The Underdog Turned Kingpin

Chapter 47: Life or Death

Mason stood with deliberate boldness.

Not rushed. Not nervous. Just the slow, deadly grace of a predator who knew exactly when to strike.

"You're right about one thing, Ramirez. Times do change." His hands stayed visible, but every boss at that table knew how fast those empty hands could turn deadly. "But some things?" A ghost smile touched his lips. "Some things are carved in stone. Like what happens to people who try to steal from a King."

The afternoon sun slanted through the windows, painting sharp shadows across the assembled faces of Chicago's underworld royalty. Mason noted how the light caught the silver at Ramirez's temples, how it gleamed off Tommy Chen's dragon tattoos. All these little details. All these perfect target points.

"Is that threat?" Petrov's voice rumbled like distant thunder.

"Nah." Mason kept his voice soft, gentle even. Like talking to a spooked animal before the slaughter. "It's a promise. See, while you've all been real busy moving pieces around my board,