I stormed into Liam's office, my anger and frustration boiling over like a pot left unattended on a fiery stove. His men had allowed me to pass, but I could sense their wariness, their eyes fixed on me with a mixture of curiosity and hostility, like a predator sizing up its prey.
Liam looked up from his desk, a hint of surprise on his face, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in my agitated state. "Jackson, what brings you here?" he asked, his voice calm and collected, like a still pond on a windless day.
I slammed my fist on the desk, making him jump, the sound echoing through the room like a crack of thunder on a stormy night. "You know exactly why I'm here," I growled, my voice low and menacing, like a bear awakened from hibernation.
Liam's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with a hint of annoyance. "Ah, come on, Jackson. Don't be so dramatic. I sent my men to rescue you, didn't I?"
I took a step closer to him, my anger threatening to overwhelm me like a tidal wave crashing against the shore. "Too little, too late," I spat, my voice venomous, like a snake spitting its poison. "We were almost killed. Mike was almost killed. And you're sitting here, acting like it's no big deal, like it's just another day in the office."
Liam shrugged, his shoulders barely moving, like a statue coming to life. "You're alive, aren't you? That's all that matters."
I took another step closer, my fists clenched, my knuckles white with rage. "That's not all that matters," I hissed, my voice barely above a whisper, like a snake slithering through the grass. "Loyalty matters. And you're questioning mine?"
Liam sneered, his lip curling up like a dog showing its teeth. "Loyalty? You're one to talk, Jackson. You've been playing both sides against each other for months, like a puppeteer pulling the strings of his puppets."
I felt a cold dread creeping up my spine, like a slow-moving glacier carving its way through the landscape. "What are you saying?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm saying that if it wasn't for Mike, you'd probably be dead by now," Liam said, his voice dripping with malice, like a slow-moving river of poison. "You're not loyal to me, Jackson. You're not loyal to anyone but yourself. And that's a problem."
I took a step back, my mind reeling, like a ship caught in a storm. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of uncertainty, like a swimmer struggling to stay afloat.
"You're wrong," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, like a tightrope walker balancing on a thin wire. "I'm loyal to you, Liam. I've always been loyal to you."
Liam laughed, a cold, mirthless sound, like a bell tolling in a deserted church. "Save it, Jackson. I know the truth. And the truth is, you're a liability. But like I said, I'm letting you off because of Mike. So don't push your luck."
I felt a wave of fear wash over me, like a cold shower on a winter morning. I knew I had to tread carefully, like a mouse navigating a maze filled with predators. Liam was not a man to be trifled with, like a sleeping volcano waiting to erupt.
"I understand," I said, trying to keep my voice neutral, like a referee calling a foul. "But let me make one thing clear, Liam. I will do whatever it takes to protect my son. Whatever it takes."
Liam's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with malice, like a snake eyeing its prey. "I'm counting on it, Jackson. I'm counting on it."
Liam's expression turned cold and calculating, his eyes narrowing into slits as he spoke, his voice dripping with malice. "I want you to leave town, Jackson. Take your son, Mike, and get out. Don't come back. Don't ever come back."
I felt a surge of anger and resentment at his words, but I knew better than to cross Liam when he was in this mood. His eyes seemed to bore into my soul, as if daring me to defy him. I tried to appeal to whatever humanity was left in him, but I knew it was a long shot.
"What's going on, Liam? Why are you doing this?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, but it was shaking with emotion.
Liam sneered, his lip curling up in disgust. "You're a liability, Jackson. You're a risk to my plans, to my family. I can't have you around here, not anymore. You're like a ticking time bomb, waiting to go off and destroy everything I've worked for."
I felt a pang of hurt at his words, but I knew I had to keep trying. "But I'm your brother, Liam. We're family. We're supposed to look out for each other, not throw each other away like trash."
Liam laughed, a cold, mirthless sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Family? You call this family? You've been playing both sides against each other for months, Jackson. You've been using me, using our family, for your own gain. That's not family, that's just business. And I'm not going to let you ruin everything I've worked for."
