2024-10-24 02:20:41
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
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
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 24: Breaking News
Olivia sprawled on Ethan's chaise lounge like she owned the world. The silk robe she wore clinged to her curves in all the right places. The fabric dipped low, teasing a glimpse of her bronzed skin and the swell of her breasts. She knew what she was doing, knew how the light glistened against the silk as it draped around her hips, revealing just enough to keep her audience hooked. Under the warm glow of ring lights, she was a vision straight out of a magazine spread.She leaned in close to her phone, lips curving into a smile that promised secrets. "Hey there, hotties," she purred, twirling a lock of honey-blonde hair. "Your girl's got news that'll make your jaws drop."The comments section went wild. Olivia soaked it up like a sponge."That's right, I'm talking about the Aurora Borealis Diamond. Google it up if you're clueless. It's only the hottest rock to hit Chicago in forever." She lowered her voice to a stage whisper. "And guess who's gonna be wearing it? This lucky bitch right
Latest Chapter
Chapter 137: Burning Rubber, Burning Hearts
The air in the room shifted. Mason's eyes locked onto Eve while Sister Agnes's prayers buzzed in the background like white noise. The space felt cramped as a jail cell and big as Lake Michigan all at once, like the universe had condensed to focus on this single, volatile moment."Gotta lay this out straight," Mason said, voice rough as Chicago asphalt. "This ain't some walk in the park for me. These feelings for you... wanting you... still been burning me up inside for years. But I can't let you fall for some counterfeit Leo version of me. Not like this."Eve cocked her head, eyes sharp as a street hustler's. "You think you got exclusive rights to damaged goods, sugar?" Her words cut deep as a switchblade. "Maybe if you'd put in more effort finding me. Wasn't like I vanished into thin air."Mason's jaw clenched tight enough to crack teeth, her words stinging worse than he'd expected. "I busted my ass looking," he growled, frustration bleeding through. "Hit up every damn foster joint,
Chapter 136: A Thirty-Three-Year Secret
Agnes’ trembling hands gripped the edge of the garden bench like it was her last lifeline, her eyes playing ping-pong between Mason's burning stare and the dirt she looked ready to sink into."Aha, it's you, ain't it?" Mason's voice sliced through the silence, raw and unyielding. "You're the one behind all this shit. The reason I got dumped there… abandoned. Split from my own brother, from a mother who—damn her struggles—at least wanted to step up! But you—" His voice broke, but not his anger. "You still got no kids of your own, right? Now I see why."Agnes took the hit like someone catching a bullet, her oversized outfit couldn't hide how bad she was shaking. Even Eve felt that one land. She moved in quick, laying a steadying hand on Mason's arm. "Easy, Mace. Look at her... she's breaking apart here."Just then, Agnes crumpled to the garden soil, folding in on herself like a house of cards. Her lips moved without sound, hands pressing against her ears like she could block out Mason's
Chapter 135: The Road to Reckoning
"Jesus H. Christ," Eve breathed, the words hitting the air like bullets. "Your life's one hell of a mess, ain't it kid?" Her eyes stayed fixed on Agnes, watching for any sign of deception.Mason's face hardened into concrete, jaw working overtime as his teeth ground together. "The fuck you trying to tell me?"Agnes met his gaze. "I'm saying you're the product of a night Ramirez will never admit to, a drunken encounter with Camila. She worked as domestic staff in his residence." A pause to make sure that part sinked. "Camila possessed both beauty and an uncommon kindness. She remained beneath his notice until that particular evening when alcohol clouded his judgment. He..." Her voice wavered slightly. "He took advantage of her. The following morning, in what I can only describe as a fit of shame-induced rage, he had her forcibly removed from the premises. He claimed she... disgusted him, that she had provided him with what he termed 'the poorest sexual experience of his life.'"Mason's
Chapter 134: Between Two Worlds
Sister Agnes sat there looking like death warmed over, her face drawn tight as Mason and Eve leaned in close enough to catch a whisper. The old garden bench creaked under the weight of more than thirty years' worth of secrets.Agnes's fingers wove together like she was about to start praying, maybe for strength to get through this. "I wasn't meant to make it this far. Helena King, she made sure to clean up after herself - and we were the mess she needed gone." Her voice stayed level, but Mason caught that telltale shine in her eyes, the kind of tears tough old broads learn never to let fall.Eve stood rigid, immune to the waterworks routine. She'd seen enough crying games in her time to last several lifetimes. "If you're done with the drama show, maybe get to the part about how you're standing here breathing if you ain't meant to stay breathing this far."A sound escaped Agnes that might've been a laugh in another life. Her head shook slow, like she was trying to clear old cobwebs. "D
