Chapter 10 - The Turning Tide
The sun was high and brutal the next afternoon when Marcus Thorne’s black Mercedes pulled into Harbor View Marine Repair.
Thorne stepped out of the car, looking exhausted and furious. The destruction of The Apex had humiliated him in front of his billionaire peers, costing his syndicate millions in side bets.
Elias was sitting on a wooden crate on the dock, smoking a cheap cigar. His face was bruised, his arm in a makeshift sling, but he looked completely at peace. Sarah stood next to him, holding a heavy leather duffel bag.
Thorne marched up to them, two security guards flanking him. "You cheated, Vance. You deliberately caused my boat to crash."
"Your boy didn't know the waters, Thorne," Elias said smoothly, blowing a ring of smoke into the salty air. "He panicked. The ocean doesn't care how much money you have. It only respects the captain."
Sarah stepped forward and unzipped the duffel bag, tossing it at Thorne’s feet. It landed with a heavy, satisfying thud.
"Two point five million dollars in untraceable bearer bonds," Sarah said, her voice dripping with venom. "We won the prize money. The debt is paid in full. Now get off our property."
Thorne stared at the bag, his jaw clenched so tight it looked ready to break. He had the money, but he had lost the war. He had been beaten by a mechanic in a rusty boat yard.
"This isn't over," Thorne hissed, grabbing the bag.
"Yes, it is," Elias said, standing up, towering over the billionaire despite his injuries. "Because if you ever step foot near my niece, my yard, or my crew again, I won't beat you in a race. I’ll make you disappear in the Everglades, and all your money won't buy you a gravestone. Do you understand me?"
The raw, predatory menace in Elias’s voice made Thorne’s security guards take a step back. Thorne swallowed hard, turned on his heel, and walked away without another word. The Mercedes sped off, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.
Elias watched him go, then turned to look at the yard. Marco was fixing a carburetor. Mrs. Higgins was sitting in her lawn chair. The sound of sanders and drills filled the air. It was back to normal. The community was safe.
Elias reached into his pocket and pulled out a heavy set of keys attached to a floating cork keychain. He tossed them to Sarah.
She caught them, looking down in surprise. "What’s this?"
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"The keys to the office, the yard, and The Phantom," Elias said, a soft, genuine smile breaking through his bruised face. "You earned it, kiddo. You're the boss now. I think I’m finally ready to retire."
Sarah threw her arms around him, burying her face in his shoulder. Elias hugged her back with his good arm, looking out over the sparkling blue waters of Miami. The sun beat down, the boats shimmered, and for the first time in years, Elias Vance’s joints didn't ache at all.
