Dominic

36

__________

The early morning light filters through the glass balcony doors, soft and golden, casting a calm over the chaos of the last few days. But even the warmth of the rising sun can’t thaw the cold weight in my chest. Eva stands beside me, her hair illuminated like a halo, her presence the only anchor keeping me from spiraling into the storm Reyes has unleashed.

Her hands are wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee, but she hasn’t taken a sip. Her gaze is fixed on the horizon, where the town of Harbor Springs still sleeps, unaware of the battles being waged in its name. I lean against the railing, studying her profile—the set of her jaw, the fire in her eyes. She’s been through hell, but her strength is unyielding.

“You’re thinking too hard,” I say, breaking the silence.

Eva glances at me, her lips curving into a faint smile. “It’s hard not to, with everything at stake.”

She’s right, of course. But the fight isn’t won with worry. It’s won with action. I take the mug from her hands, setting it on the table behind us. “Come inside,” I say gently. “We’ve got work to do.”

The First Step

The dining table is a battlefield of its own, covered in Lena’s documents. Eva sits cross-legged in her chair, sifting through financial reports and photos, piecing together the puzzle Reyes has scattered across Harbor Springs. Each piece fits into a larger picture—a calculated, systematic effort to strangle the town until it submits.

“He’s targeting more than just Lena,” Eva murmurs, pointing to a highlighted section of a spreadsheet. “These property buyouts, the sabotage—it’s all about control.”

“And leverage,” I add, scanning the reports. “He’s using South Haven Partners as a front to tighten his grip on the town. If he gets full control, he’ll have a foothold for larger operations.”

Eva looks up at me, her eyes sharp with determination. “Then we can’t let him succeed.”

Adrian’s Discovery

By midmorning, Adrian’s call comes through. His voice is crisp, every word deliberate. “I’ve traced South Haven Partners. It’s a front, tied directly to Reyes’s offshore accounts. The shell companies he’s using are funneling money into Harbor Springs to buy out key properties.”

“Why Harbor Springs?” I ask, pacing the length of the penthouse.

“It’s strategic,” Adrian replies. “It’s a hub for shipping routes, local industries, and community influence. If Reyes gains control, he’ll have access to regional supply chains and infrastructure. He’s positioning it as a staging ground for a larger network.”

Eva leans in, her brow furrowed. “What about Lena’s clinic? Is it just collateral damage?”

“Not quite,” Adrian says. “The clinic is one of the last independent properties in the area. It’s a symbol of resistance, and Reyes wants it gone. If Lena folds, the rest of the town will follow.”

I exchange a glance with Eva. “Then we hit him where it hurts.”

Harbor Springs

The drive into Harbor Springs is hauntingly quiet. The coastal town is beautiful on the surface, but there’s an undercurrent of tension in the air. Shop windows display fading “For Sale” signs, and the streets feel emptier than they should. This is what Reyes does—he hollows out communities, turning fear into a weapon.

Lena’s clinic is a modest building on the outskirts of town, surrounded by trees and open fields. Inside, the air smells of antiseptic and coffee, the small waiting area neatly arranged. Lena greets us with a cautious smile, but the strain in her eyes is unmistakable.

“Thank you for coming,” she says, hugging Eva tightly. “I didn’t know where else to turn.”

“We’re here,” Eva says firmly. “You’re not alone in this.”

Lena’s gaze shifts to me, her expression wary but grateful. “You must be .”

I nod. “We’re going to figure this out.”

Connecting the Dots

Lena walks us through the sabotage her clinic has endured—broken locks, delayed shipments, and persistent offers to buy her out. Each incident ties back to South Haven Partners, Reyes’s shadow organization.

“They’ve been relentless,” Lena says, her voice trembling. “But I won’t sell. This clinic was my grandmother’s legacy.”

“And it’s worth fighting for,” Eva says, her voice fierce.

I sift through Lena’s files, piecing together the threads of Reyes’s operation. Every move he’s made is part of a larger strategy—a stranglehold on Harbor Springs to expand his reach.

“This isn’t just about the clinic,” I say, setting the papers down. “Reyes is choking the town to gain leverage. If he takes Harbor Springs, he’ll own the region.”

Lena’s face pales. “What can we do?”

Eva places a reassuring hand on her arm. “We expose him. We show the town what he’s doing.”

“And we prepare for him to escalate,” I add grimly. “Because he will.”

The Next Target

As the day wears on, Adrian sends another update. The text is short but chilling: “Reyes’s team has moved into Harbor Springs.”

I share the message with Eva, who sets her pen down, her expression hardening. “He’s here.”

“Then we act,” I say, my voice steady. “Adrian’s gathering intel on their movements. Once we know their next move, we’ll hit back.”

