"Good to see you're finally ready to fulfill your potential," the boss said, his voice smooth and calm. "Ryder's life depends on your success, Kai. Remember that."
Kai didn't respond. He simply stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the man in the chair.
The guards handed him a knife, the blade sharp and glinting under the harsh fluorescent lights. His fingers curled around the hilt, and for a moment, he stared at his reflection in the polished steel.
The boy he once was—filled with defiance and hope—was gone. All that remained was a hollow shell of the person he used to be.
Kai's chest heaved with the cold, metallic air as he stared down at the man bound before him.
The dull ache in his subconscious had long since dulled to a whisper, leaving behind an empty husk of what he once was.
The weight of the knife in his hand, usually so foreign, now felt natural—a part of him he had come to loathe but couldn't deny.
His eyes, once brimming with defiance, were now a flat, lifeless shade of emerald.
The man in the chair squirmed, his voice trembling as he pleaded, "Please, I-I can give you anything. Just let me go!"
Kai's expression remained impassive, as if the man's pleas were nothing more than the buzzing of an insignificant fly.
The only thing that mattered was the order he'd been given, the one that dangled Ryder's life like a precarious thread in the balance.
The man's muffled sobs were the only sound that echoed through the sterile room as Kai stepped closer, his heartbeat oddly regular in the deafening silence.
The sharpness of the blade against his palm was a comforting reminder of the power he'd been granted in this twisted reality. With a flick of his wrist, he could end a life, and yet, he still had no control over his own.
The man's eyes widened as the realization of his impending doom washed over him , and Kai saw his own reflection in those terrified orbs—a boy who had once known love and warmth, now reduced to a hollow shell of himself.
His chest ached with a grief he no longer knew how to process, a foreign emotion that had no place in this world of shadows and lies.
Kai's eyes narrowed in determination as he forcefully dragged the sharp blade across the man's exposed throat.
A crimson spray of hot, metallic blood splattered across Kai's hands and face, coating him in a macabre sheen.
The man's body convulsed and thrashed, his muffled screams only adding to the chaos as Kai continued to hold the blade firm against his neck.
With cold precision, Kai watched as the light faded from the man's eyes, his last gasping breaths rattling out until finally, with a sickening finality, he fell still.
The room fell silent, the only sound the steady drip of blood pooling on the floor.
There was no room for mercy. Mercy wouldn't save Ryder.
And Ryder was all that mattered.
The boss stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "You see, Kai? This is what you were meant to be. A weapon. A tool. And you've proven yourself today."
Kai didn't respond.
He didn't look at the boss.
His thoughts were consumed by the image of Ryder. He had done what was necessary to keep him alive.
That was all that mattered now.
"Take him back to his room," the boss ordered the guards.
The guards moved to grab Kai's arms, but he pulled away, his voice hoarse and empty. "Ryder. I want to see Ryder."
The boss smirked, shaking his head. "Patience, Kai. You've only just begun to prove your loyalty. If you continue to follow orders, you'll see Ryder soon enough."
Kai's fists clenched at his sides, his blood-stained fingers trembling
KYLAN
The sun barely touched the horizon when I opened my eyes.
Mornings were the only time I could find peace—if you could call it that.
It's hard to describe the feeling of being in charge of an empire that thrives on fear and respect, where one wrong move could tear everything apart.
But at dawn, before the world fully woke up, I could pretend that none of it existed.
That the weight of the Bianchi name wasn't sitting on my chest like a boulder.
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie, my suit as sharp as the thoughts racing through my head.
The person looking back at me had aged more than his 24 years. My jaw clenched as I braced for another day of keeping secrets, protecting the ones I loved, and maintaining control of a world that could swallow us whole if I let it.
The smell of coffee greeted me as I made my way downstairs. Strong and black, just like I needed it.
My phone buzzed with the day's agenda: meetings, business, the family matters no one else could handle.
I looked up to see Matteo leaning against the kitchen stool, his usual easygoing grin in place.
Matteo wasn't just my right-hand man—he was my best friend, someone I'd known since we were kids. We grew up in the same neighborhood, played ball in the same streets, and somewhere along the line, he'd become the one person I could trust with everything.
"Everything's in place for today's meeting. The shipment comes in tonight."
I gave him a quick nod, already running through the logistics in my mind. "Good. Make sure there's no hiccup. I don't want any loose ends."
Matteo paused, something thoughtful flickering across his face. "That new deal with the Russians... risky move. You sure this is the right play?"
I leaned back in my chair, jaw tight. "We don't have a choice. We need leverage. If this deal goes sideways, everything else falls with it."
Matteo's brow furrowed, his fingers drumming against his thigh. "Leverage is one thing, but the Russians? They're unpredictable at best, volatile at worst."
I leaned forward, elbows on the stool. "And that unpredictability is precisely what we need. The devil you don't know can be a powerful ally."
"Or a lethal enemy," Matteo countered, his voice low and gravelly. "We're walking a tightrope here, and I can't help but wonder if we're carrying too much weight."
