Luke Desmond

                                    

                                          

Luke was not in a very good mood. His tanned muscular body gleamed in sweat as he pushed himself further in the local gym. He did not take failure well. In his 26 years of life he had to work hard for everything trivial from food to the right of a bed to spend the night, he had to fight hard to survive. He had learned to protect himself and his elder sister Lina from his shitty step father from a very early age. 
Their mother was an addict who gave no shit about her kids and was happy to spread her legs for a pinch of cocaine or a bottle of alcohol. His step father happened to be her pimp who spent most of the day lazing in the couch while he rented his wife to the highest bidder. Luke had no clue about his real father, he wasn't even sure if Lina and himself was the product of the same sperm. But he dearly loved his elder sister who was his only solace and was fiercely protective of her.

 At 6.3 ft tall, heavily muscled he intimidated almost everyone with his cold pale blue eyes and rugged face. His heavily tattooed body and bulging arms kept most people at bay. Fear was an important factor in the line of work Luke was in. He started as a small time goon and quickly promoted himself to a local gang leader. 
If paid the right amount there was nothing he would not do. The local thugs respected him and followed him unconditionally not only because of his physical strength but also because of his wit and intelligence. Despite coming from a shitty uncaring household Luke had education and a degree to his name. He would forever be grateful to his sister who worked three shifts just to earn their living and Luke's educational cost. Though most of his knowledge came from the streets having a degree helped him to merge with the sophisticated world better. He could adapt to almost every circumstances be it leading a gang fight with chains and baseball bat or in an elegant restaurant negotiating a drug deal. 
He had a sharp mind and an empty soul which hardened overtime. He learned not to trust anyone and never to bare his heart as he knew through experience that no one would stand by him except his sister. 
So when his sister came to the gym with Mike giggling flirtatiously, and introduced that clown as her boyfriend Luke almost lost his mind. But unfortunately seeing his sister's happy glowing face as she made gooey eyes to the moron he couldn't bring himself to say anything. He looked at Mike in his cold unflinching eyes and gained satisfaction as the fucker squirmed beside Lina. 
"Stop being an asshole Luka, he is not your gang member who you can intimidate like that, he is my boyfriend for fuck's sake....so be good" said Lina rolling her eyes. 
"Aaah boyfriend I see", said Luke smiling and baring rows of pristine white teeth watching Mike acting like a squirrel caught in a trap.
 Without warning Luke towered over Mike, "Luke", he said introducing himself by simply extending his right hand. "Oh yy..yes yes Mike, nice to meet you Luke", Mike said shaking his hand trying to sound confident. Luke didn't let the hand go, instead he pulled Mike closer and whispered into his ear "I don't know what's your deal with my sister but if you hurt her am gonna kill you" he then smiled and pulled back patting Mike's back. Mike flustering immediately stumbled back clenching and unclenching his fist from the sheer force of the handshake. 
Picking up his gym bag Luke watched Lina on the treadmill for a few seconds and retreated to take shower without sparing a glance at Mike. 
He had an important meeting with one of the representatives of Bishop International. This was a client he didn't want to upset. If everything goes well he might enter the serious business circle. Walking outside ignoring the smitten eyes of the ladies Luke whipped out his phone and dialled Ezra, his best friend and confederate, the only one beside Lina whom he could trust. 
"Did you get the package?" Luke asked without any greetings. It was not needed too. They weren't the kind of friends who indulged in small talks. 
"Yes" Ezra replied, short and crisp, then after a brief pause added, "are you sure Luke? Bishop International is a big name. Do you think we are ready? If anything goes wrong, don't forget we will be swimming with the shark dude."
"Just keep your cool, everything will work out, you just be the charming innocent genius hacker you are and leave the rest on me." Said Luke.
Ezra sighed. He was a computer genius who could infiltrate any software firewall and breach even the strongest security given the right incentive. 
While Luke was the muscle of their gang, (he would like to call team) he was the brain. Though Luke was by no means dumb but he was hot blooded and impulsive. Hence the worry. 
"Just be careful man, don't wanna loose you".
"Shit Ezra don't get soppy on me dude" Luke laughed "I will see you when I see you". With that he hanged up the phone. 
The mildly soft expression which he had while talking to his friend turned hard and cold again. The front he showed the outside world, the front which terrified even the hardest of the scum. Passerby knowingly or unknowingly gave him a wide berth as he walked. He gave out an aura of danger. His striking handsome face reflected no emotion as he crossed the street to reach his small apartment.

This chapter was short but very important for the plot. What do you think of Luke?
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