A CRIME SYNDICATE BOSS WATCHED A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD BOY COUNT COINS FOR MILK AND APPLES, BUT WHEN HE SAW HIS SICK MOTHER WAITING OUTSIDE, HE REALIZED THE MAN WHO HAD BEEN HUNTING THEM WAS SOMEONE HE SHOULD HAVE BURIED FIVE YEARS AGO

Roman stood in the high-tech war room of the compound, staring at the massive monitors displaying the decrypted contents of the hard drive. Elena’s insurance policy was a goldmine. It contained enough evidence to put Marcus Vance away for a thousand lifetimes, or ruin him on the streets forever.

“Trace the communication protocols,” Roman ordered his tech team. “Find a direct, encrypted line to Marcus.”

Ten minutes later, the screen blinked green. A secure line was established.

Roman picked up the microphone. He didn't say a word, just waited.

“Who is this?” a raspy, paranoid voice hissed through the speakers. Marcus Vance. Five years in hiding had not treated him well. He sounded desperate, frayed at the edges.

“I hear you’re looking for a hard drive, Marcus,” Roman said, his voice smooth as glass.

Silence hung heavy on the line. Then, a sharp intake of breath. “Roman Silva. You son of a bitch. You have her.”

“I have the woman you tortured. I have the boy you abandoned. And I have the hundred million dollars you desperately need to keep your cartel from slitting your throat,” Roman replied.

“What do you want?” Marcus growled, the panic evident in his voice.

“I want to finish what you started five years ago when you murdered my brother. Tonight. Midnight. The old shipyards at Pier 40. You come alone. If I see a single one of your soldiers, I’ll wipe the hard drive and send the encryption keys to your cartel rivals. They’ll skin you alive by morning.”

“You think I’m stupid? You’ll have a sniper on every roof!”