The Buyback

The door to the office flew open.

King looked up, annoyed. He was in the middle of pouring a drink. Remy was standing in the corner, two goons flanking him.

"Buyer's remorse?" King sneered.

Silas marched to the desk. He slammed the envelope down.

"I’m buying the debt," Silas said.

King laughed. "That covers the principal, Vane. The interest is another ten."

"The interest is illegal," Silas said, his voice steady. "State maximum on personal loans is twenty-five percent. You’re charging two hundred."

"I don't follow state laws," King said, sipping his drink. "I make my own. Get out, Vane. Before I have Tiny throw you out in pieces."

The goons stepped forward.

Silas didn't back down. He pulled out his phone.

"I’m streaming," Silas lied. He held the phone up. "Cloud backup. Every word you just said. Admitting to loan sharking, kidnapping, and extortion. The FBI loves this stuff."

King’s smile faltered. "You’re bluffing."

"Try me," Silas said. "You want a federal investigation? Or do you want five grand and a quiet night?"

King stared at him. He looked at the phone. He looked at the cash.

"Kill him," King ordered the goons.

Silas dropped the phone and moved.

The first goon swung. Silas ducked, driving his shoulder into the man’s gut. He wasn't a martial artist; he was a brawler. He fought dirty. He stomped on the guy’s instep and elbowed him in the nose.

The second goon—Tiny—grabbed Silas from behind.

Silas gasped as the air was squeezed out of him.

"Remy, run!" Silas choked out.

Remy didn't run. He grabbed a heavy crystal decanter from the sidebar and smashed it over Tiny’s head.

Tiny staggered, loosening his grip. Silas spun around and delivered a hook to the jaw that cracked his own knuckles. Tiny went down.

Silas stood there, heaving, blood dripping from a cut on his brow.

King was reaching for a drawer. A gun.

Silas grabbed the taser from his belt and fired. The prongs hit King in the chest.

King convulsed and slumped over his expensive desk.

Silas grabbed the envelope of money back.

"Let’s go," Silas said, grabbing Remy’s hand.

They ran. They burst out of the back door into the alleyway.