CHAPTER FIVE HUNDRED AND SIX – AN OLD DEBTOR

Rafael straightened, his jaw clenched. "Adruiz. What are you doing here?" Adruiz's smile widened, showing too many teeth. "Just checking in on an old friend. And maybe collecting on an old debt. You remember, don't you? The little... issue we had back in Tijuana?" Rafael's eyes darted around the bakery, noting the curious glances from customers and staff alike. "This isn't the place for this conversation, Adruiz," he said, his voice low and controlled. Adruiz chuckled, a sound devoid of humor. "Oh, I think it's the perfect place. You've done well for yourself, haven't you? Nice little bakery, respectable job... it would be a shame if something happened to ruin all that." In that moment, Rafael seemed to change before everyone's eyes. The quiet, unassuming baker disappeared, replaced by someone harder, more dangerous. He stepped closer to Adruiz, his voice barely above a whisper but carrying an unmistakable threat. "You want to talk about the past? Fine. Let's talk about how I save