His tone mocking what you brought back up couldn't handle me on your own James moved forward his towering presence silencing Jared's bravado. For a moment you've got two choices he said evenly you can come quietly or this gets messy Jared snorted his confidence returning as he leaned. Back against the wall you think you can scare me I don't owe you anything Nia's voice Rose her anger bubbling to the surface you owe m. Max you owe me you're not getting out of this Jared laughed bitterly that stupid mut he got in my way just like you people. Always do the words sent a wave of Fury through Nia but before she could respond James stepped between them enough he said.
His tone cold you're done talking the room seemed to shrink as the tension thickened the air heavy with the weight of the confrontation. Jared shifted his eyes darting toward the open door as if calculating his chances of Escape James noticed the movement immediately his body tensing don't even think about it. James warned for a moment Jared froze his bravado faltering but then his lips curled into a defiant grin and he made a sudden move toward the door. James was faster intercepting him with a swift practiced motion that sent Jared stumbling back onto the mattress stay down James growled his voice a low Rumble. Nia stepped forward her voice shaking with a mix of anger and determination you're not running this time Jared the police are on their way.
And you're going to pay for what you did the tension in the air snapped as Jared pushed himself off the mattress with sudden Force. His movements were clumsy but fueled by desperation and his sneer returned as he squared off against James you think you can come in here. And play Hero he spat his voice laced with Venom let's see how tough you really are James didn't Flinch his stance shifted slightly. His body poised with the calm confidence of someone who'd faced far worse you don't want to do this he said coldly Jared lunged forward swinging wildly. James dodged the first blow easily Sid stepping and grabbing Jared's wrist he twisted it sharply forcing a grunt of pain from Jared as he stumbled stay down.
James growled his voice hard and unyielding but Jared wasn't done he ripped his arm free with a violent jerk and stumbled back his eyes darted around. The cluttered storage unit locking on a broken chair leg leaning against the wall snatching it up he brandished it like a weapon a sneer twisting. His blooded face you think you're better than me Jared snarled advancing with the chair leg raised you don't know a damn thing about me put it down. James warned his voice like ice you're only making this worse shut up Jared roared swinging the chair leg with all his strength. James deflected the first swing the wood splintering as it struck a nearby shelf the second came faster but James caught it midair wrenching it.
From Jared's hands and tossing it aside Nia stood near the doorway her chest heaving as she watched the chaotic fight unfold her Knuckles whitened. As she clenched her fists every fiber of her being screaming for her to act the memory of Max lying helpless on the ground burned. In her mind fueling her anger Jared swung again with his fists desperation making him sloppy James sidestepped Landing a precise blow to Jared's midsection sending him staggering. Back Jared's body slammed into the wall his lips split and bleeding but his rage remained unbroken you think you've won Jared sneered wiping blood. From his mouth you're nothing James started to step forward but Nia's voice rang out sharp and Furious stop holding back both men turned to her startled without hesitation.
Nia stormed forward her Fury bubbling to the surface Jared straightened his sneer returning what you want a piece of this too you have no idea. Nia snapped she grabbed the broken chair leg James had tossed aside her grip tightening as she Advanced her heart pounded. But the thought of Max's pained whimpers gave her all the courage she needed Jared laughed bitterly but the sound died in his throat. As Nia swung the chair leg with a force that shocked even her the blunt Edge connected with his side and he let out. A choked yell stumbling to the floor you kicked my dog Nia hissed her voice trembling with rage you threatened me and you thought you'd get away with it.
Jared scrambled backward but Nia didn't let up she threw the chair leg aside and grabbed his hoodie pulling him halfway up before shoving him. Back down with all her strength you don't get to hurt Max and walk away she spat her fists shaking James moved beside her placing. A steadying hand on her shoulder Nia that's enough he said softly his voice grounding her he's done the sound of sirens filled the air growing louder. As red and blue lights began to dance across the walls Nia's chest heaved as she looked down at Jared his defiant sneer replaced by fear. And exhaustion you thought you could hurt us she said her voice steel edged but you were wrong James hauled Jared to his feet locking.
His arms behind his back you're finished he said his tone calm but deadly serious Jared squirmed but the fight had left him. As the police stormed into the storage unit Nia stepped back her hands shaking but her resolve unbroken Justice was here and she had played. Her part the whale of sirens grew deafening as the police cars screeched to a halt outside the storage unit flashing red and blue lights bathed. The walls in an eerie glow Illuminating the tense scene within Nia took a step back her chest heaving as she tried to steady her breathing. James still held Jared firmly pinning his arms behind his back as the man struggled weakly two officers burst into the unit their hands.
On their holsters their sharp eyes took in the disarray the broken chair leg the toppled furniture and Jared's bloodied face one of the officers stepped forward. His gaze locking on James drop him hands where I can see them James nodded calmly and released Jared raising his hands in a non-threatening gesture he's. The one you're looking for James said evenly gesturing toward Jared Owens he assaulted her he motioned to Nia and her dog. Jared stumbled forward holding his ribs with one hand his expression a mix of Fury and fear they attacked me he shouted hely trying to straighten. This is a setup I didn't do anything the officer raised an eyebrow unimpressed you want to save it for the station or should I start listing.
The charges right now Nia stepped forward her voice steady despite the fire burning in her chest he kicked my dog twice he threatened me stole. From me and ran when the police showed up he deserves everything coming to him the officer nodded at her his tone softening we'll take. Your statement ma'am you did the right thing calling us the Second Officer approached Jared pulling handcuffs from his belt Jared's bravado cracked. As the metal cuffs clicked around his wrists you're making a mistake he spat his voice Rising this isn't over the officer tightened the cuffs and patted. Jared down before hauling him toward the door it is over he said flatly you're under arrest for assault theft and animal cruelty anything you say can.
And will be used against you in a court of law as Jared was dragged outside his protests faded into the hum of activity around them another officer approached. Nia holding a small notepad ma'am we'll need you to come to the station and provide a full statement can you do that yes. Nia said firmly wiping her hands on her jeans her voice was steady now a reflection of the resolve she felt I want to make sure. He doesn't hurt anyone else James stepped beside her his hand resting lightly on her shoulder wek go together he said you're not doing this alone. The officer nodded good wek also need the medical records for your dog to complete the report animal services will coordinate with us Nia's throat tightened.