Hudson City

A Novelette

1.

Shane Zino left the slammer even with the man but owing a crime boss his ass. And the first stop was a social club to pay his respects or else. After all, Leo Toretta was the reason Shane walked out of this jungle alive.

Shane launched from the prison grounds in a dark sedan driven by a corrections officer. The destination was a train station, and once Shane boarded, he’d be headed for Hudson City and his sit-down with the Mafia chieftain.

When Shane arrived in Hudson City, he spotted Leo’s goons anchored at the terminal exit. A pair of meatbags, the size of pro wrestlers waiting for him. Beyond the glass doors, a tricked-out staff car and his ride to the social club.

He ducked into a restroom to collect his wits and splash the mug with iced water. He was screwed, and the whole thing wigged him out.

This time out of the pen he vowed to be finished with the underworld. Any more trouble from this point, he was flirting with twenty-five to life. If convicted, it was a mandatory bit. Thanks, but no thanks.

Freedom cast its black magic, pushing him to the outer banks. Hours from lockup and straight time had him by the stones.

And there was no way out of the terminal beside the guarded doors. The station was hemmed in by a river, rail…