The room stayed quiet for a moment after Jayden spoke.
"Everything".
The two reps exchanged a look.
Not impressed.
Not unimpressed.
Just thinking.
One of them leaned back slightly.
"We hear that a lot."
"But not everyone means it.
"I do."
They watched him closely.
Looking for hesitation.
Fear.
Doubt.
Just hunger.
Pain.
And something real.
"We'll be in touch."
No deal.
No promise.
Just that.
Jayden nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Chairs moved.
Hands shook briefly.
Professional.
Controlled.
Jayden stepped out of the room.
Amara and the producer waiting.
"How it go?"
"They listening."
But not secured either.
"That's good… right?"
"It's a start."
They stepped outside.
The city noise returned.
Cars.
Voices.
Movement.
Jayden exhaled slowly.
Like he had been holding something in the whole time.
"You did good."
"Not done yet."
Then—
That feeling.
Jayden's eyes shifted slightly.
Scanning.
Watching.
Before he saw it.
Slow.
Direct.
No hesitation.
Dre.
Amara froze.
The producer frowned.
Jayden didn't move.
Different place.
Same tension.
"You really came here," Jayden said.
"I didn't have a choice."
Jayden shook his head slightly.
"You always say that."
Watching both of them now.
Careful.
"They watching," he said low.
Jayden's eyes sharpened.
"Who?"
"You already know."
Because he did.
"You not safe here," Dre continued.
"I wasn't safe anywhere."
"This different."
Jayden stepped closer now.
Matching him.
"You came to warn me… or finish it?"
Because that was the question.
And the answer—
Was about to decide everything.