Chapter 5 - An Unannounced Visit
Thirty minutes later, a heavy black SUV pulled up to the curb outside an auto repair shop in a gritty, industrial sector of Brooklyn. The rain was falling harder now, slicking the grease-stained pavement and splashing against the cracked garage doors.
Inside the shop, Ryan Cole was leaning over the hood of a rusted sedan, wiping his grease-covered hands on a filthy rag. He was thirty-two, arrogant, and accustomed to dodging his responsibilities through a mix of charm and hostility.
The heavy glass door of the office flew open, and three men in tailored wool coats stepped into the bay. They didn't look like car owners seeking an oil change. Two of them were massive men with broad shoulders, dark eyes, and tailored jackets that bulged slightly at the hip—unmistakable enforcers.
Between them walked Gabriel Romano.
Ryan dropped his rag, sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere. The other mechanics in the bay instinctively stepped back, recognizing the terrifying aura of power that walked into the room.
"Can I help you guys?" Ryan asked, trying to sound tough, though his voice cracked slightly.
Gabriel didn't answer immediately. He walked slowly around the car, his eyes scanning the shop before resting on Ryan. "Ryan Cole?"
"Yeah. Who’s asking?"
Gabriel reached into his breast pocket. Ryan’s eyes widened in sudden panic, taking a step backward, but Gabriel merely pulled out a sleek silver cigarette case. He selected a cigarette, lit it with a heavy gold lighter, and blew a thin plume of grey smoke into the damp air.
"You had a phone call about an hour ago," Gabriel said, his voice smooth, deep, and chillingly devoid of emotion. "From a four-year-old girl named Lily."
Ryan’s defensive posture wavered, replaced by confusion and annoyance. "Wait, what? Who the hell are you? Did Claire send you? Look, man, whatever she told you, she’s crazy. I don't owe her anything—"
Before Ryan could finish his sentence, Marco—Gabriel’s lead enforcer—stepped forward like a shadow. With terrifying speed, Marco grabbed Ryan by the throat and slammed him violently against the hood of the sedan. Wrenches and tools clattered off the metal onto the concrete floor.
"You don't interrupt Mr. Romano," Marco growled, his grip tightening until Ryan choked for air.
Gabriel stepped closer, his tailored shoes stepping over the fallen tools. He looked down at the writhing man with absolute disgust.
"You have a daughter," Gabriel said softly, leaning down so his face was inches from Ryan’s terrified eyes. "A bright, beautiful four-year-old girl who begged you—begged you—just to come see her for an hour tomorrow."
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"I... I have to work..." Ryan gasped out, panic blinding him.
Gabriel blew another stream of smoke directly into Ryan’s face. "You don't know what you have, Ryan. You have a treasure that men like me would burn down whole cities to protect. And you treat her like a nuisance."
