The six intruders remained stubbornly silent, their faces like stone masks under the flickering return of the lights. Their refusal to utter even a single word made one thing crystal clear to Matthew — these were no ordinary street thugs hired for a quick scare. They had been sent by someone with real power, someone capable of instilling such deep fear that even broken bones and bruised pride could not loosen their tongues.
Matthew’s grip tightened on the collar of the man pinned against the wall. He pressed him harder into the cracked plaster, his voice dropping into a low, dangerous register that carried the quiet authority of someone who had faced far worse.
“This is your last chance,” he said slowly, each word measured and heavy. “Tell me who sent you.”
The man met Matthew’s gaze wi
