Chapter 5

Hardin

I have mastered an ability—the ability to study people. Before I interact with you, I first analyze your façade, observing and understanding the kind of person you are. A lot of times, people get surprised when I tell them what's on their minds. It's not because I have supernatural powers. No. It's simply something I grew up with. Being raised in the hands of a powerful gang taught me what it meant to be strong.

I wasn't entirely proud of the person I became—fearless, ruthless, and powerful. But life has a way of throwing you into its own brand of unexpected cruelty. I have no memories of a bright childhood because I wasn't born into one. I do not have a mother or a father to call family.

The only thing I was ever taught—reminded of every single day while growing up under my grandfather's rule—was never to be brought down by the cruelty of life. My grandfather, once the leader of the biggest mafia gang, was the only figure I looked up to throughout my childhood, my youth, and even now in my bachelorhood.

I didn't know the meaning of happiness. I didn't know what warmth felt like. All I knew was that the world was merciless. And as someone who had witnessed firsthand how corrupt and chaotic it is, I knew happiness never lasts. After all, my parents were once a happy couple—before I came into this world. And before everything shattered in their lives.

Happiness isn't something I crave. The only thing I care about is taking the seat my grandfather left behind and wielding even more power. I thought it would be simple. I assumed that after his death, everything would be handed over to me. But it turns out there are challenges ahead.

The very people who once pledged loyalty to my grandfather are now hunting for the seat, driven by ill intentions. And I need to do whatever it takes to solidify my position. Because without me, the gang is nothing.

At first, I didn't have a plan. I was barely holding up when the boys and I were trapped. But I always remembered my grandfather's words—never be afraid of anyone. Trust me, I wasn't. But I had to retreat to stay alive. And that was how I met her—Luna.

I know kidnapping her was ridiculous. Hell, after our encounter at her apartment, I knew she wouldn't be easy to tame. The way she looked into my eyes without an ounce of fear and called me a criminal—no one had ever said that to my face before. Although she was right. We engage in all sorts of activities in the gang, both legal and illegal.

I knew right then that she'd be the perfect person for the role. And to make that happen, I needed something strong enough to chain her down. That's why I came up with the marriage proposal.

Laughter suddenly filled the car, snapping me back to reality.

"I think you really need to have your brain checked because you are totally not okay in the head."

I couldn't resist chuckling. "We can visit the hospital together so you'll be sure I have a problem in my brain."

An eye roll followed. "That is none of my business."

"Oh, it is going to be your business because you're going to be my wife."

For a brief moment, something flashed in her eyes. I don't know why, but I enjoyed seeing her mood switch from anger to confusion and then to nervousness.

I don't know much about this nurse who saved my life, but I do know she'd be useful in my gang affairs. She is fearless.

"I'm going to say this for the last time. I won't—"

My hand flew to her mouth, stopping the rest of the words from spilling out. Luna's eyes widened, and her body tensed. I know how strong my aura is around people. And so far, I know I intimidate her.

"Don't be so quick to speak," I murmured, my voice low. "Because your generosity might just put a smile on the faces of the people you love. One phone call is all it takes for the hospice to be out of debt."

I knew I had to play my cards right, so I sweetened the deal.

"Protecting the people you care about isn't the only benefit you'll get. You'll be paid handsomely—name whatever price you want. You'll get properties—a new house, a car, clothes, and anything else you desire. You will have everything you've ever wanted."

I ended with a proud smile, withdrawing my hand from her mouth. I didn't miss the way she wiped her lips with the back of her hand.

If only she knew how sexy that was. It made me want to pin her to the seat and kiss the life out of her. I had imagined how her lips would taste since last night, and it was hard not to let the devil in me take over.

"I am not a gold digger."

Her response caught me off guard. So far, I knew money could buy anything. I had encountered countless women who would do anything to get their hands on my cash. Some were in it for just sex, while others wanted more.

But I don't give love. I see love as a weakness—something humans feel that makes their hearts vulnerable. And I am not a weak man.

"I don't need your money. Now, if you'll excuse me."

She pulled open the door and stepped out. I found myself letting out a smile—not at anything in particular, but at the fact that she had just rejected a life-changing offer.

From my background check, I knew she lived alone. Both parents were dead. She grew up with her grandmother and had worked at the hospice for a while, making it her home. After seeing the state of her apartment, I realized she was just an ordinary person trying to survive in this cruel world.

Fishing out my phone, I dialed Theo—one of my boys and the person I trust the most in the gang.

"Sir," Theo's sharp and serious voice came through the line.

"Let's go ahead with Plan B."

—

The sound of metal clanking. The stench of grease and smoke. The lingering odor of dead rats filled the air.

I leaned back in an old plastic chair, watching as my boys dragged a bloodied man into the garage. I call it the Torture Lodge. It's our private gang meeting place—and where I deal with those who go against our rules.

The weak man was thrown to the floor, landing at my feet. Without hesitation, I pressed my boot against his hand, eliciting a growl of pain.

I made sure his finger bones snapped beneath the pressure.

"Ah! Please forgive me, boss!"

It always baffles me how they cry and beg when, at the moment they made their bold decisions, they never considered how it would end.

"Shut the fuck up!" I seethed, yanking his bloodied face up. My boys had already done most of the work, beating him to a pulp. It was now my turn to finish him off.

"When your debt was paid off, did you forget the terms of our agreement?"

"Yes, I do, boss... but... I didn't expect the business to go down... I had no choice—"

A sharp slap across his face cut him off.

"We had a fucking agreement! You were supposed to pay your debt last week. But what did you do? You had the fucking nerve to go to a club and act like a free man." I leaned closer, my voice deathly calm. "I'm going to kill you."

Fear consumed his face as he instantly began pleading. "Please forgive me, boss!"

I chuckled darkly. "Why call me boss when you don't even know how I look?"

I let out a light chuckle. Everyone I work with in the mafia only knows me as The Masked Boss. They don't know my real identity or what I look like because I always wear a mask.

To the rest of the world, I am Hardin DeVante—a successful young businessman. My true identity is known only to my boys and a select few in the gang.

"No, boss! I promise to—" His words hung in the air, his eyes rolling back as his body lost its soul. Slipping my revolver into my black pants pocket, I let his lifeless body drop to the floor and sat up.

"Take care of him," I said to the boys.

A rush of adrenaline pumped through my veins as the cold water from the shower cascaded down my skin. I always felt this sensation after an operation—the feeling of washing the blood from my hands. A reminder of how far I've come.

Wrapping a towel around my waist, I picked up the empty vodka bottle from last night. After a cold shower, a cold beer was the next thing I craved. I didn't bother getting dressed. I lived alone in my mansion, and the boys guarding the house were used to seeing me this way.

As I stepped downstairs, my legs halted the moment my eyes met hers. Luna.

Her eyes widened slightly, clearly not used to seeing a naked man—or maybe she had never seen one before. The sight of her nervousness only fueled my pride.

I didn't need to ask why she was here. I already knew my card had been played well. A smirk tugged at my lips as I approached her. Behind her stood Theo, his tall frame nearly blocking hers from view.

The way she clutched her bag told me she had mustered a lot of courage to come here.

"Are you ready now, Luna?"

I could swear her gaze flickered down to my bare chest. I wouldn't be surprised if my large tattoo startled her. It lasted only a second before she looked back up at me.

"If I'm going to be your wife, then you need to go by my rules."

"Agreed," I said without hesitation.

I didn't know what rules she had up her sleeve. But one thing was certain—she had already stepped into the Kingpin's world.