watching from the shadows.

“I don’t think I’m really allowed to say.” I replied turning back to him. “I know that I’m gone once it’s over. Tell your boss I appreciate…whatever it is that he did, but I don’t think I’m interested in whatever he has in mind. I just want the knives.”

Sharky shrugged. “I don’t think he has anything in mind, just interested in yah. You want me to deliver those knives somewhere special?”

I snorted. “You can have him deliver them himself to get rid of all this mystery bullshit. But if that can’t be arranged, I can just stop by here. Either way.”

Sharky gave a nod. I was tired of all this suspense, all these surprises that seemed to come out of nowhere. I didn’t know how many people were involved with this, but I was hoping that I had reached the end. Having another player in the game wasn’t something I could afford at the moment. I couldn’t even handle my new roommate, let alone Drubman and the feds breathing down my neck. Which reminded me that I needed to check in sooner rather than later before they hunted me down.

I only stayed for a few more hours, talking and joking with him. I didn’t get a whole lot of time with Sharky, or anyone for that matter. I never really allowed myself to make friends, and I always viewed him, and Mary May, more along the lines of associates or colleagues than anything. But I had found myself growing more and more fond of these people, no matter how much I tried to avoid it.

Finally, waving goodbye, I exited the shop and back into the heat of Atlanta. Somehow, I had managed to kill most of the day, which was fine by me. Normally I was a home body, but with my new living arrangement, I was desperate to get out of the house. Suddenly I found that I enjoyed being out and about.

I turned, checking to see Sharky gone as I pulled out my phone and clicked on her contact. Bringing it to my ear, I listened to it ring. I knew she was about to get busy, but I was hoping she would answer anyway.

“Hello?” Mary May answered, relief flooding over me.

“Hey, May. It’s me.”

“Well, look who decided to stick around. I assumed you were still here since you never swung by to say bye.” There was a beat of silence, but not enough for me to answer. “Wait, unless you’re already gone. Did you leave without saying bye, you asshole?”

I chuckled at her. She was always so damn mouthy. “No, I’m still here in Atlanta.” Unfortunately. “But I’m calling you because I need a favor. Can you look someone up for me?”

“Oh.” She sounded shocked, but she recovered quickly. “Yeah, sure. What’s the name?”

“Duncan. Male, I think.”

“First or last?”

“Yeah, I’m not entirely sure.” I replied almost sheepishly.

Mary May sighed. “Wren, do you have any idea how common that name is? That’s going to take me forever.”

“Well, apparently he’s a big-time businessman here in Atlanta, so that could help. He also owns a tattoo shop. Oh, and the bastard was renting my apartment the whole fucking time. There’s that.”

Mary May hesitated. “Wait…tattoo parlor? Wren, where are you?”

“In Atlanta—”

“Where exactly?” she pressed. I frowned as she sighed. Where the hell was this coming from. “Like, what’s the name of the parlor?”

“It’s the one Sharky is working with. I dropped by and said hey.” I said, brushing it aside.

“Does Sharky know you’re doing this?”

“What he doesn’t know won’t kill him.” I replied impatiently. “His boss has a keen interest, and I have every intention on finding out who has their eye on me.”

Mary May groaned. “Why do I get the feeling this is going to end badly? I can already tell this is going to turn into a ‘Wren-Gets-Into-More-Trouble-Than-She-Anticipated’ moment.”

“Where’s your faith, May?”

“Extremely low considering the last week.”

“Oh…well yeah, that’s fair.”

“So, the name of the tattoo parlor?”

“Right, hang on.” I turned back, checking to make sure Sharky was still out of sight before my eyes fall to the glass. “It’s called—"

I froze, frowning as I eyed the decal on the window. I can’t help but feel irritated, knowing that I had seen that symbol somewhere but couldn’t think of where for the life of me. I pinched the bridge of my nose as a headache began to form.

“Wren?”

“Oh, yeah. Uhm, it’s called Garden of…of Eden…?” I almost scoffed. There was no fucking way. “Yeah, okay, so this guy is religious. Or likes to play with a religious theme. I half expect him to be old and gross. And if that’s the case, tell him I’m a lesbian.”

She snorted. “Yeah, okay. I’ll see what I can find.”

“Thank you.” Just as I hung up, a little alert came through, announcing a new text. As I read it, my heart sank. Fuck.

Update? You’ve been silent too long. -JH

Welp. There was that. With everything going on, I completely forgot that I was actually supposed to be checking in with them, giving updates as things progressed. I bit my lip, trying hard to think of a good response. If they found out I had moved in with John, they would know something was up. This had to be done delicately or we were all screwed. Me, above the rest, though.

