Chapter 83

The ride back to Ron’s apartment was steeped in tension, neither Ron nor Amanda saying much as they navigated the quiet city streets. The weight of their discovery hung over them like a dark cloud, and Amanda couldn’t shake the feeling that they were in over their heads.

Inside the apartment, Amanda dropped onto the couch, rubbing her temples as she tried to process everything. “Ron, this is too much. Vance isn’t just some criminal; he’s dangerous, connected, and he’s not going to stop until he gets what he wants.”

Ron stood by the window, staring out at the city below. He knew Amanda was right. The man they were dealing with was far beyond what they could handle alone. Vance was smart, ruthless, and had resources they couldn’t even begin to match. The police might not act quickly enough, and even if they did, there was no guarantee they could bring Vance down.

“We need help, Amanda,” Ron said finally, turning to face her. “We can’t do this on our own.”

Amanda looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. “Who can we turn to? The police might not be able to move fast enough, and we don’t know who else to trust.”

Ron nodded, already knowing who they needed to call. “I have someone in mind. My best friend, Max. He’s ex-military, and he’s been involved in some pretty intense situations. If anyone can help us deal with Vance, it’s him.”

Amanda’s eyes widened slightly at the mention of Max. She had met him a few times before and knew he was the kind of person who could handle himself in any situation. He was tough, resourceful, and, most importantly, loyal to Ron.

“Max? Do you think he’d be willing to help?” Amanda asked, her voice tinged with hope.

Ron nodded, already pulling out his phone. “Max has always had my back, no matter what. If I tell him what’s going on, I’m sure he’ll drop everything to help us.”

Without wasting another moment, Ron dialed Max’s number. The phone rang a few times before a deep, familiar voice answered on the other end.

“Ron, what’s up?” Max’s voice was casual, but there was an underlying tone of readiness, as if he could sense that this wasn’t just a social call.

“Max, I need your help. It’s serious,” Ron said, cutting straight to the point. He quickly explained the situation, laying out everything they had uncovered about Vance and the danger they were in.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, and then Max’s voice came back, all traces of casualness gone. “I’m on my way. Give me your address.”

Ron relayed the information, relief washing over him. “Thanks, Max. We really appreciate this.”

“Don’t mention it. I’ll be there in an hour. We’ll figure this out together,” Max replied before hanging up.

Ron turned back to Amanda, who had been listening intently. “Max is coming. He’ll know what to do.”

Amanda exhaled, feeling a small weight lift off her shoulders. “Thank you, Ron. I feel better knowing Max is going to be with us. He’s… someone we can count on.”

An hour later, there was a knock at the door. Ron opened it to find Max standing there, dressed in jeans and a black leather jacket, his expression serious. He stepped inside, immediately scanning the room, his eyes landing on Amanda.

“Amanda,” Max greeted with a nod, his tone warm despite the circumstances. “I wish we were meeting under better conditions.”

“Me too, Max,” Amanda replied, managing a small smile. “But I’m glad you’re here.”

Max moved further into the room, taking a seat at the table. “Alright, let’s get to work. Tell me everything.”

Ron and Amanda sat across from him, laying out all the details they had gathered about Vance. As they talked, Max listened carefully, occasionally asking questions, his mind already working through possible strategies.

When they finished, Max leaned back, his expression thoughtful. “Vance is dangerous, no doubt about it. But he’s also predictable in some ways. Guys like him rely on their reputation, on fear. They think they’re invincible. That’s where they slip up.”

Ron nodded, grateful for Max’s insight. “So, what’s the plan?”

Max rubbed his chin, considering their options. “First, we need to gather more intel. We need to know who Vance is working with, where he’s most vulnerable. Then, we can start to isolate him, cut off his resources, and make him feel the pressure. But we do this smart. No rushing in, no unnecessary risks.”

Amanda listened intently, feeling a mixture of fear and determination. She knew the stakes were high, but with Max’s guidance, they had a fighting chance.

Max continued, his voice firm. “We’re going to need to be careful, but we also need to be bold. Vance needs to know that he’s not as untouchable as he thinks he is. We’ll hit him where it hurts and make him pay for coming after you two.”

Ron reached across the table, placing his hand over Amanda’s. “We’re going to get through this, Amanda. With Max here, we have a real shot at taking Vance down.”

Amanda squeezed Ron’s hand, drawing strength from his reassurance. “I trust you, both of you. Let’s do this.”

As they started to map out their plan, Amanda felt a renewed sense of resolve. With Ron and Max by her side, she knew they could face whatever Vance threw at them. This wasn’t just about surviving anymore; it was about fighting back and reclaiming their lives.

The night wore on as they strategized, each of them fully aware of the dangers ahead. But for the first time since this nightmare began, Amanda felt a glimmer of hope. With Max’s expertise and Ron’s unwavering support, they were ready to confront Vance head-on and put an end to the terror he had brought into their lives.