Chapter 8 — Old Scores
550 Words
Ethan reached the third floor and put his hand on the door.
Unlocked.
He pushed it open and walked in.
Max was standing by the window. Back turned. Whiskey in hand. Like he already knew Ethan was coming.
"You took your time," Max said.
"Where is she."
Max didn't turn around.
"Sit down."
"Where is Aria."
This time he turned. Held Ethan's gaze.
"I don't know."
Ethan took two steps forward.
"Don't lie to me."
"I'm telling the truth." Max set the glass down. "I only said to bring her in. Where they'd take her — that wasn't my call."
"Whose call was it?"
Silence.
"Max."
"Rahul Sen." He said it quietly. "He's running everything now."
Ethan went still.
That name.
After all this time.
"He's still around?" Ethan's voice dropped.
"Not just around." Max sat down. "He's bigger than before. If Aria's father's evidence gets out — he's finished. So—"
"So he took the girl."
"Yes."
Ethan stood in the middle of the room.
One name circling in his head.
Rahul Sen.
Three years ago this man had ended everything. Broken the group apart. Taken Aria's father.
And sent Ethan and Max in opposite directions.
"You're still working for him?" Ethan said.
Max went quiet.
"Answer me."
"I had no other choice."
"There's always a choice."
"Not everyone can walk away alone like you Ethan." Bitterness in Max's voice. "You left everything behind. I couldn't."
Silence fell over the room.
Two men looking at each other.
Old friends. Old wounds. Old scores.
"Do you know where they're keeping her?" Ethan said.
"No."
"But you have a way to find out?"
Max paused.
"Maybe."
"Then?"
Max stood up. Walked to the window.
"If I help you — Rahul will know. I'm finished."
"And if you don't?"
"Then the girl is finished."
Silence.
Outside the city moved on.
Max put his hand on the windowpane.
"Aria's father was a good man." His voice was quiet. "I couldn't stop what happened to him. I still can't sleep."
Ethan said nothing.
"I want to stop it this time."
Max turned around.
Held Ethan's gaze.
"Give me one hour."
Ethan waited on the stairs.
Fifty minutes later a message from Max.
An address.
Old part of the city. A warehouse.
Ethan read it.
Put the phone in his pocket.
Started moving.
He stopped outside the warehouse.
Two guards. One on each side of the door.
He stepped back into the shadows.
Thought.
Aria was inside.
Alone. Among strangers. Probably scared.
Or maybe not.
He thought about her words.
"I'm terrified. But I'm still standing here."
Something came to his face.
Not quite a smile. Something quieter than that.
He stepped out of the shadows.
And moved forward.
Inside Aria sat with her eyes closed.
Suddenly — noise outside.
Then silence.
The door opened.
She opened her eyes.
Ethan.
Coat damp. Hair out of place.
But eyes steady.
He walked over. Untied her hands.
Aria stood up.
Said nothing.
Just looked at him.
Ethan turned slightly.
"Let's go."
Aria started walking.
Then stopped.
"Ethan."
He turned.
"Thank you."
He said nothing.
Just — very slightly — nodded.
Then walked ahead.
Aria followed.
Outside the night was almost over.
And somewhere —
Rahul Sen had just found out —
The girl was gone. 🖤
- Writer