Made some progress with the youngest brother. Having dinner. Will keep you updated.

Shoving the phone in my pocket, I make my way to my new car. I was just ready to crawl in bed, sleep forever, and pretend this wasn’t fucking happening. This had only gotten worse, people shifting their attention towards me like never before. It was annoying and I wanted it over with. I couldn’t wait to leave, to go somewhere secluded where no one would ever be able to find me unless I wanted them to.

I drove back quickly, doing my best to avoid the traffic. Eyeing the black Audi, I groan. That only meant that John was back, and I really didn’t have the patience for this asshole anymore today. Part of me hoped that he would be holed up in his office, and I took comfort in it.

But all of that came crashing down when I stepped into the penthouse, loud music playing, the lights dimmed except for his massive lounge. Laughter and thrilled shrieking joined the music, forcing my headache to get even worse. I began to make my way over cautiously, eyeing Jane as she leaned against the separating wall of the room and hallway. She gave me a look as I stepped into the light of the room.

Nothing in this world really shocks me anymore, but I have to hand it to him, John Seed kept me on my toes. “What the fuck?’ I muttered under my breath, taking in the scene before me. John had the same suit on from this morning, or what was left of it. The vest was gone along with the jacket, his sleeves rolled up and the woman half across his lap must have been responsible for unbuttoning half the buttons, or ripping them, seeing that there were a few scattered on the floor. She was in a bright red dress that clung to her curves almost revealing, and she had no issue with pressing all of it against him. Her blonde hair curled and falling messily out of some sort of updo.

The two men on the adjacent part of the couch were no better. Though the women that accompanied them seemed a bit…paid for. They were older, rich by the looks of it, and I’m sure they lived like kings. I recognized one as Charles, the man I had tried to steal from, and the other was a man I hadn’t seen before. He had a half-assed combover with a gut.

“Who the fuck is this?”

I turned at the sound of the blonde’s shitty tone. Her red lipstick is a bit smeared, leaving some on the collar of John’s shirt and his neck. The eyeliner being smudged gave her a coked-out vibe that I wasn’t sure sat well with me, and eyeing the living room table, I found out why. Lines of white powder, nice and neat, laid contrasting against the black glass, and looking at John, I could see remnants of is in his facial hair. His eyes were glassy and bloodshot, his face flushed out. He looked at her with a lazy smile.

“No one, Holly. Don’t worry about her.” John drawled.

I narrowed my eyes at him as Jane sighed behind me. My jaw ticked as I tried to evaluate the situation. I felt like I had just come home to find my husband cheating, and not in the sense that I was betrayed by someone I loved. No. It was the feeling like I was the butt of a joke, that I was to be humiliated, and I was pathetic even being here to confront him for it.

“Right. I’m no one.” I echoed emptily. He caught my gaze once more, the challenge there in his eyes. “That’s exactly how the conversation went.” I’m not a jealous girlfriend—or fiancé—in this moment. I’m a pissed off business partner, who has found just how irresponsible her associate is; that had realized that this was a side of John Seed that wasn’t expected. I might have hated John Seed, but he had my respect.

Until now.

John smirked before hanging his head back. “Please go away. The last thing I want to deal with now is you. You’re ruining my fun with my friends.”

“Your friends?” I scoffed. A sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach made me cringe. “You call these people your friends?”

He laughs, looking at Holly. “She doesn’t even like to have sex. Such a fucking prude. Doesn’t know how to have fun.”

“That’s okay, sweetheart.” The fat one called. “You can come over here and I’ll teach yah!”

I scoffed glancing down at my shoes, trying to ignore the sting in my chest, and I look back up with a mocking laugh. “No, I have more self-respect than that. Unlike the other’s in this room, it seems.” I walk closer to John, his smirk falling at my words as I lean down. “Yeah, I might not be on your level of a good fucking time, and I lie, manipulate, and steal.” I sneered lowly as Holly returned to the table with a rolled up hundred-dollar bill. “But what I don’t do…is lie to myself. I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not for the sake of so-called friends that want nothing from me, but drugs and money. I don’t fill that dark hole with useless shit.” I lean back, taking a step away. “I may not have liked you, but I at least respected you. Disappointing that you don’t.” I sighed, looking at his little plaything. Clearing my throat, making a show of wiping my nose. “You gotta little something…”

She glared at me, rubbing the back of her hand against her nose, but traces of cocaine lingered. “Fuck off!”

