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Chapter 18
Huling Na-update:
2025-04-11 13:31:22
Kaugnay na kabanata
Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 19
LunaI barely made it past the front desk when I saw Rachel leaning against the door to my office with her arms crossed and a knowing look in her eyes.Great."Hey," I greeted casually, hoping to just breeze past her like nothing happened. "You've been waiting long?""Not long enough to miss that dramatic exit you pulled earlier." Her tone was light, but her brows were raised, waiting.I offered a weak smile, already pushing the door open. "That? It was nothing."Rachel followed me in before I could shut her out. "Nothing?" she repeated, closing the door behind her with a click. "Luna, that was Hardin freaking Devante. He marched in like some scene out of a mafia film, stared you down, and pulled you out of the restaurant like you were his property."I let out a soft groan, dropping my bag on the chair. "Rachel, seriously, don't make this a thing.""Oh, it's already a thing." She folded her arms. "You didn't even try to pretend it was a coincidence. So now I'm asking—what the hell is
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-13Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 20
LunaI wrapped my hands around the warm mug, inhaling the soft scent of chamomile as I scrolled through the hospice community group chat. Another event planned. A new patient admitted. More responsibilities added to an already overwhelming list. I sipped slowly, letting the quiet hum of morning settle in my bones.The sound of footsteps pulled my attention toward the stairs. Hardin.I didn't raise my head, but I noticed the bandage. It wrapped his right palm neatly, stark white against his tanned skin. Instantly, the memory of last night returned—the way he shut down.I kept my eyes on the screen, pretending he wasn't even there. If he wanted to play cold and silent, I'd give it right back.Alice came into the dining area a few seconds later, holding out a plate with reheated breakfast—the one he asked her to make last night."Here you go," she said with her usual brightness. "Warmed it up like you asked.""Thanks," Hardin murmured in that low voice of his, already settling at the tab
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-14Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 21
LunaI came home earlier than usual, something about today had just... lifted me. The hospice was unusually alive, with laughter bouncing off the walls and warm chatter filling the halls. One of the patients had taught me an old card trick, and another insisted I try her famous mint candies, which were, in her words, "better than love." I didn't argue.I dropped my bag on the dinning table and made a beeline for the kitchen."Alice," I called with a smile as I stepped inside.She looked up from the counter, her sleeves rolled to her elbows, a bowl in front of her. "Well, well, look who's home early.""I'm helping with dinner today," I said, grabbing an apron from the hook. "Don't fight me on it."Alice's eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands. "Oh, what a lucky evening! Looks like we're in for a sweet dinner tonight."I laughed, tying the apron around my waist. "What's that supposed to mean?""Hardin," she said, her tone far too cheerful. "He told me he's making dinner tonight."I bli
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-15Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 22
HardinI don't know why I told her to stay. Hell, I don't know why I've been doing a lot of things lately. Letting her close. Watching her when she's not looking. Letting her touch me—even if it's just to wrap a wound I damn well could've handled myself.I'm not like this. I've never been like this.But here she was—sitting again like she belonged here, like her presence didn't mess with everything inside of me. She was a storm and I was letting her in.Her scent still lingered from earlier, that mix of something warm and soft, like lavender and stubbornness. My hand still tingled where she'd held it under the tap, rushing to stop the bleeding like I mattered.I glanced at her from the corner of my eye.She wasn't saying anything now. Just staring at her fingers like they were suddenly more interesting than me. Maybe I should've let her go. Let her escape this twisted thing between us before it turned into something worse.But I didn't.Because something in me needed her to stay. Even
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-15Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 23
LunaMy eyes fluttered open to light filtering through curtains. I blinked, squinting at the spacious room that wasn't mine—and then my gaze landed on the bare, broad back just a few feet away.Hardin with a towel hung low around his hips. Fresh out of the shower. I sat up abruptly, heart hammering. My clothes were still on—wrinkled from sleep—and the memories from last night came crashing in.The kiss. His hands."You're mine."Hardin turned around slowly, catching me mid-stare. My eyes dragged over the tattoo inked across the hard lines of his chest. He smirked like he caught my thoughts red-handed."Good morning," he said, voice low and lazy."Uh..." I stammered, still half in a daze. "Morning."I glanced around, then down at myself. "Wait—how did I... sleep here?" "You know," he said, towel still slung low on his hips as he ran a hand through his damp hair, "you were the one who wanted to stay. Practically begged for it, actually."I blinked. "What?"He shrugged, taking a slow st
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-16Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 24
