"Behind Closed Doors"

On the Hunt

Jordan's POV:

Chapter 19:

Jordan stood outside, scanning the street, his fists clenched at his sides. Kayla had seen Devin, but now the dude was nowhere to be found. It was like he had just melted into the night. His blood was boiling. Devin had crossed the line by showing up here—again—and Jordan was done with the games.

Isaiah was pacing near the curb, his eyes darting between the houses and the shadows on the street. They both knew Devin was still out there, lurking, probably watching them right now, but neither of them could spot him.

"He was right there, man," Jordan muttered under his breath, frustration clear in his voice. "Kay said he was standin' right there. Now he just disappears?"

Isaiah nodded, his jaw tight. "He's playin' with us. He wants us to chase him, but we ain't fallin' for it."

Jordan's chest tightened with rage. He hated feeling like they were a step behind. He hated that Devin was out there, toying with their sister, thinking he could just show up and scare her whenever he felt like it.

"I'm done with this, Zay," Jordan said, his voice low and fierce. "We need to find him. We need to put an end to this. Tonight."

Isaiah stopped pacing, turning to look at his younger brother. "I hear you, but we gotta be smart. If we rush out there lookin' for him, we could be playin' right into his hands."

Jordan knew Isaiah was right, but his patience was wearing thin. Devin had gotten too comfortable. He had been in their space, messin' with Kay, and now he was practically daring them to do something about it.

"I don't care about playin' smart anymore," Jordan shot back. "He's been terrorizing Kay for months. How much longer we supposed to wait? Until he does somethin' real crazy?"

Isaiah's eyes hardened, but Jordan could see the same anger burning behind them. They were both on the same page—they just had different ways of handling it. Jordan was ready to throw hands, but Isaiah was more cautious, always thinking a few steps ahead.

"We find him, we handle him," Isaiah said after a long pause. "But we don't go in blind. We find out where he's been stayin', who he's been talkin' to. We make sure we hit him where it hurts."

Jordan nodded, the fire still burning inside him. "Then let's do it. No more waitin'."

They headed back inside the house, both of them still on edge, but trying to keep their cool for Kayla's sake. She was sitting on the couch, her knees pulled up to her chest, her eyes wide with fear. The sight of her like that made Jordan's blood boil even more.

He knelt down in front of her, his voice soft but firm. "You okay, Kay?"

Kayla nodded, but her hands were trembling. "Yeah, I just... I don't know how he keeps disappearing like that. It's like he knows exactly when to leave."

Jordan shook his head. "He's a coward. That's why he runs. But we're not gonna let him keep messin' with you. We'll find him, Kay. I promise."

Isaiah leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "You stay here tonight. We'll figure this out."

Kayla looked up at them, her fear slowly being replaced with determination. "I don't want y'all gettin' into trouble because of me."

Jordan smiled, though there wasn't much humor in it. "We ain't worried about that. We're worried about you."

Kayla looked between them, then nodded. "Just... be careful. Devin's not gonna stop."

Jordan stood up, his fists still clenched, and gave her a reassuring nod. "Neither are we."

Later that night, Jordan and Isaiah sat in Isaiah's car, parked a few blocks away from Kayla's mom's house. They had agreed to wait it out, watch the streets, and see if Devin showed up again. But deep down, Jordan didn't want to just sit and wait. He wanted to find Devin, to make him understand that messing with Kayla was the last mistake he'd ever make.

"You think he's comin' back tonight?" Jordan asked, his eyes scanning the empty street.

Isaiah shook his head. "Nah, not tonight. He knows we're ready for him now. He's probably layin' low, waitin' for his next move."

Jordan leaned back in the seat, frustration building up inside him. "I hate this, man. Just waitin' around while he's out there doin' whatever."

Isaiah glanced at him, his expression calm but serious. "I get it, Jay. Trust me, I do. But we gotta play this right. Devin wants us to come at him crazy so he can turn this back on us. We ain't givin' him that."

Jordan exhaled, running a hand over his face. "I know. I just can't stand the thought of him lurkin' around, thinkin' he can scare Kay."

Isaiah's voice was firm. "He won't. We'll end this. But we do it on our terms, not his."

Just then, Jordan's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen. It was a message from one of his boys who had been keeping an eye out for Devin.

Marcus: Yo, I just saw Devin at that spot near 7th. You need me to do somethin'?

Jordan's pulse quickened, and he turned to Isaiah, holding up the phone. "He's at 7th. One of my boys just saw him."

Isaiah's eyes narrowed. "You sure?"

Jordan nodded, his anger flaring up again. "Yeah, I'm sure. Let's go."

Without another word, Isaiah started the car, pulling out onto the street. Jordan's heart raced as they sped toward 7th. This was it. They were finally going to handle Devin once and for all.

When they pulled up to the spot on 7th, Jordan's eyes immediately scanned the area. It was a quiet street, mostly rundown buildings and empty lots. But then, he spotted a figure standing near a beat-up car on the corner.

Devin.

Jordan's fists clenched as he got out of the car, his whole body buzzing with adrenaline. Isaiah followed close behind, his expression cold and focused.

Devin looked up as they approached, a smirk playing on his face like he had been expecting them.

"Y'all finally came out to play, huh?" Devin said, his voice dripping with arrogance.

Jordan stepped forward, his fists still clenched, but Isaiah grabbed his arm, holding him back.

"Let's talk," Isaiah said calmly, his eyes locked on Devin's.

Devin's smirk didn't fade. "Talk? Ain't nothin' to talk about. I told Kayla what's up. She belongs to me."

That was it. The words sent a surge of anger through Jordan, and before he could stop himself, he lunged at Devin, ready to end it right then and there.

Isaiah tried to hold him back, but Jordan was already swinging, the anger too much to control.

But as his fist connected with Devin's jaw, Jordan knew this was only the beginning.