“Classy.” I replied unamused, before quickly turning and walking out. “I hope you enjoy yourselves.” Jane met my gaze as I passed her, her eyes sad and tired. My heart is heavy for her, knowing that it was not just her boss, but her brother-in-law in there, wasting his life away on the things that didn’t matter. For people who would never give a shit about him.

“He wasn’t always like that, you know.”

I stop as I enter the main hall, my eyes catching the sight of Joseph leaning against the wall in the dark. He’s wearing a simple suit, similar to what he had worn yesterday, with the same damn sunglasses. “What? Arrogant, misguided, and heartless?”

He threw me a look, those eyes searching my soul until he pushed himself off the wall. “Walk with me.” Giving a slight nod towards the balcony outside, I walk next to him slowly.

Joseph is completely at ease, despite this not being his scene. He seemed so out of place, but he took it in stride. He pushed the sliding glass door open, the cooler air hitting us as we stepped out. Shutting the door behind us, he turned and walked towards the railing, leaning against it as he admired the view. It was fully dark by now, the lights of the city competing with the stars in the sky.

“My brother is most of those things and more, but heartless isn’t one of them.” Joseph finally spoke, drawing my attention to him, seeing the lights reflect in the yellow lens. “He would like you to believe that, because well…I guess that would make him stronger…untouchable, in a sense, yes?”

I leaned with him, deep in thought and hanging onto his every word. “Yes, I suppose that would make anyone feel invincible.”

“Hmm.” He gave me a glance before turning back and sighing. “John used to be such a loving child, constantly laughing and smiling, believe it or not. His parents…his parents ripped that from him.”

“You mean your parents.” I corrected with a furrowed brow, but Joseph just shook his head and looked at me.

“No, I mean John’s parents.” He cleared his throat a bit before continuing. “I’m going to tell you this because I need this to work between the two of you. I need you to work together and right now, that partnership is in flames. Anymore stress, and one of you is bound to explode, and John is infamous for his anger issues, especially to his enemies. And Ms. Blake, despite only knowing you for only 24 hours, I do not with that upon you. But this goes nowhere, do you understand? This stays between us.”

It’s quiet for a second as his eyes drill into mine, and I realize he’s waiting for an answer. “Oh. Yes, of course. I understand. I won’t say a word.”

Satisfied, he turned back to the city and I followed suit, hyperaware of Joseph’s words as they fall from his lips. “I suppose I should start from the very beginning. Our father was a…god fearing man. Knew the bible like the back of his hand. And while he held bible verses in one, he held a drink in another. He was an alcoholic and well…he took a lot of it out on us.”

“And your mother?” I whispered, my heart starting to ache.

“Oh, well, she was there, but she wasn’t.” he sighed. “I didn’t know it as well as I do now. Maybe I had known, I just didn’t want to admit it or accept it. But she was absent, locked away in the bedroom days at a time. I can’t say for sure if it was pills or a needle, but I knew well enough back then that she wasn’t of much help to any of us. It was Jacob who protected us.”

“He definitely seems like the type.” I muttered, remembering the towering man, and Joseph chuckled. “So, what happened?”

Joseph clicks his tongue matter-of-factly. “It was John, actually. That’s how they found out. He went to school with bruises on him and the teacher saw. The next thing we knew…child protective services had come for us.” It’s quiet again as he pauses, and I absorb the information. Even with the sounds of the city, you can hear the water in the pool, and it’s relaxing. There’s a loud cheering from inside and Joseph decides to break the silence. “We got adopted, of course. But…well, they were worse than what we came from, and Jacob being Jacob…well, he wouldn’t ever stand for it.”

“What did he do?”

“He caught their barn on fire.” I frowned immediately, flinching away as if he had slapped me, but Joseph paid no mind, not noticing my reaction. “Then he beat them to death. And they deserved it, but the authorities didn’t see it that way. So, they took Jacob away from us. Not long after that, John was finally adopted.” Another sigh as he shifted. “And these people, swore to be good Christian people, but didn’t know the meaning of it. Swore that John was born evil, born in sin.” He looked at me with a shake of his head. “Misplaced belief breeds disaster. Always.”

The way he said it made a chill go up my spine, my body going cold with dread. “They sound insane.”

“You haven’t even heard the half of it, my dear.” Joseph clenched and unclenched his hands as he stared at them. “They beat him, manipulated him, tore him down until he was exactly what they wanted. He was a shell of himself. Made him confess to sins he had never committed and made it to where he believed he was wrong. His whole existence was nothing but sin. So, he learned how to be the perfect son. Learned how to become a chameleon of sorts, changing colors and pieces of himself for each interaction and person. Something I’m sure you can relate to?”

