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The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 27: Ghosts of What Could Be
Eve's fingers traced the message on Mason's phone screen, its blue glow painting shadows across her face in the dimly lit penthouse bedroom. The text about Ethan's deadline with Ramirez burned into her mind, but her attention kept drifting to the man lying unconscious before her.Mason's chest rose and fell steadily, his features softened by sleep and medication. The bullet had torn through his shoulder, missing anything vital. Eve had patched him up with practiced efficiency. That's what obscene amounts of money bought in Chicago – making beds out of people."Helluva mess you stepped in," Eve muttered, adjusting the IV drip. Her fingers lingered on Mason's arm, feeling the warmth of his skin. Something stirred in her chest – that damn feeling she'd been trying to squash more lately.First time that feeling hit her, she was just a scrawny kid, she'd been fifteen, face-to-face, trying to lift Leo King's wallet on Maxwell Street – stupid, desperate move.Her fingers? Then clumsy and col
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 28: Ghosts of Grace
Mason's eyes yanked open to harsh morning light streaming through floor-to-ceiling bulletproofed windows. His shoulder throbbed with each heartbeat, a steady reminder of last night's firefight. Beside Mason's king-sized bed lay a bloody steel plate - the bullet that had tried to claim his life."Some guardian angel you got there, Rivers," Mason shifted, testing the limits of his bandaged shoulder. The movement sent lightning bolts of pain down his arm, but he'd had worse. Construction work wasn't exactly gentle on the body. Though these days, his calluses were getting soft, replaced by the kind of hands that signed death warrants instead of timecards.The crucifix on his wall caught his eye. Sister Agnes's voice rang in his head, clear as Sunday bells: "Remember, bambinos, every choice carves your soul."Mason almost laughed. If only the good Sister could see her star pupil now. The little boy who'd spent hours helping her tend the orphanage garden, now watering Chicago's streets with
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 29: The Weight of Lies
Mason padded toward his kitchen, a parade of "Morning, boss" and "Looking berter, Mr. King" following him down the marble hallway. Even the cleaning lady, Maria, dropped her duster to bow slightly. "Coffee's fresh, señor Rivers. Colombian, like you prefer."The penthouse screamed money louder than a stool pigeon under pressure. Italian marble that cost more than most guys made in a year. Art worth killing for (and some of it actually had been). Floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of Chicago that'd make God jealous.The coffee maker - some fancy German thing that probably cost more than his first car - hummed to life like it was greeting its master. "Good morning, Mr. King," the digital display actually read, programmed to kiss his ring just like everyone else.As he waited for the imported coffee maker to work its magic, Mason caught his reflection in the chrome, Mason barely recognized himself. Gone was the wide-eyed kid who'd helped Sister Agnes plant flowers. These eyes belong
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 30: The Gospel According to King
Mason's religion talk hit the room like a Tommy gun - loud and dangerous. Eve's fingers did their usual dance, hunting for steel at her hip. Something wasn't adding up, and in their world, math errors got people killed."Religion?" Eve barked out a laugh that'd wake the dead. "What's next? Joining them holy rollers down at Saint Mary's?"Mason squared his shoulders, Leo King's authority flooding his stance. "You forgetting Morrison's deal last spring? When I switched the whole game plan ten minutes before showtime because the feng shui felt wrong?"Eve's retort died in her throat. She remembered that night - Leo tearing up a million-dollar setup because something in his gut screamed sideways. They'd thought he'd lost it until the feds raided the original location exactly when they should've been there.Leo's little black book Mason had found turned out to be his ace in Eve's hole. Who knew it could be in this situation?"Or that time in Detroit," Mason continued, voice dropping to tha
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 31: The Devil's Dance Card
