“Marcus,” Derek said, trying to sound confident. “We had a deal. I get the girl, you get the docks.”

Marcus laughed, a dry, grating sound that made my skin crawl.

“You are a fool, Derek,” Marcus said, stepping forward into the light of the flames. “Did you really think we would leave a loose end like you alive?”

Vincent did not look surprised.

He simply stood his ground, his hands relaxed at his sides, though his chest rose and fell rapidly.

“You brought a rat into my house, Marcus,” Vincent said.

“I brought a distraction, Vincent,” Marcus replied, gesturing to the armed men surrounding us. “And it worked perfectly.”

Two of Marcus’s men moved toward Derek, their weapons pointed at his head.

Derek took a step back, his face turning pale under the bright headlights.

“I have the documents,” Derek stammered, reaching into his inner pocket. “The forged deeds. The signatures.”

“We do not need your papers anymore,” Marcus said. “We are taking everything tonight. By force.”

The wind picked up, carrying the smell of burning rubber and wet copper.