“Boss, they’ve arrived.”
The voice of Erza Slain Velleoti’s right-hand man was low, cautious, as if uttering those words too loudly might summon something dangerous. Ezra took a slow drag from his cigarette, the ember at the tip burning bright in the dimly lit room. He exhaled a plume of smoke, watching it curl lazily toward the ceiling before dissipating. He didn't even acknowledge the announcement with a nod or a glance. His men were used to this. Ezra never wasted words unless necessary. Before him, on a lavishly designed stage, women danced in near-nothing attire, their bodies moving in sensual waves under the flashing neon lights. Their gazes, hopeful yet hollow, sought the attention of the wealthy and powerful men scattered throughout the club. Ezra was among them, but unlike the others, he remained detached, unaffected. These women were nothing more than background noise to him. Their attempts to seduce him and capture his interest were wasted efforts. They could bare their souls along with their bodies, and it wouldn’t make a difference. Ezra was a man who indulged only when he desired, and tonight, his mind was elsewhere. At thirty-five years old, Ezra held a power most men could only dream of—power that wasn’t inherited but built, sharpened like a blade over the years. He had the ability to destroy anyone, anytime, without consequence. But he wasn’t reckless. He never acted without reason. He never touched someone unless they crossed a line. And for those who did? He never spared even a strand of their hair. He finally shifted his gaze, steel-like and piercing, toward the direction his subordinate indicated. His expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of interest—just a flicker. “Did they bring anything with them?” His voice was quiet, yet it carried a weight that sent a chill down his right-hand man’s spine. It was the kind of tone that signaled danger, like the calm before a deadly storm. “No, Boss,” the man replied, his own voice betraying a hint of unease. “Only their terrified expressions.” Ezra scoffed. Typical. He crushed the cigarette into the glass ashtray beside him, reaching instead for his whiskey. The amber liquid burned down his throat, but he welcomed the sensation. It kept him grounded and kept his patience intact—what little he had left. With a subtle hand gesture, he ordered his men to retrieve what needed to be retrieved from the other side of the room. The music swelled, drowning the tension for a moment. Laughter, drunken chatter, the clinking of glasses—this place was a sanctuary for those seeking temporary pleasure, for men who thought power was measured by how much money they could throw. Ezra despised it. The mixture of alcohol, sweat, and desperation clung to the air, an unbearable stench that made his stomach turn. But he endured it. Business came first. Even as women continued to flaunt themselves in his direction, their glances growing more desperate, Ezra remained unmoved. They meant nothing. They were just another distraction in a world full of meaningless things. His eyes flicked to the side as one of his men returned, moving quickly through the crowd. Ezra immediately caught the look on his face. Nervous. Hesitant. That alone was enough to sour his already thinning patience. “B-Boss,” the man stammered, stopping just before him. “They... they’re asking for another month to pay their debt.” For a moment, there was silence. Then, a loud crash. Ezra slammed his glass onto the table with such force that it shattered, sending shards of crystal flying. The club fell deathly quiet. The music stopped. The dancers froze mid-motion. Even those seated at the nearby tables held their breath, their faces paling as an unsettling aura filled the space. All eyes turned to him, yet no one dared to move. Ezra’s gaze darkened, and when he finally spoke, his voice was ice-cold, slicing through the silence like a blade. “You will either pay... or you will die. Choose!” No one spoke. No one even breathed. The men at the table across from him—the ones who owed him a hundred million—sat frozen. Their leader, in particular, seemed to shrink under Ezra’s gaze. The hesitation only made Ezra’s blood boil. With a flick of his wrist, he grabbed his empty glass and hurled it straight at the man's head. The bastard barely dodged in time, the glass shattering against the back of his chair. Had he been even a second slower, his face would’ve been sliced open. “F*cking coward,” Ezra growled, his patience now razor-thin. The man flinched, swallowing thickly. Sweat dripped down his forehead, his entire body trembling. “P-Please, Mr. Velleoti,” he stammered, barely able to form words. “Just... just one more month.” Ezra let out a sharp exhale through his nose, leaning back in his seat as if contemplating. Then, he laughed. It was a hollow, humorless sound. “I