A wry chuckle escaped my lips. "When have we ever traveled light, old friend? Our business isn't for the faint of heart."
Matteo's lips quirked into a half-smile. "True enough. But this... this feels different. Like we're juggling knives while blindfolded."
"Sometimes, that's exactly what it takes to stay ahead," I replied, my tone resolute. "We didn't get where we are by playing it safe."
"No, we certainly didn't," Matteo conceded, his gaze distant.
"Just be careful, Kylan," Matteo added, his voice softer now. "I know you can handle yourself, but I worry about your brothers."
I tensed, his words striking a chord. Levi and Kaleb had no idea what went on behind the closed doors of our world. They were oblivious to the fact that every decision I made was with them in mind, every risk taken so they could live without this darkness hanging over them.
"I know," I said quietly, rubbing a hand over my face. "They don't need to know any of this."
"They're not kids anymore," Matteo pointed out, his tone gentle but firm. "They'll find out eventually."
"Not if I can help it," I muttered. The thought of them getting involved in this mess, seeing what I had to do to protect them—it kept me up at night. "They deserve better."
Matteo didn't argue. He knew how fiercely I protected them, how much I carried for them without ever letting on. He'd seen me take hits, literal and metaphorical, so that they wouldn't have to.
We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of our reality pressing down on us.
"I'll make sure everything goes smoothly tonight," he said, his voice steady. "And I'll be by your side, like always."
I looked up at him, grateful. "Thanks, Matteo."
The sound of footsteps in the hallway caught my attention.
Levi strolled into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes, clearly still waking up. His tousled hair and wrinkled shirt told me he'd been up late studying again.
"Morning," he mumbled, heading straight for the coffee machine.
"Morning, Levi," I said, keeping my voice casual. "Late night?"
He grunted something unintelligible as he poured himself a mug. Matteo shot me an amused glance, and I rolled my eyes. Levi had always been the academic type, smart as hell and driven, but he had no idea the real work I was doing to keep our world from crumbling. And that was exactly how I wanted it.
"Any exams today?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light.
Levi nodded, taking a long sip of his coffee before answering. "Yeah, I've got to head out soon. I might not be back until late."
"sure" I said, watching him closely. "Just stay focused on school."
Levi glanced up at me, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "I always am."
Matteo pushed off the stool, stretching his arms. "Well, I'll leave you to it. I've got to check on a few things before tonight."
I nodded, watching as he left the room.
"Make sure to eat something before you head out," I said, my tone softer. "You've been running on coffee alone lately."
Levi smirked, his tired eyes meeting mine. "I'll grab something on the way. Don't worry."
Worry. It was a permanent state for me, whether he knew it or not.
As Levi drained his coffee and got up to leave, we both heard the unmistakable sound of heavy, energetic footsteps pounding down the stairs. Kaleb burst into the kitchen with all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop, his backpack slung over one shoulder, his shirt half-untucked.
"Morning!" he shouted, heading straight for the fridge.
"Morning," I said, raising an eyebrow at the state of his appearance. "You planning on actually tucking in that shirt today?"
Kaleb glanced down at himself, then shrugged. "What's the point? It's just school." He grabbed an apple from the fridge and took a bite, leaning against the counter as he grinned at me. "Besides, I'm not trying to impress anyone."
I shook my head, but I couldn't help the smile tugging at my lips. Kaleb was a handful, but he had a way of bringing some light into the house, even when things felt heavy.
"Anything I need to know about today?" I asked, keeping my tone casual but firm.
Kaleb paused mid-bite, his eyes flicking up to mine. "Nah, just the usual. Classes, maybe hanging out with Luca after. Why? You planning on checking up on me?"
His words were light, but there was an edge to them. Kaleb hated when I kept tabs on him, hated feeling like I was always looking over his shoulder. But he didn't understand the world we lived in, not fully. He didn't know the dangers lurking in the shadows, waiting to pull him in if he wasn't careful.
"I trust you," I said, holding his gaze. "Just... don't get into any trouble."
Kaleb smirked, but there was something almost defiant in his eyes. "When have I ever gotten into trouble?"
I raised an eyebrow. "You want me to list examples?"
Levi, who had been watching the exchange with quiet amusement, finally chimed in. "Don't start, Kaleb. You've been grounded more times than I can count."
Kaleb rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Like you're so perfect."
Levi shrugged, not rising to the bait. "Just saying, maybe try not to piss off Kylan today."
"Just stay out of trouble, okay? That's all I'm asking."
Kaleb waved me off, "Yeah, yeah. I'll be fine. You worry too much, Kylan."
I watched as he shoved the rest of the apple in his mouth and slung his backpack over his shoulder.
He gave a half-hearted salute as he headed for the door. "Later!"
As soon as the door shut behind him, the house felt quieter, emptier.
"You do worry too much, you know," Levi said, his tone light but not without understanding.
I turned to him, my eyes heavy with everything unsaid. "Someone has to. Especially with him."
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