HardinShe didn't speak much after that. Arms folded, eyes fixed on the road, trying so damn hard to act unaffected. But I saw the way she kept sneaking glances at me. I felt the tension rolling off her—flustered, annoyed, and curious all at once.By the time I pulled into the lot of a quiet restaurant tucked just on the edge of town, she finally turned to me."This doesn't look like a fast-food joint.""That's because it isn't." I killed the engine and turned to face her. "Figured I owed you something decent."She blinked, thrown off. "Owed me?""For the knife incident," I said, lifting my plastered wrist a little. "And the hundred insults you've thrown at me since you moved in."Her lips parted like she wanted to argue, but instead, she let out a short breath and stepped out of the car.Inside, the lighting was warm, the music low, and the booths private enough. I watched her as she walked ahead of me—shoulders tense, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her top. She was nervous. And I
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-17Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 25
LunaI heard his voice behind me but I chose to ignore. My back was to him, eyes glued to the wall like it held answers I couldn't find. I didn't say a word.Silence was safer. Silence didn't crack. But then I heard the soft click of the door closing. He was still here.I slowly turned around, arms folded tightly across my chest like they could keep me from falling apart. “Can you leave?"My voice was calm. Barely. I didn't want him to see how hurt I was—how much his reaction in the car had cut me. The way he snapped. Like I'd crossed some invisible line. Like I was just another person poking at wounds he never wanted touched.I hated that I let it get to me. That I cared.He stood there, looking like he wanted to say something, but didn't. His brows were furrowed, mouth set in that stubborn line I was already growing too used to."I wasn't accusing you," I said quietly. "I just asked a question, Hardin. That's all."He still didn't move. I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "Fo
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-17Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 26
LunaI had my sleeves rolled up and a rag in hand, the smell of lemon cleaner clinging to the air as I wiped down the kitchen counter for what felt like the third time. Alice was beside me, humming under her breath as she reorganized the spice rack—again."You know," I said, glancing at her, "If we keep cleaning like this, the house is going to start shining from outer space.""You and your husband have been stressing me out," Alice muttered without even lifting her eyes from the spice rack.I frowned immediately. "Alice, stop calling him that."She raised a brow but didn't stop organizing. "Why? That's what I know. You married him, didn't you?""Not by choice," I muttered under my breath.Alice smirked. "Choice or not, the rest of the world doesn't know that. And frankly, the way you two act around each other—bickering, glaring, stomping around—I've seen real married couples with less drama.""I don't stomp," I said defensively.She gave me a look. I sighed."And last night?" she con
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-18
Pinakabagong kabanata
Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 37
LunaThe image of the gun wouldn’t leave my head.As soon as my fingers wrapped around it, something cold had run down my spine. I’d shoved it right back into the hidden compartment and rushed out of the study like my feet were on fire, my heart pounding against my chest.Why does he have a gun?I stood there in my room, staring at nothing. Was that what Ronan meant on the yacht? When he asked what if he kills people? That stupid question had stayed in my head longer than I liked to admit, but now it didn’t feel so stupid anymore.Should I confront him? Or just… keep digging?I was still frozen in place, trying to calm the chaos in my head, when a soft knock hit my door.Then the door creaked open, Hardin. He popped his head in with that same crooked smile that always seemed to weaken me a little."Yes, my wife is back," he said, stepping inside fully.I had to force a smile. My face felt stiff, like my muscles were still trying to recover from the panic of earlier. I dropped my work
Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 36
LunaThe first place I headed to as soon as I arrived at the hospice was Ethan’s room. I hadn’t even stopped by my office or checked in with the nurses. My feet just led me straight to him. It’d only been two days, but something about being away from this place made it feel like I’d been gone for weeks.When I pushed open the door quietly, the soft sound of cartoons filled the room. His nanny, Grace, was gently feeding him some porridge, her voice calm as she encouraged him to take another spoonful.Ethan looked smaller than I remembered. Thinner. Tired. But when his eyes caught mine, that same little spark lit up in them. I forced a smile and stepped fully into the room.“Look who’s here,” I said, trying to sound cheerful even though my chest tightened just seeing him like that.His lips curved into a weak grin. “Luna…”God, hearing him say my name with so much joy did something to me. I moved closer and leaned down to press a kiss to his forehead. His skin was warm, but not in a fev
Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 35
LunaIt had been bothering me all day. The silence between Hardin and me felt heavier with each passing hour, and I knew exactly what was causing it.Ronan’s words kept echoing in my mind. "Even if he kills people?"I couldn’t shake the thought. I knew Ronan was trying to get under my skin, but what if there was some truth to what he said? What if Hardin wasn’t the man I thought he was? What if he had a side to him that I didn’t fully understand, a darker side?I didn’t want to think about it, but every time I looked at Hardin, I couldn’t help but wonder. The man I saw every day was confident, charming, even kind in his own way. But what if there was something more to him that I wasn’t seeing?I couldn’t bring myself to ask him about it. What if he confirmed my fears? I didn’t know if I was ready to hear the truth, whatever it might be.That’s why I kept quiet. That’s why I stayed distant. I didn’t know how to face him without questioning everything in my head.So I pretended everythi
Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 34
