Chapter Seventy-Two: The Fall
The room still smelled like sex.
Sweat. Cum. The musk of bodies pressed together.
Jack stood in the doorway, his arms crossed, watching Rider scramble to pull his pants up.
Ronald was still naked, his cock half-hard, his face flushed with confusion and anger.
"What the fuck is going on?" Ronald demanded.
Jack smiled faintly.
Rider's hands fumbled with his belt. His face was red. Not from exertion.
From rage.
"You," Rider said, his voice tight. "You fucking—"
He lunged forward, his fist swinging toward Jack's face.
Jack sidestepped easily.
Rider's momentum carried him forward. He stumbled, catching himself against the wall.
Jack laughed.
"Really?" he said. "You're going to try to fight me with your dick out?"
Rider spun around, his chest heaving.
"You pulled the investment," Rider said. His voice was shaking. "You promised me. You shook my fucking hand."
Jack's smile widened.
"I did," he said. "And then I changed my mind."
"You can't do that—"
"I can do whatever I want," Jack said. His voice was calm. Almost bored. "Rider, I don't owe you shit."
Ronald stepped forward, his hands clenched into fists.
"What the fuck is going on?" he asked again.
Jack's eyes flicked to him.
"Rider's about to be fucked," Jack said. "That's what's going on."
Rider's jaw tightened.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
Jack tilted his head, studying Rider's face.
"Don't you recognize me?" he asked.
Rider blinked.
"You're the King," he said. "From King's Paradise."
Jack's smile didn't falter.
"Look harder," he said.
Rider's eyes narrowed.
He stared at Jack's face. At the scar cutting through his eyebrow. At the clouded eye that didn't quite focus.
And then something shifted.
Rider's face went pale.
"No," he whispered.
Jack's smile widened.
"Yes," he said.
And then Hela turned the corner.
"Jack, you piece of shit!" she shouted.
She was furious, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor as she stormed toward him.
"You left me in the fucking car!" she said. "And then you just left me to do all the work!"
Jack sighed.
"Hela—"
"Don't 'Hela' me," she snapped. "You said we were doing this together."
Rider's eyes widened.
"Jack?" he said, his voice barely a whisper.
Ronald's face twisted in confusion.
"As in Leena's ex Jack?" he asked.
Jack turned to Hela, his expression flat.
"You ruined the surprise," he said.
Hela shrugged.
"They would've found out anyway," she said.
Rider's attention shifted to Hela.
He stared at her, his mouth opening and closing like a fish.
"Hela?" he said. "What are you—"
He stopped.
The last he'd heard of Hela, her cousin's gang had been destroyed by a rival crew. She'd disappeared after that.
Rider looked back and forth between Jack and Hela.
"What's your relationship?" he asked.
Hela opened her mouth to respond, but Jack cut her off.
"It doesn't matter," he said. He turned to Hela. "Is everything ready?"
Hela nodded.
"Yes."
Jack looked at Rider.
"Follow me," he said. "You're not going to want to miss this."
***
The staircase was wide and grand, the kind that belonged in a mansion built to impress.
Jack descended slowly, his hand trailing along the polished wood railing.
Rider followed behind him, his legs unsteady.
Ronald stayed upstairs, still trying to process what the fuck was happening.
The music was still playing downstairs.
The bass thrummed through the floor, vibrating in Jack's chest.
He could hear moans. Laughter. The wet slap of flesh against flesh.
The orgy was still going.
People were too absorbed in their own pleasure to notice anything else.
Jack reached the bottom of the stairs and grabbed the microphone from its stand near the DJ booth.
He walked toward the center of the living room, where Hela had set up the projector.
It was pointed at a blank white wall, the lens cap still on.
Jack stopped in front of it and turned to face the room.
Rider stood a few feet behind him, his face pale, his hands trembling.
Jack tapped the microphone.
TAP. TAP. TAP.
The sound echoed through the room, sharp and jarring.
The music didn't stop, but heads began to turn.
A woman pulled her mouth off a man's cock, her lips glistening.
A couple fucking against the wall paused mid-thrust.
Leena looked over from beneath David.
Her eyes locked on Jack.
Her stomach twisted.
No.
Not him.
Not here.
She tried to hide her face, turning her head away.
But it was too late.
Jack had already seen her.
He smiled.
"Good evening," Jack said into the microphone. His voice was smooth. Confident. "I hope everyone's having a good time."
A few people laughed nervously.
Most just stared.
"My name is Jack," he continued. "Some of you might know me as the King from King's Paradise."
Murmurs rippled through the room.
Leena's chest tightened.
Jack?
The King is Jack?
Her mind raced, trying to piece it together.
The scarred eye. The way he'd looked at her in the private box. The way he'd fucked her like he hated her.
Oh god.
He knew who I was the whole time.
Jack's smile widened.
"But tonight," he said, "I'm not here as the King. I'm here as an investor. Or rather, a former investor."
