The Underdog Turned Kingpin

sure he'd mishe

ered. "Get in. Enemies mig

t of having nothing left to lose. Whatever the reason,

him into a world that smelled o

ing smoothly into traffic. "We've be

, then closed it. What

in the rearview mirror. "You l

thought he was someone else. Someo

p. Tell her there

words echoed in hi

ulders. "You could say that," he rep

impatient rhythm on the steering wheel.

d hard. "You c

ile. "Well, at least you're back. Thing

lived in Chicago his whole life, but this felt like entering another world. Sleek high-rises replaced familiar mom-

s making moves on the south side. The Italians are getting antsy about their shipmen

ire? Shipments? What kind o

en his gaze fell on the mysterious woman's hand, gripping the gear shif

crime lord, maybe... maybe this was his chance. A chance to be someone else.

into his voice. "Fill me in on everyt

dded. "You got it, boss. Let's sta

ces, dollar amounts – it was a dizzying web of information. He clung t

of a towering skyscraper, its glas

gine. She turned to Mason, her gaze sharp b

eath. No turning bac

pavement as she led the way. The doorman snapped to attention, ope

ot King attached to his other name

ers squeaked against the polished floor, drawing curious glances from the well-heeled re

ssed her thumb to a biometric scanner. "Penth

pid climb. What would he find up there? More impo

her touch surprisingly gentle. "Hey. You've got this. Whatever

-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the Chicago skyline. But Ma

inally decided to grace

menace beneath an expensive suit. Two equally imposing f

throat. This was it. The ji

Mason in a bone-crushing hug. "Damn good to see you, Leo! W

ng to breathe. "Good to

g dead?" The man released him with a bark of laught

le. "Shit man, your name's ever grazed in my

raggled appearance. "You look like you've bee

and fast. "It's... complicated. Had to

ortant thing is, he's back now. A

all business. "You're damn right about that.

twork adorned the walls. A bar stocked with top-shelf liquor gleamed in the c

. But it was quickly replaced by something else. Something d

ir. A massive desk dominated the space, surrounded by leather chairs. Th

announced, "the pr

authority he didn't feel. "Sorry to keep

tenants – outlined the state of "his" criminal empire. Drug shipments, protection

errif

up. He'd managed to bluff his way through with noncommittal grunts a

d. She fixed Mason with a piercing stare. "

hammered. "Wha

re off your game. Hell, you barely said two words in there. So either

one-weary. He was in way over his head. Maybe i

nger version of himself – or rather, Leo – arm-in-arm with a stunning

decision that would change th

s gaze. "You're right. I haven'

rows shot

ser than I've ever come before. It made me realize how vulnerable

orld had come crashing down, ju

spilling from his lips. "Erased every trace. Even..

widened. "Y

ce he didn't feel. "Like I said, it w

ck now," Eve p