His mind was still foggy, but one thing was clear—he had been drugged.

Cole lifted his head, blinking against the harsh light above him. Across from him stood a man with sharp eyes and an amused smirk. He was well-dressed, his suit crisp, his presence exuding authority.

Cole recognized him immediately.

Ike.

The head of the second mafia family.

And sitting lazily on the couch beside him was Rik.

The moment Rik saw Cole’s eyes focus, he grinned. “Look who’s finally awake.”

Cole ignored him and turned his attention to Ike. “So, this is how you welcome an old friend?” His voice was hoarse, but his tone remained calm.

Ike chuckled, stepping forward. “Friend? No, Cole. You and I both know we’ve never been friends.”

Cole’s jaw tightened. He was still trying to fight off the drug in his system, but it wasn’t completely out of his bloodstream yet. He felt sluggish, and he hated that.

“Cut to the chase,” Cole muttered. “What do you want?”

Ike exchanged a glance with Rik before sighing. “Fifteen years. That’s how long we’ve tolerated your family stepping over us, controlling the city as if we don’t exist.”

Cole smirked. “That sounds like a ‘you’ problem.”

Rik’s smile widened. “You talk too much.” He stood up, walking closer, his eyes scanning Cole like a predator sizing up its prey. “You know, it’s funny. I expected your father to be more careful with his heir, but here you are, drunk and vulnerable in our hands.”

Cole clenched his fists. That bastard spiked my drink. He knew better than to go out without bodyguards, but he had been too distracted, too reckless.

Ike sighed again. “I could kill you, but that wouldn’t be much fun. Besides, your father would probably just replace you. No, I have a better idea.”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Tell me, Cole… How much is your life worth to your father?”

Cole’s blood ran cold. He knew exactly where this was going.

Ike wanted to use him as leverage.

Master sat in his office, reading a report when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and frowned at the unknown number.

Reluctantly, he answered. “Who is this?”

A deep, familiar voice responded. “Ike.”

Master’s expression darkened immediately. “What do you want?”

Ike chuckled. “I think you already know. Your son made it easy for me. He was practically begging to be taken.”

Master’s grip tightened on the phone. “Where is he?”

“That depends,” Ike replied smoothly. “How much are you willing to give for him?”

Silence.

Then, Master’s voice came out cold and sharp. “If you lay a hand on him, I’ll wipe your entire family off the map.”

Ike laughed. “You’re in no position to make threats. I’ll send you my terms soon. Don’t keep me waiting.”

The call ended.

Master slammed the phone down, his face unreadable. But the tension in his body was clear.

He pressed a button on his desk, and within seconds, Daniel and Lucas entered the room.

Daniel immediately noticed the shift in Master’s demeanor. “What happened?”

Master looked at him, his expression unreadable. “Cole has been taken.”

Daniel’s breath hitched. “By who?”

“The second family.”

Lucas’s face paled. “Shit.”

Master stood, his voice dangerously calm. “Find him. And bring him back.”

At the Second Family’s Hideout

Cole remained motionless in his chair, his mind racing. He had been in dangerous situations before, but this was different.

I can’t get out of this alone.

Rik leaned down beside him, whispering, “You look nervous, Cole. Should I make you feel more comfortable?”

Cole turned his head and stared at him. “Touch me, and I’ll break your fingers.”

Rik grinned. “I’d like to see you try.”

Before anything else could be said, the door burst open.

A man stepped inside, whispering something to Ike.

Ike smirked. “Well, it seems my offer has been received. Now, let’s see if your father loves you enough to pay the price.”

Cole’s eyes darkened. “You’re making a mistake.”

Ike leaned in, smiling coldly. “No, Cole. You did—when you walked right into my hands.”