Eva nods, her determination unwavering. “Let’s make it count.”

A Warning

That night, Eva and I take a walk to clear our heads. The streets are bathed in the soft glow of streetlamps, but the stillness feels heavy. The town is holding its breath, waiting for the next blow to fall.

As we turn a corner, a shadow flickers at the edge of my vision. My body tenses, every instinct on high alert.

“?” Eva asks, noticing my sudden stillness.

I scan the area, my gaze sweeping over the alleys and doorways. But the figure is gone.

“Nothing,” I say, guiding her back toward the inn. But the unease lingers.

Reyes is watching. The next move is his.

The First Spark

The next morning, Eva and Lena begin meeting with locals, gathering stories of intimidation and sabotage. Each account paints a clearer picture of Reyes’s tactics—his systematic dismantling of a community to feed his empire.

Meanwhile, Adrian and I work to untangle the financial web connecting South Haven Partners to Reyes. The deeper we dig, the more blatant his operation becomes.

By evening, word has spread. The townspeople are beginning to rally, their fear giving way to anger. It’s a start, but we know Reyes won’t let this stand.

The Shadow Returns

Late that night, I step onto the balcony for air. The town is quiet, the streets empty. But that familiar prickling sensation creeps over me—the feeling of being watched.

I scan the shadows, my eyes narrowing as I catch movement at the edge of an alley. A figure stands there, unmoving, their presence deliberate. They don’t try to hide, but they don’t advance either.

I take a step forward, my fists clenching. But before I can act, the figure slips into the darkness, vanishing without a trace.

When I return inside, Eva is waiting for me, her expression a mix of concern and resolve.

“What is it?” she asks.

“Reyes,” I say, my voice low. “He’s sending a message.”

Her jaw tightens, and for a moment, I see the same fire that drives me reflected in her eyes. “Then we send one back.”

I nod, the weight of what’s to come settling over me. Reyes thinks he can control us with fear. He doesn’t realize that fear is what fuels the fight.

This is just the beginning. And we’re ready.

The quiet of the inn is deceptive. Every step I take feels like walking a tightrope, the weight of Reyes’s shadow pressing heavier with every hour. Eva’s words echo in my mind: “Then we send one back.” She’s right, of course, but Reyes doesn’t play fair. If we’re going to respond, it has to be smart, surgical, and devastating.

I step into the sitting room where Eva and Lena are huddled over a map of Harbor Springs. Eva’s green eyes are sharp as she traces a line with her finger, her focus unrelenting. Lena nods along, though her exhaustion is evident in the way her shoulders slump.

“,” Eva says, looking up as I enter. “We’ve been mapping out the properties Reyes already controls. It’s worse than we thought.”

I move to stand behind her, leaning over the table. The map is dotted with red marks, each one representing a property tied to Reyes’s shell companies. They outnumber the few remaining independent businesses, forming a clear perimeter around the heart of the town.

“He’s choking the center,” I say, my voice low. “Cutting off access and resources.”

Eva nods, her lips pressing into a thin line. “If we don’t act fast, he’ll isolate the holdouts completely. Lena’s clinic is one of the last. It’s only a matter of time before he makes another move.”

I glance at Lena, who’s sitting with her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She looks up, her determination warring with the fear in her eyes.

“Whatever he throws at me,” Lena says quietly, “I’m not selling. This clinic is my family’s legacy. I won’t let him take it.”

Her resolve is admirable, but it’s not enough. Reyes isn’t just attacking her clinic—he’s dismantling an entire town to fuel his empire.

“He doesn’t need you to sell,” I say, leaning on the table. “If he escalates, he’ll use force. Harassment, sabotage, even violence. We’ve seen it before.”

Lena pales slightly, but Eva places a reassuring hand on her arm. “We won’t let it come to that,” she says firmly. “We’ll protect you, Lena. And your clinic.”

I nod, my mind already racing through possible strategies. “Adrian’s working on a deeper dive into South Haven Partners. If we can disrupt their financial flow, we can weaken Reyes’s hold here.”

“Good,” Eva says, her voice steady. “But we also need to rally the town. If the people stand together, Reyes can’t pick them off one by one.”

Lena hesitates. “It’s hard to get them to fight back when they’re scared. Most of them don’t even know who’s behind all this.”

“Then we show them,” I say. “Expose Reyes for what he is.”

Gathering Evidence

The next day, Eva and I split up. While she works with Lena to speak to local business owners and gather testimonies, I focus on Adrian’s latest intel. Back at the inn, I pore over spreadsheets, contracts, and emails Adrian intercepted from South Haven Partners. The deeper I dig, the clearer the picture becomes.

