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The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 9: Unstoppable and Unapologetic
Mason's heart did a weird stutter-step. The video showed Olivia, clearly tipsy, ranting to reporters:"You want to know the truth about that man?" She swayed slightly, her perfect composure betraying her. "He was a big fat nothing! A nobody! I flushed six whole years down the drain with him, and what'd I get? Empty promises and jewelry that'd make a gumball machine blush!" She laughed. "And now he waltzes in with some magic black card? Please! Give me a break! I know that man better than anyone – he's just a two-bit con in a fancy monkey suit!"Mason watched, keeping his expression blank. Once upon a time, those words would've crushed the old him like a bug. But now? Now he saw something different in her eyes. Unrepentant. Sin. A total she-devil, reeling from realization that maybe, just maybe, she didn't have him all figured out after all."You good, boss?" Eve's voice was uncharacteristically gentle. "And... six years? What's she on about?"Mason's brain kicked into overdrive, spinni
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 10: Chicago Boy in the Ranks
Ethan reached out, taking her hand in his. "Well, you certainly traded up, didn't you?" He flashed her his million-dollar smile, the one that graced magazine covers and charmed investors.Olivia's expression softened. "I did, didn't I?" She squeezed his hand. "God, I'm so glad I left when I did. Can you imagine if I'd stuck around? I'd probably be visiting him in lockup right now, listening to him swear he'd 'make it big' someday."They shared another laugh, the champagne making everything seem brighter, funnier. Ethan topped off their glasses, his mind already working on possibilities. "We could really milk this for all it's worth, you know.""Oh?" Olivia leaned in, intrigued."Think about it," Ethan continued, warming to his theme. "Chicago's golden couple, exposing a would-be fraudster? We could spin this into a crusade against financial crime. I'll give some impassioned interviews about the importance of vigilance, maybe even start a foundation..."Olivia's eyes lit up. "Ethan, tha
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 11: Secrets in the Safe
They burst out into the night air, the rest of the team converging from different directions. Sirens wailed in the distance, growing closer by the second."Everyone in the cars, now!" Mason barked. They piled in, tires squealing as they peeled away from the warehouse.Mason's mind spinned with different thoughts as they sped through the empty streets. He'd been so damn sure, so cocky about his plan to turn Ethan against Ramirez. But now... now it felt like he'd stepped in something way deeper and stinkier than he'd ever imagined.Back at the safehouse, the team gathered in tense silence. Mason paced, running a hand through his hair, trying to imitate what Leo could be playing when a mission failed. "What in the ever-loving hell happened back there?" he demanded. "How'd they know we were coming?"Eve's face was fame. "Someone squealed. We've got a rat."The implications of her words settled over the room. If they had a mole, in Leo's leadership, it meant death and a gruesome one at tha
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 12: Power Plays and Phone Calls
He took a deep breath and answered. "Hello?""Leo, darling!" The voice that purred through his phone dripped old money and maternal disapproval. "Six months without a word! I was starting to think you'd joined a monastery and had completely forgotten about your poor old mother."Mason's mind raced. "Come on, Mother," he said, trying to infuse his voice with affection. "Just drowning in work, you know how it is.""Oh, I'm sure," she practically sang. "Your... 'work.' Speaking of which, have you given any thought to our Christmas discussion?"Christmas? Shit. Mason scrambled for a response. "Uh, refresh my memory?"A sigh crackled through the line. "The family business, Leo. Your father's legacy. I understand you have your... alternative interests, being in the old shoes of your father, but it's time you took a more active role in the legitimate side of things. I don't want to loose you."Mason's eyebrows shot up so fast they nearly left his forehead. Legitimate business? Now that was an
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 13: Payback's a Boss
Mason turned to her, the heady rush of power coursing through him. "Eve, I think it's time I paid a little visit to an old hood. Got some unfinished business there. I will love to go alone."Eve's face hardened. "Hell no. Last time you went solo, you vanished for half a year and left everything in shambles. And yesterday?" She jabbed a finger at his chest. "I barely let you out of my sight and you ended up in handcuffs. I'm done with your 'experiments.'"A lazy smile spread across Mason's face. "Worried about strike three?""Strike three might end with your head decorating Ramirez's dining room. We just hit their warehouse, and someone's feeding them intel. God knows what's waiting out there – if I even let you walk out that door."Mason's smile took on a dangerous edge. "You know what they say about the third time being the charm? Like how Christ rose on the third day?" His voice dropped to steel. "This isn't a request, Eve. It's an order."Eve's eyebrows shot toward her hairline. "Af
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 14: The Boss of all Bosses
Mason watched Bill scurry away like a frightened rat, savoring the taste of power on his tongue. The construction site hummed with whispers and sideways glances. His former co-workers gathered in small clusters, their conversations dying whenever they caught his eye."Hey, Rivers!" Jake jogged over, dust coating his safety vest. "What's gotten into you, man? Standing up to Bill like that?"Mason shrugged, letting a cryptic smile play across his lips. "Let's just say I found my backbone.""Found it? More like you grew an adamantium one overnight." Jake wiped sweat from his brow, leaving a streak of dirt. "Though I gotta admit, seeing old Bill turn whiter than printer paper? Worth the price of admission."The office door banged open. Bill emerged, clutching a check like it physically pained him. His face had taken on an interesting shade of puce that clashed magnificently with his yellow hard hat."Here's your blood money," Bill spat, thrusting the paper at Mason. "Now get off my site be
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 15: When Vengeance Meets Virtue
Mason hadn't taken three steps when a voice called out behind him, urgent and pleading."Mr. Rivers! Please, a moment of your time." Hughes's voice carried a desperate edge that made several workers turn their heads.The site president hurried across the construction yard, his Italian leather shoes collecting dust with each stride. The man's usual usually immaculate suit was dusted with concrete powder, his carefully styled hair disheveled from running."Sir?" Mason turned, catching Jake's equally puzzled expression beside him.Hughes reached them, slightly out of breath. "I must personally apologize for the inexcusable behavior you've endured under Bill Hawkin's supervision. The way he treated you... treated all of you..." He gestured helplessly at the construction site. "The company's failure to address this situation earlier reflects poorly on my leadership. It was a failure of leadership on my part. I should have seen it sooner."Jake stood nearby, mouth slightly agape at the sight
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
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