Vargas’s grin widened, his amusement deepening as he leaned back in his chair and clapped his hands twice. The sharp sound echoed in the room, and a moment later, the door behind him creaked open.

Two burly men dragged in a scrawny, disheveled figure who looked terrified.

The man was dumped carelessly on the floor. Vargas gestured lazily toward him.

“Meet the Rat,” Vargas said, his tone almost casual. “His name’s Eddie. Loyal to your family for years—or so you ...