I shift uncomfortably under his gaze, because it’s so true. Both of us trained and taught to be what others wanted us to be, to be the perfect shining example that stood above the rest. I hated that he was right, that there were similarities between the two of us that shook me to the core, and I wanted to rip it away. To deny any of it, because I would never do what he was doing now. Never would I fall so low.

Become one of his coked-up buddies he keeps around, for all I fucking care. If you value your life, you’ll do this.

A sick feeling twists inside as Hurk Sr’s words whisper harshly in my mind. I did value my life, and I wasn’t so sure of what I would and wouldn’t do anymore. If someone had asked me a few months ago if I would stage an engagement, I would’ve laughed in their face. But yet, here I was, in a situation I had sworn I would never allow myself to get into; a situation where someone else was in control and pulling the strings. I couldn’t really say anything anymore.

“He quit for a while.” Joseph murmured. “John hasn’t…he hasn’t done something like this in a very long time. But we need the partnership, I need them in there to align with us. He knows that…and this was his way…this is my fault, and I know that. John would do anything for his family.”

“You didn’t ask him to do any of that, Joseph.” I whispered. “We make our own choices. And there’s another way, John just…doesn’t know how to apply it yet.” I don’t know why I was defending him, but I knew I spoke from experience. When you didn’t know how else to handle a situation, you always fell on bad habits. They were the most comfortable.

“I’m hoping he will get better. He has, really. But tonight has me worried.” He scoffed. “The Duncan’s did a hell of a job on him, and I’m doing what I can to break their hold. After dead for so many years, you would think their influence would’ve died with them.”

My heart stops as I look at Joseph. “What? What did you say?” He gave me a confused look, and I clarified. “The name. Who?”

“The Duncan’s. They were John’s adoptive parents. Before he changed it back, John’s last name was Duncan.” I swallow as Joseph looked away, brushing something off his suit jacket.

John Duncan.

[jj-lynn21]

Roman & Princess: You and Me and...

Notes: Spreading a little positive about Dialysis in this one. I was on dialysis 10 years before my current kidney transplant that has been working fine 23 years. I am lucky.  But I also want to share that Dialysis is not a death sentence like Hollywood movies and tv shows make it out to be, That annoys me so bad. I was patient coordinating while I was on dialysis 3 day a week for four to six hours.  The biggest issue I had was my blood pressure would drop real low. I still went out dancing after sometimes. A strict one cup a day/ 1000 ccs fluid restriction had to be followed and low potassium and low protein diet. So basically I ate pasta( LOL) I didn’t diabetes so I think that made it easier for me. I went through high school and two semesters of college while still on dialysis. I don’t think I could have held a full time job since it did make me get tired easier than most but everyone is different. I also told people if you follow your kidney diet you shouldn’t have a problem.  And way there is a dash about dialysis in this one so I wanted readers to know I was coming from a place of knowledge. No real warnings. Just lots of blood but you just expect that from a Roman fanfic.

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The door slams shut as Roman tosses his brief across the table. Skin is paler than ever. He feels nauseated at the smallest sips from the blood bag in the refrigerator. As his stomach turns, he throws water on his face and that is when he hears the sounds of his girl lurching and dry heaving upstairs.  He rushes up.

Throwing the door open Roman sees the blood splatter on the toilet and floor as she is on her knees crying as she lurches again. “Oh, Hell, Princess.”

“Roman?” She looked up at him. Her eye lids heavy as she started to sway. “I don't feel so good.”

He grabbed her up right before she was passing out. Roman laid her gently on the bed.  “Call Dr. Pryce.” He screamed at his phone that he laid on the bedside table. He grabbed her some clean cloths as the phone rang.

“Hello Roman I was just about to call you about your test results.” His lack of really caring was evident in his voice.  

“I don’t fucking care about me right now,” Roman snapped. “My girl was puking blood when I came home. She passed out. I am bringing her to the white tower.”

“As you wish Roman,” Dr. Pryce’s voice had no reaction. “She is probably having a different reaction to the same enzyme I found in you. You both need dialysis treatments is my guess. See you when you get here.” He hung up abruptly before Roman could scream at him more.  

Roman finished dressing his Princess in under garments and a dark blue t-shirt dress. Then he swooped her, his phone and the car keys up to head to the white tower. He drove erratically. His eyes blurry, head heavy. He veered into the parking area hitting the wall before coming to a stop. He dented the front end of his new red Lexus SUV.  