Mason drummed his fingers on the mahogany table. Eve posted up by the door, loose but ready."Ramirez wants a sit-down. All seven families." Mason kept his voice flat.Sergei, a mountain in an expensive suit, leaned forward. "Last time families had such meeting, didn't make it home." His accent thick as molasses. "Was beautiful funeral though. Very expensive flowers."Sarah touched the fresh bandages at her neck. "Yeah, and those flowers ended up decorating five more graves before the month was out.""Different times," Thomas countered, cigarette smoke curling around his words. "Different players.""Same game though." Viktor's scarred hands splayed across blueprints of neutral territories. "Same rules. Same price for losing."Mason let that sink in. Outside, Chicago pretended to be honest while its real business happened in rooms like this."Boss." Sophia never looked up from her tablet. "Ramirez's movements last forty-eight hours. Three meetings with Ethan Langford. Two visits to Jud
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 32: Devils in the Details
Eve fell into step beside Mason as they strode toward Leo's office, her heels clicking a deadly rhythm on marble floors."You're really doing this thing." Not a question. Her voice carried something new - respect mixed with concern.Mason shouldered through Leo's office doors, breathing in that gotten familiar smell of money and power. "Doing what?""Getting in bed with the devil." Eve's lips curled mean. "In the pale moonlight."Mason dropped into his chair, ignoring his bad singing shoulder. "Way I see it, Chicago's already got its devil." His good hand found a crystal tumbler, amber liquid catching the light. "Might as well show him some new steps.""This ain't some back-alley dice game.""Never is." Dark laughter colored his words. "That's the trade."Mason settled behind his desk, ignoring the throb in his shoulder. "You're playing a dangerous game.""Always am." Mason's voice held dark amusement. "Nature of the business.""This is different." Eve leaned in close. "Ramirez ain't
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 33: Inside Man
"Wish I was." Eve pulled up her tablet, showing him the event page. "Noon at the Drake Hotel. Black tie, champagne brunch, silent auction - the whole nine yards. And you... Leo can't exactly ghost his own family shindig.""Christ." Mason's head spun. Friday's sit-down with Chicago's deadliest crime families, then Saturday glad-handing with the city's elite? "Talk about working both sides of the street.""Gets better." Eve scrolled names. Eve scrolled through the guest list. "Look who RSVPed."Mason's eyes went wide. "Ethan Langford.""Plus Olivia." Eve's voice softened. "Judge Martinez, Commissioner Burke - half of Ramirez's recent lunch dates."Mason pushed to his feet, his shoulder throbbing in time with his racing thoughts. He crossed to the window, watching his reflection ghosted against Chicago's skyline. In the glass, he saw both versions of himself - Mason Rivers, the nobody who'd lost everything, and Leo King, the man who owned this city's shadows."You know what this means, r
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 34: A Way Out?
And Ethan? He's gonna learn what that word 'survival' really means. Mason smiled to all the thoughts weaving through his mind. He's gonna watch Ethan squirm while he pulls the rope tighter, day by day. Teaching him why you don't mess with another man's wife.""Letting Ramirez handle Ethan would be... efficient." Mason's fingers traced patterns on the cold glass. "Man's got a reputation for making problems disappear."Eve's approached. "But?""But efficient ain't satisfying." Mason's lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Ramirez would make it quick. Business-like. Just numbers on a ledger.""And that's not what you want.""No." Mason turned from the window, his eyes holding that dangerous gleam Eve had learned to recognize. "I want Ethan to understand exactly how far he's fallen. Want him to feel what it's like when everything you built turns to ash in your mouth.""You're thinking long game.""Always am." Mason crossed to his desk, each step measured. "Get Sophia on
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- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 117: The Aurora's Secret
