It all happened with frightening speed.
Tony had locked up for the day, heading across the car park to his Audi. A dark grey SUV was idling near the building. 'Nice motor,' he noted, but thought nothing more of it as he passed. Then a black cloth bag was pulled over his head from behind and someone punched him in the stomach. Tony bent in pain, grunting, and felt strong, burly arms grabbing him and dragging him sideways. All he managed was 'Hey!' as they pushed him into the SUV. A couple of doors slammed as the vehicle pulled away quietly.
He swore, screaming at them, but no one replied. He was held firm on the back seat and his hands were cable tied behind him. Then he was punched again.
"Shut the fuck up!" somebody grunted. Tony shivered in fear. He could only think of one explanation: Mazur.
After 20 minutes the car pulled up and they dragged him into a building. He was dropped on to a chair and more cable ties were applied to his legs and arms. Without warning, one of them punched his face several times and he yelped in pain. He felt warm blood oozing from his nose and lips. Then they left him in the darkness of the hood.
"Do you know who I am?" came a voice. Eastern European accent, probably Polish, thought Tony.
"Mazur," he spluttered through the blood that was dribbling over his lips. He had no way of wiping it away and he could feel it dripping down his chin and on to his shirt.
"Fucking right!" growled Mazur. "And this is my fucking territory!"
Tony was terrified. He was a strong guy, but with his hands and legs bound, he was completely helpless. 'I'm going to die,' he thought and shivered.
"Well? Got nothing to say?" spat Mazur.
"Sorry," Tony blurted. "It's just a few guys. I didn't know you..." He wasn't sure what might appease the thug. He changed tack. "I'll shut it down. Today. We won't do any more cleaning."
"What the fuck! Hey guys, he ain't gonna do no more cleaning!" The room erupted with laughter. Tony realised there were 4 or 5 guys standing around him.
The bag was pulled off and he emerged into dazzling light. Momentarily blinded, Tony squinted, trying to adjust, and the snarling face a Mazur came into focus, inches from his. He was an ugly fucker, that's for sure!
"I don't give a shit about your cleaning. Nobody operates in my territory unless I say! You got that? No girls. No guys."
Tony swallowed hard and nodded. All he could manage was a croaked "OK!"
Mazur turned and walked across the room. Tony realised it was large living room - couple of sofas, arm chair, TV. It briefly occurred to him that killing him here would really mess up the carpet. Blood's a nightmare to get out of carpet fibres.