Chapter 2: A Dangerous Client

Ava's POV 

The following day felt heavier than any I could remember, the weight of the decision pressing down on me like a leaden blanket. I sat at my desk, surrounded by legal briefs and case files, but my mind was elsewhere. I replayed the conversation with the mysterious caller in my head, the words echoing ominously.

"Gabriel has eyes everywhere." 

The thought made my stomach churn. I had reluctantly agreed to represent a low-level criminal named Marcus Lott, a name that had already been whispered in the hallways of my firm. A petty thief, they said. Nothing serious—just a pawn in a larger game. But his ties to Gabriel Pierce made him a dangerous client.

I leaned back in my chair, staring out the window at the bustling city below. How had I gotten myself into this mess? My parents had always expected me to steer clear of the dark corners of the law, but here I was, voluntarily walking into one.

The sound of my phone buzzing broke through my thoughts. I glanced at the screen: a message from Ethan.

Ethan: We need to talk about your new case. I don't like the sound of it.

My fingers hesitated over the keyboard as I considered my response. I could feel Ethan's protective nature creeping in, and I wasn't in the mood to hear him lecture me about safety and reputation.

Ava: I'm fine. Just doing my job.

I hit send and turned my focus back to the case file. As I read through Marcus's history, a mix of anxiety and curiosity coursed through me. He had several minor offenses, but this time it was different. He was being accused of stealing a shipment tied to Gabriel's operations, and now he faced serious charges.

I arrived at the courthouse with a knot in my stomach. The building loomed above me, its granite façade cold and uninviting. I entered the courtroom, the air thick with tension and the murmur of anxious whispers.

I spotted Marcus sitting at the defendant's table, his disheveled hair and nervous demeanor contrasting sharply with the polished attorneys surrounding him.

"Ms. Thompson?" he asked, looking up at me with wide, frightened eyes.

"Yes, that's me," I replied, forcing a smile despite the gnawing dread inside. "I'm here to represent you."

He nodded, his gaze darting around the room. "I didn't mean to get caught up in this mess. I swear. I was just… I was desperate."

"Desperation can lead to bad choices," I said, trying to maintain a professional tone. "Let's focus on how to minimize the damage."

Marcus swallowed hard. "They're saying I stole from Gabriel Pierce's operation. You know who he is, right?"

I nodded, fighting the urge to shudder. "Yes, I know."

"Look, I didn't know it was his stuff. I just thought it was some low-level score. Now they're saying I could be facing serious time." 

I glanced around the courtroom, noting the presence of Gabriel's men seated in the back. Their eyes were sharp, scanning the room, exuding an aura of danger that made my skin crawl.

"Let's take this one step at a time," I said, trying to project confidence. "We need to show the court that you weren't aware of the situation and that you're willing to cooperate."

As I spoke, the judge entered, and the courtroom fell silent. I focused on the proceedings, trying to block out the growing anxiety gnawing at me. But as the hearing progressed, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. 

Every now and then, I glanced back at the men in the rear. They were dressed in tailored suits, their expressions unreadable, but I could feel the weight of their gaze. It was unsettling, like a predator sizing up its prey.

"Ms. Thompson," the judge's voice cut through my thoughts. "Are you prepared to make your statement?"

I straightened, clearing my throat. "Yes, Your Honor. My client, Marcus Lott, is not a hardened criminal. He was in a difficult situation and—"

The prosecutor, a sharp-faced woman named Olivia Russell, interrupted. "Your Honor, while Ms. Thompson may see her client as a victim, the fact remains that he is tied to a crime directly linked to Mr. Gabriel Pierce. The charges are serious and cannot be taken lightly."

I glanced at Marcus, whose face had gone pale. 

"Mr. Lott has no prior convictions for anything this serious," I countered, my voice steady. "We ask for leniency. He is willing to cooperate with any investigation related to this case."

"Cooperate with the mafia?" Olivia scoffed. "That's rich."

My heart raced as I sensed the tension in the room escalating. "This is a court of law, not a trial by rumor. We deserve the right to present evidence without bias."

"Bias? We're talking about a criminal organization, Ms. Thompson. The reality is that your client made a choice, and now he needs to face the consequences."

I clenched my fists, fighting against the frustration building inside me. "Every person deserves representation, regardless of the situation they're in. Marcus may have made a mistake, but he's not a monster."

"Then why did he choose to involve himself in a crime linked to a man who is known for his ruthlessness?" Olivia's voice cut through the air, sharp and unforgiving.

The judge leaned forward, tapping his gavel. "Order in the court!"

As the proceedings continued, I felt the weight of every word. Marcus was looking increasingly anxious, and I knew I had to do something to regain control of the situation. 

After a lengthy back-and-forth between the prosecutor and me, the judge called for a recess. I stood, stretching my legs as I tried to process the whirlwind of emotions. 

"Ms. Thompson," a voice said from behind me.

I turned to see Gabriel Pierce standing at the entrance of the courtroom. He was impeccably dressed, his expression cold and unreadable. 

"Mr. Pierce," I said, my heart racing as I fought to maintain my composure. "What are you doing here?"

He stepped closer, his presence commanding. "I came to see how my interests were being represented."

"I'm representing Marcus, not you," I replied, frustration rising in my voice. "This isn't your concern."

He tilted his head slightly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Everything is my concern, especially when it comes to my operations. You'd do well to remember that."

"Threatening me isn't going to help your case," I shot back, surprising myself with my boldness. 

Gabriel's eyes darkened, and the room seemed to shrink around us. "You think you're safe here? This isn't a game, Ava. You're in my world now."

Before I could respond, he turned on his heel, disappearing back into the shadows. I felt a chill run down my spine, the implications of his words sinking in. 

I had entered a world of danger that I wasn't prepared for, and with every passing moment, I felt the walls closing in.

As I made my way back to Marcus, my heart was racing. I could see the fear in his eyes, the desperation clawing at his expression. 

"Ava, what did he want?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Just… checking on the situation," I said, trying to sound calm, though I felt anything but.

"You have to understand, I didn't want any of this," he pleaded. "I just needed some quick cash. I thought I could make a few bucks and get out of here. I never thought I'd end up in a place like this."

I nodded, knowing all too well the kind of choices people made when desperation loomed large. But my thoughts kept drifting back to Gabriel and the danger that surrounded him.

"I'll do my best to help you, Marcus," I said, forcing a reassuring smile. "We'll get through this together."

As we settled back into our seats for the continuation of the hearing, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that hung in the air. I was about to go up against forces far beyond my understanding, and I needed to tread carefully.

When the judge returned, I braced myself for the next round of questions. But as I looked up, my breath hitched in my throat. 

Gabriel's cold gaze met mine from across the courtroom, his eyes piercing through the crowd like a dagger. In that moment, it felt like time stood still. Everything else faded into the background, and it was just the two of us—caught in an unspoken challenge.

The judge's voice broke the spell. "Ms. Thompson, please proceed." But I could barely focus, my mind spinning with the implications of Gabriel's presence. What had I gotten myself into?