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The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 16: In the Shoes of a King
Jake's laugh held more pain than humor. "Right. Fifty thousand dollars just lying around?" He shook his head."Things change." Mason straightened, decision crystallizing. "Let me do this. For my nephew.""Nephew?" Tommy perked up, studying Mason with curious eyes."Yeah, kid." Mason's throat tightened. "Uncle Mason's got your back.""Ha! I'm onto you, Mason—I caught what you did there. That sneaky little mood-boost of yours? It totally worked. "Let's say I could," Mason pressed. "Hypothetically."Jake studied him, something shifting in his expression. "Then I'd have to ask where the money came from. And who you really are. Because the Mason Rivers I know barely had two nickels to rub together this morning."Mason muttered under his breath, "Can't blame him for doubting."Tommy coughed again, and Jake's attention immediately returned to his son, murmuring soft reassurances."I love you, Daddy," Tommy whispered, his small voice carrying surprising strength despite his frail frame.Maso
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 17: Wolves in the Henhouse
Mason gave a slow nod, the silence saying everything.“Good. We’re still a team. More than that—we’re family here. When one bleeds, we all bleed. When one wins, we all win. Whatever storm's brewin', we weather it together, capisce?"The room went wide, some of the guys got too excited and started poppin' off rounds into the ceiling. Good thing the room was bulletproof, probably they'd had got some explaining to do to the neighborhood.Mason soaked it in, feeding off their energy. This was the juice he needed."What's the play, boss?" Viktor leaned forward, interest kindling in his eyes.Mason laid out what he'd caught wind of at the warehouse, watching his lieutenants' reactions closely. "Ethan Langford's in deeper than we thought. And Ramirez? This punk's pushin' stuff that makes our merchandise look like penny candy at the corner store."That hit them hard. A few murmurs slipped through the crowd, but Mason raised his hand, silencing them."We've got a potential rat, yeah. But here'
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 18: Rats and Traps
"Numbers don't lie, boss," Eve said, leaning closer to examine the numbers. "Something ain't adding up here," she said, tapping the screen. Ethan's company's solid. Why dump forty percent of golden shares?"Mason sprawled in Leo's chair like he owned it, which technically he did now. "See, that's why I keep you around. Sharp nose." He scratched his chin. "Think harder, doll. What went down at that warehouse last night?"Eve's eyes widened as the pieces clicked. "Their communication leak. You think—" she paused. "That could be nothing," Eve said half-heartedly.Mason snorted. "Yeah, and I could be Mother Teresa. Come on, doll, you're smarter than that."Mason tapped the screen, highlighting a series of transactions. "Bingo. Our friend Ethan's trying to get ahead of something big. Something that spooked him enough to liquidate fast.""Again, could be coincidence," Eve offered, but her tone suggested she didn't believe it.Mason barked out a laugh. "In our line of work? Coincidence is ju
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 19: Identity Games
Just as he lounged in Leo's leather chair, drumming his fingers against the desk while waiting for his coffee, his phone buzzed – Platinum Reserve Bank's number flashed across the screen.The call transported him back to his old life. A bitter memory surfaced...Three months ago, Mason Rivers had trudged six blocks to Richmond Savings Bank, his beat-up Honda sitting empty in his driveway, too low on gas to risk the drive. The security guard, a pot-bellied man with a permanent sneer, had blocked his path like a bouncer at a club."Executive entrance is for premium customers only." The guard's badge read 'Peterson.'"I just need to make a withdrawal," Mason had explained, sweat beading on his forehead from the walk."Round back," Peterson had jerked his thumb toward the general entrance. "With the rest of 'em."Inside, the teller – Nancy, according to her nameplate – hadn't bothered looking up from her phone. "Balance?""I... I need to withdraw sixty dollars."Nancy's fingers had clacke
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 20: Chicago's New God
"The Aurora Borealis Diamond." Eve's sigh carried decades of boarding school condescension. "Leo's always too busy for shopping, you know how brothers are. So when someone used his card to buy me exactly what I'd been eyeing? Well, that's just Providence, isn't it?""But Ms. King, the man who purchased it-""Did me a favor." Eve's tone hardened. "Unless you're suggesting my brother's card was used without authorization? Because that would imply a security breach at your establishment, and our lawyers do so love a good negligence suit."Mason suppressed a grin as he watched Eve work. She was a natural, playing the spoiled society princess with devastating precision."No! No, of course not, Ms. King. We simply wanted to ensure-""That my birthday present arrived safely? How considerate." Eve examined her reflection in the window. "Though I must say, all this fuss over a simple transaction... it makes one question whether the Morrison Auction House is equipped to handle clientele of our
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 21: The Real Rat
Night gripped Chicago's industrial district. Mason pulled Leo's custom Bentley into a darkened alley three blocks from Ramirez's warehouse, cutting the engine. Thunder rumbled overhead, nature's own percussion to accompany their mission.The trio sat tight, waiting on crew updates....Viktor's team struck first. Three black SUVs rolled silent through the midnight fog, headlights dark, engines purring like well-fed panthers. The docks loomed ahead, skeletal cranes cutting jagged shapes against the starless sky."In position," Viktor growled into his comm, Russian accent thick with anticipation. "North entrance clear.""Light 'em up," Mason said.Viktor's crew breached the warehouse, boots silent on wet concrete. Security cameras pivoted uselessly, looping old footage thanks to their tech guy's magic. The warehouse door yielded to shaped charges, whisper-quiet.Inside stood their prize - crates of Ramirez's weapons waited like sleeping dragons. Viktor grinned. Jackpot!"Package secured
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 22: When Clean and Quiet Burns
"Viktor and Thomas knocked it outta the park. Maria ate dirt. Carlos was our rat." Mason's words cut through to Eve and Sergei"House is quiet then," Eve said, loading another clip.Sergei grunted. "For now.""Time to cook Ramirez." Mason announced, straightening his suit jacket.Eve adjusted her tactical vest, checking her gear one final time. "You sure about this, boss? Joint's gonna be crawling after last night's mess.""Makes it sweeter." Mason gave her a stone smile. "Nobody looks twice at their own shadow. Sometimes the best place to hide is right under their nose."In the back, Sergei's meaty hands worked the explosives like a master chef. Each device promised fireworks that'd turn Ramirez's operation into Chicago's hottest barbecue."Packages ready?" Mason caught Sergei's reflection."Ready to sing." Sergei's scarred face split into a yellow grin.Rain began to fall, fat drops drumming against the Bentley's roof. Perfect cover for what they had planned."Remember," Mason's voi
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 23: Fire and Fury
"We're blown!" Eve did crackle over their earpieces. "Multiple tangos converging on the east side!"Mason swore, the comfortable weight of Leo's custom Glock settling into his palm. "Stick to the plan! Plant those packages!"Gunfire erupted, the sharp crack of 9mm rounds competing with the deeper boom of shotguns. Mason ducked behind a crate as bullets shattered the wood next to his head. Shouts and gunfire echoed throughout the warehouse, adding to its chaos.More shots, closer now. Mason returned fire, his rounds landing hit and miss with casual accuracy.Can't really fault the guy, he's never shot a gun. "Position!" Mason barked into his comm, ducking behind a shipping container as footsteps thundered above."East wing's hot," Eve's voice came tight with tension. "Two down, more incoming."Sergei's Russian accent rumbled through the static. "West side secure. Packages planted. Need five minutes."Mason moved through the warehouse like a ghost, muscle memory from countless drills gu
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