Bound To The Kingpin

Luna"Mr. Jenkins breathing has worsened," I told Dr. Morris as we hurried down the dimly lit hospice hallway. "He's struggling to catch his breath, and his oxygen saturation is dropping."Dr. Morris gave a short nod. "Was there any sign of distress earlier?""He mentioned mild discomfort, but it escalated fast. His daughter is with him—she's panicking."We reached Room 214, and the moment I pushed the door open, the sound of ragged, labored breathing filled the space.Mr. Jenkins lay against his pillows, his chest rising and falling erratically, his face pale and clammy. His daughter sat at his bedside, her fingers clutching his frail hand. Tears streaked her cheeks."Dad, hold on," she pleaded. "Please, just hold on."I moved swiftly to his side. "Mr. Jenkins, it's Luna. We're going to help you, okay?"His weak gaze met mine, his lips parted as he tried to speak—but only a wheeze came out."Let's get him more comfortable," Dr. Morris said. "Luna, increase his oxygen and check his m

Luna The morning light streams through the windows as I made my way down the hallway of the hospice. I stopped at the first patient's room, checking the chart on the door. Mrs. Alvarez—eighty-two, terminal, but still fighting. Her chart looks stable today, so I mark it down with a quiet nod and move to the next room.One by one, I visited the patients under my care, checking their vitals and reviewing their charts. It's a routine I've become accustomed to, the same one I follow every morning. There's something calming about the predictability of it all. The names, the numbers, the data—it's all I've ever known in this job. And it keeps me grounded.I gave a smile to Mr. Thompson, who's always asking if I brought him coffee. I didn't, but I promise him I'll bring some tomorrow. It's a small thing, but it keeps him going. Small moments like these remind me why I chose this career, why I keep doing it.Once the rounds were finished, I made my way to my office, my feet dragging a little.

HardinI have mastered an ability—the ability to study people. Before I interact with you, I first analyze your façade, observing and understanding the kind of person you are. A lot of times, people get surprised when I tell them what's on their minds. It's not because I have supernatural powers. No. It's simply something I grew up with. Being raised in the hands of a powerful gang taught me what it meant to be strong.I wasn't entirely proud of the person I became—fearless, ruthless, and powerful. But life has a way of throwing you into its own brand of unexpected cruelty. I have no memories of a bright childhood because I wasn't born into one. I do not have a mother or a father to call family.The only thing I was ever taught—reminded of every single day while growing up under my grandfather's rule—was never to be brought down by the cruelty of life. My grandfather, once the leader of the biggest mafia gang, was the only figure I looked up to throughout my childhood, my youth, and e

LunaI knew my demand was ridiculous. Asking for 50% of his shares was crazy. But then again, I needed something solid to back me up. Deep down, I knew Hardin might not agree, but I was still shocked when he did. At that moment, I realized I might have gotten myself into something deeper than I had imagined.And now, sitting in front of the lawyer with a copy of the contract agreement in front of us, I had second thoughts. Was this really what I wanted? To risk my life in exchange for saving the hospice? Yes, my generosity would save a lot of families working under the community. However, now that everything was unfolding, it felt like it shouldn't have happened.Then there was the guilt gnawing at the pit of my stomach. The guilt of betrayal. I had a boyfriend, yet I was getting married to another man—a stranger I knew little about. Apart from the fact that he had kept his promise and that he was a successful young businessman, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.Would I be

LunaWhat was he into?That question kept going around in my head as I sat by the window, staring at nothing. Hardin. Wearing all black. Holding a mask. His words. "Don't try to know anything about me."Who says that? What was he hiding?And why did being that close to him mess with my head?He hadn't touched me for long, just a few seconds, but it had been enough to leave my heart pounding. I hated that. Hated how his cold voice sent chills down my spine, but still made something in me want to get closer.I shook my head and stared down at my hands. He was trouble. I knew it from the beginning. But now... it felt like he was a different kind of trouble. One that I didn't understand at all.And dangerous.Snap!A hand waved in front of my face. I blinked fast."Hello?" Rachel's voice snapped. She raised a brow, half-smiling. "Where did you go just now? You've been staring into space."I didn't even know when she came in. I looked away quickly and forced a small laugh. "Nowhere. Just t