Ethan felt the cold crawl down his spine like a drunk spider, the name Thomas hanging in the air thick as Chicago fog. Thomas wasn't just a name—he was a goddamn legend whispered in back alleys and dimly lit bars. A cipher that spelled out chaos, sharp as a razor's edge, dangerous as a loaded gun.His voice cut through the silence, that particular tone Arthur knew too well—part confusion, part intrigue. The kind of voice that said he'd seen some shit but wasn't about to back down."That Thomas King you mentioned..." Ethan drawled. "Same Leo's old man?"Arthur paused. Not the kind of pause that meant he was thinking—the kind that meant memories were wrestling beneath his skin.He exhaled slow, a rasp that spoke volumes. "Yeah, Ethan. Same Thomas King."Ethan leaned back, those sharp eyes narrowing. The smirk that crawled across his lips was pure cynical, knowing. "Huhhhh. Thought that bastard was worm food by now."Arthur's mouth twitched. Not a smile. Something darker. "Oh, he's dead
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 116: The Aurora Borealis Revelation
Ethan slammed his fist against a close desk, sending a thunderous crack through his father's meticulously organized workspace. Blueprints and papers scattered, each document a testament to his mounting frustration—the Aurora Borealis diamond dancing just beyond his grasp. "Damn it!" he hissed, reaching for his phone. His fingers hovered over Marcus's contact before he dialed, his breath ragged, bitterness coating every syllable when the connection clicked. "You better pick up, Marcus. We've got a serious goddamn problem."The line crackled with Marcus's trademark edge—part irritation, part calculated cool. "What now, Ethan? Another half-baked scheme?" "Cut the smart-ass routine," Ethan exploded, heat rising from his collar like steam off Lake Michigan in December. "I want that real diamond by tomorrow, or I'm burning your entire operation to the ground. You hear me?"Marcus's laugh was razor-sharp. "Watch yourself, hotshot. I ain't some corner boy you can intimidate. Remember who ex
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 115: When Diamonds Deceive
Mason rolled up to the King mansion like he owned every square inch of Chicago's most brutal real estate. The place wasn't just a house—it was a statement. Massive oak trees framed the property like sentinels, their branches casting long shadows that whispered old secrets. Leo's SUV cut through the wrought-iron gates—those gates had seen more drama than a South Side courthouse on a Friday night.The gates swung open with an electronic hum, a technological ballet that screamed money and power. Mason knew this wasn't just an entrance. This was a threshold between worlds.He paused. One heartbeat. Two.His eyes—sharp as a loan shark's accounting ledger—scanned the estate. Every window, every marble pathway was a narrative waiting to spill. Old money mixed with new power, and the combination was volatile as hell. The mansion glinted in the evening light, a chrome-plated promise of everything and nothing.Staff materialized like ghosts. Maids in pressed uniforms. Security personnel who mov
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 114: Who Left Me at the Gates?
"Hey, Jake," he said, the lie sliding smooth as butter, "LangCorp pushed the interview to Tuesday."Jake responded with a satisfied grunt. "Works for me. Gives me time to wrap things up at the site."The conversation shifted, and Mason's voice softened. "How's Tommy doing?"Jake's tone dropped, carrying the raw weight of a father's worry. "He's holding steady. But his next round of meds? Ten grand. Been breaking my back trying to scrape together every dollar.""Faith, Jake," Mason said, his voice low and steady—the voice of someone who'd seen Chicago chew up dreams and sometimes, just sometimes, spit them back whole. "Tommy's a fighter. This city don't break kids like him easy."A pause, then Jake lowered his voice. "You know I’ve always got your back, bro. Nothing’s played out yet, but don't wait too long to find out if this whole doppelganger thing is a winning play.""Yeah, I know," Mason replied softly, but it felt like a lie. The truth haunched on his shoulders like a lead weight
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 113: The Leo Paradox
Mason deliberately sidestepped Jake's calls, his footsteps echoing against the worn concrete as he made his way to the SUV parked down the block.Night draped Chicago like a heavy coat, the air thick with potential. Mason's fingers traced the cool metal of the SUV, feeling the vehicle vibrate with a restless energy that matched his own. It was a sharp contrast to the suffocating atmosphere of the church basement he’d just left.His phone buzzed. Again. Jake's name flashed persistent, a digital drumbeat demanding attention.Mason finally relented, thumb swiping across the screen. "Jake? You there?"Jake's voice crackled through, raw and unfiltered. "Damn, took you long enough. Thought I'd have to send out a search party."A dry chuckle escaped Mason's lips. "Been busy.""Same here! Crazy night yesterday; I crashed out at the site. That foundation ain’t gonna pour itself, you know?"Mason chuckled, shaking his head. "Found you another multilevel bender job?""Dude, I was working my ass
