The room froze when William Andrason walked in.
His face was carved with fury, his eyes burning with a venomous hatred that seemed to pierce through the air itself. The killing intent was unmistakable—sharp enough to suffocate the atmosphere, heavy enough to silence the reckless murmurs of the club. He did not care who Elliot was, nor the shadow of Salvador that loomed behind him. Fear had no place in William's heart tonight.
Elliot didn't flinch. He leaned back in his chair, arrogance dripping from his expression, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.
"He's been taken care of with the utmost respect." His gaze lowered onto William with disdain, as though he were already beneath him.
Andrea burst into laughter, the sound mocking and sharp.
"Man, it's gonna be fun."
William's voice thundered, edged with wrath.
"Didn't your father teach you respect?"
Elliot's cigarette glowed faintly in the shadows. He flicked the ash into the tray, his tone grave, deliberate.
"I don't show respect to dogs who bite their owners."
The insult cut deep. William's face twisted as he slammed the table aside, stepping forward.
"Who do you think you are, boy? You are not my owner. Neither does your father own us."
Ella and Lindsey froze, terror sinking into their bones. For the first time, they were seeing what true mafia power looked like—not the whispers, not the rumors, but raw danger unfolding in front of them. Guns gleamed in the dim neon glow. And at the center of it all sat Elliot, unbothered, his calmness more terrifying than William's rage.
Elliot rose slowly, standing eye-to-eye with William. Smoke trailed from his lips before he exhaled it directly into William's face. He dropped the cigarette, grinding it beneath his shoe.
"Don't cross the line, old man. My father owns this city… and you're just a piece of it."
Andrea chuckled, closing in with dangerous amusement.
"Old man, you broke my glasses. They were expensive, you know."
The girls felt the walls closing in, their breaths shallow. Ella's chest tightened, sweat dripping down her temples. Lindsey shook like a leaf, pale as though she'd seen a ghost. Anna, however, stayed firm—her eyes sharp, though her worry for the others betrayed her.
The Don's right hand, D, gestured silently and led the girls away into a hidden room for safety. They obeyed, glancing back with dread as the air grew heavier, the scent of violence thick.
William clenched his fists, voice low and trembling with restrained rage.
"I want to take back my son."
Elliot's reply was merciless.
"Get on your knees like a good dog."
That was the spark. William grabbed Elliot by the collar in a burst of defiance—only for cold steel to press against his temple in an instant. Andrea's gun gleamed under the neon, steady and unhesitant.
Chaos erupted. William's men drew their weapons, the room filling with the metallic click of guns cocking. Elliot's men stormed in, firearms aimed and ready. A single mistake, one twitch of a finger, and the club would drown in blood.
Elliot didn't flinch. His voice was steady, cruel.
"My, my… You don't want to see your son's face again, I guess."
With a wave of his hand, Elliot commanded his men to lower their weapons. Andrea followed suit, smirking. Even William's men hesitated, lowering theirs reluctantly. The neon lights flickered, the thrum of music outside becoming the only sound as silence fell inside.
"Where is he?" William demanded, adjusting Elliot's shirt with trembling hands.
Elliot smirked.
"Get on your knees and bark like a good dog."
Desperation flickered in William's voice.
"Does your father know of this?"
"It was his order. Just got the call." Elliot leaned back into his chair, casual, merciless.
The shock on William's face was stark. His pride, his power, his reputation—all cornered into a cruel choice: his honor or his son.
Elliot's words cut like venom.
"Which one's it gonna be, William? Your respect… or your son?"
Andrea laughed, relishing the scene.
"So what will it be? Hurry, old man. We don't have all night."
"Do you even know who you're talking to?" William tried to hold the last thread of dignity.
"Yes. A dog who has forgotten his place." Elliot's smirk was a dagger.
The clock ticked. Time weighed heavily on William's shoulders. His fists shook. If he resisted, his son would die. If he bowed, everything he built—his honor, his fearsome name—would shatter.
Andrea broke the silence with a sly grin.
"Just bark once, William."
Elliot snapped his fingers.
"Bring his son."
The door opened. Vikir and his men were dragged in like broken dolls, thrown at Elliot's feet. Elliot pressed his foot against Vikir's face, placing the barrel of his gun against his skull.
"Now tell Daddy to get on his knees and bark, or I'll paint this floor with his blood."
Andrea leaned forward, his tone playful yet laced with truth.
"He's not joking. He'll do it."
William's resolve crumbled. The strongest man of the North—the Don who carved his empire with his own hands—now fell to his knees. His voice was hollow, his pride shattered.
"Sorry. Please forgive my son. We will reflect on our actions and never go against our owner's decision."
The sight was unthinkable. William Andrason, kneeling before a twenty-year-old, begging for mercy. His men watched in stunned silence, their fear shifting—not toward William, but toward Elliot.
Elliot laughed coldly.
"You really do love your son, huh?" He kicked Vikir back toward his father.
"Take him. Leave… before I change my mind."
William gathered his broken pride and ordered his men to retreat. His power, his fearsome reputation, lay in ruins.
D emerged from the shadows with the girls, a smile tugging at his lips.
"It was a splendid job, young master."
Elliot gave a small nod.
"Tell Father what happened here. Get them home safely."
Anna crossed her arms, annoyed.
"We can go on our own."
Elliot's gaze sharpened.
"You won't find a cab this late. Or do you want to relive tonight's incident?"
He turned to D.
"Take them home."
Finally, his eyes softened as they landed on Ella, who still trembled, pale and shaken. He gave her a warm smile, a contrast to the cruelty he had shown moments earlier.
"Don't worry, Ella. Everything is fine."