Chapter 133: The Truth in Tears
Mason nodded slow, hands still reaching for mercy. "I'm telling it straight. I'm Mason Rivers. Not Leo King. Never was."Eve's eyes narrowed to slits, her mind churning like the dirty waters of the Chicago River. Old memories leaked through the cracks in her armor - glimpses of a skinny kid with fire in his eyes who refused to let the orphanage break him down."Prove it," she spat, her voice a brittle edge. "Tell me something only the real Mace would know."Mason seized the lifeline like a drowning man. "Found you hiding in Sister Agnes's garden after you smashed that fancy china plate. Instead of selling you out, I split my chocolate bar with you." His lips twitched, remembering the exact words he used. "Told you sisters couldn't yell if your mouth was full of candy.""Fuck you!" The gun barked, sending dirt flying at Mason's knees. "I handed you that story myself at the damn luncheon, you two-faced bastard!""Wait... please... I'm not lying." Mason's whole body trembled, sweat mixin
Chapter 132: The Trigger and the Cross
Mason stood frozen, hands raised toward the sky. His mind raced through a lifetime of close calls, but this time felt different. This time, death wore Eve's face. His lips moved in a silent prayer - the kind reserved for men staring down the barrel of certainty.Eve's finger danced on the trigger, her eyes locked on Mason's every breath. Her chest heaved with each sharp intake of air, matching the hurricane of thoughts tearing through her head. Leo. Her teacher. The man who'd shown her how to survive when the streets wanted her dead. The same Leo who'd left bodies cooling in Chicago's darkest corners. Her head snapped side to side, trying to shake the memories loose. If she didn't end him here, now, she'd be next on his list. No way he'd let her walk after this.But before her finger could finish its deadly arc, Sister Agnes darted forward, her arms spreading wide like wings, standing guard against the violence crackling in the air."What are you doing?" Eve's words cut sharp. "Move i
Chapter 131: Checkmate in the Garden
She edged closer to the glass, assessing her surroundings. The garden was dense, its shadows deep and concealing. Perfect for an ambush if she played it right. Her eyes tracked possible escape routes as her mind tallied the odds. Agnes was terrified, which meant this could be a setup. Experience screamed that she needed to secure the perimeter before making her move. One wrong step now would get them both killed.Mason, unaware of Eve’s presence, leaned forward, closing in on Agnes like a shark that's caught the scent of blood, his gaze locking onto Agnes. "Why'd you do it?" he pressed. "Why'd you do it?" His voice scraped low, rough as broken glass. "Who's this woman you're talking about? The one you switched the babies for?"Agnes stuttered, her breath catching. "I... I was young." Her voice came soft, cultured - a reminder of her life before all this. "I didn't know better then. Could've gone to the authorities, yes, but..." She gave a bitter laugh. "They owned this city. What coul
Chapter 130: Between Lines and Choices
Agnes stumbled, her foot catching on an upturned root as she fled through the back garden. Mason stalked behind her, his breath coming in slow, measured exhales. He had no intention of harming her. His presence alone was a suffocating weight pressing down on her shoulders. When her knees finally gave out, she collapsed onto the damp earth, trembling hands clutching the hem of her worn skirt. Her tear-streaked face turned skyward as if seeking divine absolution. The garden's mint and lavender - normally so soothing - mixed with the metallic tang of fear coating her tongue."Please..." Agnes sobbed, her voice thin and cracking. "Don't kill me! I'll confess. I'll tell you everything. Yes... I switched... him. I switched him!" The words spilled from her like a prayer, desperate and raw.Mason crouched before her, his expression unreadable. Inside, his mind raced through possibilities he'd never allowed himself to consider. The words tumbling from her mouth were erratic, but the fragments
Chapter 129: More Pieces Missing Than Whole
Mason tore through the orphanage's corridors like a man running from his own shadow. He found Sister Margaret in the courtyard, her hands deep in the dirt, tending roses that had seen better days – just like everything else in this joint."Sister Margaret." The words came out with urgency."Mace?" She turned, concern etching lines in her face. "Didn't expect to see you back so quick."His throat worked like he was choking down bad booze. "Eva – she say anything about me? Anything strange?" The desperation in his voice would've gotten him killed in his other life, the one where Leo King ruled the Underworld with an iron fist.Margaret wiped earth from hands that had dried more tears than he could count. "You're shaking like a junkie in withdrawal, boy. Eva dropped by, played Santa Claus to the kids, took a walk in the garden. Nothing worth getting your shorts in a twist over." Her eyes cut through him sharper than a switchblade. "Though she seemed... thoughtful but harmless.""The gard
