Chapter 16 - CheckmateArthur Sterling backed away as Gabriel emerged from the shadows, his tailored tuxedo jacket stained with dust and a single streak of gunpowder ash across his cheek.
Sterling’s cultured composure finally cracked, panic flashing in his pale blue eyes as he reached inside his coat for a hidden Walther PPK.
Before Sterling’s fingers could wrap around the grip, Gabriel’s boot lashed out, kicking the weapon out of his hand and sending it clattering across the concrete floor.
Gabriel grabbed Sterling by the lapels of his designer suit and slammed him hard against the heavy metal loading door with enough force to knock the wind completely out of his lungs.
“You wanted my empire, Arthur?” Gabriel whispered, his voice vibrating with a lethal, suffocating intensity. “You wanted my territory? Take a good look around. Because the only thing you’re walking away with tonight is a one-way ticket back across the Atlantic in a wooden crate.”
“You... you can’t do this,” Sterling choked out, gasping for air. “The International Association... my associates will tear your terminals apart—”
“Let them try,” Gabriel interrupted coldly. “Every single port, every cargo ship, every rail line from Boston to Baltimore answers to me. You crossed the wrong line, Arthur. And your game is over.”
Gabriel shoved Sterling hard against the floor, stepping over him with absolute disdain as he holstered his pistol.
Dante jogged into the loading bay a moment later, flanked by four tactical enforcers.
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“Boss, the family is secure in the Maybach. They’re halfway to Westchester,” Dante reported, looking down at the groaning cartel boss. “What do we do with him?”
“Put him on the midnight cargo freighter to Marseilles,” Gabriel said without looking back. “And make sure he knows never to set foot in North America again.”
