Sarah slid down the wall slightly, unable to process the heavy sum of money requested.
She did not have ten thousand dollars in her bank account.
She had less than five hundred dollars left after paying Leo's rent last week.
A shadow fell across the bright marble floor in front of her feet.
Sarah looked up in shock to see Marcus Vance standing right beside her.
He had just stepped out of his private library wearing an open-collared shirt.
His dark tattoos were visible along his muscular neck and thick forearms.
He looked down at her small, shaking frame with an intense and serious expression.
Marcus: Who is threatening you?
Sarah gasped and wiped her wet cheeks with the back of her apron sleeve.
Sarah: It is nothing, sir, I am so sorry for making noise.
Marcus: Do not lie to me, Sarah.
He reached forward with calm precision and took the phone directly from her hand.
Sarah gasped, reaching out her hand to stop him, but he was far too quick.
Sarah: Please, Mr. Vance, they are dangerous people!
Marcus ignored her warning and pressed the redial button on her screen.
He raised the phone to his ear, his face turning into hard, cold stone.
The phone speaker chimed as the connection went through on the third ring.
Caller: Already got the cash, girl?
Marcus: You are talking to the owner of this house now.
The caller paused on the other end, caught off guard by the deep voice.
Caller: Mind your own business, old man, unless you want trouble.
Marcus did not flinch or blink as he listened to the man's arrogant threat.
Marcus: Touch the boy...
His voice dropped into a dangerous register that filled the quiet hallway.
Marcus: ...and I'll bury your entire crew.
He ended the call before the caller could utter another single word.
Sarah stared up at her boss with wide, terrified eyes.
Sarah: You do not know what they are capable of doing!
Marcus: They do not know what I am capable of doing, Sarah.