ENOUGH CHANCES HAVE BEEN GIVEN

One of the study's oak doors opened and a tall, muscular man in a crisp black suit stepped through, awaiting further orders from Mr. Cyrus.

He looked up at the awaiting man. "My son who is in jail now, has the temerity to threaten the lives of those whom he wronged before going to jail, again. Marcus kidnapped Ellis's girlfriend and is working with men from a goon gang. We don't know the next trouble that he would cause and I definitely do not want to know. So I need you to do something for me. I need you to put an end to Marcus's misbehavior. Tell your men to use any force necessary. If they get a clean shot at neutralizing the threat my son poses, take it. Perhaps a close call will finally make him see the error of his ways."

Ellis felt his stomach drop at his father's barely veiled meaning — if the opportunity arose, the team had a green light to take Marcus out for good this time. As abhorrent as his brother's actions were, the thought of outright allowing his death struck Ellis a