Chapter 3 - The Liquidation
Marcus scoffed, a nervous sound that died in his throat as Damiano stopped less than three feet away from him. The sheer gravitational pull of the mafia billionaire's presence was suffocating.
"What are you talking about?" Marcus demanded.
"I spent the last seventy-two hours looking into the man who leaves bruises on the woman I am protecting," Damiano murmured, his piercing blue eyes locking onto Marcus like a predator identifying its prey. "You thought you were untouchable because your logistics company pulls in fifty million a year. You didn't realize that my syndicate owns the shipping lanes, the ports, and the banks that hold your loans."
Marcus’s face turned the color of wet ash. "You... you can't."
"At 4:00 PM today, I called in every single debt your company owes," Damiano continued mercilessly, slipping his hands into the pockets of his immaculate suit. "When you couldn't pay, my holding company seized your assets. The politicians in your pocket? They work for me. They wouldn't take your calls today, would they?"
On the monitor, I watched Marcus physically stagger backward. The arrogant, terrifying monster who had controlled my every breath for eight months was suddenly reduced to a trembling coward.
"You bankrupt my entire life... over a woman you met three days ago?" Marcus choked out, sheer panic taking over.
"I didn't just bankrupt you," Damiano whispered, the icy control in his voice slipping just enough to reveal the demonic fury underneath. "I brought the evidence of your corporate embezzlement to the district attorney. The police are waiting for you in the lobby right now."
Marcus looked frantically toward the elevator. He took one step, trying to run.
May you like
He didn't make it a second step.
Damiano’s hand shot out, grabbing Marcus by the throat and slamming him brutally against the wall right outside my door.
