The Underdog Turned Kingpin

re little resemblance to the contractor who'd stumbled through the rain just days ago. Tonight, he wore power like a second skin, w

aning against the doorframe. "You s

. "This is something

go, I would've bet my life that I knew every

mirror. "People change,

ll, just make sure you come back in one pie

oor, Eve called out, "Oh,

thanks and

ang will be here to celebrate..."

he man whose life he'd stolen. Leo, who prob

f guilt wormed its way into Mason's heart. What if the real Le

s he slid into the waiting limo.

.

elry catching the light like stars fallen to earth. Mason's fingers bru

he sa

their old apartment's yearly rent. Her hair cascaded in perfect waves, diamonds glitte

boiled. Indeed love isn't someth

r that twisted her beautiful features. She gripped Ethan's arm,

r arms over her chest, as they approached. "Look what t

ling Leo King's confidence. "Good eve

d, glancing around nervously. "Thi

flinks-platinum, courtesy of

indeed bold a

er. He couldn't face her, but could only silen

ghtening to his full height.

ted voice cut through the t

red leather approaching. Recognition flickered-Ramirez, f

t be some mistake. This is Mason Rivers, m

into Mason. "Leo King. What game are you pla

er everything. He noticed Olivia's confusion,

ad too much champagne, Mr. Ramirez. I'm he

h. "The great Leo King, marri

"this man is Mason Rivers. A nobody. I

ached. He was too busy watching the way Ethan and Ramir

y came here to speak to my wife, but this has been enlight

ughed. "On what? The

t bring herself to say. "People like that? They're so wrapped up in their own misery, they wouldn't know shame if it slappe

Look at him – drowning in debt, barely keeping his head above water. The nerve of him, thinking he deserves to stand in your presence, to breathe th

e woman who'd crushed his heart beneath her designer heels. And for the first time, he saw

e said softly. "I ho

r that fancy suite you rented ju

rs itched to pull out the black card, to bid hundreds of thousands just to see their jaws

ling clarity, he didn't need to

led chin, his dark eyes narrowed in thought. "It's impossible," he mut

ally think that pathetic excuse

th him personally. That man..." He shook his head slowly. "Maybe I'm getting old, eh? Perhaps peo

, his eyes never leaving the spot wher

asn't just another crime lord – he was the puppet master, the shadow that kept seven of Chicago's most powerful crim

ery major player in the city from the shadows, you become... untouchable." His voice dropped even lower, barely audible above the gala's

faltered slightly. "Th

hat same... presence." He drained his glass, setting it down with deliberate care. "But you're right – it's imp

keep an eye on your friend Mason Rivers. A man who can make me doubt, even for a