As I stood there, my heart racing with anger and fear, I couldn't help but wonder if I had gone too far. Had I pushed Liam too hard? Had I said too much? The questions swirled in my mind like a maelstrom, making it hard to think straight.
But before I could even process my thoughts, Liam's men were back, their faces twisted with anger and menace. They grabbed me, dragging me away with force, and I felt a surge of panic. My feet scraped against the floor as I tried to resist, but they were too strong.
"Let me go!" I shouted, trying to struggle free. "Let me go, you can't do this!"
But they just laughed, their grip tightening around my arms and legs. They dragged me out of the room, down the hallway, and back into the night air. The cool breeze hit me like a slap in the face, making my skin prickle with goosebumps.
I was thrown into the backseat of the car, the door slamming shut behind me. I tried to fight back, but there were too many of them, and they were too strong. The car sped away from the curb, leaving me feeling disoriented and scared.
As we drove through the streets, I caught glimpses of the city outside. The neon lights blurred together, making it hard to focus. I felt like I was in a dream, a never-ending nightmare from which I couldn't wake up.
One of the men, the one who had been driving, turned around and sneered at me. "You're a lucky man, Jackson. The boss has decided to give you some time to think through his offer."
I glared at him, trying to keep my voice steady. "What offer? What are you talking about?"
The man just laughed. "You know exactly what we're talking about. The boss's offer. You've got 24 hours to think about it. After that, we'll be back for your answer."
I felt a surge of anger, but before I could respond, the car screeched to a halt. The door opened, and I was dragged out, thrown onto the pavement. I stumbled and fell, skinning my knee on the rough asphalt.
As I looked up, I saw the car speeding away, leaving me alone in the darkness. I stumbled to my feet, trying to get my bearings, but everything seemed to be spinning around me. The city lights blurred together, making it hard to focus.
I stumbled forward, trying to find my way back to civilization. But everything seemed to be working against me. The streets seemed to grow darker and more menacing, the shadows twisting and writhing around me like living things. I felt like I was being watched, like unblinking eyes were trained on me from the darkness.
I quickened my pace, my heart pounding in my chest. I had to get out of here, had to find my way back to the safety of my halfway house. But the streets seemed to grow longer and more twisted, the darkness deepening around me like a pit.
I stumbled and fell, my ankle twisting beneath me. I cried out in pain, feeling a wave of despair wash over me. As I looked up, I saw a street sign looming above me, the words "Welcome to Oakwood" written in bold letters.
I was in Oakwood, a part of town I didn't know, a part of town that seemed to be swallowed up in darkness and despair. I stumbled to my feet, trying to find my way back home, but everything seemed to be working against me.
The streets seemed to shift and twist around me, making it hard to navigate. I felt like I was in a maze, with no way out. The darkness seemed to be closing in around me, making it hard to breathe.
As I walked, the shadows seemed to grow longer and more menacing, the silence broken only by the sound of my own footsteps. I felt like I was being herded towards some unknown destination, some fate that I couldn't escape.
And then, I heard the sound of footsteps echoing through the darkness, growing louder with every passing moment. I looked up, my heart racing with fear, and saw a figure looming above me, its face hidden in the shadows.
"Hello, Jackson," a voice said, low and menacing. "Welcome to Oakwood."
I tried to speak, but my voice caught in my throat. I was paralyzed with fear, unable to move or speak. The figure loomed over me, its presence seeming to fill the entire street.
And then, everything went black.
As I slowly opened my eyes, I was met with a familiar sight that made my blood run cold. I was tied to a chair, my wrists and ankles bound with thick rope that dug deep into my skin. The room was dimly lit, with only a faint glow emanating from a single bulb hanging from the ceiling. The light cast eerie shadows on the walls, making it seem like the room was alive and watching me.
A figure emerged from the shadows, his face etched with a mixture of scar tissue and cunning. It was Victor "The Bull" Martinez, the most notorious man I had ever met during my time in prison. He was a legend among the inmates, a man who commanded respect and inspired fear. His reputation was built on his ruthless tactics and his ability to get what he wanted, no matter the cost.
I had done some dirty work for Victor during my time in prison, just to stay under his protection. He had taken me under his wing, taught me how to survive in the harsh environment of the prison yard. He had shown me how to navigate the complex web of alliances and rivalries that existed among the inmates. And he had introduced me to the darker side of human nature, the side that was capable of violence and cruelty.
But now, as I looked into Victor's eyes, I wondered what my future held. Why had he brought me here? What did he want from me?
"Jackson," Victor said, his voice low and gravelly. "It's been a long time. I see you're still as resourceful as ever."
I tried to speak, but my mouth was dry and my voice caught in my throat. Victor chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound that sent shivers down my spine.
"Don't worry, Jackson. You'll have plenty of time to talk. But first, let me tell you why you're here. You see, I've been watching you. I've been watching you since you got out of prison. And I must say, I'm impressed. You've done well for yourself. You've kept a low profile, stayed out of trouble."
Victor paused, his eyes glinting with amusement. He walked closer to me, his footsteps echoing off the walls.
"But I know you, Jackson. I know you're still the same man you were in prison. You're still resourceful, still cunning. And that's exactly what I need."
I swallowed hard, trying to process what Victor was saying. What did he want from me? Why had he brought me here?
"What do you want, Victor?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Victor smiled, his scar tissue twisting into a grotesque grin. He reached out and stroked my cheek, his touch sending shivers down my spine.
"I want you to work for me, Jackson. I want you to use your skills, your experience, to help me expand my... business ventures. You see, I've been out of prison for a while now, and I've been building a new empire. But I need someone with your expertise to help me take it to the next level."
I felt a wave of fear wash over me. Work for Victor? After everything I'd been through? No way. I had thought I was done with that life, done with the violence and the crime. But now, it seemed like I was being pulled back in.
"Victor, I don't know if I can do that," I said, trying to stall for time.
Victor's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with menace. He leaned in close, his breath hot on my face.
"Oh, I think you can, Jackson. I think you'll do exactly what I tell you to do. You see, I've taken certain... precautions to ensure your cooperation. You're not going anywhere until you agree to work for me."
I looked around the room, trying to take in my surroundings. I was in some kind of warehouse, with crates and boxes stacked up around me. There were men standing guard, their faces hidden behind masks. I knew I was in grave danger. I knew I had to think fast if I wanted to survive.
"Victor, please," I said, trying to reason with him. "I'll do anything. Just don't hurt me."
Victor chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound. He reached out and stroked my cheek again, his touch sending shivers down my spine.
"Oh, Jackson. You're so predictable. You always were. But I'll give you credit. You're smart. You're resourceful. And that's exactly what I need."
Victor leaned in closer, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone.
"So here's the deal, Jackson. You'll work for me, and you'll do exactly what I tell you to do. Or... you'll suffer the consequences. Do you understand?"
I nodded, my heart racing with fear. I knew I had no choice. I was at Victor's mercy.