Part-173

  For hours, they observed the movements of people ing and going from the shop. The tension alpable. James, sitting by the window, kept his eyes sharp, searg for any sign of their target. "He'll show up sooner or ter," James murmured, not taking his eyes off the shop. The others nodded in agreement, though Sourov sighed heavily, clearly growing impatient.

  The first day passed slowly, but fortunately, as dusk settled, their patience paid off. Arad appeared. The moment they spotted him, they all straightened up, exging looks of determination.

  "There he is," Ryan whispered.

  "Let’s follow him, but stay sharp. He’s not just some ordinary guy," James warned. "If he senses anything, we’ll lose our only lead."

  They moved quickly and quietly, trailing Arad from a safe distance. Arad, a tall, lean man with sharp eyes, navigated the streets with ease. He had the look of someone who had been involved in dangerous business for a long time. His movements were calcuted, and James noticed that he stantly gnced over his shoulder. He knew something wasn't right.

  Suddenly, after turning into a narrow alley, Arad stopped in his tracks. His posture stiffened, and without turning around, he spoke loud and clear, his voice dripping with amusement.

  "You might as well e out of the shadows," Arad said. "I know you're there."

  James’s heart skipped a beat. Arad had spotted them. There was no point in hiding now. He motioned for the others to step out from their hiding spots.

  They cautiously emerged into the alley, James leading the group with Ryan and Sourov close behind. Arad turned around slowly, a sly grin on his face. His eyes sed eae of them with a mix of amusement and disdain.

  "Well, well, what do we have here? A bunch of school kids pyiive?" Arad mocked, folding his arms across his chest.

  James didn’t flinch. He stared straight at Arad, refusing to be intimidated. "We’re not pyiive. We know what you’re involved in, Arad," he said firmly.

  Arad raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh? And what exactly do you think I’m involved in, hmm? Go oertain me."

  "Spider Eyes," James said, his voiwavering. "We know you’re part of it. And we know it’s more than just some small-time scam. We know about the Fire Fly Group."

  For the briefest moment, Arad’s fident expression faltered, but he quickly regained his posure. He cpped slowly, mogly. "You’ve done your homework. But knowing doesn’t mean you stop it."

  "That’s what you think," Ryan chimed in, stepping forward. "We’re here to put ao it."

  Arad chuckled darkly. "You’re just kids. You have no idea what you’re up against. Do you think the Fire Fly Group even cares about you? They won’t lift a fio help you. And even if you did mao get in the way of Spider Eyes, Fire Fly would just crush you like the insignifit bugs you are."

  James felt a fsh of anger but kept his posure. "Maybe. But we’re willing to take that risk. We’re not afraid of you or Fire Fly."