The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 124

"Hell, would you look at that poor sap?" someone snorted from the sidelines.

"Dumb fool went and messed with the son of Sir Drake. Bethe's toast."

"What'd he think he was doin', picking a fight first like that?" another bystander added, spitting a wad of tobacco.

"Tryin' to play the hero, and now he's gettin' stomped like a bug."

"And that woman, Sophia Lancaster?" a raspy voice chimed in. "She should've been down on her knees thanking Jasper for payin' her any mind."

"I heard that anytime Jasper sets his sights on a gal, he sends Hank to grab her in the dead of night," someone else murmured.

The rumors spread faster than crows on a carcass, the air stinking of their fearful blame for Marco and Sophia.

Hank let out a low, nasty chuckle as he proceeded to work Marco over.

Each punch echoed like thunder. "You think you're some kind of tough guy? Show me that backbone, you miserable piece of trash!"

"Please... stop..." Marco's voice came out ragged, his face battered and bloody. It was all he could do to stay

conscious.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Hank sneered before cracking another backhand across Marco's jaw.

"Guess I'm just a big mean bully, huh?" His lip curled into a grin.

Marco's fists clenched, half from fury, half from the jolt of pain ricocheting through his body.

But he knew better. Hank worked for Harlan-called Sir Drake-a ruthless bastard with an empire built on fear.

His men specialized in every dirty trick: extortion, kidnappin', blowin' things sky- high. If you wanted mercy, you wouldn't find it in Harlan's dictionary.

"Damn it... I really stepped in it this time," Marco thought, cold sweat dripping down his neck.

moment of hesitation and stomped forward, eyes glinting

you acting all

Marco managed a weak grin, trying not

meaty slaps across Marco's cheeks, each

and attempted another placating

it even. I'll pay," he offered,

"Son, I got more money

"I'm not sayin' you're broke. I'm sayin'-we don't have to solve this with fists.

decking him so hard Marco slammed into the ground. "One more word

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Chapter 124

self- preservation telling him not to. Better to

out why any woman would stick around someone as worthless as

put, ignoring the burning indignation in his chest. Survival

and hammered an uppercut beneath Marco's chin, sending him crashing to

raw panic. She couldn't stand

Think it's real brave, ganging up on a man like

snorted and stepped over Marco's limp

who's got some bark. This here's Drake territory, lady. And

is Kingston family land," Megan snapped, eyes blazing. "Lay off, or you're

laugh. The Kingston name don't scare me one bit." He tossed out

your boy threw the first punch, so I'm just settin' things straight. Ain't that

me that garbage!" Megan retorted, though her words shook

his head, smile never reaching his cold eyes. "You really don't get it, do you? Boys-educate

brick walls.

the tension, icy and direct. She locked eyes with

got nothin' to do with

so?" Hank leered, a nasty glint in his gaze. "Guess you're sayin' you'll take the heat

Sophia stayed stone-faced.

sweetheart. We got a deal." Hank's voice sank to a

me a good time, and maybe I'll forget all about