Four

The next morning, Kade checked the time on his phone. A new week. He should be preparing for college, there'll be new classes, new lecturers, new pussies to fuck.

But he wasn’t going today. Not when there was one thing pulling his attention harder than school ever could.

His eyes returned to the text message glowing on his screen.

“There’s a meeting at the warehouse, make sure you attend it.”

The contact name glared back at him: Alexa.

He exhaled sharply, dragging a hand over his face before tapping the group chat labeled Gangs—the one he shared with Collins and Kingsley.

“There's a meeting this morning. Cancel all classes.”

The message was short but he sent it, that's his way.

Kade buttoned up his shirt, dressed in black, as usual. His sleeves rolled just enough to show the veins in his arms. A cigar tucked behind his ear. He looked every bit the dangerous boy people whispered about.

“Should I call her?” he muttered under his breath.

His jaw clenched, and he shook the thought away. He’d call after the meeting if he felt like it.

He adjusted his cuffs, turned toward the door, and as soon as he stepped out, Lewis fell into step beside him.

“Good morning, Boss!” Lewis greeted, tone polite, almost fearful.

“Have you cleared all the…”

Kade didn’t finish, because she stepped in front of Kade, his mother–Mina Gilbert, a glass of juice in her hands, her eyes soft with desperate hope.

Kade’s stare dropped to the glass, flatly, coldly and his expression was unreadable.

“Woman, what?” he half-yelled.

“You didn’t eat anything last night,” she said, forcing a shaky smile. “So I… I prepared this for you, son.”

She stretched her hand offering him the juice.

Lewis stared at them.

Everyone in the mansion knew one thing: Kade hated his mother.

He hated her enough to not even breathe in her direction.

So when he took the glass, Mina’s eyes brightened, too quickly.

And Lewis blinked in shock. Maybe, just maybe, Kade would drink it.

Kade’s lips curled not in gratitude but in cruelty. Without warning, he smashed the glass against the marble floor.

It shattered loudly, echoing through the mansion.

Mina flinched, her hand flying to her mouth. Her tears sprang instantly, trembling in her eyes, it breaks her when Kade treats her coldly.

Kade’s gaze darkened, his face dangerous and emotionless.

“Stay the fuck away from me, Mina Gilbert,” he snarled.

Then he walked out, without hesitation and remorse.

But Lewis hurried behind him quickly before he lost his job.

Mina stared at his back till he was out of sight, she ran inside her room to cry her eyes out.

He didn’t even look back.

Outside, at the cars, Kade raised two fingers, his silent signal.

Lewis nodded immediately, understanding the routine: he’d take another car to make it look like he was with Kade since too many spies from Kade’s father lurked around.

Kade slid into his car and sped off, the second vehicle following behind.

Collins and Kingsley already knew where to meet him.

And they were waiting already.

The hideout was tucked deep where no police or curious stranger ever dared to step into.

The moment Kade’s car rolled to a halt, Collins and Kingsley joined him.

“I miss coming here,” Kingsley said, glancing around.

“You’re a dead ass,” Collins muttered.

Kade didn’t reply, he walked and they followed.

The elevator scanned them, took their body heat, weapons, fingerprints, and everything.

They were used to it.

As the elevator doors slid open, the familiar voice echoed through the underground building, reciting the carved-in rules.

Rule 1: As a member of the Black Haven Gang, do not break any rules.

Rule 2: Follow all instructions.

Rule 3: Carry out your missions and make them successful, no matter what.

Rule 4: In whatever you do, never fall in love.

Rule 5: Break any rule and the consequence is DEATH.

Kingsley rubbed his face.

Collins' mood shifted at Rule 4. Could he really obey that?

Could anyone?

Kade, however, remained expressionless.

He didn’t care about rules, about people, about anything except himself.

His empty gaze was exactly what the gang admired.

The way he's cold, detached and always looking dead inside.

Alexa spotted him and smiled.

He didn’t return it, and didn’t blink at him at all, he just took his seat.

Kingsley waved at Phoenix, who was staring at him with her electric eyes while maintaining a calm posture.

“This meeting won’t take long,” Alexa began, stepping forward. She was close to the leader, so she knows everything in the gang.

“Is the boss around?” Kingsley asked.

“No. He sent his assistant.”

Phoenix checked her phone, then looked up straight into Kade’s eyes.

For a split second, there was a silent tension, then he looked away, breaking eye contact abruptly.

The assistant stepped forward.

“The boss sent me here, as you all know,” he said.

“Go straight,” Kade muttered, cigarette between his fingers. Sparks lit.

The assistant swallowed nervously.

“It’s to notify everyone about tomorrow’s gang party. A politician will be attending. He must be cleared out of the way. He’s blocking our path.”

He bowed and stepped back.

Kade stood up, without saying a word and walked out.

“Kade!” Alexa called, running after him.

He paused in his car doorway and glanced at her, just once.

“I have work,” he said flatly, then shut the door and drove off.

Collins and Kingsley rushed out, but he was already gone.

“Fuck!” Collins barked.

Kade’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. He drove recklessly, not caring whose car he nearly hit.

He’d already texted Carter earlier:

“Pick Isabella up. Take her to the safe mansion.”

He muttered to himself.

“I can’t keep her waiting.”

It sounded like he was convincing himself because Kade wasn’t the type to care about anyone’s impatience.

He was the type who let people wait until sunrise if he felt like it.

But today, he drove faster.

The secret mansion was heavily secured. Locked down.

Not even Carter could enter without Kade’s verification.

The moment Kade stepped inside the living room, Isabella shot to her feet.

“You know my mother is just recovering,” she snapped. “Just because you helped me doesn’t mean you can control me! I’ve told you I’m not your slave. Don’t…”

She couldn't finish when Kade’s hand wrapped around her waist with a fierce pull, dragging her to himself.

Before she could breathe, before another protest could escape her mouth, his lips crashed onto hers hardly, claiming her, silencing her, killing her other words in her throat.