A few minutes later, a silhouette appears from the dark hallway leading to the room. The hallway wasn't completely dark, but was just illuminated enough to show the floor, but not the faces. The silhouette gets clear with each passing time, Madeline enters the open door, with Sarah's hand on hers, as the kid looked innocently clueless about the undeniable tension in the room.

Jackson jumps from his chair and kneels down to hug her little body into a tight embrace, closing his eyes, as if leaving out a sigh of relief. Sarah manages to hug him back, although her tiny hand reaches only half way through his shoulder.

Madeline's POV:

When I reached the room, he was holding up a stern expression, but as soon as, he saw Sarah, his expression softened up, in a blink. He ran up to her and hugged her with, which feels like he used all the strength he had. His hug was so strong, yet so caring, making sure not to hurt the little body of the kid. This is not the Jackson Claros, I learnt of. He was the Rex, I....knew. No, he wasn't the gruesome gang leader, but the caring, loving man. I could not help myself but keep staring at him. I missed that face for a long time. I missed him. I kept absorbing in the curves of his face, every detail that defines him, every movement, every crease, even the rhythmic movement of his chest, as he inhales and exhales. For some unknown reason, I kept taking in the details in his emotion, until he looked up to me. When he did, I realized, the feelings are no longer mutual. His look was rather blank. Sometimes, his eyes did show a hint of pain, but he managed to cover it up, well. He loosened up his embrace and loosely held her little shoulders, as she stood near him.

Jackson: Are you alright?

I remember that part of him, loud and clear.

Sarah: Why shouldn't I be?

Jackson: You should not be going out with any stranger.

Sarah: But, Madeline said you are friends with her.

Jackson left out a sigh.

Jackson: It may not be true, every time a stranger says you that.

Sarah: Duh! I can take care of myself. I am my Dad's strong girl!

Jackson: Yes, you are, princess. But, you know, how worried your Dad is?Don't ever go with any stranger again. 

Sarah: Hmm...okay.

Jackson: Can you give me a word?

Sarah: Promise.

Jackson carefully placed a kiss on her forehead. I felt a lump in my throat. I felt guilty for what I did. I actually threatened him, using the life of an innocent kid. I can feel myself crying from inside, but I dare not let a tear in my eye.

Mr. Alvarez: You may take the kid with you, Madeline.

Madeline came towards Jackson, and held the kid softly by her shoulder, avoiding any form of eye contact with Jackson. As Jackson sat on his kneels and Sarah merrily waves at Jackson and goes away, like nothing happened. Jackson kept staring at the kid, as she walked away, hand in hand with Madeline.

Mr. Alvarez: Now, you tell me.

Jackson composes himself as he stands up and turns towards Mr. Alvarez., and crosses his arms.

Jackson: Before I move to the real deal, let me tell you everything. The person I will be talking about was my friend. Not long after, we had an alliance, the cover started to rise. Everything stared to come clear.

(past)

(discussions over the phone)

Jackson: C, come back.

Corvett: What do you want, Jack!

Jackson: I know what you are planning. I know you traveled to other city.

Corvett: Smart enough!

Jackson: C, for the last time, I am telling you, come back.

Corvett: Damn! Why do you always keep inferring in my work?

Jackson: C, you are playing a dangerous game here. I won't let you do it.

Corvett: Guess what? Bye!

Jackson: C, JUST FUCKING COMING BACK, FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE, WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING. BEFORE YOU PAY THE PRICE.

Corvett: Ow. Now, you are hero. What's bothering you, eh? Any of the girls, you have known earlier? I send her to you?

Jackson: So, you accept you are into sex trafficking under the name of Hawks.

Corvett: Right. That's what is bothering you. Relax, man. I've got it covered. No one will get to know.

Jackson: THIS IS NOT ABOUT HIDING. YOU CAN'T DRAG US INTO SUCH NASTY BUSINESS.

Corvett: Do, whatever you want to, but stop poking your nose in my work.

Jackson: Oh! I will. I definitely will. Because is not your prop for the game, to begin with. We have a reputation to maintain. 

Corvett: Go fuck your reputation drama, and get over that shit. You are loosing your charms anyway.

Jackson: Watch your mouth, there.

Jackson's POV;

Suddenly, I hear a girl calling out his name. I knew what he was playing at. I tried to convince him through the call.

Jackson: C, I swear if that girl turns into your prey, I'll make you go through worse....C, answer me. 

After a few days, at hideout,

Corvett, enters the hideout to witness an angry Jackson standing at a distance. He rolls his eyes at Jackson.

Jackson: I won't be surprised to know, that you got that girl abducted. I will be asking you, where is she?

Corvett walked up to the bar and served himself a drink.

Jackson: Corvett, Do you know realize, what you are doing?

Corvett: This is probably the first time, you are saying out my full name.

Jackson: Because you officially lost the title, now.

Corvett: Jack! One last time I tell you, stop interfering in my business.

Jackson storms towards Corvett and placed a hard punch with his knuckles on his chin. As, Corvett groaned in pain.

Corvett: What the fuck is wrong with you?

Jackson held him by his collar: You are taking me too lightly. You just needed a brush up to know, who you are dealing with.

Corvett: FINE! I WONT!

Jackson: YOU WONT WHAT??

Corvett: I WONT HAVE PROBLEM, WORKING ON MY OWN.

Jackson: You wont stop, right?

Corvett: No!

Jackson: I will kill you.

" JACKSON!!" , Jereff yells from behind. "What are you doing?"

Jackson leaves his collar, keeping his anger filled eyes in Corvett: Get out!

Corvett: What?

Jackson:GET OUT!! AND DON'T SHOW YOUR FACE EVER AGAIN!!

(present)

Jackson: I thought, he would turn powerless, After I throw him out. I thought he would..... At least, he would realize, he was wrong. But,.......(Jackson moved his eyes towards the floor and moved his head in denial) he remained the same, and things worsened.

Mr. Alvarez: So, your alliance broke five years, ago. Because, you did not like his business. Why should I trust you?

Jackson: We fight equals. We have no desire to express authority over harmless civilians. Unless someone messes up with our work. We are good. The city is good. And, I don't care whether you believe this or not. But, this is the truth.

Mr. Alvarez: What now?

Jackson: As I said. I would not have gotten my feet into the Wizards matter, unless he poked his nose, into my business.

Jackson leaned himself towards the table: I want him down! For, anything it takes. Tell me. Are you in?

Mr. Alvarez: If it comes to my daughter....

Jackson: This is not only about your daughter, this is about the unaccounted yet innumerable girls, still trapped in his den. Are you in? You save the city, I save my world.

Mr. Alvarez: What about your men?

Jackson: What about them?

Mr. Alvarez: If they don't comply...

Jackson: They are my family. That's all you need to know for now.

Mr. Alvarez took some time, as Jackson waited for an answer. Then,

Mr. Alvarez: I am hating myself right now. Remind me, why I chose to accept your deal.

Jackson raises a eyebrows and sends across a smirks.