CHAPTER 2 — The Mafia Boss Finally Found Someone He Could Not Buy
The pounding became louder.
Sophia immediately hid behind her mother.
Cole noticed it.
Children only reacted that quickly after seeing the same danger many times.
Nora whispered,
"It's okay."
But her voice didn't believe it.
The apartment door burst open before she could reach it.
A heavy man stepped inside without permission.
Leon Barrett.
Owner of the building.
Collector of rent.
Professional bully.
Two large men followed him.
Leon barely noticed Cole.
His attention remained fixed on Nora.
"You owe me two months."
"I've waited long enough."
Nora stood straighter.
"I'll have it Friday."
"You said that last Friday."
He laughed.
"So here's the deal."
"You either pay..."
"...or your little heater project comes down tonight."
He pointed toward the cardboard walls.
Sophia began crying.
"No..."
"Please don't."
Leon smiled.
"Kids cry."
"They stop eventually."
Cole quietly removed one glove.
Danny recognized the movement.
Someone was about to disappear forever.
Then...
Something unexpected happened.
Nora stepped in front of Leon before Cole could move.
"Don't."
She looked directly at Cole.
"I know who you are."
"And I know what people say you do."
"But not here."
"Not because of me."
Cole frowned.
"You want me to do nothing?"
"I want my daughter to grow up believing problems can be solved without someone getting hurt."
Silence.
Danny looked at Cole.
Leon laughed.
"You hear that?"
"Even she doesn't want your help."
Cole slowly walked toward Leon.
Every step echoed.
The room became impossibly quiet.
"You own this building?"
Leon nodded confidently.
"I do."
Cole smiled.
A dangerous smile.
"No."
"You own paperwork."
"I own the bank that financed it."
Leon's smile disappeared.
"I also own the insurance company."
"And the construction company."
"The waste removal company."
"The security contractor."
He leaned closer.
"By sunrise tomorrow..."
"...you won't own anything."
Leon turned pale.
"Who are you?"
Danny almost laughed.
"You seriously don't know?"
Cole answered himself.
"I'm the reason powerful men suddenly become unemployed."
Within twenty-four hours...
Leon's bank called in every loan.
The city suddenly inspected every property.
Insurance suspended coverage.
Health inspectors condemned three buildings.
His business collapsed like wet cardboard.
Yet Cole never touched him.
Exactly as Nora had asked.
Three days later...
A licensed contractor arrived at Apartment 3C.
Brand-new heating.
New windows.
Fresh insulation.
No charge.
The paperwork listed only one donor.
Anonymous.
Nora knew exactly who had paid.
But something bothered Cole.
He kept thinking about one question.
If Nora worked this hard...
Why had she never asked anyone for help?
The answer arrived one rainy evening...
When Sophia innocently handed him an old photograph.
The picture changed everything.
Because standing beside Nora...
Was a man Cole had buried fifteen years earlier.
May you like
Or at least...
He believed he had.