have been hearing that for six months.” His voice, though calm, carried a venom that made the air feel suffocating. The man continued to plead, his words a mess of desperation and excuses. Ezra had had enough. With one swift motion, he pulled out his gun. The metallic click echoed through the club, followed by a deafening bang. A body dropped. Blood splattered across the floor, the scent of gunpowder mixing with the already foul air. The victim—a bodyguard—didn’t even have time to react. He was dead before he hit the ground. A chorus of horrified gasps and screams erupted around them. The dancers fled the stage, some customers scrambling to escape, but Ezra’s men swiftly blocked the exits. “No one leaves,” one of them barked. “Call the police!” someone yelled. Ezra rolled his eyes. Pathetic. He turned back to the shaking man before him, raising his gun once more. The leader of the debtors was now on his knees, hands clasped together in a pitiful attempt at begging. “Please, I swear I’ll—” Bang. The man took a bullet straight to the forehead. The man collapsed lifelessly onto the floor, his plea unfinished. Blood pooled beneath him, soaking the expensive carpets. The screams only grew louder. Ezra’s men looked on without reaction. They had seen this before—many times. There was nothing new about it. The remaining men—those who had accompanied the now-dead leader—were paralyzed with fear. None of them dared to move, afraid that the next bullet would be theirs. Ezra, unfazed, stepped over the fresh corpse and scanned the room, his gaze sharp, predatory. “You think you can borrow from me and run?” He scoffed, shaking his head. “You should’ve known better.” One of the remaining men instinctively took a step back. Ezra smirked. “Try to move again... and you’ll be next.” The man stopped dead in his tracks, his breath hitching. Ezra knew he had already won. He had made his point clear. But just to be sure, he turned back to the corpse of the debtor and, without hesitation, emptied the rest of his bullets into the lifeless body. The horror in the room was palpable. Some people closed their eyes, others sobbed into their hands, praying this nightmare would end. Ezra finally turned to the remaining men, his face an eerie mix of calm and sadistic amusement. “Listen closely.” His voice was low, yet it demanded absolute attention. “If anyone—anyone—breathes a word of this to the cops, you’ll all be dead before the next sunrise.” His smile widened, but there was no warmth behind it. Only death. “Now... clean this sh*t up.” And just like that, the beast had spoken and left."Why the hell do I have to get involved in this mess?" Louelita muttered under her breath, frustration lacing every word as she hurriedly gathered supplies in the supermarket. She had tried to put off going outside for as long as possible, but her food stock had finally run out. She had even considered ordering a delivery, but something-or someone-seemed determined to make sure she left the house. Dressed in a black hooded jacket, brown baggy pants, and low-cut shoes, she tried her best to blend in. Her long hair, usually tied back, was loose around her shoulders, and she kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with anyone around her. The last thing she wanted was attention. For an entire week, she had been immersed in her case, tirelessly digging through files and hacking into hidden servers to uncover the sickening crimes of powerful politicians. And what she found made her stomach churn. They weren't just corrupt-they were monsters. Human trafficking. Drug smuggling. Sexual e
Louelita’s screams echoed through the car, raw with desperation as she fought against the iron grip of the man trying to drag her out. His rough hands yanked at her mercilessly, his breath reeking of smoke and sweat as he snarled in frustration.“You’re really making this difficult for me, huh?!” he barked, jerking her shoulder violently.Louelita tried to twist away, her instincts screaming at her to get to the driver’s seat—to find some way to escape—but before she could, the man grabbed her ankle and pulled her back with brute force. Her body lurched forward, and with a sickening impact, her face slammed into the hard plastic of the dashboard.Pain exploded in her mouth. A metallic taste flooded her tongue, and she felt something warm trickling from her lips. Her vision blurred from the force of the hit, but she forced herself to stay conscious.The man didn’t care.As long as she was breathing, he would keep going until he fulfilled his job—killing her.“You little b*tch,” he spat
