"James, they want to take my wallet." Mindy blinked up at him, her big eyes full of injustice.
James chuckled.
"Oh, I see. So what do you want to do about it?" he asked, bending down to her eye level and gently ruffling her hair.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Before Mindy could say anything, the dozen or so students on the side couldn't hold back anymore.
"Hey! Don't think everything's fine just because your dad showed up. If you don't hand over that wallet today, just wait till you're at school again. Let's see if your daddy comes to class with you then."
James narrowed his eyes. Bullying? At a private school? He gave the group a measured look.
"What are you staring at? Do you know who my daddy is?" the ringleader sneered. She was a teenage girl dressed in a flashy, rebellious outfit that stood out among the school uniforms.
"Oh?" James replied casually, amused. "And who might your father be? Is he okay with you bullying schoolmates like this?"
The non-mainstream girl curled her lips in contempt. "My dad controls this whole block. If you know what's good for you, hand it over now. Otherwise, don't bother showing up tomorrow."
James laughed—a genuine, amused chuckle. A teenage girl threatening him? It was almost cute. But when he thought about it more seriously, it made sense. If her father was involved in gang activity, it would explain her arrogance. In a school setting, most parents avoided involving the police. At worst, they transferred their kids to other schools. These bullies probably knew that.
He ignored her and turned to Mindy. "Now, sweetheart, tell your brother—what do-you-want to do?"
The rebellious girl flared. He had actually ignored her, and worse—he was—handsome. That annoyed her even more. She hadn't really planned to rob anyone. It wasn't about the money. She just couldn't stand the new girl, Mindy, who looked like a perfect little princess. She was jealous—plain and simple.
Today had been Mindy's first proper day of school, after skipping the first. Hannah had dressed her like a doll—elegant and adorable. Teachers and students alike had taken notice. That attention had rubbed the rebellious girl the wrong way, so she'd decided to corner Mindy after class.
She had also noticed Mindy's thick purple wallet during lunch. A student carrying that much cash? At least a thousand dollars? Her own father had never given her anything close to that.
"Hey! Are you deaf?" the girl barked again. "Does your family live around here? My dad runs this whole area!"
Mindy looked up at James with wide eyes and asked, in an adorably aggrieved voice, "James, can I punch them?"
James studied her expression. What a sweet, innocent little face. He smiled.
"Of course you can. How could we let anyone bully our Mindy? Go ahead and teach them a lesson. In fact, if it makes you feel better, teach them a lesson every—day. Just remember—you're my sister. Nobody messes with you."
Mindy beamed.
They were still at the school gate, and dismissal time meant the area was crowded with students waiting to be picked up or walking home together. The argument had attracted a lot of attention—students, parents, and even the school staff were about to come over.
James's striking presence and Mindy's princess-like outfit had already turned heads. But what happened next left everyone stunned.
Mindy launched into the group like a purple whirlwind. Despite her delicate appearance, she moved with precision and power. Her strikes were fast and efficient, and within moments, the bullies were lying on the ground, groaning.
A girl in a dress with a ponytail had just wiped the floor with a dozen older students. People weren't just surprised—they were shocked. A little girl that fierce? Was she really a little girl?
Mindy wiped the light sweat from her forehead, her cheeks slightly flushed with excitement, then skipped back to James with a bright smile. She looked up, expectant.
James grinned. "Good job. We'll continue on next time." She handed him her bag, then he took her hand and started walking.
Ignoring the groaning teenagers on the pavement, James led Mindy to the audi. He opened the passenger door for her, helped her in, then walked around to get in himself.
Just as he reached for the door handle, the sound of screeching tires rang out.
A dozen black cars came roaring around the corner and skidded to a halt. From them emerged dozens of burly men in suits. At the center of the group was a white middle-aged man with a nasty scar down his cheek. He wore an expensive suit, smoked a half-burnt cigar, and oozed arrogance.
The entrance of the school descended into chaos. Students scattered, and parents instinctively stepped back. The tension was thick in the air, and many parents were already reconsidering their decision to enroll their children here.
The scar-faced man took a puff of his cigar and walked toward James.
"Kid, did you tell your sister to hit my daughter?"
Despite the man's tailored suit, the way he talked revealed exactly what kind of person he was.
"Yeah," James said, leaning casually against his car door with arms crossed. "Any problem with that?"
Scarface gave a cruel laugh. "Hah. You've got some guts. Don't you know who I am?"
James shook his head slowly. "Don't know, don't care. It doesn't matter. I assume your daughter's that little delinquent? Do her a favor—transfer her out. This school's not the right place for her. And as for you? I suggest you vanish. Fast."
There was no fear in his voice. Just a calm dismissal.
New York was a city of extremes—half heaven, half hell. Riches and danger lived side by side. Still, even in its worst neighborhoods, gangsters usually had enough sense not to stir trouble near elite private schools.
Apparently, this man didn't.
James figured Scarface thought he could intimidate anyone. Maybe he usually could. But this time, he was about to learn the hard way.
James subtly pressed the emergency beacon hidden on him. In less than ten minutes, S.H.I.E.L.D. would arrive in full force.
He didn't need backup to deal with this crew—but it was cleaner that way. Safer. With S.H.I.E.L.D. involved, they could dig into this gang's activities, tear up their roots, and send them all straight to prison.
No Mercy—to those who mess with him and his family.