Chapter 185: A Life for a Life

James smiled, though the warmth never reached his eyes.

"All these years, the Tovar family has stolen how many deals, driven how many families to ruin.

How much blood is on their hands.

And you think a simple 'life for a life' settles everything?

As if it could be that easy."

Kyle's mouth worked soundlessly.

He knew all of it.

Hell, he'd carried out most of it himself.

Back when Terry had his back and Cedric was their shield, he'd never been afraid.

Now that karma had come calling, fear finally found him.

Too late.

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from outside.

Followed by the unmistakable sound of weapons being cocked.

"Everyone inside, listen up!

Royal Guard! Nobody move!"

Kaelen's voice rang out from the entrance.

Kyle's eyes lit up instantly.

They're here!

Cedric's people finally came!

He lunged at that lifeline like a drowning man, voice cracking as he screamed.

"Kaelen! Help!

Save me! James is going to kill me!"

James didn't turn around. Didn't even flinch.

He looked down at Kyle, tone flat.

"You think he can save you?"

Kyle froze.

Before he could process that, Kaelen burst in with his men.

Dozens of soldiers flooded the courtyard, weapons raised, all trained on James and his two companions.

Kaelen stood at the front, face dark as a storm cloud.

He swept his gaze over the bodies littering the ground, then down at Kyle, his frown deepening.

"James, you've got some nerve.

Breaking into private property in broad daylight, assaulting citizens.

Do you have any respect for the law?"

James slowly turned around to face Kaelen.

"The law?"

He arched an eyebrow.

"Where was the law when the Tovar family was running their operations?

Where was it when Terry hired assassins?

And now that I'm taking out the trash, you want to lecture me about the law?"

Kaelen's jaw worked. Nothing came out.

Deep down, he knew the Tovar family had been dirty for years.

Cedric had always turned a blind eye. Nobody dared touch them.

Bringing up the law now? Weak ground to stand on.

But he was Cedric's man. He had to back the Tovars.

"Regardless, you can't take matters into your own hands."

Kaelen forced the words out.

"If the Tovar family broke the law, the legal system will handle it.

Release him now and come with me for questioning.

Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens next."

He gestured sharply. His soldiers stepped forward in unison.

Fingers curled around triggers. The air went razor-tight.

Iron Wolf and Kevin immediately moved in front of James, hands sliding toward their waistbands.

Ready.

The courtyard felt vacuum-sealed.

Both sides locked in a standoff. Nobody moved.

Kyle lay on the ground, secretly thrilled.

Fight! Please, God, let them fight!

Kaelen had guns. James might be good, but he couldn't outrun bullets, right?

Once James was dead, he'd be safe.

James stood behind his men, expression unchanged.

He surveyed the soldiers, then let out a cold laugh.

"Threatening me?

I'd love to see how 'not nice' you plan to get."

He stepped forward, brushing past Iron Wolf and Kevin.

"Go ahead. Shoot.

Let's see what's faster—your bullet or my hand."

Kaelen's chest tightened.

He'd heard about James's skills. Even Terry hadn't stood a chance.

If it came to a real fight, his men might not be able to stop him.

And if James went for broke and came straight for him first—well, that would be one hell of a stupid way to die.

Cedric had only told him to intercept James. Not to throw his life away.

Not worth it.

But with all these men watching, if he backed down now, how could he ever lead them again?

Kaelen was stuck. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

Just as he teetered on the edge, more footsteps sounded outside.

"Kaelen, quite the show of force. What's all this about?"

Eldon's voice drifted in.

Kaelen's stomach dropped.

Why the hell were Marius's people here too?

He turned toward the entrance.

Moments later, Eldon strolled in with his own crew.

Their numbers matched the Royal Guard's—all in sharp black suits, clearly trained.

Eldon scanned the courtyard briefly, then walked straight to James's side.

"Mr. Anderson, are you all right?"

James shook his head.

"I'm fine."

Eldon turned to face Kaelen, smile pleasant, tone anything but.

"Kaelen, you bring all these men, point guns at Prince Marius's honored guest.

What's that supposed to mean?

Looking to start a war?"

"What honored guest?"

Kaelen's voice was hard.

"James broke into private property and assaulted citizens. He violated Pinecrest City law.

I'm following procedure, taking him in for questioning.

How does that make me the aggressor?"

"Violated the law?"

Eldon's smile widened.

"The Tovar family's been racking up crimes for years.

Funny how you never followed procedure then.

Mr. Anderson is doing the public a service.

I don't see the problem."

"You—!"

Kaelen's face flushed red.

He knew he couldn't out-talk Eldon.

The guy was Marius's assistant. Silver tongue came with the job.

"I'm not wasting words with you."

Kaelen's voice went cold.

"I'm here on Cedric's orders.

Today, I'm taking both James and Kyle in.

Don't get in my way, unless you want to go against Cedric himself."

"Playing the Cedric card?"

Eldon raised an eyebrow, utterly unfazed.

"I'm here on Marius's orders.

Mr. Anderson is Marius's guest. Nobody's taking him anywhere.

As for Kyle, with all the crimes he's committed, he should be handed over to the proper authorities for a thorough investigation.

You want to take him in—what's that about?

Planning to cover for him?"

"You're talking nonsense!"

Kaelen snapped.

"When did I ever cover for him?

I'm taking him in for questioning!"

"Who knows if it's questioning or releasing him on the sly."

Eldon smirked.

"The Tovar family is Cedric's cash cow. Who knows what deals you've got going behind closed doors."

"You're slandering me!"

Kaelen nearly drew his weapon.

The two squared off, neither giving an inch.

Their men tensed up on both sides. The atmosphere grew more volatile by the second.

It could explode into violence any moment.

The Tovar family members sprawled across the courtyard didn't dare make a sound.

Terrified of catching a stray bullet if things went south.

Kyle lay on the ground, hope draining away.

With Marius's people here, Kaelen couldn't possibly get him out.

Was he really going to die today?

James stood in the middle of it all, completely unbothered.

He had zero interest in their verbal sparring.

"Are you two done?"

James spoke up. His voice wasn't loud, but everyone fell silent.

He looked at Kaelen.

"Kyle. I'm taking him.

If you want to stop me, make your move.

Quit wasting my time with talk."

Flat tone. Absolute confidence.

Kaelen's expression soured.

Fight? No guarantee he'd win, and he might get hurt in the process.

Don't fight?