Chapter 1

A gunshot cracked through the hallway, the sound ricocheting off the walls. The man stumbled, dragged forward by two suited guards. His pleas spilled out in broken sobs.

"Please.... I just need more time. I'll pay it back, I swear."

The guards ignored him. They shoved open a door, revealing a body sprawled across the floor, eyes frozen wide in terror, blood pooling beneath him. The sight stole the man's breath, a silent warning of what awaited him.

He was hurled inside. The door slammed shut. His legs trembled, but he didn't dare move. Escape was useless. Fate had already locked him in.

"Martin Hayes."

The cold voice made Martin lift his head. His eyes met the man standing in front of him, wiping blood from his hands. He tossed the towel aside, and one of the men quickly handed him a lit cigarette. He took a slow drag, then blew out the smoke.

Martin's fear grew with every second. The room was dim, and he could barely see the man's face, but the aura around him was enough. It was cold, dangerous and heavy. This was the first time Martin had ever seen the Mafia king in person. When he came to borrow money, he had only dealt with a subordinate.

Stories about the Mafia king filled the city. People said no one ever met him and lived to tell the tale. He was like death itself, appearing only when it was time to collect.

Martin's heart sank. He cursed himself for ever taking the loan. He thought he could pay it back, but his useless son had failed him. Now he was trapped, facing the man everyone feared.

His body shook. He dropped to his knees, hands clasped together, sweat soaking his shirt. Tears streamed down his face as he begged.

"Please.... Please, give me more time. I swear I'll pay you back. Just don't kill me."

The Mafia king looked down at him without a hint of emotion. Smoke curled from his lips as he stepped closer, his shoes clicking against the floor.

"More time?" His voice was calm, but it carried a weight that made Martin's stomach twist. "You already had time. And you wasted it."

Martin shook his head quickly, his hands trembling. "Please... I'll find a way. I'll pay you back, I swear."

The Mafia king crouched slightly, his cold eyes finally visible under the dim light. "Do you know what happens to men who break promises to me?" He pointed at the body lying lifeless on the floor. "That's what happens."

Martin's breath caught in his throat. His tears fell harder, his words stumbling out. "Please, don't kill me. I'll give you anything.''

The Mafia king straightened, taking another drag from his cigarette. He exhaled slowly, then gave a small, cruel smile. "Anything?"

Martin nodded desperately. "Yes... anything."

The Mafia King studied him for a long moment, smoke curling from his lips. Then he chuckled softly, like Martin had just told a joke.

"Be careful what you offer." He said.

He glanced around the room once more, at the blood, at the body on the floor, before his eyes returned to Martin.

"You don't have money." He continued calmly. "You don't have power. And you don't have time."

Martin shook his head again. "Please—"

"I'll take one of your children." The Mafia King said, cutting him off.

The words landed heavier than a gunshot.

Martin froze. "What...?"

"One." He repeated. "As collateral. As payment. As mine."

Martin collapsed forward with a broken sound. "No, please. Not my children. Take me instead."

The Mafia King crouched again, close enough for Martin to smell smoke and death.

"If I wanted you." He said quietly. "You'd already be dead."

He straightened, flicking the ash from his cigarette to the floor.

"Tomorrow." He said calmly. "11 p.m.''

Martin looked up, hope flickering weakly in his eyes.

"I'll come to claim what's mine."

Martin broke. He cried, begging, clutching at the Mafia King's legs, his words falling apart into sobs. "Please, please, I'll do anything. Don't take my child. Please."

Two men stepped forward without hesitation. They grabbed Martin roughly, pulling him to his feet as he screamed and struggled. His pleas echoed as they dragged him toward the door and threw him outside.

The room fell quiet.

The Mafia King watched for a moment longer, then turned away. A small smirk curved his lips as he brought the cigarette back to his mouth.

****

Martin rushed into the house, breathless. "Julian! Tiffany! Come out!" He shouted, panic in his voice.

Julian hurried from his room. Seeing his father's state, he ran to him. "Dad, what's wrong?" He asked, worried.

Martin's bloodshot eyes burned with anger. He slapped Julian hard across the face. "This is all your fault, you useless boy!"

