The cold night air on the dark mountain highway felt heavy and wet. The tall pine trees swayed back and forth in the wind, hiding the stars behind thick black clouds.

Inside the back of the heavy armored prison transport van, Marcus Vance sat hunched over on the bolted metal bench. His hands were locked tight in heavy steel handcuffs, and his bruised face throbbed with constant pain. He stared down at the dirty floor, his heart filled with bitter hatred and burning anger. He had lost his money, his freedom, and his empire all to Julian and Evelyn.

Suddenly, the world outside went wild.

The prison van driver slammed...