“They took everything in two trips. Furniture, appliances, even her toys. They said if I went to the police they’d come back for something more valuable.”
Viktor understood the threat immediately.
“Did the man give his name?” he asked.
Emily nodded.
“Victor… or maybe Vincent. Something like that.”
Viktor’s expression hardened.
Adrian Russo.
One of his lieutenants.
A man trusted with collections.
Lily spoke again.
“He hurt Mrs. Delgado too,” she said quietly. “And the family with the baby. I see them crying sometimes.”
Viktor looked at her.
This wasn’t one incident.
This was a pattern.
“How many families?” he asked.
Lily counted slowly on her fingers.
“Seven that I know.”
Seven homes destroyed.
Seven families robbed.
Viktor stood up slowly.
First, he made a call.
“Marco,” he said into the phone. “Bring groceries to the address I’m sending. Enough for a week.”
He paused.
“And bring cash. One thousand dollars.”
After hanging up, he looked back at Emily.
“Food will arrive within the hour. Your power will be turned back on tomorrow. Someone will repair your door.”
Emily stared at him in disbelief.
“Why would you help us?”
Viktor glanced at Lily.
“Because someone used my name to hurt your family.”