Again its sturdy fabric embroidered with Max's name she traced the letters with her fingers her jaw tightening as determination sparked in her chest. Max had been there for her through everything her protector her constant companion now it was her turn to protect him to make sure. The man who hurt him didn't get away she sat down on the edge of the couch gripping her phone tightly as she scrolled through her contacts. The police had their process but Nia had someone else in mind someone who didn't play by the rules her thumb hovered over the name. For a moment before pressing it the dial tone ringing in her ear like a drum beat hey a deep familiar voice answered what's going.
On Nia it's late James she said her voice steady despite the storm inside her I need your help the line went quiet for a moment. Before he spoke again his tone cautious what kind of help it's about Max she said the words spilling out a man attacked us hurt him bad. The police are looking for him but it's not enough I need to find him James I need to make him pay. James sighed the sound heavy with hesitation Nia this sounds serious are you sure you want to do this I've never been more sure of anything. She said her voice sharpening with resolve he can't just walk away from this he needs to know he messed with the wrong person all right.
James said his tone shifting to match hers tell me everything I'll help you Nia let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Her grip on the phone loosening slightly as she explained what had happened the fire in her chest burned brighter this wasn't just about revenge. It was about just ice for Max and for herself the cafe was dimly lit its usual hum of conversation and clinking cups muted at this late hour. Nia sat at a corner table her hands wrapped tightly around a mug of untouched coffee the steam curled into the air unnoticed. As her mind raced through the events of the past few hours the weight of Max's absence pressed heavily on her chest and the simmering anger beneath.
Her skin left her rest her gaze snapped toward the door every time it opened and finally James walked in James moved with quiet purpose. His tall broad shouldered frame and sharp eyes cutting an imposing figure he wore a leather jacket over a plain black T-shirt. But it was his demeanor that caught attention calm measured and slightly intimidating a former Special Forces operative James had seen and done more than Nia could imagine. But he rarely spoke about it the quiet intensity he carried was more than enough to tell his story he spotted her immediately his concern evident. As he approached and slid into the seat across from her you look like you've been through the ringer he said his voice low and steady feels like it.
Nia replied her voice barely above a whisper thanks for coming of course what's going on he asked leaning forward his elbows resting on the table. Nia hesitated for a moment her hands tightening around the mug it's Max she said finally a man attacked us hurt him badly the police are looking for him. But it's not enough I need your help James studied her for a moment his dark eyes narrowing you're asking me to track someone down yes. She said firmly I can't just sit here and wait while he gets away James exhaled slowly leaning back in his chair you know what you're asking me right. This is isn't just about finding someone it's about making sure you're ready for what happens next do you know who this guy is what he's capable of I know enough.
Nia replied her voice sharp heun's dangerous he threatened me hurt Max and then ran like a coward he can't get away with this. James nodded his expression Grim all right tell me everything and don't leave anything out Nia launched into the story describing the walk. In the park Jared's taunts and the escalating threats her voice trembled slightly as she recounted how Max had tried to protect. Her only to be brutally kicked down by the time she finished her hands were trembling her anger barely contained he didn't just hurt. Max she said her voice tight with emotion he wanted to hurt me too Max was just in the way James's jaw tightened.
And he leaned forward again his gaze steady and the police what are they doing they're trying Nia said frustration creeping into her tone. But you know how these things go they're overworked and Jared could disappear before they find him I need to know he won't get the chance. James was silent for a moment his expression thoughtful he said anything that might give us a clue where to start Nia nodded her brow furrowing. As she recalled Jared's words he ranted about people like me taking over his neighborhood he was angry bitter he seemed like someone who feels. The world owes him something and now he's blaming everyone else James tilted his head slightly his sharp mind already working sounds like a guy.
With a chip on his shoulder he's probably not hiding too far from the places he knows best can you help me Nia asked her voice soft. But Resolute you have the skills to find him James's lips quirked into a faint humorless smile Special Forces wasn't EXA exactly about tracking down Petty thugs. He said though his tone was light but yeah I know how to find someone who doesn't want to be found thank you. Nia said relief flooding her voice I don't know what I'd do without you'd figure it out James replied with a faint grin. But I'll make it easier for you here's the deal we start with the places I know bars rundown spots anywhere someone like him might go to blow off steam.
But we have to be smart about this if he gets wind that you're looking for him he could skip town I'll do whatever it takes. Nia said her resolve hardening he's not walking away from this James leaned forward his expression sharpening then letun get started I'll make some calls tonight. And put out feelers tomorrow we start looking but Nia if we do this you need to stay focused no losing your head understood she said. Her jaw tightening let's make him pay James stood grabbing his keys then let's go the sooner we start the better as they left the cafe together. Nia felt A Renewed sense of purpose Jared had made a mistake when he hurt Max and now she had someone.
In her Corner who wouldn't let him slip through the cracks Justice was coming and she wouldn't stop until it was done the city streets were quiet. As Nia and James moved through them the early morning hours cloaking everything in a soft gray Haze James drove with the kind of precise confidence. That came from years of training his hands steady on the wheel as his eyes flicked between the road and the mirrors. Nia sat beside him her phone in her lap and a tension in her chest that refused to ease so here's the plan. James said breaking the silence his tone was clipped professional as though he were back on a mission we start with the places I know.
Bars spots where guys like him blow off steam if he's local someone will have seen him we ask questions subtly and see who talks. Nia nodded clutching Max's leash in her hands like a Talisman and if no one talks James glanced at her his gaze sharp someone always. Talks you just have to know how to ask the car rolled to a stop outside a dingy bar tucked into a shadowy corner of the city. The neon sign above the door flickered weakly casting uneven light onto the cracked sidewalk James killed the engine and turned to her stay close. Let me do most of the talking got it Nia said her voice firmer than she felt they stepped out of the car the cool air biting against Nia's skin.