The dark clouds were already building above Nicholas's thoughts long before he pulled into the parking lot of the rough bar downtown.
It was the same place he'd met Fernando some weeks ago, the same place where questionable jobs were whispered over cheap liquor and exchanged for silent payments.
He cut the engine, stepped out, and walked towards the door with confident steps. But before he got to the entrance, two large, scruffy men moved into his path like wolves circling prey.
"Hey rich boy," one of them said, eyes scanning Nicholas's wristwatch and shoes. "What do you have for us today, huh?"
The second man chuckled. "He's dressed too clean to be down here. Looks like money."
Nicholas kept his eyes locked on them, unfazed. He didn't blink or flinch, even when they stepped closer.
They didn't scare him. But just as one of the men raised his hand, a deep voice rang out from behind.
"Get away from my man!"