Reyes’s plan is insidious. By targeting small, struggling businesses and offering them inflated buyouts, he’s positioned himself as a savior to some and a silent tyrant to others. Those who refuse to sell face subtle sabotage—delayed shipments, vandalism, and legal entanglements designed to wear them down.

But one document stands out—a transfer of funds from South Haven Partners to a local security firm. It’s not a large amount, but it’s enough to raise questions. I forward it to Adrian with a single note: Who are they protecting?

Minutes later, my phone buzzes. It’s Adrian.

“I ran the security firm,” Adrian says without preamble. “It’s a front. They’re not providing protection—they’re enforcing Reyes’s operations. Intimidating holdouts, securing properties he’s already acquired.”

I grip the edge of the desk, my anger simmering. “And they’re here in Harbor Springs?”

“They are,” Adrian confirms. “They’ve got a small team stationed near the industrial docks. That’s likely their base of operations.”

“Send me the details,” I say. “We’re shutting them down.”

The Docks

By nightfall, Eva and I are parked a block away from the industrial docks, the car’s engine idling quietly. The air is cold, and the faint sound of waves lapping against the shore carries on the breeze. Adrian’s intel confirmed that Reyes’s hired muscle operates out of a disused warehouse at the edge of the docks.

“You’re sure about this?” Eva asks, her voice low but steady.

I glance at her, my jaw tightening. “We need to know what they’re doing here. If we can dismantle their operation, we cut off one of Reyes’s tools.”

Her green eyes search mine, and after a moment, she nods. “Let’s do it.”

We move quietly, keeping to the shadows as we approach the warehouse. The building is unassuming, its windows dark and its exterior weathered from years of neglect. But the faint glow of light seeping through the cracks tells me it’s anything but abandoned.

I motion for Eva to stay back as I peer through one of the grime-covered windows. Inside, I see three men gathered around a table covered in maps and documents. One of them speaks into a phone, his voice muffled but tense.

“They’re planning something,” I whisper, turning back to Eva. “Stay here. I’ll—”

“No,” she interrupts, her voice firm. “I’m not staying behind. If something happens to you—”

“It won’t,” I say, cutting her off. “But if things go south, I need you to get out of here. Promise me.”

Her lips press into a thin line, but she nods. “Fine. Just don’t do anything reckless.”

I give her a small nod before slipping toward the door. The lock is old and rusted, and it gives way easily under the pressure of my tools. Inside, the air is stale, tinged with the scent of oil and damp wood. I move silently, sticking to the shadows as I inch closer to the men.

Their conversation grows clearer as I approach.

“The clinic is the next target,” one of them says. “Boss wants it shut down by the end of the week.”

My fists clench at his words, but I force myself to stay hidden.

“And the rest of the town?” another asks.

“Same playbook,” the first replies. “Force them out, secure the properties. No loose ends.”

I take a deep breath, my mind racing. This is the evidence we need—proof that Reyes is orchestrating the destruction of Harbor Springs. But before I can act, one of the men glances toward the doorway, his eyes narrowing.

“Did you hear that?” he asks, his hand moving to the gun at his side.

I don’t wait for them to investigate. Stepping out of the shadows, I level my gun at the group. “Don’t move.”

The room freezes, all three men staring at me in shock. One of them reaches for his weapon, but I’m faster.

“Don’t,” I warn, my voice cold. “You’ll regret it.”

Behind me, the door creaks open, and I glance back to see Eva stepping inside, her expression as fierce as I’ve ever seen it.

“Eva,” I say sharply. “I told you to stay—”

“And miss the fun?” she replies, her voice steady despite the tension in the room.

The men exchange glances, their confidence faltering as they realize they’re outmaneuvered.

“You’re going to tell us everything,” I say, my tone deadly. “Who you’re working for, what your orders are, and how far Reyes is willing to go.”

The leader sneers, but there’s fear in his eyes. “You think you can stop him? Reyes owns this town.”

I step closer, my gaze locking onto his. “Not for long.”

A Line in the Sand

Back at the inn, the information we gathered from the men at the docks paints a grim picture. Reyes’s plan is accelerating, and Lena’s clinic is at the center of it. But the evidence we’ve collected is enough to turn the tide.

Eva sits beside me, her fingers brushing mine as we go over the documents. Her presence is steadying, a reminder of what we’re fighting for.

“We have to warn Lena,” she says. “She needs to be ready.”

“We will,” I promise. “But we’re not just warning her. We’re taking the fight to Reyes.”

Eva’s lips curve into a small, determined smile. “Then let’s make it count.”

As the night deepens, I feel the weight of the battle ahead. Reyes has pushed us to the brink, but he’s underestimated us. This is more than a fight for Harbor Springs—it’s a stand against everything he represents.

And we’re ready.