WATCHED

WATCHED
"Nancy, do you copy?"

"Loud and clear," she responded.

"I'm not entirely sure if Sammy is the man I'm watching, but let's find out."

"Brianna, what are you planning?" Nancy asked, concern evident in her voice.

"Just trust me and stay on standby," I replied, my gaze fixed on Sammy as he joined a group of men at the bar. These weren't boys—they were hardened men, carrying an air of dominance and danger.

I waited patiently, watching him closely. Every move, every glance. The way he laughed with them so casually sent a shiver down my spine. How could someone who orchestrated his sister's death act so… normal?

As soon as Sammy got up to leave, I sprang into action. Limping deliberately, I walked as if my injured leg was causing me unbearable pain. Just as he passed, I staggered and crashed into him, letting out a pained cry as I collapsed to the floor.

"Oh shit! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" His voice held genuine concern—or was it just an act?

"I... I think so, but only if you help me up," I winced, clutching my leg.

"Of course, here," he said, quickly bending down and offering his hand. He pulled me up gently and retrieved my crutches, placing them in my hands.

"Thank you," I breathed, forcing a small, grateful smile. "By the way, I'm Anna." I extended my hand, watching his expression carefully.

"Nice to meet you, Anna. I'm Sammy," he said, shaking my hand firmly.

"Sammy… as in Samuel?" I pressed, observing his reaction.

"Yeah, but my friends call me Sammy." His voice was smooth, casual. How could someone who stood by while his sister was brutalized be this polite? Was this an act too? Or was he just another pawn forced into something far darker?

"Well, thanks again, Sammy. These stupid crutches make it so hard to walk properly," I said, feigning frustration.

"It's okay," he chuckled, "You'll get used to them. And soon enough, you'll toss them away because you won't need them anymore."

"That means a lot... I really needed to hear that," I said softly, my voice laced with just enough vulnerability.

"Glad to help. Alright, I'll see you around?"

"Yeah, see you around," I replied, watching as he walked to the front desk to place an order for his table.

I exhaled, steadying myself before pressing my earpiece. "Guys, do you copy?"

"Yeah, we heard everything," Dax’s voice came through, but his tone carried something else—something almost irritated. "Why did it sound like you two were flirting?"

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, spare me the bullshit, Detective Dax. If you're that jealous, maybe you should’ve done it yourself."

"Really? Then why don’t I join you at the bar and see how it all plays out?"

"You two need to stop," Nancy cut in, frustration clear in her voice. "Why can’t you go a single day without fighting? If you keep this up, we won’t be arresting Sammy or those guys with him."

I clenched my jaw, trying to ignore the way Dax always managed to get under my skin. Why does he have to be so damn annoying?

"Fine," I exhaled sharply. "Nancy, keep your eyes open and stay alert."

"It’s my turn to head in. I can do this," she affirmed.

"I know you can. Now, put that beauty of yours to use. I hope you're wearing the outfit I gave you?"

Silence.

I frowned. Is this damn walkie-talkie broken?

"Dax, do you copy?" I asked, pressing the receiver.

"Yes, but listen—" his voice was tense. "I just recognized one of those guys. They’re from the West Town group."

My breath caught. "Wait, what?"

"Brianna, they killed Amanda to complete the initiation. Sammy just joined them."

A chill ran through me.

"I knew it. Those bastards are the same ones who framed you years ago. It's time they paid for what they did."

"Brianna, it’s not that simple," Dax interjected quickly. His voice carried an urgency I didn’t like. "Call Nancy back—now."

I hesitated, frustration bubbling up. "But we’re so close—"

"Brianna!" His voice sharpened. "Call Nancy back, now!"

Then—static.

Dax had cut the line.

Before I could even process what just happened, I caught sight of Nancy stepping into the bar.

My breath hitched. Damn it, Nancy…

She looked stunning—dangerously so. The outfit hugged her in all the right places, instantly drawing attention. Dax, Dax! Why do you always have to ruin things at the worst possible time?

I held my position, watching as Nancy made her way inside. She was pulling them in, just like we planned. But something felt off.

The moment she turned her gaze toward me, I gave her a subtle signal to retreat. Her eyes narrowed slightly in question, hesitation flickering across her face.