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 112: Unwritten Contract
Her gut twisted—years of detective instincts wrestling with a possibility that could transform everything. “I want guarantees. Real proof. No more bullshit.”“My word,” Mason said, pressing a hand dramatically to his heart. “Full access. Every connection, every proof. If I'm lying, I don't deserve mercy.”“Certainty,” Maria muttered. "How do you guarantee anything in this city?”A grim smile spread across Mason’s face. “We draw them in. Like moths to a flame, they’ll be intrigued to see what I have to offer. I’ll dangle the carrot.”Maria’s brows furrowed. “A carrot? Meaning what?”“We build an empire they can't ignore. Job opportunities. Community investment. Financial incentives that make violence look stupid. We create a horizon on the South Side rich with promise instead of blood.”She inhaled sharply, the air heavy with possibilities. “A proposal that’s overly generous if I’ve ever seen one. But you know what? I won’t lie—I’ll leverage your idea to the police. If you’re willing t
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 111: Negotiating Darkness
But Mason was ready. He leaned forward, eyes blazing with a conviction that went beyond simple ambition. “Ironically, they're the ones already investing. We're not taking them down—we're offering them a seat at a table they've never seen before. A legitimate future. Who wouldn’t want a seat at the table when it comes to playing god over fate? We give them a glimpse into a better, brighter Chicago—a city that thrives on respect instead of fear.”“Care?” Maria's voice rose, cutting through the church's musty silence. “These crime lords barely care about the breathing bodies on these streets. You think they'll care about the positive side of your fancy tech?”“That's where you're wrong.” Mason's tone softened, but the edge remained. He moved closer, close enough that Maria could see the determination etched into every line of his face. “I've shown them something new. Something that makes money. I'm giving them a distraction from the business-as-usual crime that plagues this city. They're
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 110: The Proposal
The shadows from the stained glass windows stretched across the floor, casting fractured light on the tension-filled conversation. Mason leaned against the rotting pew, arms crossed, a playful glimmer in his dark eyes masking his underlying desperation. Maria glared back, unwavering, her stance only growing more rigid.“Let’s cut the crap, Mason,” Maria challenged, arms crossed defiantly. “What exactly is this grand proposal of yours?”Mason pushed himself off the pew, a smile creeping onto his face. “Alright, here’s the deal.” He paused, savoring the moment. “How about we show these crime lords something worth more than their petty cash?” The confidence in his tone mingled with a hint of mischief as he eyed her reaction.Maria raised an eyebrow. “You meaning what? Art classes or therapy sessions?” she shot back, sarcasm dripping from her voice, a habit she’d honed from years outsmarting the knuckleheads in her precinct. “I mean, you gotta be kidding me.”“See, what if we give them so
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 109: A Proposal?
Maria felt the weight of his words, like a lead anchor dropping straight to her core. "Then who’s bigger than the law, Mason? No one is above the authorities—not Leo, not the crime families. You think I give a damn about some fragile peace? My job is to clean up this city's rot, starting with Leo King.""You really think Leo is just another problem to solve?" Mason challenged, his dark gaze locking on hers. "You arrest him, and this city'll crack open like a fault line. Chicago ain't some neat little case file you can close and forget. You'll spark a war that'll make our past look like a goddamn picnic, and the suits downtown—the government? They won't lift a finger to save your ass."The room vibrated. Decades of street knowledge hung between them like a heavy fog.Maria held her ground, her detective's badge feeling heavy on her chest. "I don't believe in boogeyman stories, I've heard this song and dance before. Criminals protecting criminals. You're all the same—justifying your exi
