The Underdog Turned Kingpin
d something. We're not just a crime syndicate, Eve. We're an empire. And empi
ed. "We've been playing it safe for too lon
m suspicion to intrigue. "Wh
tory? Let's crush him. The Italians are worried about their shipments? We'll double them. And as for our friends in ci
wly nodded. "Now that sounds like the Leo Kin
rating. What the hell had he just done? He was no crime lord. He was a co
omething stirred in his chest. A hunger he'd never known
s gone. Olivia
o King was just
ng over the keypad. One call could end this charade. One
the meeting. "Sergei? It's me. Get the boys together.
, he barely recognized himself. Gone was the defeated man who'd wander
d never be calle
across Mason's face.
.
xed on the computer screen. The name "Ethan Langford" glared back at him, a digital reminder of his hum
" Mason
of rare minerals and unusual discoveries. And of course, Oliv
in a tailored tuxedo, Olivia draped in diamonds, both of
city. Far enough that his new "associ
ir, his mind racing. The meeting with Rami
den with folders. "Got those files you asked for, boss. Surve
expression didn't betray
ied him. "You feeling alright,
kle. "Just tired. I
tone softened slightly. "You
d a beat. Had he mis
rthday, dummy. Don't tell me
. He scrambled to piece toget
ing to sound nonchalant. "The, u
opping a cool million like it's pocket
k black card. It gleamed in the low light, unmark
he desk. "One million dollars, ready to burn. Try not
More money than he'd ever seen in his life, let alone held in his hands.
to keep his voice steady. "H
aned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Let's just say it's got more zeroes t
d him plummeting. But as he looked at Eve – really looked at her – he saw so
. "Eve, I... I need t
stinctively moving towards the gun h
of his tongue. But then his eyes fell on the
's most exclusive event. A chance to sh
he said instead. "There's an auction tomorrow night. Rar
ison Gala? Leo, that's not our
st say I've got my reasons. I need you to clear my schedule, get me the proper attir
. Finally, she nodded. "Alright, boss. Your call. But if you
himself a smal
ason called out, "And Eve
her face. Then she smirked. "Don't go soft on me now,
e, but the clock was ticking. Tomorrow night, he'd come face to face with Olivia and
er in his hands. A million dollars to spen
e desk. For a moment, he barely recognized himself. The defeated cont
t just be able t
ne glittered before him, a sea of lights and possibilities. Somewhere out there, Olivia w
nto a devilish smile.