Ezra Velleoti had always sought solace in the sea. It was the only place that gave him a sense of peace, a refuge from the suffocating demands of his work. As the leader of the Velleoti Mafia, his life was a relentless cycle of violence, deception, and power plays. But out here, away from the chaos of the city and the bloodstained dealings of the underworld, he could breathe.The sound of the waves, whether calm or raging, was a melody to him. The endless horizon stretching before him reminded him of freedom—something he rarely experienced. Sitting on the deck of his yacht, he sipped his vodka, allowing the alcohol to burn his throat as he gazed at the vast expanse of blue. The sun was high in the sky, its golden rays bathing his skin in warmth. His black sunglasses shielded his eyes, and he leaned back, letting the tranquility of the moment seep into his bones.He enjoyed these brief escapes, venturing out to sea for three to five days at a time. No one knew of his private beach ho
Omar hesitated, gripping his phone tightly, his voice unsure as he spoke. “B-But, Boss—”Ezra's patience was extremely limited. He didn’t have time for objections. “Are you questioning my decisions, Omar?” His voice pierced the phone like a sharp instrument.Immediately, Omar shook his head, though his boss couldn’t see him. “No, boss. But what if our enemies track down your beach house? I’m just being cautious.”Ezra clenched his jaw, his grip on the phone tightening to the point where the device nearly cracked under the pressure. “Come here right away and bring that damn doctor! I don’t give a damn about my safety. Bring our men if that makes you feel better!” he barked, his fury barely contained.A sigh came from the other end of the line before Omar answered. “Understood, boss. We’ll be there in ten minutes.”Ezra didn’t wait for him to hang up. He had already ended the call, his focus shifting back to the unconscious woman lying on his bed.Her hands were ice-cold in his grasp, h
The sharp crack of Ezra’s furious voice echoed through the dimly lit bedroom.“What did you do?” he roared, his grip tightening around the doctor’s collar. The terrified physician gasped as Ezra yanked him closer, nearly lifting him off his feet.On the bed behind them, the woman convulsed violently, her body wracked with seizures. The doctor desperately wanted to help her, but Ezra’s rage had him paralyzed in place, his face flushed with unbridled fury.Omar, Ezra’s right-hand man, stepped forward, attempting to intervene.“Boss, let the doctor go,” he urged, his tone calm but firm. “How is he supposed to treat her if you’re holding him like that?”Ezra’s chest heaved with heavy breaths, his sharp gaze snapping to Omar. For a tense moment, it seemed like he might lash out at his subordinate as well. His fingers trembled with the force of his anger, knuckles white as they clutched the doctor’s collar.Finally, with a growl of frustration, he shoved the doctor backward. The older man s
Louelita had no idea she was trapped in a nightmare.She stood frozen, staring at a heartbreaking scene from her past—her younger self, a frail little girl, curled up on the cold, filthy floor, shielding her bruised body from the people who were supposed to love and protect her."Tatay, Nanay… please, stop…” The five-year-old sobbed, her tiny hands trembling as she tried to block the next blow.At such a tender age, she had already learned the cruelest truths about the world. The father who was supposed to guide her was nothing more than an addict who, whenever intoxicated by drugs, lashed out at her and her mother. And her mother? She was a gambler who, whenever she lost, directed her fury at her child.The poor girl had nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Her body was so thin, so fragile, that if she were to break, there would be nothing left of her. The bruises that marred her skin were proof of the merciless treatment she endured. Her parents, if they could even be considered such, h
Ezra sat on the plush leather couch in his dimly lit office, the soft glow of the television reflecting off his sharp features. The news broadcast droned on in the background, but his focus was on the woman lying unconscious in the bedroom next to his.It was Omar who had insisted he watch the report. The screen showed an elderly nun in an interview, her face etched with worry."She's been missing for weeks now," the nun said, her voice trembling. She was a kind and quiet girl. She was always so polite and grateful. She never spoke of enemies. I helped raise her along with my sisters in the orphanage. We only want her to come home safely."Ezra exhaled through his nose and turned off the TV. So, someone had reported her missing. That was expected. But what truly disturbed him was what the nun had said-Louelita had no known enemies.That was a lie.Someone had tried to kill her.And Ezra intended to find out who.Omar, his right-hand man, remained standing by the doorway, his expressio
