"Who the hell are you?" the loan shark spat, his tone dripping with contempt. "This ain't got nothing to do with you, fucker!"
David's gaze was steely, his voice dangerously low. "I'm making it my business."
The thug's lips curled into a twisted smile, his eyes narrowing with amusement. "Oh, you think you're a hero, huh? Gonna come save the damsel in distress?"
He stepped off Hailey's wrist, his attention now fully on David. "You're either brave or stupid, friend."
David didn't flinch, didn't move an inch as the man approached him, their faces now just inches apart. His pulse was steady, his mind clear. He'd faced worse than this before.
The crowd held its breath, the tension crackling in the air like a storm waiting to break. Everyone could feel it, the moment before the explosion.
The thug smirked, clearly thinking he had the upper hand. "Walk away now, and I won't have to hurt you."
