Chapter 5 - The Game of Rooks
Trevino didn't turn around immediately as Norma stepped into the warm, quiet room. He stood watching a massive container ship glide silently into its berth through the fog, its towering red cranes silhouetted against the dark sky.
"You came alone. Good," Trevino said softly, finally turning to face her. He was holding a crystal tumbler of amber liquid, the ice clinking softly against the glass. "Most people would have sent a message, or ignored the text out of fear."
"Most people don't have a choice when Joseph Trevino calls," Norma replied, her voice steady, refusing to let him see how intimidated she truly was. She shifted Bruno in her arms; the puppy had fallen asleep again, completely oblivious to the dangerous power dynamic in the room.
Trevino walked slowly toward her, stopping a few feet away. Up close, the lines on his face looked deeper, carved by years of stress, betrayal, and relentless vigilance.
"You think I'm a monster, don't you, Miss Smith?" Trevino asked, a faint, humorless smile touching his lips.
"I think you're a man who protects what's his," Norma said carefully. "And right now, for some reason, that includes this dog. But why am I here, Mr. Trevino? You cleared my father's shed. The debt is paid."
Trevino set his glass down on a mahogany side table. He walked over to his desk, picked up a manila folder, and tossed it onto the blotter in front of her.
"The debt for Bruno is paid," Trevino agreed quietly. "But a new situation has developed. My enemies across the bay—the Moretti family—learned about yesterday. They know I have a soft spot for that dog. And by extension, they now know someone pulled him out of the water."
Norma’s breath hitched. "You mean..."
"They don't know your name yet," Trevino interrupted, his voice dropping into a dangerous, cold register. "But my security feeds caught you on the public beach. It's only a matter of time before Moretti's men come looking for leverage. In my world, anyone connected to me becomes a target."
"I live in a boat shed on the public docks," Norma said, her voice rising with sudden anger. "I'm not part of your world, Mr. Trevino! I fix sails and haul nets!"
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"You jumped into a rip tide to save my dog, Norma," Trevino said sharply, stepping closer, his dark eyes locking onto hers with terrifying intensity. "You crossed the line the moment you touched the water. You are tied to me now, whether you want to be or not."
Before Norma could formulate a furious response, a deafening explosion shattered the quiet night air, rocking the entire warehouse on its foundations.
