Page 53 of Mob Boss's Second Chance

Ask him. It’s better to ask than to assume.Is it, though? Do I want to know the truth? What if it breaks me?

What if the man I neverreally knew turns out to be more dangerous than the devil himself?

Chapter Sixteen

Ethan

Alucard, my father’s old-time lawyer, laughs heartily when I walk into his office.

“The Ethan Cross. If you’re in my office, then I suspect it’s about the prosecution’s investigation into your activities?”

“You’ve—” I sigh. Of course, he’s heard about it.

They made a fuss the first time; it must’ve reached everyone. They’ve been quiet, but I’ve been reluctant to make a move.

“Sit,” Alucard gestures. “Tell me about your problems. Although I think I know why you’re here.”

I lean back, arms loosely folded. “The deal?”

He nods and smiles sagely. “Yup. They tried that bullshit with a couple of clients of mine. It never works well, Ethan Cross. You say yes one time, and you’re under their thumb. They have you right where they want you.”

So, Anthony was right. I should’ve gone at them hard.

Alucard, as though reading my thoughts, snorts. “Your silly cousin doesn’t know anything, my boy. He’s all bark, no bite.” He waves his hand dismissively. “It’s a good thing his father died because someone would’ve taken him out the moment he stepped on board.”

“Now you,” he nods, “you, they respect.”

“Okay,” I nod firmly, already making mental assessments of how things will go. Obviously, I can’t accept the prosecution’s offer, but I need to tighten my corners so they don’t have any loose ends to pull.

“Let me know if you need my help,” Alucard says. “Your father—I respected him well enough. As ruthless as he appeared to be, he took pride in loyalty. And I,” he gives me a thin smile of respect, “take pride in repaying my debts.”

As soon as I step into the car, my phone buzzes. One of the club handlers is calling, but the chaos in the background nearly drowns out his voice.

“Anthony,” I catch that much. His name comes through clearly before the rest of the words get swallowed by the noise—shouting, something crashing, sheer disorder.

I grip the phone tighter. “Say that again. What about Anthony?”

He doesn’t respond, and for a while, I hear the sound of footsteps hastily retreating. Then a door opens…

“He’s in trouble,” the handler finally gets out, his breathing ragged. “It’s bad, boss. Real bad.”

My pulse spikes. “Where?”

“The club,” he rushes out. “Luna Royale. He—” The line crackles, more yelling in the background. Then, “You need to get here now.”

I don’t hesitate. I tap the driver’s seat twice. “Luna Royale. Now.”

The tires screech as we take off.

When I get there,everythingis in chaos. From the broken glass door to the furniture upturned, the number of bystanders huddled in the corner—obviously coked or drunk, and the smell of something metallic in the air.

“What happened here?” I demand—my tone skating on thin ice. “Where’s Leonard?” I ask again when my first question is met with silence. “Where the fuck is Leonard?!”

He rushes out, panting hard. “Boss, I’m sorry. I had to take care of something. You need to see this.” He gestures to the stairs leading to the club’s VIP area.

I follow him without questions, although my mind is running with thoughts.

Anthony.What the fuck happened to my cousin? What did he do? What did he get into?

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