𝐕𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄

𝐒𝐈𝐗

The soft glow of lamplight cast long shadows across the mahogany desk in my dimly lit office, the pungent aroma of cigar smoke mingling with the smooth, rich scent of whiskey. I took a long drag from my cigar, the fragrant smoke curling lazily into the air as I leaned back in my leather chair, the cool glass of whiskey warming my fingertips.

A sharp knock on the door broke the silence, and I called out, "Come in."

The door swung open, revealing the imposing figure of Kane Meister, the adopted son of a Dutch bank chain owner, one of my closest friends and most trusted allies in the gang. His dark eyes held a sense of urgency as he stepped into the room, his tailored suit impeccable despite the late hour.

"Sorry to interrupt, boss," Kane began, his voice tight with tension, "but we've got a situation that requires your immediate attention."

I leaned back in my chair, taking a final drag from my cigar before extinguishing it in the ornate ashtray on my desk. "What kind of situation?"

​​He hesitated for a moment, the gravity of the situation evident in his expression. "The men found a girl. A witness to one of our trades. She's being held in one of the cells."

I lowered the whiskey glass from my lips, my brow furrowing. Witnesses were a problem, a loose end that needed tying. But I trusted Kane implicitly, and if he deemed it an emergency, it required my immediate attention.

"Lead the way," I said, rising from my chair.

I followed Kane through the corridors of our headquarters, the distant resonates of my men working on the various operations underscored the urgency of the situation.

Kane navigated the labyrinthine halls with a familiarity born of years of loyalty. As we reached the underground cells, I steeled myself for whatever awaited us. I knew Kane wouldn't have interrupted my solitude without a good reason.

The iron door creaked open, revealing the cold, sterile interior of the cell. A lone light bulb flickered overhead, casting an unsteady glow on the young woman huddled in the corner.

I turned to Kane. "Thank you. I'll take it from here."

With a curt nod, he left, leaving me alone with the witness, as my gaze fell upon her once more.

Her face bore a mosaic of purples and blues, the handprints of violence painted across her cheeks and jawline. A dark, angry mark adorned her neck, a testament to the force that had been applied. My eyes scanned her bruised form, a sickening anger rising within me at the sight of her battered state.

I hesitated, unsure if she was conscious or not, but with an indignation in my every step, I strode out of the cell.

The sound of laughter rang down the corridor, drawing my attention. I followed the sound, my footsteps echoing against the cold, stone walls. As I rounded the corner, the laughter died on their lips, replaced by a palpable tension that hung in the air like a thick fog. My men, caught in the act of revelry, straightened their postures as I approached, their eyes darting nervously between each other.

"Which one of you laid hands on her?" I demanded, my voice a low growl.

Silence hung heavy in the air. Each man avoided my gaze as they shifted uncomfortably on their feet. I narrowed my eyes, my patience wearing thin.

"Don't make me repeat myself," I warned, my tone ice cold. "Who was it?"

Finally, one of them spoke up, his voice trembling with fear. "It was me."

Albert, a newly recruited member eager to prove himself to his peers.

Without a moment's hesitation, I drew my gun, the weight of it familiar in my hand.

He hesitated, glancing nervously at his comrades. "Sir, I was trying to teach her a lesson. Please, I did not mean -"

"You do not touch the innocent," I growled, my finger tightening on the trigger.

And then, I pulled the trigger, the sound of gunfire reverberating through the corridor. Albert's cries were drowned out by the roar of the gunshot as I fired multiple times, each shot a grim reminder of the consequences of defying me. The crimson spray of blood painted a chilling portrait against the walls, as Albert's lifeless body slumped to the ground, a chilling silence settled over the corridor. The remaining men stared in shock.

The message was clear - in my world, there were lines you did not cross, and the innocent were off-limits.

"Get back to work," I ordered my men, as I returned to the cell.