Since Axe was a little boy, he had been raised by a multi-million mafia boss to be his bodyguard, but not just that... After Axe has grown up to be a man, he finds out that his seven bullies are now successful and powerful rich men, and they are set on making Axe's life a living hell, just as in the orphanage. After all, he's just a useless bodyguard, or is he?
View MoreThe room door slammed open, and the eyes of the three young boys inside trembled as Edana bashed in. With a stern face, she counted all three of them and then looked over at the fourth bed before screaming, "Where is Axe?!"
Within a matter of seconds, the orphanage was engraved in a frustrating silence as the news of Axe’s escape spread like wildfire among the children and staff.
By the minutes, the hallway was with a haunting silence, broken only by the soft shuffling of anxious feet and the occasional stifled whimper.
Obediently, the children lined up in perfect rows, their tiny bodies trembling because they knew all too well the consequences of Axe's disobedience... Because for every time he attempted to escape, the burden fell upon them all.
Their faces were etched with weariness, their eyes heavy with the weight of their shared fate. The dimly lit corridor, with its peeling wallpaper and flickering fluorescent lights, seemed to mirror the somber atmosphere that hung heavily in the air.
Edana, the stern matron of the orphanage, stood before the trembling children, her eyes scanning the row with a mixture of disappointment and anger.
Minutes ticked by agonizingly slow, the silence stretching out like a taut wire ready to snap. The children's hearts pounded in their chests, their breaths shallow and uneven.
Finally, a door creaked open at the end of the corridor, and the sound echoed through the stillness. Every child turned their gaze towards it, their eyes wide with trepidation.
The footsteps that followed were heavy and accompanied by a low murmur of voices. The children held their breath, their young hearts hanging on the cliff of uncertainty.
When their cold-hearted headmaster, Mr. Havisham, emerged from the doorway, the children's collective breath caught in their throats. His tall, imposing figure cast a long, dark shadow that seemed to stretch across the entire corridor, enveloping them in a chilling aura of fear.
Slowly, Mr. Havisham's steely gray eyes scanned the row of trembling children, his thin lips curling into a cold, humorless smile.
The piercing echo of Mr. Havisham’s commanding voice suddenly reverberated down the dimly lit corridor of the orphanage.
As his cold, steely gaze swept over to the rows of trembling children, he began calling out names.
"Jonathan!"
The first name summoned sent a shiver down the spines of the younger children.
"Samuel!"
As Mr. Havisham continued the roll call, the distress within the children heightened.
"Joseph!"
Tears welled up in the eyes of some, while others bit their trembling lips, trying to contain the fear.
Finally, the ten names were spoken, and the fourteen-year-olds stepped forward, their eyes just as cold as their headmaster.
“Go and get me that ill-bred lowlife.” Mr. Havisham ordered, his face impassive as he regarded each of the children standing before him. “We need to teach him not to run away again.”
The boys side-eyed each other and then one of them mumbled, “What if he has escaped for good this time-”
“That rat just finished his three days of dry fast, and he chose to run again... Now, how far do you think he can go on an empty stomach, Huh, Jeremy?”
“I-I... I don't know, master.”
“Do you want to test it out for yourself for you to find out?”
Shaking his head, Jeremy murmured, “No, master.”
“Good! Now, you three go and get it. I don't care how it looks when you guys get it back here. Just make sure it's back here! Understood?!” Mr. Havisham demanded, pointing sharply at the ten children. “Understood!!”
The ten teens, their faces etched with anger, nodded in unison and then walked away.
As they pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the orphanage, the outside world greeted them with a gust of cold wind that cut through their thin, worn-out clothes.
It didn't take long for them to spot Axe, a mere silhouette against the fading light of the setting sun. He stood on the outskirts of the orphanage grounds, his eyes darting from left to right.
The moment he spotted the approaching group, fear flickered in his eyes, and he turned to run.
But the ten children, fueled by anger and desperation, were faster. They lunged towards him, their small frames colliding with his. Axe stumbled and fell to the ground, his body crashing against the cold, hard pavement.
And then, something changed. The fury that had driven their pursuit transformed into something darker. They surrounded Axe, like a pack of wolves cornering their prey. Their hands, once gentle and innocent, clenched into fists, ready to unleash their frustration upon him.
One by one, they began to strike, their blows landing on Axe's fragile body.
"Look what you've done!" Jonathan yelled. "You've caused so much trouble for all of us because of your stubbornness! The headmaster is mad, and we are all going to suffer!”
Samuel, his voice laced with bitterness, chimed in, "Do you think your mother is ever coming back for you? She abandoned you, Axe! Face the reality!"
The words echoed in the air, mingling with the painful cries that escaped Axe's lips. Each blow felt like a dagger to his heart, but he couldn't bring himself to fight back. He could only whimper, his tears mixing with the dirt on his face.
Yet, even through the pain, Axe's voice trembled, his cries becoming desperate pleas. "She will come back! She promised me! She'll come back, I know she will!"
