Chapter 8 - Showdown with Silas Harrow
Silas Harrow tried to maintain his composure, but the cold, predatory look in Dominic’s eyes made his breath catch in his throat.
“Now hold on just a minute, Dominic,” Silas stammered, taking a step backward. “This was just business. Marcus approached us. We didn't seek out a war with Vale Maritime. It was a corporate buyout, nothing more—”
“You sent men to terrorize my office,” Dominic said, his voice dropping into a low, deadly purr as he began walking toward him. “You put a price on the head of someone who works for me.”
“She was auditing our ledgers!” Silas shouted, panic finally breaking through his polished exterior. “She was going to bring the whole operation down! What was I supposed to do, let her walk away?”
Dominic stopped three feet away from him. He raised the heavy steel crowbar, resting it casually across his shoulder.
“You were supposed to stay out of Ravensport, Silas,” Dominic said quietly. “You built your little empire on the other side of the river by being smart. But you made one fundamental mistake.”
Silas swallowed hard. “What’s that?”
“You thought I wouldn't burn my own house down to protect the people inside it.”
Before Silas could react, Dominic moved with explosive speed. He didn't use the crowbar on Silas; instead, he hurled it aside, lunged forward, grabbed Silas by the expensive silk tie, and slammed him hood-first against the metal grille of the parked sedan.
Silas let out a choked cry as the wind was driven violently from his lungs.
“Here is how this is going to end, Silas,” Dominic whispered directly into his ear, his voice like grinding stones. “You are going to sign over every single shipping route, every warehouse, and every waterfront asset you own to Vale Maritime by 9:00 AM tomorrow morning. You are going to pack a single bag, and you are going to catch a one-way flight out of the country.”
“And if I don't?” Silas gasped, struggling against the iron grip on his neck.
“If you don't,” Dominic said, pulling him back and looking him straight in the eyes, “I won't just take your territory. I’ll leave you breathing so you can spend the rest of your life watching every single thing you ever built get dismantled by Evelyn Price, brick by brick, until you’re nothing.”
Silas stared into Dominic’s eyes and saw the absolute, terrifying truth of the threat. There was no bluff. There was no negotiation.
“I’ll sign,” Silas wheezed. “I’ll sign the papers.”
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Dominic released his grip, letting Silas slump forward onto the hood of the car like a broken doll.
Dominic turned his back on him without another word, walking back toward the armored SUV where Claire and Miles were waiting.