Julian staggered back, holding his cheek. "Dad, I... I don't understand."

"Don't call me that!" Martin roared. He grabbed Julian's collar, shaking him. "You killed your mother, and now you want me dead too!"

Julian's voice broke. "I didn't do anything..."

Martin shoved him aside. "Being useless is what you've done! I should have ended you the day you were born!''

The door opened and Tiffany stepped out, annoyed. "What's with all the noise? If you want to kill him, do it outside. I'm trying to sleep."

Martin turned to her. "Sleep? You think now's the right time to sleep? Adrian DeCarlo is coming tomorrow to claim one of you!"

Tiffany froze, her eyes wide. "Adrian DeCarlo? The Mafia King? Why would he come here?"

Martin said nothing.

Tiffany's voice rose, panic creeping in. "What did you do, Dad?"

Jullin whispered. "Dad..."

Martin's rage flared again, his hand lifting to strike Julian, but Tiffany stepped in front of him. "Enough! Tell us what you did!"

Martin's shoulders sagged. He took a shaky breath. "I borrowed money from Adrian. I thought I could win it back... but I lost everything. Now he wants one of you as collateral."

Tiffany stumbled back in shock. "What?"

Julian froze, unable to believe his father's words. His chest tightened as fear rushed through him, but he forced himself to stay calm. "How much is it?" He asked quietly.

Martin's eyes flicked to him. "Two million dollars."

Julian's voice rose in disbelief. "Two million dollars? You gambled with two million dollars? How are we supposed to get that kind of money to pay him back?"

Martin had no answer.

Tiffany rushed forward, her voice breaking with anger. "How could you do this, Dad? You borrowed two million dollars just to gamble? And from Adrian DeCarlo of all people?" She shook her head, panic flashing in her eyes. "We're dead. We're all dead."

Martin snapped back. "We're not dead. He won't kill us if one of you agrees to go with him."

Tiffany scoffed, her tone dripping with disbelief. "Do you even hear yourself? Why didn't you offer yourself instead? You're the one who took the loan, you're the one who gambled it all away. You're useless, Dad. Completely useless! I'm not giving up my life for anyone. I have someone I love, someone I want to marry. I won't throw my future away to save yours. You're not worth the sacrifice!"

Martin stared at her, stunned. This was the daughter he had spoiled, the one he had loved most, the one he had always protected.

But Tiffany didn't stop. "I'm not doing it. I won't go with that man. So let him take Julian instead."

Julian's heart sank at her words. He looked at her, hurt but not surprised. "I refuse." He said firmly. "I won't be handed over to that man. There has to be another way. I'm not going to be treated like an animal walking into a slaughterhouse."

Martin's rage exploded. He slapped Julian hard across the face. "If you had done your job properly, I never would have taken that loan in the first place! You're useless? Always useless!"

Julian stared at his father and sister, then scoffed, his heart breaking. For the first time in years, he spoke up. His voice shook as tears ran down his face.

"Useless? I'm useless? Who's been the one keeping this family alive? I dropped out of high school because you said I wasn't worth it. I started working young, giving you every cent I earned, while you drank yourself to death and Tiffany wasted it on parties and her boyfriend. I've done everything to make you love me, to make you accept me, but all I ever got was hatred and beatings. It's not my fault Mom died giving birth to me, but you've blamed me every day since. And now you call me useless?'' He scoffed bitterly. "Isn't it clear who the useless ones really are?"

Martin's face twisted with rage. "What?" He stepped forward, ready to strike, but Tiffany grabbed Julian's arm and slapped him hard.

"You ungrateful brat!" She screamed. "How dare you say that after everything Dad has done for you? We really should have killed you when we had the chance!"

Julian's voice broke as he shouted back. "Then kill me! Kill me already! Haven't I suffered enough? Haven't I been made to go through hell enough? I won't give my life for him. I have someone I love, and I won't waste myself for people who never cared about me. If Adrian DeCarlo wants to kill him, then let him. He'll be doing us all a favor."

Julian's glare burned into Tiffany before he turned and stormed out of the house, tears blurring his vision. He ignored their shouts behind him.

He was exhausted, so exhausted. And all he could think of now was ending it all, finally freeing himself from the pain that had consumed his life.