The six loan sharks entered the store as if they owned the place.
The glass door was still swinging when the two men who had trashed Elena's pawn shop smirked upon seeing her near the counter—frightened, almost shrinking under their gaze.
Eric stepped forward before anyone could speak.
"This way, gentlemen," he said with a light—almost foolish—smile.
But it was calculated.
"Let's head to the counter."
He led them straight to Elena.
They spread out across the store like a pack surrounding prey.
One of them—a man with a thick gold chain, a light black jacket, and unshaven stubble—tilted his head and looked at Elena with a disgusting expression.
"Good morning, sweetheart," he said, grinning crookedly.
Elena instinctively stepped back, her face turning even paler.
"What? Scared of him?" another mocked, laughing at her reaction.
Before the situation could spiral, Eric stepped forward and positioned himself between them and Elena, blocking their line of sight.
"Your business is with me," he said, still smiling—
But his eyes were firm.
The shortest man—clearly the leader—stepped closer, invading Eric's space until their chests were nearly touching.
His hair was neatly trimmed. His eyes were cold.
The posture of someone used to watching others tremble.
"And who are you?" he asked, glancing at Eric's store uniform. "We're here to settle something with her."
He gestured toward Elena with his chin.
"Go back to work."
Eric smiled.
A real smile.
"There's been a small misunderstanding," he said. "I'm the one who arranged this meeting. And I'm the one who called you here to collect the payment."
One of the thugs glanced around nervously, as if expecting cameras, an ambush—something hidden.
But all he saw were aisles, shelves, refrigerators, and a simple register.
The leader raised a hand, signaling him to relax.
He wanted to hear this.
"And what's your relationship with her?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
Eric turned—
And without hesitation, took Elena's hand.
He intertwined his fingers with hers, confident, intimate.
Elena nearly choked.
If he hadn't warned her earlier, she might have slapped him.
"We're engaged," Eric said.
The leader frowned, irritated—but not surprised.
"I don't care about your relationship," he replied. "I want to know if you brought my money."
Eric walked behind the counter and crouched down, retrieving something he had placed there earlier.
One of the men reached inside his jacket, ready to draw a weapon—
But relaxed when Eric stood up holding nothing more than a dark sports bag.
He tossed it onto the counter.
The metallic sound echoed through the store.
Elena stopped breathing.
The loan sharks' eyes widened.
The bag—
Was full of gold coins.
Full.
"I-is that what I think it is?" the leader asked, leaning in.
"Yes," Eric said calmly. "More than two hundred thousand euros in gold coins. Enough to pay Elena's father's debt—and extra for the inconvenience."
"Where did you get all this?" the leader asked, his voice faltering for a moment. "All this gold?"
Eric smiled.
"Let's just say… there are people very interested in my talents."
The men grew restless—excited.
One of them almost drooled.
"Boss, look at this! We could take a long vacation! I haven't seen this much money in ages!"
But the leader didn't smile.
Even Elena noticed.
He wasn't pleased.
He was calculating.
Still, he grabbed the bag and started walking toward the exit.
Elena let out a breath so deep she nearly collapsed.
Just a few steps from the door, Eric spoke:
"We're done, right? She's free?"
The man stopped.
Silence.
Then—
He smiled.
"Yes."
Elena broke down, tears streaming as something inside her finally snapped.
Eric stepped closer, gently wiping her face, trying to calm her.
"For now," the leader added casually, without turning, a malicious smile on his lips.
The relief shattered instantly.
"What do you mean by that?" Eric asked, his voice hardening.
The man turned slowly and walked back until he stood inches away.
He tapped Eric's cheek three times—
Light touches.
Full of dominance.
"Relax," he said in a falsely gentle tone. "If you don't have money or gold for the next payment… I accept other forms of compensation."
His gaze dropped—
To Elena's legs.
In a revolting way.
Eric's blood boiled.
"That wasn't the deal!" he snapped. "We're paying more than the original debt to free her!"
"Sorry," the leader said with a short smile. "The debt increased again. This morning, actually."
He stepped even closer, testing boundaries.
Behind him, the other five moved into position, surrounding the counter.
Elena stepped back.
The panic returned.
The air felt too heavy to breathe.
And then—
Suddenly—
Like lightning in a clear sky—
Eric started laughing.
Loud.
Uncontrolled.
The leader frowned.
"Are you insane?"
Still laughing, Eric began removing his store uniform.
He tossed the red cap onto the counter.
Unbuttoned the employee shirt—
Revealing his usual black T-shirt underneath.
When he finished—
The laughter stopped.
"Well…" he said, now serious. "I tried to be polite. I even explained my relationship with Elena. And still… you chose to play against me."
He stepped forward.
"You showed your best cards. Made sure to humiliate me in front of my fiancée."
The leader laughed in disdain, while the others closed in, ready to strike.
Eric took a deep breath.
"Now let me show you mine."
He raised his chin and shouted:
"BLACK FALCON!!!"
The echo hadn't even faded—
When shadows began to move.
From behind the shelves.
From the aisles.
Near the refrigerators.
Men dressed in black, armed, wearing black balaclavas emerged.
Their movements were precise.
Coordinated.
Controlled.
Within seconds, they formed a perfect circle around the six loan sharks—
Weapons aimed directly at them.
The sound of guns being cocked filled the air.
"What the hell is this?" the leader asked, his voice breaking.
Eric didn't smile.
"This," he said, "is my move."
He crossed his arms.
"I think now…"
"We can finally talk."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
For the first time that morning—
It wasn't Eric or Elena who were afraid.
It was the six loan sharks.