Five men and women came out in white coats. Doctors Pryce and his assistance Dr. Galina followed them.  

“Roman you look like Hell,” Dr, Pryce commented nonchalantly. “Come with me. Dr. Galina will help your Princess.” He rolls his eyes thinking how ridiculous it is to give her a royal moniker.  

“I’m fucking living in Hell,” Roman picks up his girl. “I’ll bring her inside.”

“Nonsense,” Dr. Galina snapped. “Take the girl to my lab so I can run some tests. If she is the same as Roman, we will give her the same treatment promptly.”

“Don’t you dare hurt her or I will kill you all.” Roman threatened as the orderlies and nurses took her from his arms.

“Noted,” Dr. Galina said glibly. “You can come see her after your treatment.”  

Roman followed them until the area split where she was taken one way and he was taken another.  

“Sit please.” Dr. Pryce pointed his hand to a chair at the end of the room with a machine near it with tubing running through it. “I explained on the phone you have some foreign enzyme in your blood so we will be cleaning your blood. It may take more than one, four-hour treatment.”

Bright light pierces her eyes as they flutter open. Dr.  Galina leans over her with a clipboard in her hand. “Good you’re awake.” She checks the flow of the bag of blood hanging. “You gave Roman quite a scare. I didn’t realize he had such emotions. How do you feel?”

“A little better,” Roman’s girl said. “where? What happened?”

“You have that same enzyme in your system Roman does.” Dr,  Galina explained. “It prevented you from seeking nourishment like you should. I am cleaning your blood on this dialysis machine. And giving you blood. You may drink some when you think you can. But don’t worry, your baby will be fine. Would you like to sit up a little?”

“What?” Eyes wide as she looked at how she was attached to the machine.  

“Would you like to sit up?” Dr. Galina asked again. “You have about an hour left in this treatment. You can rest more if you like. A female upir in your condition needs her rest. And you need to drink more. Adding more beef or steak tartar might be a good idea also.”

She blinks a few times, “Are you serious? I’m pregnant?”

“Yes,” The Doctor answered her.

“Does Roman know?” His Princess pondered the reactions he might have from being angry to elated.  

“No,” Dr.  Galina set up the head of her bed. Moved the pill up. “would you like me to go do that dear?” This was not done out of kindness. She was curious of Roman’s reaction also.

“I’ll do it.” Her lips felt dry and she was getting a desire to rip into the Dr. She looked away from the vein pulsing in the Doctor’s neck. “Can I have a drink? Something fresh if you can.”

“I’ll do my best.” Dr. Galina  walked out. She told a lab tech, “Go watch over her. But I wouldn’t get to close if I were you.”  

The tech walked in the room. He smiled. “How are you doing, Princess.”

“I’m feeling better.” She smiled innocently as she heard the blood rushing through his body. “I could use the pillow behind me scooched up a little.”

The tech walked towards her slowly.  

“Is something wrong?” She tilted her head eyes big and bright. Face of an angel to the tech. “Fix my pillow please?”

“Everything is fine, I guess” He fluffed her pillow. “Anything else?”

“Yes.” She grinned before grabbing him down with one arm. Her mouth opens, teeth bite down on his shoulder to drink. He is paralyzed in fear.  

In minutes Dr. Galina  walks in with a glass full of nutrients. She audibly gasped. “What are you doing?”

Princess drops the lifeless body. “I thought you sent him in so I could have a fresh drink. You didn’t?” Her voice was calm and innocent as she licked at what got on her fingers.

Dr. Galina shakes her head, “I’ll clean you up before Roman comes to see you.’

She gets everything cleaned up. Princess stands still hooked to the dialysis machine. A chair with a blanket was put in the place of the bed. A clean white gown was put on her before she sat down. Other than being slightly tired, she felt much better than when she got there.  

Roman walked in as she was getting the 17-gauge needles pulled from the shunt the Doctor had put in her arm for the dialysis treatments. He pulled up a chair to rest beside her. ‘How are you feel, my Princess?”

“Much better.” She looked down biting her bottom lip nervously as Dr. Galina held pressure on the needle marks so they would stop bleeding.  

“The dialysis treatment wasn’t painful.” Roman lifted her chin up to look at him. “Just the needle sticks sting for a moment. So, tell me what’s wrong? Are you hungry? Is your stomach still upset?”

“I’m not sure how, I mean I know how but Roman...” She stammered not sure how to tell him the news.

Roman took her hand. “Just tell me what the problem is, and I will fix it, I promise.”

