Chapter 1 - THIS PLACE IS MINE NOW
Victor Rivas grabbed Dante by the front of his chef jacket and shoved him toward the open restaurant door.
“You’re finished here!”
Dante stumbled through the entrance.
Victor followed and kicked him once in the guarded torso.
Dante hit the sidewalk hard, caught himself on one hand, and rolled onto one knee.
Behind Victor, Julian smiled.
Not shocked.
Ready.
Julian stepped forward, snatched the black apron from Dante’s waist, and threw it onto the pavement.
“This place is mine now.”
Dante looked up at his younger brother.
Slowly stood.
Victor pulled Dante’s key card from his coat pocket and threw it outside.
“Don’t come back.”
Dante picked it up.
Dusty.
Useless now.
He brushed dirt from his chef jacket.
Then smiled.
Victor noticed first.
Julian second.
“What?” Julian asked.
Dante reached into the leather satchel he had carried to the restaurant that morning.
He pulled out a thick financial folder.
Held it up.
Pointed toward the entrance.
Julian’s smile faded.
Victor narrowed his eyes.
Dante looked directly at his brother.
“The restaurant’s five million dollars in debt.”
Julian froze.
Victor’s face changed.
Dante took one step backward.
Gestured toward the dining room glowing behind them.
“Thanks for taking that burden off my hands, little brother.”
Victor turned toward Julian.
Dante walked away.
He made it four steps before Victor shouted:
“Dante!”
Dante stopped.
Victor’s voice was suddenly different.
“What exactly is in that folder?”
Dante looked over his shoulder.
May you like
“The part of the restaurant you never bothered to understand.”
Then he kept walking.
