Chapter 15: HELL'S KITCHEN

MARCUS'S POV

I thought Adrian was the man for me. I really did. From the moment we got together, I believed he was the one. I gave him everything— my love, my time, my trust. I didn’t hold anything back. But he betrayed me. Not once, not twice, but again and again.

At first, I blamed myself. Maybe I wasn’t good enough. Maybe I wasn’t attractive enough or exciting enough to keep him satisfied. Maybe I was doing something wrong. But over time, I realized that it wasn’t me. It was him. That’s just the kind of person he is— a liar, a cheater. Someone who can never truly love anyone but himself.

And yet, even after everything, he still says he loves me. As if those words mean anything when they come from him.

Adrian is rich. He owns one of the biggest restaurants here in Hell’s Kitchen. Everyone knows his place, and everyone knows who protects it— the Dogs of Hell. They are dangerous, violent, and completely unpredictable. But Adrian doesn’t care. As long as his business is safe, he doesn’t mind working with criminals.

I tried to hold on. I told myself that maybe he would change. Maybe, if I just loved him enough, he would stop cheating. But I was only lying to myself. And when the cheating became too much, I knew I had to walk away.

So, I did.

Or at least, I thought I did.

But Adrian never agreed to the breakup.

I told him it was over. I made it clear that I wanted nothing to do with him anymore. But somehow, he acted like I never said those words. He still comes to my store like we’re together. He still checks up on me, still brings me food. When I’m not around, he sneaks in and leaves meals for me. He even cleans up the place sometimes.

I don’t know why he does it. Maybe he feels guilty. Maybe he thinks he can win me back with these little acts of kindness. And maybe, deep down, I start to believe it too. Maybe he does love me. Maybe I should give him another chance.

Then, the Dogs of Hell lose control.

It happens so fast. One minute, I’m organizing my store like any other day. The next, they barge in like wild animals. They grab whatever they can, knocking things over, breaking shelves, stealing anything that looks valuable.

I stand frozen, my heart pounding in my chest. I want to scream, to fight back, but I know better. No one fights the Dogs of Hell and wins.

And then, he walks in.

Daniel.

The first time I see him in person, everything changes.

Everyone knows who he is. The Demon of Hell’s Kitchen. The most feared man in New York. He controls everything— the streets, the businesses, even the police. His name alone is enough to make grown men shake with fear.

When he steps into my store, the air feels different. Heavy. Like the entire room is holding its breath.

His men move fast. Gunshots echo through the store as they take down the Dogs of Hell one by one. Bodies hit the ground. The chaos is over in seconds.

And then, Daniel looks at me.

Really looks at me.

His eyes are dark, unreadable. He steps forward, slow and controlled, like he has all the time in the world. Then, he speaks.

"Can I get your phone number?"

I blink, unsure if I heard him right. "What for?"

He tilts his head slightly, almost amused. "I saved your store. Shouldn’t I get something in return?"

I should say no. I should turn around and walk away. But I don’t.

Instead, I pull out my phone and, before I can think twice, I give him my number.

That night, I nearly drop my phone when it rings.

I wasn’t expecting him to actually call. But he does. And we talk. For hours.

And to my surprise, I’m not bored. Not even for a second.

Daniel is... different. He’s not just some criminal. He’s smart. He’s interesting. He listens when I talk. He makes me laugh. And by the time we hang up, I find myself wondering— how can this be the same man that everyone in New York whispers about?

"This guy is interesting," I say to myself.

The next day, he asks me out.

I don’t say yes right away. I play hard to get. Of course, I do. I have standards. And besides, dating a man like Daniel? That’s asking for trouble. Big trouble. His enemies would become my enemies.

And I don’t even have time to prepare for it, because trouble finds me first.

So this night, I’m deep in sleep when a gunshot jolts me awake.

I sit up, my heart slamming against my ribs. Maybe I imagined it. Maybe I’m still dreaming.

Then— another shot.

And another.

Loud. Close. Real.

Fear grips my chest like an iron fist.

Before I can even move, my front door is kicked open with a deafening crash.

I freeze.

Heavy footsteps. Shadows moving.

Then, hands grab me. Strong, rough hands. I try to struggle, but they’re too powerful. They drag me out of my room, down the hall, into the living room.

And that’s when I see him.

Gideon.

The leader of the Dogs of Hell.

He’s worse than Daniel, I think. A true monster. A man who doesn’t just kill— he enjoys it. According to what I have heard.

He stands in front of me now, a wicked grin stretching across his face. In his hand, he holds a gun. And it’s pointed straight at my head.

"If I can’t get to Daniel," he says, his voice cold and mocking, "at least I have you—his man."

My breath catches.

His man?

I wanted to lie to him. That I’m not with Daniel. That I’m nobody.

But the words won’t come.

Gideon cocks the gun.

My heart pounds so hard I feel it in my throat.

I don’t know what’s worse— the fear of dying or the terrifying realization that I might not be able to escape this life.

And then, I understand.

This isn’t just about me.

This is about Daniel.

This is about war.

And I am caught in the middle.