She took a deep breath, “Roman, I’m, we’re, pregnant.”  

The look on Roman’s face is a mix of worry and excitement. “Oh, fuck, serious? Of course, your serious. Hell, I am so happy. It is scary as Hell but I’m happy. I’m sorry, Princess. How do you feel about this?  

“The same,” Princess beamed.

Dr. Galina stays quiet as she put band aids on the needle marks. Princess threw her arms around Roman as soon as she could. “You are seriously happy about this?”

“Yeah, your tits are going be huge.” Roman grinned. “Not that they are not perfect now.” He puts his hand on her lower tummy. “when? How far along are you?”

“Three months,” The Doctor said. “She is ravenous. You must keep her nourished.”

“That won’t happen again, I promise.” She started crying. “I thought you sent him for me, I swear.”

“It’s okay baby.” Roman held her close. “What happened?”

“She killed Bill.” Dr.  Galina explained. “I shouldn’t have sent him in here. But I did warn the idiot.”  

“See baby.” Roman comforted his girl. “It wasn’t your fault at all. You had to drink something.” His hand patted her bag lightly. “Do you feel up to shopping? There is so much we need for our kid.”

“I would love to go shopping,” There is a new giddiness in her voice.

“It’s just you, me and baby makes three, Princess.” Roman and her both laughed.

Over the next few months, they go through there treatments side by side until there blood is cleansed completely. She goes through extra testing to check the baby’s progress. Roman cares for her and buys her things to let her know how sexy she still is to him as the baby grows. He brings her home a new gift basket every day. 

[allcarnews]

2020 LX570 Update 😮 🇺🇸 ______________________________________ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [7/31/19] Lexus has given the monster LX570 a update for 2020 that makes it even more agressive with an additional Sport package! Believe it or not this 3rd generation has been on sale since 2007 but unlike the ancient GX, the LX has all the modern tech, looks and luxury! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🏁 @Allcarnews Spec Sheet: Powering this body and frame beast is a big N/A 5.7L V8 making 383HP and 403 lb-ft of torque 🏁 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The biggest change with this sport package is all of the appearance upgrades which include a massive black spindle grille that got a new design, a revised lower bumper section, and also massive 21in wheels, upgraded speakers inside modern stuff like a wireless charger, a HUD and a fancy wood steeringwheel! These things aren’t cheap coming in at $91,380 base and $99,300 with the Sport appearance pack! Remember this thing also has all of the off road differentials, lockers and 4WD system of the indestructible and capable LandCruiser of which it’s based on! ________________________________________ ACN EXTRA: An all new LX is reportedly on the way too with a possibly new frame underneath! ________________________________________ -Text by @allcarnews -Images by @Lexus ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #Lexus #V8 An #allcarnews post #LX570 #SUV #Toyota #LandCruiser #LFA #Fsport #Tundra #Prato #4runner #carbon ||#powerful #performance #turbocharged #advanced #SupercarsRevamped #Supercar #HyperCar #ItsWhiteNoise https://www.instagram.com/p/B0l0sTDh0uS/?igshid=11r9o4d3fxekb

[carnydeals-blog]

New Car Deals NYC

Address:

201 E 34th St #255  New York NY 10016

 Phone: 718-975-4530

Website: http://newcardealsnyc.com/

Hours: Mon - Thur 9 a.m – 9 p.m,       Fri -  9 a.m – 7 p.m,    Sat - 9 a.m – 9 p.m,        Sun - 10 a.m – 7 p.m

Payment: Cash, credit cards.

