Odessa stepped hastily into Maximus's room, her gaze disturbed as it fell on him."What happened to Tristan?" she asked, worry lacing her voice. When he didn't reply, she exclaimed, "What happened to Tristan?!"Maximus slowly turned to look at her, his gaze cold. "What?""H...he's your brother. Are you not going to save him?" she asked. She had just received the news of Tristan's territory being ambushed, and it caused her heart to clench."So?" he questioned, approaching her slowly. Odessa found his gaze strange. His reaction baffled her, and she knew better than to anger the man before her, especially when he was in this kind of mood."We should send the men and help him...""No one is sending anyone to save Tristan. He got what was coming to him," Maximus responded, and Odessa's eyes slowly widened."You..." Her lips parted in disbelief. "You knowingly handed your brother over to the Kings?""What? Are you so disappointed?" he asked, stepping forward again. Odessa couldn't bear the
At school, Leonard watched his brother being surrounded by other classmates. Rafael was now bold, calm, and acting confident, while Leonard, on the other hand, was cautious of him.The scene of Rafael cutting his cheek had somehow traumatized him."Your brother is hot," his girlfriend said beside him, and his eyes snapped toward her."You don't mean that, do you?" he gritted his teeth."Um... yes, I do. You're acting weird. It seems like your spirit has transferred to your brother... And I... fell for that spirit," she packed her books and went to meet Rafael with a smile.Leonard scoffed and muttered, "I'll fucking kill him. I swear it."___"You motherfucking son of a bitch!" Tristan screamed insanely as Hudson let go of the electrifying machine.Tristan's hands were chained above his head, his legs bound to the floor. A collar was around his neck, and blood cascaded down his battered body.Pain washed over Tristan like a crashing wave. His bones felt like water, his eyes were red a
Frustrated muffles could be heard as Jolene struggled to get out of the water, but the strong hand held her in place. Her mind was becoming blank and hazy as her lungs burned from the lack of oxygen.She was slipping into darkness. Was this how she was going to die?Just before she could pass out, a voice boomed across the space."Hey! What the heck are you doing?!"Jolene felt Lisa's hand loosen around her neck, and she forced her head out of the water, pushing Lisa away.A loud gasp tore from Jolene's throat, her eyes wide as she collapsed onto the floor. She looked up at the person who had intervened-Paisley and some of her minions.As Lisa made to approach Jolene again, Paisley spoke."I asked you a question," Paisley snapped, and Lisa shot a cold glare at her."Mind your business-""She is my business," Paisley cut in. "I should be the one to deal with her, not you. She's my enemy's assistant, the one who put me into this hell and caused my husband's death. The one who caused the
Before Jolene could stand, she was kicked back down. Lisa hovered over her as Jolene struggled to get away from her grip."Please, no! Stop! Arghh! Help!""Goodbye, Jojo." Lisa raised the knife, ready to stab her, but instead, a loud thud echoed as someone smashed a brick against Lisa's head.Lisa's eyes rolled back, and she passed out beside Jolene.Paisley, who had hit her, exhaled. "I fucking hate that bitch."Jolene quickly stood and gave Paisley a wary and focused look."Why are you here?" Paisley asked."Long story," Jolene muttered, noticing how much Paisley had changed over the months."How's my son?" Paisley asked lightly."He's fine. We've been checking on him," Jolene paused for a moment before speaking again. "Thanks.""This feels like shit... But I hate that bitch. Get out of here. You don't want to get into trouble... She might wake up soon," Paisley said."What about you?""Just get the fuck out of here," Paisley snapped, and Jolene slowly nodded. She turned and left. A
Falcon went straight to Issabella's room. He found the girl gazing into the mirror, lost in thought. When she heard him come in, she stood up with wide eyes and stepped back. "Uhmm... who are you?" she asked softly, her voice trembling. Falcon gazed at her, his eyes scrutinizing her from head to toe. Maximus had told him all about her, and he was impressed by how this girl had survived them all. "Your soon-to-be husband," he responded, and her eyes flashed with fear. She froze, tears welling up in her eyes. "Uhmm... what do you want from me?" she asked. "Isn't it proper for a man to meet his bride before the wedding?" he asked, and she stayed quiet, her fingers nervously fidgeting. Issabella watched as the mysterious man took a step closer, restraining herself from stepping away. His unique blue eyes could captivate anyone-they were intense, cold, and seemed to have seen many things. Her heart raced in fear with each step he took toward her. He lifted his hand to touch
Break his nose?Never in his life had Maximus felt this way before. Speechless, he remained frozen for a few minutes, trying to digest what had just happened.A kid just threatened him?Soon, he burst into loud laughter-a laugh that hadn't happened in years. That was quite a conversation back there.Dylan King is indeed Cassius and Tatiana's son. The boy had inherited his parents' traits. He actually threatened to break the nose of one of the deadliest mafia bosses in the city. It was indeed interesting.An idea struck him.He had no heir? That was the thought that came into his head after finding out Rafael and Leonard were Tristan's sons.No... He did have an heir, and he had just spoken to him.Dylan was his grandson, and to top it all off, he had the blood of the Kings running through his veins. The same boy had just shown him his true side. If that boy grew up to be a man, he'd be unstoppable."Tssskk... why didn't I think of such a thing before?" he mumbled."You've fallen in lo
