The drive to Ocho Rios Junction took just over two hours, but as they turned off the main road onto the dirt track that led into the hills, it felt like entering another world. The once-lush farmland was overgrown in places, fields that had once been filled with crops now lying fallow. The few people they passed on the road stopped what they were doing to watch them pass, their faces a mix of curiosity and wariness.
Zara's hands tightened on the steering wheel as they drove through the center of town. The syndicate's men were there, just as she'd said—loitering outside the small store, leaning against their trucks, their eyes scanning everyone who passed. One of them, a large man with a scar across his cheek, recognized Zara immediately and stepped into the road, forcing her to stop.
"Well, well," he said, his voice low and dangerous as he leaned through the window. "If it isn't little Zara Mendez. I thought you'd run off for good. Where you been hiding?"
Zara met his gaze calmly, not showing any fear. "I've been in Kingston," she said. "Working with some people who want to help improve things around here. These are my colleagues—Marcus and Maya. They're here to talk to the community about setting up a health clinic and some new farming programs."
The man's eyes narrowed as he looked past her at Chen and Maya. "We don't need any outsiders coming in here causing trouble," he said. "This town is doing just fine under Mr. Thorne's leadership."
"Is that what you tell the families who can't afford to buy food?" Zara asked, her voice steady. "Or the ones whose children can't go to school because they're scared of your friends?"
The man's hand moved toward his waistband, but before he could reach it, an elderly woman emerged from the store and called out his name. "Rico, leave her be," she said, her voice thin but firm. "That girl's done nothing but try to help this town. You'd do well to remember that."
Rico looked from the woman to Zara, his jaw tightening with anger, then stepped back from the car. "This isn't over," he said, glaring at Zara. "Mr. Thorne will be hearing about this."
As they drove away, Chen let out a slow breath. "That could have gone a lot worse," he said.
Zara nodded. "That was Rico—he's been with The Root since they first came here. He used to be a good man, worked on my father's farm when I was little. The syndicate changed him."