The Borrower

Salvatore Viscelli is a local loan shark, but he is dealing with issues in the present. The past was great---he attracted a lot of respect and income here and there. But today, before he can start dwelling, a woman appears in his office and interrupts his day.

What surprises him is that she carries herself with the confidence and bravery no one has ever shown to him before.

But when a rival threatens to spread control, Sal has two choices:

To walk away safely, or to save the woman from danger and leave the city a painful message.

EXTRACT:

Her lips twisted into a smile, and she dropped a folder onto his desk. "I need thirty thousand dollars. I don't care about the interest, I'll pay. But here's the deal---I want it all in cash, and I'll pay you back in ten days."

Sal raised an eyebrow. "Ten days? That's a hell of a lot of pressure."

"I know," she said, her eyes never leaving him. "You'll get your money. Just... don't try to find me. I'll show up when I'm ready."

Sal stared at her for a long time. There was something in her, something different. People like her didn't make deals like this unless they had nowhere else to go. The desperation in her voice told him everything he needed to know---she wasn't looking for a quick way out. She was in deep. "Alright, Mia. You got yourself a deal," Sal said, tapping his fingers on the table. "But don't make me regret it."

Mia nodded. "I'll keep my word. And you keep yours."