All Chapters of Bound To The Kingpin: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Luna My nose flared with anger, my heart pounding against my chest. My palm still throbbed from the slap, but it didn't feel nearly enough for what he had done. How dare he?What right did he have—what right—to kiss me like that? He thought I was a toy, a possession.I balled my fists, nails digging into the palms of my hands. No matter how angry I was, no matter how many thoughts screamed at me, I couldn't erase the fact that he kissed me. And damn it, I hated how my body reacted.It wasn't my first kiss, not even close. But with him, it was different. When his lips touched mine, my heart did something crazy, skipping a beat, pounding in my chest. And my legs—my fucking legs—turned into jelly beneath me. I hated how much power he had over me, how he made me feel weak, helpless.I didn't want to feel anything for him. I couldn't. I have a boyfriend. But damn it, I couldn't shake the sensation. The taste of his kiss, the way he claimed me with nothing but the press of his mouth, had m

HardinI told myself I wouldn't. Swore I'd give her space the moment she walked past us and disappeared upstairs like a ghost. But when I saw her face—eyes red, mouth set in that trembling line—something inside me twisted hard and ugly.I couldn't help myself. I followed her.Not because I wanted to interrogate her.But because I couldn't stand the way my chest felt watching her pretend everything was fine when it clearly wasn't. I didn't expect her to lean into me.Hell, I didn't even expect her to let me touch her after the week we'd had. But the moment I pulled her closer, her body softened. Her head rested against my chest, and I felt it—that subtle shift. Her breath warmed through my shirt. Her hands, still tense, slowly lost their grip, and her weight settled into me like she'd been holding the world on her back and finally allowed someone else to carry it.And something stirred in me. Something I didn't have a name for.It wasn't lust—though, fuck, I knew what desire felt like

Hardin "Are you an assassin?" Her words caught me off guard.I didn't move for a second. Just stood there, staring into her eyes that were wide with something between fear and confusion. She wasn't joking. Hell, I could see her pulse fluttering beneath her skin, her breathing unsteady.A smile tugged at the corner of my lips, though it didn't quite reach my eyes. "What kind of question is that?" I said, tone light—too light, hoping I could throw her off with charm.She didn't flinch. Didn't blink."I saw Theo," she said, voice low. "He had a gun, Hardin. He met with some guy... and then pointed it right at his forehead."My jaw tightened. I looked away for the briefest second, exhaling slowly, trying to decide which lie would land softer. But then she said the next part, and I froze."And don't forget I saw you... the other night. Dressed in all black with a mask. That explains the injury. You were hurt when I found you."My gaze snapped back to hers. She was putting things together

Hardin The office reeked of old money. Not the flashy kind of wealth that dripped from overpriced suits and diamond-studded watches—but the cold, ruthless kind. The kind that made men gamble with lives to protect empires built on shadows.I leaned back in the leather chair, the mask concealing my face, just as it always did during meetings like this. To them, I wasn't Hardin. I was no one. Never spoken aloud in public. That's how I intended it to stay.Across from me, Lucas Morales sat with a tightened jaw and sweaty hands, pretending not to be nervous."You're behind," I said, my tone cool, almost bored. "Again."Lucas adjusted his cuffs, forcing a chuckle. "A small delay. Just a hiccup. We had some issues at the dock, but the shipment is intact. You'll get your cut."I stared at him, unmoving. "A hiccup costs time. Time costs trust."My fingers tapped once against the armrest. Behind me, Theo stood in the shadows—silent, armed, and very aware of how close his hand was to the gun s

LunaI wrapped my hands around the warm mug, inhaling the soft scent of chamomile as I scrolled through the hospice community group chat. Another event planned. A new patient admitted. More responsibilities added to an already overwhelming list. I sipped slowly, letting the quiet hum of morning settle in my bones.The sound of footsteps pulled my attention toward the stairs. Hardin.I didn't raise my head, but I noticed the bandage. It wrapped his right palm neatly, stark white against his tanned skin. Instantly, the memory of last night returned—the way he shut down.I kept my eyes on the screen, pretending he wasn't even there. If he wanted to play cold and silent, I'd give it right back.Alice came into the dining area a few seconds later, holding out a plate with reheated breakfast—the one he asked her to make last night."Here you go," she said with her usual brightness. "Warmed it up like you asked.""Thanks," Hardin murmured in that low voice of his, already settling at the tab