As Axe's pleas filled the air, his words seemed to fuel the fury within the ten children, their blows raining down upon him with even greater intensity.
Tears streamed down Axe's face, his voice now reduced to mere whimpers, drowned out by the sound of his suffering.
But just as the children's anger reached its crescendo, a distant rumble broke through the chaos. Their heads snapped up, their eyes widening in fear and confusion.
A black Mercedes Benz came into view, and the sight of the luxury vehicle sent a jolt of terror through the children, causing them to hesitate in their assault on Axe. Their fists, once clenched, now hung limply by their sides.
A car screeched to a halt, its engine sputtered to silence, and the door swung open, revealing a man and his young daughter.
The little girl, no more than four years old, peered around, her wide eyes scanning the scene before her. And then, her gaze landed on Axe, crumpled and broken on the ground.
Instantly, a gasp escaped her tiny lips, and her small hands reached out towards him.
"Papa! Papa!" she cried, her voice carrying a mix of innocence and concern. "He's hurt. We should help him, Papa. You said I could have anyone of them. I want him. We should take him home with us."
The man, towering in stature, glanced down at his daughter. His face, rugged and weathered, contorted into a scowl as he glanced at the ten boys who surrounded Axe. Their clenched fists and the remnants of anger etched on their faces did not escape his notice. But it was the sight of Axe, limp and unconscious, that caused a flicker of sympathy to cross his eyes.
With hesitant strides, the man closed the distance, and he knelt beside Axe, his daughter clinging tightly to his leg.
Gently, he lifted the battered boy into his arms, cradling him with a tenderness that contrasted with his hardened exterior.
In the intense, Axe stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open for a brief moment before his consciousness slipped away again.
The man's daughter, tiptoed as he bent over for her to reach Axe, her small fingers reaching out to touch Axe's bruised arm, whispered, "It's okay, mister. Papa will take care of you."
‘I came here to find a kid to raise into an indomitable bodyguard that will be loyal to you for life, and yet you chose such a weakling and useless thing?’ Chairman Blade thought, staring down at Axe and then at the worried way his daughter glanced at him, her tiny hand holding onto hid dirty ones as tears trickled down her peachy cheeks.
The thundering pulse of the music seemed to falter, the pounding beats muffled as the group of men rushed past Axe and Katriona, their heavy footfalls fading into the racket of the club. But still, Katriona clung to Axe like a lifeline, her slender frame trembling against his sturdy form.As the men disappeared into the shadowy depths of the club, a tense silence settled over the dance floor, broken only by the echo of their hurried steps. The air crackled with tension, a sense of foreboding hanging thick like a fog around them.Feeling her move against him, Axe's gaze flickered towards Katriona, his expression a mask of concern and tiredness. In the dim, pulsating lights of the club, her tear-streaked face was a portrait of fear and vulnerability, her eyes wide and glistening with unshed tears.“They are gone,” Axe murmured, his voice a low rumble. “You should let go.”Immediately, she stepped back, breaking free from him and running her fingers through her hair in an attempt to re
Axe stormed out of the hotel lobby, his frustration boiling beneath the surface. He yanked off his coat, tossed it onto the backseat of his sleek black car, and rolled up his sleeves, exposing the intricate tattoos adorning his skin.Sliding into the driver's seat, he slammed the door shut and started the engine with a growl. The car roared to life, mirroring Axe's turbulent emotions as he navigated the bustling streets towards the dimly lit district where the city's most notorious clubs thrived.The neon lights of the club district flickered like distant stars in the night sky, drawing Axe closer with their promise of temporary escape. He craved the pulsing beat of the music, the swirling haze of cigarette smoke, and the intoxicating burn of alcohol sliding down his throat.Parking his car in a shadowy alley, Axe stepped out onto the pavement, his boots echoing against the pavement as he made his way towards the nearest club. The rhythmic thumping of bass reverberated through his che
A small smirk crossed Axe's lips at Sam's words, and then, ignoring Sam's pain, he said, “I'd like to see you try to mess with me.”The look in Axe's eye sent shivers running down Sam’s spine. With a loud, pained yell, “Are you challenging the Steele... You are just a watchdog for the Vincenzo, but I am the son of Steele. Do you get it!”Laughing with tears spilling from his eyes, Sam screamed, “I am-”“A jackass.” Axe finished for him. “I am well aware, asshole... I do respect the Steele family, so I will let you off with just a broken finger... The next time-”“You will do what?! What do you think you can do to me-”“I will break a promise I made to an old crock...”“What?!”The sound of someone clearing their throat made Axe, Sam, and Leia look to their right, and standing there was Don Vincenzo.“Father, what are you doing here?” Leia asked, rushing away from the two men to meet him.Suddenly, Axe let go of Sam's hand and locked eyes with Mr. Vincenzo, rage glowing from his entir
