Chapter 7 - The Threat|
In a single fluid motion, Ronin reached out and grabbed Preston by the throat, slamming him backward against a massive marble pillar with a sickening crunch.
Gasps echoed across the lobby.
Preston gasped for air, his hands clawing uselessly at Ronin's iron grip. His polished exterior shattered instantly into raw, pathetic terror.
"If you ever speak her name again," Ronin whispered, his voice dangerously low, hovering inches from Preston's ear, "I will dismantle your career, your family's estate, and your freedom piece by piece. Do you understand me?"
"You... you can't threat... threaten me," Preston choked out, his eyes bulging. "I'll have... the police..."
"The Chief of Police owes his appointment to my board," Ronin replied calmly, his grip tightening just enough to make Preston's knees buckle. "The District Attorney sits on my charitable trust. You have no power here, Preston. You are a small, cruel man who made the fatal mistake of touching something that belongs under my protection."
I stepped out from behind the elevator bank, my voice trembling as I called out into the dead quiet room.
"Ronin!"
Ronin didn't let go immediately. He held Preston against the stone for two more agonizing seconds, letting the full weight of horror sink into the lawyer's soul.
Then he released him.
Preston crumpled onto the marble floor, coughing violently, clutching his neck.
May you like
Ronin turned slowly toward me, his expression softening instantly as he met my eyes. He adjusted his cuffs, entirely unbothered by the thirty witnesses staring at him.
"Gideon," Ronin commanded without looking back. "Escort Mr. Vance off the premises. If he returns, handle it permanently."