Hardin The soft hum of the car filled the silence between us. We were on our way back home. The yatch party was over. I’d gotten what I came for. The art piece, the power play—every box ticked.Except the one sitting beside me.Luna’s eyes were fixed outside the window, her distant eyes reflecting on the glass, She hadn’t said much since last night. I didn’t think anything of it at first—assumed it was the exhaustion, the crowd, the flashing lights and endless congratulations. But this morning? Still quiet. Still withdrawn. She’d brushed it off when I asked.Said she was fine. But I knew better.My hand moved instinctively, settling on her thigh, warm and solid beneath my palm. I gave it a gentle squeeze, just enough to get her attention.“You okay?” I asked, my eyes still on her even when she turned to meet mine.She forced a small smile, the kind that didn’t quite reach her eyes, and nodded.“Yeah… I’m fine.”She wasn’t. And now, I wanted to know why.The smell of roasted chicken
Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 33
LunaThe sun was already high when we stepped out onto the deck. The ocean sparkled like it was showing off, and the salty breeze played with my damp hair. I’d thrown on a simple white dress, the fabric light enough for the weather but clingy enough to remind me I wasn’t entirely over last night. Not when Hardin’s hand slid down my lower back like it belonged there.I wasn’t sure what I expected when he said he wanted me to meet someone, but walking past sunbathers, waiters with champagne trays, and private corners still echoing with laughter from the night before—it all felt surreal. Like I wasn’t just on a yacht but in some alternate version of reality where I woke up tangled in silk sheets and lust.Hardin didn’t say much as we moved through the upper deck, only glanced down at me once with a smirk that said trust me. That same smirk made my stomach flip.We stopped at the far end of the yacht, near a shaded lounge where a man sat alone, legs crossed, a half-empty glass of scotch a
Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 32
LunaI didn’t think any man could ever make me feel like this—like my body was no longer mine, like my soul was being unraveled thread by thread with every touch, every thrust, every breath.Our skin was slick with sweat, our breaths tangled in a rhythm that felt like music only we could hear. My legs—God, my legs felt like jelly, trembling uncontrollably around him. The way he moved, the way he filled me—it was too much and not enough all at once.I bit my lower lip, eyes fluttering shut as another wave surged through me. My voice cracked with a growl, raw and breathless. “F-Fuck… I’m going—”Third time. I’d already lost count after two. Twice he’d pulled me apart with just his mouth, and now I was teetering again—this time wrapped around him, lost in him.Our clothes were scattered somewhere on the floor, forgotten. Hardin’s hand slid up my body, fingers closing around my breast—his lips had claimed the same spot not long ago, leaving behind heat and hunger.I arched into him as he
Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 31
Hardin Even if she hadn’t said it, I was going to do it anyway.Hell, I’d been dying to kiss her since she walked down those stairs in that dress. The black one that hugged her in all the right places and made her eyes pop like a goddamn painting. She looked unreal. Crazy beautiful. And mine. Even if she didn’t know it yet.I’d held back all evening, biting down jealousy like it was something I could swallow. Every time one of those stuck-up bastards on the yacht gave her a second glance, I wanted to snap their necks. And Luna, oblivious as ever, just stood there with that soft smile, the kind that made you want to wrap her in your arms and shield her from every idiot with wandering eyes.She didn’t realize how many men noticed her.But I did. And I hated it.So when she whispered those two words—kiss me—I didn’t need a second invitation.I pulled her close, lips claiming hers like I’d been starved for it. Because truth was, I had. I’d been starving for her—for the softness in her vo
Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 30
LunaHardin’s hand didn’t leave mine. Not even once.He moved through the crowd with a quiet confidence, greeting people with nods, brief smiles, and that serious look he wore so well. Like he was always watching.And people—well, they noticed him. Eyes trailed us, whispers stirred when we passed. But no one dared approach him with anything less than respect.It didn’t take long for me to realize something.Hardin knew almost everyone on this yacht.He greeted them like old acquaintances. Men in suits, women in glittering dresses, even the crew—it was like they all knew him. Or knew of him.Which was odd, considering he never even mentioned this party until after the shopping trip.I stayed close, pretending to sip my drink while watching him from the corner of my eye. His hand occasionally slid down, resting against the small of my back. Sometimes even lower. Possessive, intentional.I wasn’t exactly comfortable with the public display, but... I didn’t stop him either.Because someho
Bound To The Kingpin Chapter 29
Luna"Go for the black one."I held the dress up in front of the mirror and frowned. “It’s too short,” I said into the phone, angling the camera so Rachel could see.Her laugh crackled through the speaker. “Exactly why you should wear it.”I rolled my eyes and stared at my reflection. The dress was sleek, off-shoulder, and sinful in every way. One sharp breeze and it was game over. “If I breathe wrong, something’s gonna slip.”“You’ll be on a yacht, not hiking through a storm,” Rachel teased. “You want him to regret inviting you or regret not inviting you sooner?”I sighed and dropped the dress on the bed. “You sound way too excited about this.”Rachel scoffed. “Because I am. Hardin didn’t even mention the party until after he dropped a fortune on you. That’s rich-man language for I want you looking like a goddess on my arm.”I bit my lip, eyes drifting to the collection of bags and boxes scattered around the room. She wasn’t wrong. He’d taken me shopping, barely said a word, just tol
