Bound By The Badge

Mia Carter wiped down the counter for what felt like the hundredth time. The worn cloth in her hand left streaks across the polished surface, but no one cared. It was 3:12 a.m., and the diner was empty save for a few scattered customers nursing their cups of coffee. The low hum of the neon sign outside buzzed faintly in the background, casting a dull, sickly glow that reflected off the greasy countertops. The clinking of silverware and the occasional sizzle from the grill were the only sounds to break the silence. It was always quiet this late-too quiet.

She could barely keep her eyes open, the exhaustion weighing down on her like a thick, damp blanket. Another hour and a half until her shift ended. She would clock out, walk to her tiny apartment just a few blocks away, crash into bed for a few hours, and then wake up to do it all again. She'd been doing this for months now, ever since she moved to this part of town. The pay was terrible, but tips came in decent at night, and it was the only job that seemed to tolerate her schedule.

A sigh escaped her lips as she glanced around the diner. It wasn't much, just a greasy spoon in a rundown part of the city, the kind of place where you didn't ask too many questions and just served the food. But Mia had grown used to it. She didn't need much, just a roof over her head and a job that kept her from spiraling.

Her gaze drifted toward the corner booth. There he was. Detective Cole Lawson. He was a regular. He had been coming to this diner for as long as she had worked here-longer, even. He always sat in the same spot, his back to the wall, a cup of black coffee in front of him, and a plate of scrambled eggs untouched. He was a mystery, a brooding figure who seemed to carry a weight with him. He never spoke much and never acknowledged her unless he needed his coffee refilled. He was quiet-too quiet. And tonight, he was more silent than usual, his dark eyes scanning the room in a way that made Mia feel like he was studying her every move.

The tension in the air was palpable. He wasn't just some regular customer. No, there was something about him-something dangerous. Every time he walked into the diner, it felt like the atmosphere shifted, like the walls themselves were holding their breath.

Mia turned away, focusing on the counter. She wasn't here to get caught up in his mystery. She had enough of her problems to deal with.

The door chimed as a group of men walked in, their presence immediately setting off an alarm in her head. They weren't regulars. The way they moved-quick, deliberate like they owned the place-had Mia instinctively straightening up. She had seen men like them before. Rough around the edges, tough-looking, but these guys... They were different. Their eyes were hard, the kind that made you feel like you were already being sized up, evaluated for some unseen threat.

She met their gaze briefly before quickly looking down. One of them, a tall guy with a shaved head and a scar running down his jaw, flashed her a grin that didn't reach his eyes. It was the kind of smile that made her skin crawl.

"Coffee," the man said, his voice gruff, as he pulled out a chair for himself and his two companions. "Black."

Mia didn't say anything. She just nodded and moved to get the coffee pot. As she poured, her eyes flicked back toward Cole. He hadn't moved, but she could see the subtle tension in his shoulders. His jaw was clenched, his hand wrapped tightly around his coffee cup like he was holding on to something. He wasn't just observing the men. No, he was sizing them up too, like he knew something they didn't.

As Mia moved back toward the table, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong. She set the coffee down in front of the man with the scar, her hand trembling slightly, but she kept her face neutral, and professional.

"What'll it be?" she asked, her voice steady, though the unease was gnawing at her insides.

"Just the coffee for now," the scarred man said, his eyes narrowing as he looked her up and down. She could see the calculation in his gaze. He was used to getting what he wanted, and he was used to intimidating people into compliance.

Mia quickly turned and walked back to the counter. She tried to steady her breath, but her heart was pounding now, her instincts screaming that something wasn't right. She glanced back over her shoulder toward the door, but that's when she noticed the two men who had just entered behind the others. They were taller, cleaner-cut. Their suits were sharp-too sharp for a place like this.

She felt a pit form in her stomach. These men didn't belong here. Not in this diner. Not in her world.

One of them caught her eye. His gaze was direct like he could see straight through her. She quickly turned back to the counter, pretending not to notice, but it was hard to ignore the way her skin prickled with unease.

The bell above the door jingled again, and Mia nearly jumped. She looked over just in time to see a fourth man walk in-a man who immediately commanded attention. He was taller than the others, with a sleek, black suit and an air of authority that seemed to pulse around him. His eyes locked onto Cole's from across the room, and for a moment, the entire diner seemed to hold its breath. The tension between the two men was so thick it was suffocating.

The man in the suit moved toward Cole, his steps slow and calculated. "Detective Lawson," he said, his voice smooth and condescending. "You know it's bad manners to bring your work into a place like this."

Cole didn't flinch. He didn't move a muscle. He simply set his coffee cup down with a slight click, his eyes narrowing in a way that made the room feel even smaller. "I don't have time for your games, Mason," he said, his voice low and steady. "And neither do you."

Mia's breath hitched in her throat. Mason? That name was familiar-too familiar. It wasn't the first time she had heard it. There were rumors and whispers about Mason and his connection to the city's underground world. But this... This was different. This wasn't some back alley deal. This was personal.

The men at the window table rose from their seats. Their movements were smooth, and calculated, as if they were already preparing for something. Mia's stomach churned with dread. The situation was escalating, and she had no idea how she had gotten caught in the middle of it.

Mason smiled, but it wasn't a smile at all. It was cold and predatory. "It's not just about time, Cole. It's about loyalty. And you're about to learn just how far people will go to protect what's theirs."

The words hung in the air, a warning, but Cole didn't react. He stood slowly, his chair scraping noisily across the floor. He wasn't intimidated. Not in the slightest.

"I'm not interested in your threats," Cole said, his voice as hard as steel. "You've got no leverage here."

Mason's eyes flicked over to Mia. For a split second, their gazes locked. Mia felt a chill run down her spine. Whatever was happening between these men, whatever they were about to do, she was no longer a bystander. She was a part of it.

Cole's eyes met hers then-his gaze sharp, commanding. "Go out back. Now."

Mia's pulse raced, her mind screaming at her to question him, to demand an explanation. But the urgency in his tone left no room for hesitation. She grabbed her apron and rushed toward the back door, her mind reeling. She heard voices rising in the front, angry, threatening. And then, a single, sharp crack-like the sound of a gunshot split the air.

Mia froze. Her breath caught in her throat. The door slammed open behind her, and she barely had time to step outside before the reality of the situation hit her. She was in the middle of something much bigger than a late-night diner dispute.

Her hand was shaking as she pressed her back to the cold brick wall. What had she gotten herself into?