As soon as Hank finished speaking, a swift punch landed on his cheek with a thud. He felt as though his face had been smashed by a hammer and collapsed to the ground. Over thirty security guards blankly gaped at the unfolding scene.

Matthew coldly warned, “You’re the one with a death wish. This factory belongs to my company, so take your men and scram.”

Hank wobbled to his feet, feeling dizzy. He stumbled back, but several security guards helped him regain his balance. Touching his aching cheek, he hissed in pain. “How dare you hit me? You’re done for! If I don’t take you down today, I won’t rest well tonight!” He bellowed, “Guys, get him! Beat him up!”

At Hank’s command, his security guards cursed and charged toward Matthew. A burly guard, wielding a baseball bat, led the charge. “How dare you hit Hank? I’m gonna crush you, you bastard—” Before he finished, he was sent flying backward, crashing into his fellow guards, plunging the group into chaos.

Matthew rushed forward, screams echoing around him. When he was done, all the security guards lay on the ground. They cried out in pain, chilled by what had just transpired.

Hank, terrified, realized he'd crossed someone he shouldn't have. He tried to flee, but his legs felt like jelly; he couldn't even stand.

Matthew walked to him, crouched down, and locked eyes with the trembling man. “Who sent you here?”

Hank snarled, “You’re tough, but these are people you shouldn’t mess with. Let us go, or you’ll regret it.”

Matthew picked up a discarded baseball bat and swung it hard at Hank’s leg. The sound of cracking bone echoed. Hank screamed like a wild animal, jerking his head back.

Holding the bat menacingly, Matthew asked again, “Who sent you?”

Hank’s face contorted in pain. Craddling his broken leg, he replied, “I’m with Brotherhood. Zane Steele, my boss, sent me here. I know you’re tough, but Brotherhood isn’t a group you can mess with. You—” Mid-sentence, seeing Matthew’s cold eyes, he clamped a hand over his mouth.

Matthew furrowed his brows. “I’m a local from Lambda City, but I haven’t heard of Brotherhood.”

Drenched in sweat, Hank muttered, “Not everyone belongs to the underworld. Lambda City is home to all kinds of people—you just haven’t run into them yet.”

Matthew realized Hank was right. Lambda City had loan sharks and casinos; of course, there would be unsavory groups. Still, he’d never heard of Brotherhood, nor understood their reason for targeting the factory. “Why did you come after our factory?”

Hank shook his head. “I really don’t know. I’m just here on Zane’s orders.”

Zane Steele. After considering his options, Matthew decided to meet Zane. Resolving this would ease his worries about Rachel, allowing him to focus on Nicholas’s task. “Where’s Zane?”

Hank hesitated, then said, “He’s at the water park on the east side of the city.”

Matthew threw the baseball bat at Hank, who flinched. “Tell Zane to meet me there. I’ll be on my way.” Matthew turned and left.