**Chapter 49: Shadows of Revenge**
The night was eerily quiet as Jet walked through the narrow streets, making his way back to the café. The events of the last few days played over in his mind—Lucas's offer, the satisfaction of working at Lily's café, and the thrill of the underground fights. Despite the sense of achievement, Jet couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
As he approached the café, Jet's sharp instincts alerted him to a group of figures loitering in the shadows near the entrance. His eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness, revealing the faces of men he had seen before—the same thugs who had attacked Lily weeks ago. They were waiting for him, their eyes filled with malice.
Jet stopped in his tracks, assessing the situation. There were six of them, each armed and ready for a fight. The leader of the group stepped forward, his face twisted with a vengeful grin. "Well, if it isn't the hero who thinks he can play with the big boys," he sneered. "Thought you could humiliate us and walk away unscathed?"
Jet's gaze swept over the thugs, noting their weapons and stance. He remained calm, his mind calculating his next move. "You've already made one mistake by underestimating me," Jet said, his voice cold and steady. "Don't make another by trying to finish what you started."
The leader laughed, a harsh sound that echoed through the empty street. "Big talk for someone who's outnumbered. You're going to regret crossing us."
The threat hung in the air as the thugs began to close in, tightening the circle around Jet. He knew they were itching for a fight, eager to avenge the humiliation he had dealt them before. But Jet wasn't about to back down—he had come too far to let these lowlifes intimidate him.
Without another word, the leader lunged at Jet, swinging a metal pipe with a force meant to crush bone. Jet sidestepped the attack with a fluid motion, his hand snapping out to grab the thug's wrist. With a swift, precise twist, he disarmed the man, sending the pipe clattering to the ground.
The rest of the group wasted no time, launching themselves at Jet from all directions. The street erupted into chaos as Jet moved with the speed and precision of a trained fighter. His focus was unyielding, his movements a blur as he dodged blows, countered attacks, and incapacitated his opponents one by one.
A thug wielding a chain aimed for Jet's head, but Jet ducked under the swing, delivering a powerful kick to the man's chest that sent him sprawling. Another tried to stab him with a knife, but Jet easily deflected the blade and struck the thug with a quick series of blows that left him gasping for air.
The fight was over in minutes. The thugs lay scattered on the ground, groaning in pain, their confidence shattered. The leader, clutching his injured wrist, glared at Jet with a mix of fear and fury. "You're going to pay for this," he spat, struggling to his feet.
Jet stepped forward, his eyes locked on the thug's. "You've already paid enough tonight. Next time, you won't be so lucky."
The threat was clear, and the thugs knew they were beaten. They stumbled away, muttering curses and nursing their wounds, but Jet knew this wouldn't be the last he'd see of them. The streets had a way of holding onto grudges, and he'd need to be ready for whatever came next.
As the last of the thugs disappeared into the night, the door to the café swung open. Lily stepped out, her face pale and filled with concern. She had heard the noise and come to see what was happening, only to find Jet standing amidst the aftermath of the fight.
"Jet, are you alright?" Lily's voice trembled as she hurried to his side, her eyes wide with worry.
Jet forced a reassuring smile, though the adrenaline still pulsed through his veins. "I'm fine, Lily. Just some old trouble trying to catch up with me."
Lily's gaze shifted to the shadows where the thugs had retreated, her expression troubled. "They were the same men from before, weren't they? The ones who attacked me?"
Jet nodded, not wanting to hide the truth from her. "Yes, they came looking for revenge. But they won't be bothering you anymore."
Lily sighed, relief and fear battling within her. "I just wish you didn't have to fight all the time, Jet. It's dangerous, and I don't want you getting hurt."
Jet placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his touch gentle. "I'm not going to let them, or anyone else, hurt you. As long as I'm here, you're safe."
Lily looked up at him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of doubt, but all she found was the quiet confidence that had come to define him. She nodded slowly, trusting his words, though the worry didn't fully leave her expression.
"Come on," Jet said, guiding her back inside. "Let's lock up and call it a night. We've both had enough excitement for one day."
As they stepped into the warm glow of the café, Jet couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was just a prelude to something more. The thugs had been a small taste of the danger that lurked in the shadows of his life, and Jet knew he would need to be prepared for whatever came next.
But for now, he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on helping Lily close up the café. As they worked in silence, Jet's mind began to drift back to the underground arena, to Lucas's offer, and to the life he was carefully building. He knew the path he had chosen was fraught with risk, but it was the only one that would lead him to where he needed to go.
The night had ended in victory, but Jet was acutely aware that the real battle was far from over. The shadows of revenge had passed, but the challenges ahead loomed large. Whatever came next, Jet was ready to face it with the same determination that had brought him this far.