Shutting his eyes for a second, Axe tried to control his breathing, taking deep breaths through his nose, before nodding slowly. He opened his eyes, looking straight ahead. “Yeah. Yeah. Right.” His grip on her waist tightened slightly as he led her away, his eyes focused firmly on the floor. The two security guards looked close behind them, and then one replied, “We should call the boss.”The second guard, who also had a long ponytail, nodded. “Yeah, good idea.” He fumbled in his pocket, bringing out a comlink, which he pressed to his ear. A few seconds later, he spoke. “Boss... she's here.”The silence between Leia and Axe lasted for several seconds before Leia cleared her throat nervously. “Uh, Axe? Are you ok? You look kinda pale. Maybe we should have just gone somewhere else. We can go back if you want—”“So... The Steele... That's new... Not shocking though... They are right up your parents alley... Rich, powerful. What a family, huh?” Axe mumbled distractedly, seeming to be l
As Axe drove Leia to the party, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in her stomach. Finally, unable to contain it any longer, she turned to Axe, her voice tinged with frustration. “You know, if you’re going to play the part of my pretend boyfriend tonight, you should really act like it. There’s this guy who just won’t leave me alone, and it’s getting really annoying.”Axe glanced at her, a chuckle escaping his lips. “What’s so funny?” Leia asked, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion.He shook his head, his expression turning serious. “Nothing, it’s just… Who’s this guy?” His tone was firm, his eyes searching hers for answers.Lowering her lids with a pout, Leia sighed, her frustration evident. “His name’s... Ah... He's so freaking cocky... He’s been pestering me since the entire business ordeal... asking me out on dates and just being… persistent.”Axe’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly, his jaw clenching. “I see,” he murmured.When his jaws clutc
The next morning, the sound of footsteps echoed through the living room, disrupting Axe's peaceful slumber. Slowly opening his eyes, he found Leia standing in front of him, her small feet clad in pink fluffy socks. A tray filled with toast, jam, and fresh fruit juice rested in her hands. "Good morning," she said as brightly as could be expected for seven o’clock in the morning. Her smile was radiant as she approached him. "A thank you gift," she said, placing the tray on the coffee table.With a yawn, he sat up and took hold of the plate, pulling it toward him. He took a bite of the bread before reaching to grab some jam and arched an eyebrow in curiosity. "For what?""Hmm... For letting me stay the night and not making a fuss about it." Leia plopped down beside him, leaning over to steal half of his toast. She then took several bites of it. She then proceeded to take another bite and give him the thumbs up. "Which means we're good, right?"Leia looked at him expectantly. The ques
For the longest, Leia's words hung in the air, a tense silence settling between them as Axe processed her unexpected request. His brow furrowed in confusion, his mind struggling to make sense of her sudden boldness. Her question rang loud and clear though, an innocent yet dangerous invitation that he could not deny. His mouth opened, his throat beginning to tighten as he stared at her in complete astonishment. Then his brows furrowed once more, a sense of doubt and caution stirring within him."Leia, I don't think...I don't-" His words caught in his throat, refusing to form coherent sentences as he struggled to find the right words to say to her. But instead of interrupting him or trying to talk her way out of this situation, Leia remained silent, her stare remaining fixed on Axe. Her lips quirked into a small smile, and she gave a short laugh. But he knew she was nervous too, her hands twisting together and gripping the edges of her skirt as she stared at him expectantly."Leia, you
Staring hard at his phone screen, Axe's fingers trembled slightly as he pressed the answer button on his phone, bringing it up to his ear. The voice on the other side was low, filled with a sense of urgency that instantly caught his attention."Hello, Axe. I trust you're well?" The voice on the other end of the line was deep and carried an air of authority.As he stepped away from the father and son, Axe's grip on the phone tightened as he replied, "Yes, Master. What's the matter?""I have a task for you. Something that requires your immediate attention," Don Vincenzo's voice commanded attention, and Axe's brow furrowed in curiosity."Of course, Master. What do you need?" Axe asked, his eyes narrowing slightly."I cannot discuss it over the phone. Meet me at the Vincenzo Mansion. There's something I need to tell you in person," Don Vincenzo's tone was cryptic, leaving Axe with a sense of unease."Understood, Master. I'll be there soon," Axe replied, a sense of urgency creeping into hi
In the midst of the silence, Mr. Larkwood's face grew pale, the lines etched on his weathered features deepening with worry. His gaze darted from side to side as if searching for an escape from the truth that threatened to engulf him."It's Jasper's brother." He finally confessed, and his Adam's apple bobbed in a swift motion as he swallowed hard, his lips parting as he tried to say something, but the words died in his throat, and his gaze hardened, and he glared at Axe. Frowning at Mr. Larkwood, Axe hesitated for a moment and then said, "But Jasper is an only child-""Was." Mr. Larkwood interrupted firmly, clenching his jaw.That left Axe speechless for a short moment, his gaze drifting away momentarily as if lost in thought. But then, his brow furrowed as a dark frown appeared on his face."What do you mean was? I know your wife, and Jasper is the only child she has born for you." Axe replied sternly."I may have wandered off a little." Mr. Larkwood murmured, his gaze still train
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Comments