MOBSTER FOR RENT (published by Bookware)

RENT 9 - THE MOBSTER, G THE REAPER

"L-Let go of me.", Sara's voice croaked as she tried to wiggle free. She was hyperventilating from nervousness and the scenarios playing in her head are not helping either. The other customers already fled and she's hoping that at least one of them have already called help.

"You're trying to call the police, aren't you?" the big thug accusingly said. He stared at her and scrutinized her face then a big smile formed on his lips as though he found his treasure.

"NO! I'm just about to leave!" she shook her head frantically while her eyes widened in fright. The brawl is still ongoing as she was being held captive by the man - who is actually the leader of the gang of loansharks trying to get their money from the runaway gamblers seated at the table near hers. It was just an unfortunate timing for Sara to be in that place at the wrong time. What's more unfortunate is that the loanshark leader is recently advancing in prostitution business, and Sara has just the perfect face and skin.

"You're leaving? Alone? But there are a lot of bad guys out there. Why don't you just come with me instead?" the man smirked at her, making her skin crawl.

"No, please. I'm not calling the police. I don't even know those guys. Just let me go. Let me go!" Sara was on the verge of panic as she tried to reason out with the hooligan that she's not associated with the group of guys at the next table, who are currently being beaten up by the loansharks.

The man looked at the almost lifeless group of gamblers who borrowed money from them and ran away. He also found the unconscious bodies of the bar's security staff scattered on the floor.

"Boss, those bastards said they will return the money they borrowed plus interest next week", one of his men informed him.

"Take one of them as collateral. If the full amount is not returned, kill the collateral. And we're going to hunt them one by one", he said.

From the exchange of conversation, it finally dawned on Sara that the group of thugs are loansharks. She can't believe that she's in the middle of something that never in her wildest dreams did she imagine will ever happen to her.

Indescribable fear enveloped Sara as the leader's eyes turned to her.

"And we're taking Miss Beautiful with us as well. I bet she'll look more beautiful inside the Aquarium...together with the other prostitutes."

Sara's terrified shrieks filled the bar as she tried to forcibly free herself from the firm grasp of the leader. Tears started falling from her eyes as she helplessly held onto anything so as not to be taken away by the crooks. Her pitiful cries as she struggled were just laughed at.

Then... the door opened.

Gio entered while lighting the cigarette dangling on his lips. He slowly walked towards Sara's direction as he blew some smoke and stepped over some bodies scattered on the floor without taking his gaze away from her.

All the thugs fell silent as they watched his every move. Their street instinct tells them that this stranger is not someone they can easily mess up with.

"Bar is closed, my friend. Go get your beer somewhere else", the man gripping Sara's wrist remarked.

"I'm not here for the booze", Gio replied as he took another puff from his cigarette.

"I'm here to fetch my girlfriend."

***

It all happened in a blur.

Gio flicked his cigarette to the leader's face causing him to let go of Sara while spouting curses. He then drove the heel of his palm on his chest, making the man gag, and delivered an elbow strike as a finishing touch.