Description: A huge, exhaustive inventory. The lowest prices around. Convenience. Great financing deals. Good customer service: when you break things down, those are the things people want from a car leasing agency. What could possibly make it better? Keep it real now! “Free massages” and “free food from 5-star chefs” would be asking a little too much, right? But the things that make a car leasing company great are precisely the things we offer. Let’s start at the top of that list… Most car leasing companies have a pretty paltry selection of vehicles to choose from, typically specializing in offering vehicles from just a few different manufacturers. But New Car Deals NYC has every single new model coupe, sedan, SUV, van, mini-van, truck, or off-road vehicle offered by Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Ram, Subaru, Smart, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. Think about that! That is a huge variety of vehicles, an unmatched selection! Now, as to low prices: ours are the very lowest around, something we challenge you to investigate for yourself. The reasons why we have such low leasing costs isn’t a mystery; it’s very simple, and amounts to the fact that we have a much lower overhead than other leasing companies do. One of the biggest ways we keep our operating costs down is to skip having a physical car lot. Instead of having the sort of lot you have to drive to – and which, because it’s physical, limits the number of vehicles you can offer – we have a virtual car lot, a lot that sits on the internet. This allows us to not only offer that incredible inventory of ours, but it saves us a ton of money in terms of property costs, property insurance, property taxes, utility bills, payroll for the people who staff those lots, etc. Allowing for a huge inventory and the lowest prices are just two benefits of our having a virtual lot; the third one is that it affords our customers incredible convenience! When you lease with us, you won’t have to drive anywhere to see the vehicle we have to offer. You won’t have to ask friends or family for rides, or call for cabs or Uber drivers to take you to some car lot someplace. Instead, you just make yourself cozy in front of your own computer at your own home, surf to our car lot, and take all the time you want checking things out. You can do this any time you like, day or night; our virtual lot is always open! And check this out: there won’t be any salesman type following you around trying to sell you stuff. You won’t have to deal with anyone pressuring you in any way or making you feel rushed. You are the one in charge, all the way!

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[drivesmart]

The Top 10 Used Cars With the Least Problems

Regarding reliability, many car brands can't make the grade. High-end luxury brands like BMW and Land Rover have hundreds of thousands of problems related to searches per year. And while Tesla doesn't make a list, it does make an appearance. The list includes cars that aren't reliable enough to warrant selling. The good news is that there are some ways to avoid buying one of these models.

The most reliable vehicles in the USA are electric models, such as the Toyota Prius, Nissan Leaf, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Plug-in hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius Prime, also scored well, though the Lexus GX scored below average. Fully electric SUVs, like the Tesla Model X, ranked last. While they had higher reliability scores than most other car brands, they were also prone to problems.

The Toyota RAV4 has a good reliability score in the United States and has been increasing its reliability rating every year. On the other hand, the Subaru Forrester was flat on the reliability scale for the last two years. On the other hand, the Toyota 4Runner, introduced in 2001, performed much better than its predecessors. It also earned top marks for gas mileage, with an average of 52 mpg.

In the United Kingdom, Land Rover is the least reliable car brand. The report surveyed 24,927 drivers and ranked 32 brands and 248 models. Hybrids score over ninety percent and are the best choice for reliability. The average score for hybrids is 95.4%, while cars made by other brands were less reliable.

Reliability is an essential factor when purchasing a new car. A car that's unreliable and will require repairs will cost you money in the long run. Consumer Reports regularly reviews new vehicle data to determine which cars are most reliable in the long run. Its annual reliability report lists the most reliable and least reliable models. This makes it imperative to know the reliability history of a car before making a purchase.

The Mercedes S-Class is notorious for its futuristic technologies. However, many of its systems will malfunction over time. As a result, owners must prepare for the costs of costly repair visits. For example, a timing chain fault in the S-Class could cost more than PS10,000. Other faults in the S-Class include the battery and engine cooling system.

Tesla is still one of the biggest underperformers in the Consumer Reports reliability survey. Conversely, model 3 is the most reliable vehicle among the top-ranked cars, with the Model Y scoring only five out of 100. But don't be discouraged by this - despite its billion-dollar valuation, Tesla remains one of the least reliable cars.

Another car that scores badly in Consumer Reports reliability rankings is the Chevrolet Colorado. This compact vehicle is the twin of the GMC Canyon and is available in various cab/bed configurations. It has rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options and a four-cylinder gas or turbodiesel engine. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports also rated its comfort as an issue.

[your-dietician]

The opulent 2023 Genesis G90 goes toe-to-toe with its German rivals BMW and Mercedes

New Post has been published on https://medianwire.com/the-opulent-2023-genesis-g90-goes-toe-to-toe-with-its-german-rivals-bmw-and-mercedes/

The opulent 2023 Genesis G90 goes toe-to-toe with its German rivals BMW and Mercedes

The 2023 Genesis G90 is a highly appealing and more affordable alternative to more expensive full-size German luxury sedans. It enters an all-new generation for 2023. Pricing starts at $88,400.

SUVs are becoming ubiquitous, but there are still a few options for drivers looking for a full-size, flagship luxury sedan. The Genesis G90 is one of the most competitive players in this shrinking class, and it goes toe-to-toe with longtime class leaders like the BMW BMW, +1.09% 7 Series, Audi A8, and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

The G90 has a unique design that turns heads, and the interior is spacious and supremely luxurious. This Korean-built luxury sedan is available in two configurations. The base model is loaded with Nappa leather seats, a twin-turbo V8, and a digital gauge cluster. The upper trim adds features like an electric supercharger, reclining and massaging rear seats, and air suspension.

