“Yes,” Gregory said. “He meant you. And now Maroni is offering him triple what we pay to clear his own vessels instead.”

I stood silent, calculating the timeline.

If Maroni secured the docks, Arthur’s entire distribution network would collapse within forty-eight hours.

The warehouses would go dry, the street-level dealers would jump ship, and the supply lines from the south would cut Arthur out completely.

Arthur would have no choice but to wage an open war in the streets, a war he was no longer equipped to win.

“Arthur wants to send men to Vance’s house tonight,” Gregory said, his voice dropping to a whisper. “He wants to make an example of him.”

“That would be a mistake,” I said. “Vance’s brother-in-law is a federal judge. If Vance disappears, the city will be flooded with state police within twelve hours.”

“I told him that,” Gregory said, looking up at me with pleading eyes. “He didn’t listen. He called me a coward. He told me if I didn’t have the permits by tomorrow morning, I shouldn’t bother coming back to the estate.”

I looked out the window.