Tatiana advanced slowly, her emotions in turmoil as she struggled to pinpoint how she felt seeing Jolene right before her. "What's going on?" she finally managed to ask. Jaxon stepped forward and handed her the device. He then explained everything. With each word and realization, Tatiana felt her heart slam against her chest. Her eyes widened as tears slowly welled in them. Tatiana's jaw clenched as she shot Jolene a glare. "Why did you lie? Why didn't you tell me everything? Why did you keep it in? Don't you know how bad I feel right now?" Tears fell from Jolene's eyes. "I was scared. Scared that you'd hate me and throw me aside. That hurt so much. But I knew the day would come when you'd find out the truth. I'm sorry, I just... I felt like I deserved it. I didn't want to lose you too. My recklessness caused Issabella's death, and I... I can't lose you too. I just want you to be safe, Tatiana." Tatiana's lips parted in disbelief. "You don't know, do you?" Jolene's eyes fli
Tatiana gasped as the words slipped out of her mouth. Her hands flew to her lips as she watched Cassius' face contort in shock."Oh God, I said it," she whispered, her eyes locked onto his.It took a moment before Cassius finally whispered, "Rebel," his voice barely audible, laced with both shock and excitement. "W...what did you just say?""Well... uhmm... the thing is, I... I missed my period last month, and this month too... though I haven't confirmed if it's pregnancy...""Jesus Christ! Rebel!" Cassius exclaimed, a smile slowly spreading across his face. He swiftly leaned forward and began kissing her nose, mouth, lips, and cheeks."You're pregnant!" he exclaimed, kissing her again."Cash, I haven't confirmed it yet. I'm not sure!" Tatiana exclaimed, surprised by his enthusiastic reaction. He was genuinely happy.He captured her lips for a brief kiss. "I love you so much, wife. You're the best," he said, his eyes shining with joy."But what if it's not... what if I'm just late?" s
“Rosa,” Zade approached her quietly. She sat alone on the hotel rooftop, gazing up at the night sky.“How did you find me?” Rosa asked, her expression blank.“I figured you'd be somewhere quiet, probably with a nice view and fresh air. The rooftop seemed like the best bet,” Zade explained. “Care if I join you?”“As long as you don’t become a burden, help yourself.”Rosa had always been the one who smiled the most in the clan. She was cheerful, helpful, talkative—everyone loved her. Talented. Beauty with brains.But after Viktor’s death...Zade hadn’t seen even a glimpse of a smile on her face.It had been over a week since the war ended. Leonard was now being held in a psychiatric facility known as the Phantom Cell, secured with high-tech restraints. That guy would be tortured until his last breath.Not the violent kind of torture, but the kind that would haunt him. Trapped between walls, injected with things that would slowly drive him insane.Rafeal had said Leonard was saved agains
Angie Hales. That name was carved into the gravestone. The yard was the place where all the dead mobsters were buried. Rafeal approached, placing a bunch of flowers on the stone, his expression blank, but inside he was breaking. He hadn't seen her death coming. Even though she had made a grave mistake that caused the clan to suffer, Angie had been his friend ever since he joined the clan. She was brave, smart, and always there to calm him with her words. Even now, he still found it hard to believe Angie was truly behind it… Rosa walked to stand beside Rafeal, her face unreadable, but she was breaking inside too. “I shouldn’t have told her to die after the mission,” Rosa said, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. “I regret my words that day.” “It’s not your fault,” Rafeal said. Rosa nodded, understanding what Rafeal meant. “She was my best friend.” “She paid her debt,” Rafeal mumbled. Memories of Angie surfaced, striking Rosa’s heart. “Still… I hope she fin
Several days passed, and Milena didn't leave Rafeal’s side for a second. She watch the doctor feed and treat him occasionally, read him stories and watched him sleep until her own eyes shut.Three days had passed, and Milena grew worried, missing him so badly. She missed his voice, his smile, his touch, and the way he made her feel.Wake up soon, Rafeal.The doctor mentioned his body was still healing and that it would take time before he regains consciousness.Milena rested her head beside him, taking his hand into hers and falling asleep like that. She loved doing so—she could sense even the slightest movement from him.The sun rose from its horizon, casting a warm glow over the city.Milena stirred in her sleep, releasing a light moan. She looked up, and shock rippled through her.She was lying on the couch, and the bed was empty."Rafeal!" she gasped, shoving off the sheet that covered her one side of her and bolting to the bed. "Where did he go? He can't be up! Did the doctor tra