I knew I had to tread carefully, but I couldn't help feeling a sense of betrayal and hurt at his words. I had always tried to do the right thing, to protect him and our family, but it seemed like no matter what I did, it was never enough.
"That's not true, Liam," I protested, trying to keep my voice steady. "I've always looked out for you, for our family. I've always tried to do the right thing."
Liam shook his head, his expression cold and calculating. "No, Jackson. You've always looked out for yourself. And now, it's time for you to leave. Take Mike and get out of town. Don't come back."
I knew I had no choice. I had to protect Mike, had to get him out of this situation. I nodded, trying to keep my voice steady. "Fine. We'll leave."
Liam nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Good. I thought you'd see it my way. But let me make one thing clear, Jackson: if you ever cross me again, if you ever stand in my way or hinder my plans, I will no longer see you as my elder brother. I will see you as an enemy, an enemy of my gang family. And I will treat you as such."
I felt a chill run down my spine at his words, but I knew I had to accept them. I had to protect Mike, no matter what. I nodded, trying to keep my voice neutral. "I understand."
Liam nodded, his expression cold and calculating. "Good. I'm glad we understand each other, Jackson. Now get out. Get out of my sight, and don't come back. Ever."
As I sat down at the restaurant with Detective James, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over me. The dim lighting and soft hum of conversation in the background did little to calm my nerves. I had known James for a while now, and I considered him a friend, but I also knew that he was a detective, and I had to be careful about what I told him. The weight of my secret hung heavy in the air, like a challenge waiting to be accepted.
"So, Jackson, what's new with you?" James asked, his eyes scanning the menu with a practiced intensity. His voice was low and even, but I could sense a hint of curiosity lurking beneath the surface.
I took a deep breath, trying to decide how much to reveal. The words tumbled out of my mouth in a rush, like a dam breaking under pressure. "Well, James, I've been thinking...I think it's time for me to leave town."
James looked up, his eyes narrowing in surprise. "Leave town? What do you mean?" He set the menu down, his attention focused squarely on me.
I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant despite the turmoil churning inside me. "I just think it's time for a change, you know? I want to start fresh somewhere else, rather than here." The words sounded hollow even to my own ears, but I hoped James wouldn't press me for more.
James raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Start fresh? What's going on, Jackson? You're not in trouble again, are you?" His voice was laced with concern, and I knew he was thinking about my past, about the mistakes I'd made and the trouble I'd gotten into.
I laughed, trying to reassure him, but the sound fell flat. "No, no, nothing like that. I just...I don't know, I feel like I need a new start. For me and Mike." I glanced around the restaurant, feeling like I was trapped in a web of my own making.
James nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I see. Well, I'll miss you, Jackson. You're one of the few people I trust around here." His voice was low and sincere, and I felt a pang of guilt for not telling him the whole truth.
I smiled, trying to keep my voice light despite the weight of my secrets. "Thanks, James. I'll miss you too. But I think this is for the best." The words felt like a betrayal, but I knew I had to protect Mike, and myself.
James nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Okay, Jackson. If you're sure this is what you want...But promise me one thing."
"What's that?" I asked, my heart racing with anticipation.
"Promise me you'll stay out of trouble. Wherever you go, just...be careful, okay?" His voice was low and urgent, and I knew he was thinking about all the ways I could get hurt, all the ways I could screw up.
I nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude towards him. "I promise, James. I'll be careful." The words felt like a lie, but I knew I had to say them, had to reassure him that I'd be okay.
As we finished dinner and parted ways, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. I had made the right decision, I told myself. I had to protect Mike, and myself. But as I walked away from the restaurant, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched, that Liam's eyes were still on me, waiting for me to slip up. The darkness seemed to press in around me, like a physical presence, and I knew I had to keep moving, had to keep running if I wanted to stay alive.