After finishing up at the golf course, Sean headed straight to the Hilton Hotel next door. He planned to apply for a membership card, as he didn't intend to settle down in one place for long. Staying in major hotels offered convenience and a high level of security.
As they arrived at the hotel, Catherine wrapped her arm around Sean's, looking like a bird seeking shelter. With her encouragement, Sean was eager to learn golf, and he had two clubs in his pocket. He felt a strong urge to master the game, keen to understand what it meant to get a hole-in-one, along with terms like "eagle" and "birdie." He hadn't played in his past life, but he knew that golf coaches could conduct practice anywhere—whether on a golf course, at home, or even in a hotel.
While Sean practiced his swings with Catherine inside, Bill waited in the car parked outside. He was there to pick up Wells once he finished playing.
After Wells emerged from the course, Bill nodded and placed a black suitcase down before driving away. Different states in the U.S. have varying laws about lost property. In some places, items can be kept if no one claims them within a specified period. Sean had a feeling no one would come looking for the suitcase Wells had picked up, and whether Bill chose to hand it over was none of Sean's concern.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room, Bolsa sat up in bed, his expression shifting from disbelief to anger as he listened to the news on the phone. "Hector's dead? How did that happen?" he demanded, signaling for silence from the woman beside him.
On the other end of the line, Gustavo explained, "A guy named Sean led the attack in Jersey City, using an RPG. He's trying to take over the smuggled liquor market in Newark from the New Yorkers, with Salamanca's interests at stake."
"This is absurd! Did Hector get killed over a little smuggled wine?" Bolsa's face twisted in rage. "Who did it?"
Gustavo remained calm, even as Bolsa vented his frustration. "What should we do now?"
"Don't worry. I'll inform Eladio. We must hold onto this territory. Hector's nephew will handle it," Bolsa replied, before abruptly hanging up.
Gustavo stared blankly ahead, murmuring to himself, "Hector, I did you a favor by letting you die so easily."
The next day, as Sean reclined on his bed, he called Bill. "Did you find the modification factory I asked about?"
"I did. I drove that van over there for the refitting. What kind of steel plate do you think we should use?"
"PRO500, 6.5 mm should suffice. It's common, easy to find, and has solid yield and tensile strength. It can even withstand standard NATO rounds!" Bill's enthusiasm was palpable.
Sean raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you just build a tank?" he joked, surprised by Bill's insistence on such heavy armor. "We're in the city, dealing with gangsters, not on a battlefield."
"You did mention using an RPG earlier," Bill pointed out, his tone serious.
"Right, but remember to keep the exterior inconspicuous. We don't want it to stand out."
"Leave it to me," Bill assured him with a laugh, though Sean felt a twinge of concern about their plans.
After hanging up, Sean turned over in bed, the sun rising on a new day.
For several days, Sean alternated between practicing golf at the Hilton and the nearby course. With tensions rising outside, he chose to remain indoors, finding solace in the hotel's amenities. Finally, on October 9, Bill arrived to pick him up, announcing that the van had been modified.
Sean stepped outside to see the unassuming silver-gray van, now armored with 6.5 mm bulletproof steel. He felt a surge of satisfaction, knowing this vehicle was a gift for the remnants of Salamanca. He was curious about their reaction when they saw it.
Two days earlier, Old Mike had informed Sean that Eduardo Salamanca had quietly arrived in Newark. Although it was unclear how many men he had with him, Eduardo was gathering intelligence on Sean. Described as a seemingly jovial yet ruthless individual, Eduardo was known for his cunning and patience, preferring to strike decisively when the moment was right.
Sean wasn't one to wait passively; he preferred to take the initiative. However, he was caught off guard by another piece of news that Bill brought…"What's the other news, Bill?" Sean asked, curiosity piqued.
Bill hesitated for a moment before replying, "It's about the refitting factory. While we were working on the van, I overheard some guys talking about a big shipment coming in. It's not just any shipment; it's military-grade weapons. They mentioned Eduardo's name."
Sean's eyes narrowed. "So, Eduardo's gearing up for something big. Did you catch any specifics about the shipment?"
"Only that it's supposed to arrive in a couple of days at a warehouse on the outskirts of Newark," Bill responded.
Sean took a deep breath, considering his options. "Alright, we need to act fast. Gather the crew. We're going to intercept that shipment."
The following night, Sean and his team were positioned around the warehouse. The van, now an armored vehicle, was parked discreetly nearby, ready for action. As expected, a convoy of trucks pulled up to the warehouse. Men started unloading crates, confirming Bill's intel about the military-grade weapons.
Sean signaled to his team, and they moved in swiftly. The element of surprise was on their side. Within minutes, they had the warehouse under control, with Eduardo's men either subdued or fleeing.
Sean approached one of the crates, pried it open, and found it filled with assault rifles and ammunition. He turned to Bill, who was securing the perimeter. "Good work, Bill. This shipment could have caused a lot of trouble."
As they were about to leave, Sean's phone buzzed. It was Old Mike. "Sean, I've got urgent news. Eduardo's men are planning a retaliation. They've tracked your movements and know about the Hilton."
Sean's heart skipped a beat. Catherine was still at the hotel. "Bill, we need to get back to the Hilton, now!"
They piled into the van and sped towards the hotel. Sean's mind raced with worry for Catherine's safety. Upon arrival, the hotel appeared calm, but Sean knew better than to let his guard down.
Rushing to their suite, Sean found Catherine safe but visibly shaken. "What's going on, Sean?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"We need to leave, Catherine. It's not safe here anymore," Sean said, grabbing their essentials.
Just as they were about to exit, a group of armed men burst into the hallway. Sean and Bill quickly took cover, exchanging fire with the intruders. The van's modifications proved invaluable as they used it to shield themselves and Catherine.
After a tense standoff, Sean's team managed to repel the attackers. With the immediate threat neutralized, Sean knew they couldn't stay in Newark any longer. They needed to go underground until the situation calmed down.
A few hours later, they were on the road, heading to a safe house outside the city. Sean glanced at Catherine, who was resting against his shoulder. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this," he said softly.
Catherine looked up at him, her eyes filled with determination. "I chose to be with you, Sean. Whatever happens, we face it together."
Sean nodded, feeling a renewed sense of resolve. Eduardo Salamanca had made his move, but Sean wasn't one to back down. He would protect those he cared about and reclaim control.
As they drove into the night, Sean knew this was just the beginning of a larger conflict. But with his loyal team and Catherine by his side, he was ready to face whatever came next.