Chapter 2

If it weren't for my mom, I wouldn't have even bothered making this call.

Hitting my boss's car wasn't something money alone could fix.

If my future girlfriend showed some remorse, I might be able to sweep this under the rug.

"I'm busy. Make it quick." Her voice on the phone was impatient.

"Miss Molina, I think you should come down here yourself, or else—"

Before I could finish, I heard the dial tone. She'd hung up on me.

I stood there stunned. Were all rich people this rude?

Seeing this, the guy who'd stolen my parking spot practically burst out laughing.

"And here I thought you were somebody. Turns out you're just full of shit."

"If I were you, I'd pay up now. Once Miss Molina finds out her car's been hit, you probably won't make it out of New York alive."

The guy saw I was barely in my twenties and driving an out-of-state plate. He didn't take me seriously at all.

"Sir, are you going to be reasonable about this or not?"

"You're the one who cut me off and stole my spot. I haven't even gone after you yet, and now you're trying to scam me?"

I pointed at the security camera overhead.

"There's footage right there. If you keep lying, I'll call the cops right now!"

When I mentioned the police, he only got more aggressive.

"Go ahead and call them, you hick. Even if the cops show up, you'll just end up paying more."

The more he talked, the more excited he got. The air reeked of alcohol.

I clenched my fists, my eyes narrowing.

"You don't want me calling the cops because you've been drinking, right?"

As soon as the words left my mouth, he shoved me hard.

"Whether I've been drinking is none of your damn business. Pay up!"

"If you try to weasel out of this, I'll make sure you never leave New York!"

I'd spent years at my unit with almost no contact with civilians. I had no idea how to deal with thugs like this.

Seeing his arrogance, my anger kept rising.

"You're the one who hit my car, and now you're trying to pin it on me. What's wrong with you?"

The crowd around us gasped.

"Holy shit, this Anthony guy's got balls. Talking to Jacobs like that? Does he have a death wish?"