Chapter 2: Betrayed

"Did the Gibsons really do that?" Jared furrowed his brow, incredulous that Sandy would do such a thing. He remembered her tearful pleas during his arrest, her vows to wait for him. Why had things turned out this way? He decided to confront Sandy.

Suddenly, a violent pounding shook the door, nearly knocking it off its hinges. Hannah paled in terror.

"Mom, who is it?" Jared asked, noticing her reaction.

"Don't get involved," Hannah hissed. "Go to your room, and stay there, no matter what!"

She shoved him inside and rushed to the door. A bald man, flanked by heavily tattooed men, burst in.

"Where's the money?" the bald man demanded, eyes fixed on Hannah.

"It's here," Hannah replied, nervously fumbling for a pouch in the corner.

Neighbors had gathered, watching from a distance.

"Those guys come every month," one whispered. "Ruthless."

"Where's the law?" another muttered.

"Quiet," a third warned. "They're Scott's men, collecting their payment."

The neighbors murmured their disapproval but dared not interfere.

Baldy snatched the pouch, examined its contents, and swore. Torn bills and loose change spilled out—a hundred, a fifty, a couple of ones, and a handful of coins.

"Is this ten thousand?" he roared at Hannah.

"It's all there," Hannah insisted, offering a nervous smile. "We counted it. You can count it yourself."

"Lies!" Baldy kicked her in the stomach, sending her sprawling. "I haven't time to count. Change it all to hundreds!"

"Mom!" Jared burst from his room, helping her up. His eyes, cold and hard, swept over Baldy and his men.

Hannah tried to pull him back. "Jared, no! Go back to your room!"

"I'm here now, Mom. I'll handle this. You sit down."

He settled her in a chair and turned his icy gaze back to Baldy. Baldy sneered.

"You're the guy who hit Mr. Scott with a brick, right? Three years in prison. Perfect timing. Your girlfriend's marrying Mr. Scott today—at the Glamor Hotel. Fancy wedding. Aren't you going to attend, ex-boyfriend?" He and his men erupted in laughter. "Loser!"

Jared's disbelief turned to fury.

"She's marrying Scott today?" Baldy repeated, smirking. "At the Glamor Hotel."

Hannah trembled, her face a mask of shock and betrayal. Sandy had married their enemy after Jared went to prison for her.

"Kneel and apologize to my mother," Jared said, his voice dangerously low. "Or I'll kill you all."

The laughter ceased. Baldy's face reddened.

"You want me to kneel?" he sputtered, lunging at Jared.

Jared reacted instantly, countering Baldy's punch with a swift kick. Baldy crumpled to the ground, clutching his groin in agony.

"Jared, no!" Hannah cried, fearing another arrest.

"Kill him!" Baldy roared, his men charging.

Jared glanced at his mother, then flicked his hands. A blinding flash of light incapacitated his attackers, dropping them to their knees.

Baldy stared, fear replacing his bravado. The neighbors watched in stunned silence.

"Apologize to my mother," Jared repeated.

Baldy, his eyes meeting Jared’s, hesitated, then knelt.

"We're sorry," he and his men mumbled.

"Get out," Jared snapped, waving them away. He could have killed them, but he wouldn't do it in front of his mother and neighbors.

Baldy, his face contorted with rage, hobbled out, casting a venomous glare at Jared. But Jared showed no fear. He knew Baldy would be back.