Milena blinked in shock, still frozen in place as her limbs refused to listen to her.Finally met her? Why would the great Tatiana Wallington be anticipating meeting her?As if reading her thoughts, Tatiana spoke again in that smooth voice.“We've heard about you, dear.”Milena’s legs wobbled. “Good things, I hope,” she muttered under her breath. She glanced at Cassius, who still had his sharp gaze fixed on her.Then she bowed deeply, her head almost touching her knees.“Nice to really meet you too, Mr. and Mrs. King,” she straightened up and flashed them a nervous smile as Cassius gave her an acknowledging nod.“Rafeal told me about you guys too,” Milena added.The Ward's door slid open, and Zade walked in as well, standing beside her. Milena flashed him a glare as if asking, *Why didn't you tell me they were here?*Zade gave her a replying look too. *You didn't give me a chance; how am I supposed to do that?*Milena sighed defeatedly, knowing he was right. Tatiana offered the empty
Milena snapped awake with a gasp, her eyes meeting an unfamiliar room. She was surrounded by white walls—too bright, too sterile. The ceiling spun above her for a moment before everything began to settle.Her heart pounded in her chest as she pushed herself up, the hospital sheets sliding off her trembling body. Her hands instinctively clutched the fabric at her chest, panic crawling up her throat as her eyes darted around the place.“Rafeal…”Her voice came out as a whisper, hoarse and broken.Memories surged in—his limp body in her arms, the flatline sound, the doctors shouting.She swung her legs off the bed, nearly collapsing from the dizziness that hit her. But she didn’t care. Her feet touched the cold floor, and she forced herself up, dragging her weak body to the door.She yanked it open.A nurse turned at the sound, startled. “Ma’am, please—you need to lie down, you’re not—”“Where is he?” Milena demanded, voice trembling but full of desperation. “Where is Rafeal?”"Ma’am, yo
While Milena cradled Rafael's unconscious body, Angie ran to Rosa's side and saw the scene. Just like Rosa, her body froze in place, but she quickly recovered, pulling out an injection from her gear and running towards them.She shoved it onto Rafael's lap and injected him, then checked on his state."He is not breathing," Milena sobbed, her whole body trembling. "Rafael is not breathing!"Angie immediately lifted him despite the exhaustion from searching for the antidote clouding her senses. She carried him out, and Milena struggled to follow.She was drained, her bones threatening to give up, darkness slipping into her mind, and she almost fell, but Rosa caught her.Zade appeared too, shocked at the scene. He was covered in blood and sweat; it seemed they had been fighting off the men outside.He rushed to help Milena, taking her from Rosa and leading her out.However, Rosa paused and glanced at unconscious Leonard, her eyes dangerously cold as deadly intent rose within them.Angie
Milena watched them clash like two storms colliding.No hesitation. No holding back.Rafael was a blur—faster than Leonard remembered. Every strike was brutal, precise, like he’d been waiting for this fight his entire life.Their fists met, their bones cracked, and their snarls echoed like monsters in a cage.Both were skilled; no one would know who was stronger among the brothers.Leonard went for Rafael’s throat with a wild hook, but Rafael ducked and slammed his elbow into Leonard’s ribs, sending him staggering back and coughing blood.Leonard smirked, wiping the blood off his face with the back of his hand. “That all you’ve got, little brother?”Rafael didn’t answer. He spun low and swept Leonard’s legs, sending him crashing to the floor. Rafael pounced, fists flying, hammering into Leonard’s jaw over and over.Blood splattered across the floor, warm and slick. Leonard twisted, caught Rafael’s arm, and flipped him—hard.Rafael slammed onto his back with a groan but rolled to his f
Oxford’s fingers flew over his keyboard, trying to find a way to connect with his allies. He needed someone to back him up.Gunshots echoed everywhere. It was no longer just one man with a sniper—more had come to attack them.He already sensed that Leonard and his men were cornered. But no matter how many times Oxford tried, he couldn’t get through.He had another method of connecting with his allies and requesting help, but access kept being denied. Were his allies under attack too?Each time he tried to reach them, someone—or something—kept blocking him out. A hacker? Fuck. He wasn’t that good at this stuff.“Where’s Zinnia?!” Oxford barked at X. Zinnia was the head of hacking.“She—” That was the only word X could manage before the van door swung open—no, it was ripped open.Before X could react, a dire wolf pounced on him. X shot aimlessly, hitting even the equipment in the van, as the wolf tore off his arm.Oxford cursed under his breath, watching X fight for his life. A large fi
Oxford’s van arrived at the port first. The ship was ready, and his men had already begun unloading the illegal drugs, weapons, and poison into it.He knew staying in a country dominated by Silence was a deadly risk, but he had to come. After all, one can't defeat an enemy without getting a little close.More importantly, there was his little daughter—she might have something that could help him bring Silence down. Once he got what he wanted from her, he would kill her… and if she insisted on keeping quiet, she would be tortured until death.Oxford snickered as he took a drag from his cigarette. Who would’ve thought he’d manage to break into the territory of the most dangerous man in the mafia world?And even kill one of his best men…Ha! Silence is getting old, after all. It was bound to happen. No one stays king forever.If it hadn’t been for Silence, he and Maximus would have had the entire world beneath their feet.“Rest well, brother,” Oxford muttered. That was one of the reasons