“Boss, I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop him. That bastard took off with a huge amount of money,” Omar reported, his face twisted with frustration as he addressed Ezra.Ezra didn’t react immediately. This kind of problem was nothing new, and the solution was simple. Yet, Omar insisted that he handle it personally.“Our accountant stole a hundred million, boss. He also took some important documents that—”“Shut up, Omar!” Ezra’s voice cut through like a blade, stopping him mid-sentence. “There’s a reason you’re my right-hand man! This is a minor issue. Do I have to figure it out on my own?!”Ezra’s rage crackled in the air like a brewing storm. If he ever found someone as efficient and loyal as Omar, he’d likely fire him—and kill him for good measure. Right now, his patience was wearing dangerously thin.Sleep. That’s all he wanted. A rare, peaceful sleep. But his useless subordinates had disturbed him for something this trivial.He had been sleeping soundly just moments ago—no, not just slee
“Are you sure about this, Ez?” Louelita asked nervously, pacing back and forth in the grand suite. Her hands kept adjusting the intricate folds of the gown she was wearing, a nervous habit she couldn't suppress.The woman was draped in a stunning modern Filipiniana-style black ball gown, its fabric cascading elegantly to the floor, adorned with exquisite gold beading that shimmered under the soft lighting. Every stitch of the dress had been carefully designed to complement the regal presence she was about to command. Around her neck and ears gleamed a set of diamond jewellery, gifts from Ezra. He had provided her with everything she could ever need, and though she still struggled to accept the extravagance, she couldn’t deny the beauty of it all.Their outfits had been meticulously coordinated—her gown perfectly complementing Ezra’s sharp black tuxedo, making them look like royalty about making a grand entrance.The entire setup was complete. Tonight was the night their plans would un
The harassment from her parents has happened multiple times now. Again and again, they kept showing up, beseeching, pleading, and trying to manipulate her into giving in. Louelita was exhausted. She was so tired of facing them, tired of hearing their desperate excuses, especially now that they were practically on their knees, groveling to avoid prison.Ezra stood in front of her, as usual, his imposing figure shielding her from the two wretched people who had the audacity to call themselves her parents. His sharp, icy stare bore into them, utterly unimpressed by their theatrics. It was a Sunday morning, a time when most couples would be enjoying a peaceful moment together. But not them. Not when these people refused to let her be.“We don’t want anything to do with you two.” Ezra’s voice was calm, but the venom in his tone was unmistakable. “For people like you, jail is the best option. You only have yourselves to blame for selling and using drugs.”He rolled his eyes in disgust. He m
Louelita felt like she was floating on air as they arrived at Ezra’s house. She couldn’t stop smiling, even in the presence of other people. It was as if nothing else mattered in that moment, as if the world had faded into the background.Ezra had confessed his feelings for her.She sat in the garden, basking in the afterglow of that revelation, waiting for him to return. He had temporarily retired to his office, but he had assured her that he would return by three in the afternoon. She had been enveloped in a dreamy haze since they had arrived in the Philippines at precisely noon, and she had been giggling to herself like a fool as she consumed her lunch.“Our Queen Lou is in a fantastic mood,” Vito teased, grinning at her knowingly.Louelita responded with nothing but a dreamy smile, her mind still stuck on Ezra’s words.“It seems like we don’t exist in her world right now, brother,” Primo added, shaking his head in amusement.Despite the bruises and split lips they had suffered fro
Since they arrived at his father’s house, Louelita had been hugging Ezra. This house was in the middle of nowhere, and it was guarded by a large number of guards. Ezra decided to spend the entire night here because it was too arduous for his wife.After introducing Louelita to the old man, the old man and Louelita spoke with each other. Even though the old man looked stern, his heart was soft, especially to those like Louelita.“Cazzo! You shouldn't just shoot them in the back of the head. They nearly auctioned off my daughter-in-law! Tell me you didn’t just leave that building without destroying it?!” The old man was also very supportive of his son and was not impoverished.Louelita only listened and only answered when the old man spoke to her. She trusted only Ezra, so the man’s father understood why Louelita was like this.Ezra had also explained and told his father about the woman on the phone. Ezra’s father was also the one who enlightened the man about his feelings for Louelita.