Then, her phone rang.

I knew it was Dax.

With one last glance at me, Nancy turned and stepped away to answer the call.

I stayed put, waiting, my focus shifting back to Sammy and the others. I watched closely as they spoke to him, their expressions unreadable. Then, out of nowhere, one of them shoved Sammy out of the group.

My pulse quickened. What the hell did they just ask him to do?

Sammy hesitated before turning toward the exit. As soon as he stepped out, I moved to follow—but froze when I saw Dax standing at the front door.

Handcuffs in hand.

Without a moment's hesitation, Dax grabbed Sammy, securing the cuffs around his wrists. He pulled out a warrant and flashed it in Sammy’s face.

I felt my blood boil.

Damn it, Dax!

We could have taken down every single one of those bastards inside. We could have wrapped this up in one move.

But no—Dax had to be his usual, irritatingly impulsive self.

Fists clenched, I swallowed back my frustration, my jaw tightening as I watched the moment slip through our fingers.

Another missed opportunity.

I pretended not to see anything and turned to leave, but my eyes caught Dax dragging Sammy into the police van.

He even called for backup? Before I could fully grasp what was happening, a squad of police officers had surrounded the bar.

"Dax, do you copy?" I asked, struggling to hold back my anger.

"Get as far away as possible from the bar. Let the police handle this."

"Seriously, Dax? You ruined our plan just to call for backup? Seriously?"

"Brianna, I had to. You don’t know what those guys are capable of."

"Let me guess—you do?"

"I was once part of their team. I know how they think, breathe, and the actions they’ll take."

"So that’s why you ruined the plan? The perfect plan that didn’t involve gunfire! That was the whole point, Dax—to avoid casualties! But you turned it into a battlefield."

"Brianna, just drop it. Let the police handle this. It’s safer. Trust me."

"Trust you? You expect me to trust you? If this wasn’t going to work, why didn’t you stop me from the beginning? Instead, you had a backup plan you didn’t even bother to tell us about!"

"Guys! You both need to stop fighting," Nancy cut in, exasperated. "Can we save this argument until we get to the station? I can’t believe I was teamed up with a cat and a dog. And honestly? Even cats and dogs get along better than you two."

With that, she disconnected the call.

Minutes later, more backup arrived. There was no way this wouldn’t end in bloodshed.

I hope Dax is proud of himself.

Shaking my head, I flagged down a taxi and headed for the station.

The first thing I did upon arrival was sign myself out of the case. I’d rather be stuck at the hospital than let Dax have his way.

He’d been acting off ever since the building collapse.

"Why are you signing out of the case?" the head officer asked.

"I’d rather enjoy my recovery days at the hospital than deal with an annoying partner."

"I’ve been meaning to ask—what exactly is your relationship with Dax?"

"We attended the same high school. If that’s all, I’d like to be excused."

"That’s all. You can go."

As I stepped out, I saw Dax dragging Sammy inside. Nancy followed behind, giving me a silent warning not to say anything.

But I couldn’t hold it in.

"Dax, we need to talk."

"Brianna, not now. I’ve got too much on my plate."

"You wouldn’t if you had listened to me and not changed everything out of the blue!"

"Brianna, please. I know we didn’t follow the plan, but this was for the best."

"Did you say we? You went against the plan—not us."

"I did what I had to do. If those guys had suspected Nancy, she’d be dead by now. I wasn’t going to risk her life."

"That’s only if they figured it out."

"They would have. They don’t let go of what they want. If they caught on, her life would’ve been ruined."

"That still doesn’t change the fact that you had your own plan all along!"

I exhaled sharply, my frustration boiling over.

"I just signed out of the case—just like you wanted. I almost forgot I came to question the witness. Have a nice day, Dax."

With that, I stormed out, pulling out my phone and dialing Gia’s number.

"Hey, Gia. Want to grab a drink with me?"

"Brianna? What’s wrong?"

"Nothing. Just pissed off from work."

"Work? What are you doing at work? You’re supposed to be resting!"

"Let’s talk at home. I took a quick leave from the hospital. Don’t worry—I’ll be checking in every morning."

"Give me twenty minutes. I’ll be there."

Ending the call, I flagged down a cab.

What I didn’t notice were the eyes watching my every move.