Chapter 67: Checkmate

Liam's hands shook as he rapped urgently on the nondescript door. Alex shifted nervously beside him, glancing over his shoulder. 

"You sure we shouldn't have brought backup?" Alex whispered. "Jamal seemed ballistic on the phone."

"And risk more eyes seeing us here?" Liam hissed back. "The whole op could unravel if word gets out about this meeting."

The door flew open, and they came face-to-face with Jamal's towering, menacing presence. The hulking figure glared at them through narrowed eyes as he ushered them inside without a word.

The sparse apartment reeked of stale cigarettes. Jamal prowled the cramped living room like a caged lion, radiating barely contained fury. When he finally turned to face them, his expression was thunderous.

"Which one of you incompetent clowns leaked that video on Ava?" he growled.

Liam and Alex exchanged panicked looks. Alex slowly raised a trembling hand.