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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
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 25: Different Devil
Twenty minutes later, Maria clicked her way into Ramirez's study, trading her "tactical black gear" for a slinky red dress that hugged her curves like a Ferrari on Lake Shore Drive. The mansion rose like an old-world castle transplanted to Chicago's Gold Coast - all limestone and arrogance. The foyer's marble floor, imported straight from Carrara, Italy, spread beneath her feet like frozen music. Crystal chandeliers dripped light onto oil paintings worth more than most people made in a lifetime. Renaissance masters stared down from gilded frames - silent witnesses to decades of deals and deaths.Armed guards stood at attention, their respect genuine. In Ramirez's world, Maria had earned her stripes the hard way. The study itself was a testament to power - Brazilian walnut panels lined walls thick enough to muffle screams, while floor-to-ceiling windows offered panoramic views of the city Ramirez helped rule. Books nobody read filled custom shelves, their leather spines more prop than
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 26: When Dragons Count Their Golds
Thunder cracked overhead as Ethan Langford burst into Ramirez's study, rainwater dripping from his thousand-dollar suit. The usual polish was gone, replaced by something raw and desperate. His perfectly styled hair hung in wet strands, and his designer shoes squeaked against the imported marble.Maria watched from her position behind Ramirez's chair, cataloging every detail. The tremor in Ethan's manicured hands. The wild look in those calculating eyes. The way his chest heaved with barely controlled panic."Ricardo," Ethan started, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace. "We need to talk."Ramirez didn't look up from his tablet, letting the silence stretch until it burned. When he finally spoke, his voice carried the warmth of an Arctic wind. "Talking costs money, amigo. Speaking of which..." He tapped the screen. "You owe me quite a bit, no?""That's why I'm here." Ethan moved closer, water pooling beneath his feet. "The warehouse-""Ah yes, the warehouse." Ramirez's smile
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
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