See: Luxury cars: Comparing the 2020 Genesis G90 with the Audi A8

2023 Genesis G90 pricing

The base model of the 2023 Genesis G90 starts at $88,400, and the upper trim with the E-Supercharger begins at $98,700. A $1,095 destination fee applies to all G90 models.

The G90 isn’t cheap, but it’s a more affordable alternative to the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Driving the 2023 Genesis G90

As of this writing, we haven’t yet driven the all-new Genesis G90. We’ve been impressed by its twin-turbo V6 in other Genesis models, and we look forward to testing it with the available electric supercharger.

The ride quality promises to be supple yet controlled, thanks to the G90’s standard electronically controlled suspension with Road Preview. It should be even better with the optional multi-chamber air suspension and rear-wheel steering.

Interior comfort

The interior of the Genesis G90 is spacious and luxurious. There’s lots of legroom in both rows of seats, with plenty of room for the rear-seat passengers to stretch out. The interior design justifies the price tag, and the quality of the materials is top-notch.

Standard interior features include Nappa leather seating, matte-finish wood trim, a microfiber suede headliner, heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with power bolsters, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, 3-zone climate control, power rear sunshades, a head-up display, and a wireless charging pad.

The standard infotainment system is a 12.3-inch screen complemented by a digital gauge cluster the same size. It’s loaded with navigation, Android Auto, Apple AAPL, +0.23% CarPlay, SiriusXM SIRI, +0.34%, HD Radio, and a Bang & Olufsen BGOUF, -11.50% audio system.

The upper trim gets more luxurious inside with a 3D audio system, a rear center console with touchscreen controls and wireless charging, plus ventilated, reclining, and massaging rear seats.

Also on MarketWatch: Former Apple car executive’s battery startup plans $1.6 billion factory in Michigan

Exterior styling

The 2023 Genesis G90 has a striking exterior design that won’t blend in with the crowd. Some of this luxury car’s rivals are good if you’re looking for subtlety, but if you want a premium sedan that stands out, the G90 can’t be ignored.

The G90 is the biggest sedan in the Genesis lineup. It’s a full-size sedan with dimensions similar to those of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, and Lexus LS.

Also see: Vegan is trending in the auto industry, and it’s not just about leather

Favorite features

1. Available E-Supercharger The optional electric supercharger is a welcome addition to the twin-turbo V6 under the hood of the G90. It boosts performance with an extra 34 horsepower and 14 lb-ft of torque over the base engine with only a slight penalty in fuel economy.

2. Virtual Venues Live This enhanced audio system is a virtual, 3D-surround sound function optimized for different types of music. It has settings like Boston Symphony Hall and Bang & Olufsen Home, replicating the sound quality of real-life venues to make the most out of the 26-speaker sound system.

3. Opulent rear seats The front seats in the G90 are supremely comfortable, but the rear seats are arguably an even better place to be. Nappa leather seating is standard, and the upper trim of the G90 adds heated, ventilated, massaging, and reclining rear seats, plus a rear center console with touchscreen controls and a wireless charging pad.

4. Mood Curator This standard feature allows your passengers to set the mood in the G90 with themes like Vitality, Delight, Care, and Comfort. It enables integrated control of ambient lighting, the sound system, the fragrance system, seat massagers, and power sunshades to create different ambient environments.

5. Genesis Digital Key 2 This feature turns your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Samsung 005930, +0.72% smartphone into a key through Apple Wallet and Samsung Pass. It does more than just unlock and start your Genesis. The car recognizes the driver and loads your customized vehicle preferences.

6. Highway Driving Assist II This standard semi-autonomous driving system makes highway driving safer and more relaxed by combining features like adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and road sign assist.

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Engine and transmission

The base engine in the 2023 Genesis G90 is a powerful twin-turbocharged V6. It produces more power and torque than the base V6 in the outgoing G90 while returning better fuel economy.

The V8 in the outgoing G90 is no longer available. In its place is a twin-turbo V6 equipped with an electric supercharger. It improves performance without only a slight hit to the fuel economy.

Every G90 has an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 375 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm 391 lb-ft of torque @ 1,300-4,500 rpm EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26 mpg

3.5-liter twin-turbocharged mild-hybrid V6 w/electric supercharger 409 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm 405 lb-ft of torque @ 1,300-4,500 rpm EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg

KBB’s car review methodology.

This story originally ran on KBB.com. 

Read the full article here