Julian worked as an electrician, wiring up commercial kitchens, high-rise office spaces, and old apartment complexes downtown. Clara used to help her grandmother at a cozy floral shop in Lincoln Park, where she knew every regular by their favorite blooms and always came home smelling of damp earth and fresh eucalyptus.

The explosion of raw electrical energy blew out the junction box, sending a blinding wave of sparks across the floor. But the real trap was under their feet. The metal rebar beneath the thin layer of concrete where Victor and his men stood instantly superheated and became magnetically charged.

The two bodyguards convulsed as the ambient voltage traveled up their heavy combat boots, scrambling their nervous systems. Their guns fired wildly into the ceiling before they collapsed, smoking and unconscious.

Victor, wearing rubber-soled designer shoes, was spared the worst of the shock, but the concussive blast threw him backward. He hit the concrete hard, his silver cane skittering away.

Julian didn't wait for the mob boss to recover. He leaped forward, grabbing Victor by the lapels of his ruined suit, and slammed his fist into Victor’s jaw. The bone cracked under the weight of Julian’s calloused, heavy hand.

Victor snarled, pulling a hidden ceramic blade from his sleeve, and slashed wildly. The blade caught Julian’s forearm, slicing deep.

Julian grunted in pain, but the adrenaline masked it. He grabbed Victor’s wrist with his bleeding arm, applying crushing pressure until the mobster dropped the knife. With a fierce yell, Julian lifted Victor and hurled him backward toward the edge of the building.

Victor tumbled, sliding across the dusty concrete until his upper body hung dangerously over the edge of the 45-story drop. The wind howled through the open glassless frame.

Julian stepped up to the edge, looking down at the terrified crime boss dangling over the abyss.

“Please,” Victor gasped, his pristine facade completely shattered, his hands scrambling desperately for purchase on the smooth concrete. “I have millions. I can give you anything.”

Julian looked back at Clara. She was standing, leaning against a pillar, watching the man who had tortured her finally face his end. She gave Julian a single, subtle nod.

Julian looked back down at Victor.

“You already gave me everything,” Julian said.