Ezra and his men arrived at the exact location where Louelita was being held. His movements were swift and determined as he stepped off his plane, which he had independently piloted, barely touching the ground. His entire aura was dark, radiating an ominous presence that sent shivers down the spines of his men. Rage consumed him, his entire body trembling from the sheer force of his fury.When Ezra was this enraged, rational thought was beyond him. His men knew better than to meet his gaze, moving swiftly to execute his orders without hesitation. They took their positions, each prepared for the bloodbath that was about to unfold. Omar and the Alessio siblings were present as well. Though wounded from previous battles, the Alessio brothers had insisted on coming. They needed to atone for their past failure to protect Ezra and Louelita.“I want every single person involved in running this auction dead,” Ezra ordered coldly. His voice was void of emotion, but the weight of his words made
Ezra was in a blind rage.“Fuck! This is bullshit! A bunch of idiots!” he roared, his voice echoing through the lavishly furnished room. His men stood before him, heads bowed in silent submission. They knew better than to speak when their boss was in this state. Each of them bore injuries, wounds inflicted not only by the enemy but by Ezra himself.Bandages covered their heads, bruises marked their faces, and some had limbs in casts. Vito and Elio had their shoulders wrapped in slings, while Primo leaned on crutches, a bullet wound in his leg slowing him down. Inizio clutched his side, where a gunshot had barely missed a vital organ. Their bodies were battered, and their egos even more so.But none of that mattered.What mattered was that they had failed their boss.Worse, they had lost her.They hadn’t expected the enemy’s ambush. Hired assassins and rival factions had come for them simultaneously, swarming the vehicles carrying Louelita. They had been outnumbered, underarmed, and un
Inside the orphanage, Louelita’s guards remained vigilant. They were under strict orders from Ezra—protect Louelita at all costs. The atmosphere inside was lively, with children laughing and running around as they received toys and food from her. Their eyes sparkled with joy, their small hands clutching onto the gifts like precious treasures. Seeing their excitement warmed Louelita’s heart.She was disguised as always. Today, she wore striking blue contact lenses, a large mole strategically placed on the right side of her nose, and a wig that framed her delicate face. Despite the disguise, she carried herself with elegance, effortlessly interacting with the orphans as if she belonged there.Yet, inside, Louelita was struggling to keep her emotions in check. She had to bite the inside of her cheek to suppress the overwhelming urge to cry. She had never expected to see these familiar faces again. Walking into this place had been a gamble, and her heart pounded with anxiety at the though
Louelita stretched her limbs, her body feeling light and free. A soft smile formed on her lips as she stared at the ceiling, lost in her thoughts.She was grateful.Grateful that Ezra had saved her.Her life now was significantly better than before, when she had been all alone—drifting without direction, surviving rather than living. Now, she had a place where she felt safe, where she wasn’t constantly looking over her shoulder.Yesterday, they had just returned from Spain.Before coming home, they had traveled around, visiting different places. Their last stop had been La Concha, a breathtaking beach with golden sand stretching as far as the eye could see. They had dined at a restaurant overlooking the vast ocean, the waves shimmering under the afternoon sun.Louelita had been captivated by the view, her heart swelling with awe. She hadn’t been able to put into words how beautiful it was, so instead, she had done the next best thing—she had taken countless photos.She didn’t own a ph
Ezra carefully adjusted Louelita in the car seat, his firm hands steadying her as she bit her lower lip, her entire face burning with embarrassment. She turned away, hiding herself from his gaze.Who wouldn’t be mortified? The events of the previous night were still fresh in her mind, no matter how much she had tried to push them away. Even in her intoxicated state, she had been fully aware of what had transpired between them. And now, the worst part—she could barely walk. Every inch of her body ached, a constant reminder of her reckless surrender.Ezra, noticing her discomfort, let out a deep chuckle, his lips curling into an amused smirk. He gently guided her down into the seat, but as soon as she was settled, she immediately buried her face in his chest, as though she could hide from the world.“Don’t laugh at me! Such behavior is humiliating!” she mumbled, her voice muffled against his firm torso.Ezra’s laughter only deepened as he ran his fingers through her silky hair, enjoying