Chapter 5 - The Reckoning in the Boiler Room
Victor screamed in agony, collapsing onto the wet concrete floor, his gun skittering across the floor toward my boots.
I kicked the revolver into the shadows, stepping forward to press the warm barrel of my carbine directly against his forehead.
"You touched a child's mother in my city, Victor," I said, my voice as cold as the ice forming outside the sea wall.
"She... she wouldn't sign off on the customs manifests for our drug shipments!" Victor choked out, blood pouring onto his designer coat. "It was just business, Moretti! The Commission wouldn't allow you to kill me over this!"
"I am the Commission in Brooklyn," I replied softly.
I pulled out a tactical combat knife, cutting the heavy rope restraints binding Sarah's hands and feet.
Sarah collapsed into my arms, trembling violently, her lips blue from the damp cold of the basement. "Emma..." she gasped, her hands clutching my tactical vest. "Where is my baby? Please... where is Emma?"
"She is safe in my home, Mrs. Vance," I assured her, lifting her gently to her feet. "She ate a warm meal, drank hot chocolate, and is waiting for you."
Sarah burst into uncontrollable tears of relief, burying her face into my chest.
I turned my head to look down at Victor Vance, who was crawling toward the stairwell, trailing blood across the concrete floor.
"Marco," I called out.
"Yeah, Boss?"
May you like
"Tie Mr. Vance to that iron pipe," I commanded smoothly, leading Sarah toward the stairs. "And leave the boiler steam valve wide open. Let him reflect on the choices that brought him into my town."
"With pleasure, Boss," Marco grinned darkly.