He gestured to Rider, who stood frozen behind him.
"You see," Jack continued, "Rider here made me a very interesting pitch a few weeks ago. He wanted me to invest in Crestfall Health. A hospital chain he recently acquired."
The room was silent now.
Even the music seemed quieter.
"He told me it was a great deal," Jack said. "That he'd bought it at a steal. That the returns would be incredible."
Jack paused, letting the words hang in the air.
"But I'm a cautious man," he said. "So I did some digging."
He turned to Hela.
"Hela, if you would."
Hela stepped forward and removed the lens cap from the projector.
The machine hummed to life.
Numbers appeared on the wall.
Charts. Graphs. Financial statements.
Jack's voice cut through the silence.
"Rider bought Crestfall Health for three hundred and forty million dollars," he said. "Which sounds reasonable, right?"
He paused.
"Except the hospital chain was valued at one hundred and fifty million."
Gasps rippled through the room.
"He paid double," Jack said. "Double what it was worth."
Rider's face went white.
"That's a lie," he said, his voice shaking. "You're lying."
Jack ignored him.
"And here's the best part," Jack continued. "For his investors to break even, Crestfall Health would need to make double its annual revenue for eight years straight."
He let that sink in.
"Eight years," he repeated. "Without a single setback. Without a single lawsuit. Without a single drop in patient numbers."
The room erupted.
"What the fuck—"
"He lied to us—"
"I invested five million—"
Jack raised a hand, and the room quieted.
"Now, Rider here might tell you I'm just bitter," Jack said. He looked at Rider, his smile cold. "That I'm mad because he stole my wife."
Rider's jaw clenched.
Jack's eyes moved to Leena.
She was still beneath David, her body frozen, her face pale.
"But the truth is," Jack said, "Rider can have the whore. I've already got my fill."
Leena's chest caved in.
Whore.
The word hit her like a slap.
She could feel David's weight on top of her. Could feel his cock still inside her.
And Jack was calling her a whore.
In front of everyone.
Her mind spiraled.
Tears pricked her eyes, but she blinked them back.
She couldn't cry.
Not here.
Not in front of everyone.
Jack turned back to the projector.
"I have more evidence," he said. "Courtesy of a very helpful source inside Rider's organization."
More documents appeared on the wall.
Emails. Bank statements. Contracts.
All of it damning.
The room exploded again.
Mr. Caldwell stood from his seat near the fireplace, his face red with fury.
"Security!" he shouted. "Get them out of here!"
Jack raised his hands in mock surrender.
"We're leaving," he said. His voice was calm. Amused. "No need to get violent."
Hela was already walking toward the door, her heels clicking against the marble.
Jack followed, the microphone still in his hand.
He stopped at the entrance and turned back to the room.
"Enjoy the rest of your night," he said.
And then he was gone.
***
The cold night air hit Jack like a wave.
He took a deep breath, filling his lungs.
And then he started laughing.
Hela was already laughing beside him, her hand pressed to her stomach.
"Did you see his face?" she gasped. "Did you see Rider's fucking face?"
Jack leaned against the wall, his shoulders shaking.
"He looked like he was going to shit himself," he said.
Hela doubled over, her laughter echoing through the empty driveway.
"And Leena," she said. "Oh my god, Leena looked like she wanted to die."
Jack's laughter faded slightly.
He straightened, pulling his phone from his pocket.
"I need to call Bella," he said.
Hela's smile faltered.
Jack dialed, pressing the phone to his ear.
It rang once. Twice. Three times.
"Hello?"
Bella's voice was soft. Tired.
"It's done," Jack said. "Rider's finished."
There was a pause.
"Congratulations," Bella said.
Jack waited for more.
But there was nothing.
"Do you want to celebrate?" he asked. "I could pick you up. We could get drinks."
"I can't," Bella said. "I'm moving into my new apartment."
Jack's chest tightened.
"I can help," he said quickly. "I'll come over. I'll—"
"It's okay," Bella said. "I've got it handled."
And then she hung up.
Jack stared at the phone, his jaw tight.
Hela stepped closer.
"You've got to let her go," she said quietly.
Jack didn't respond.
Hela moved in front of him, her hands reaching for his face.
"Jack—"
She leaned in, her lips brushing against his.
Jack's hand shot up, gripping her chin.
Hard.
"Stop," he said.
Hela blinked.
"Stop trying to replace her," Jack said. His voice was low. Dangerous.
Hela's eyes narrowed.
"She's not here," she said. "I am. Bella's off with some other man, and I'm the one standing in front of you."
Jack's hand moved to her throat.
He backed her against the wall, his grip tightening.
"Don't you ever," he said, his voice a growl, "compare your importance in my life to Bella's."
Hela's breath hitched.
"Bella saved me," Jack continued. "She nursed me back to health. She made me who I am."
His grip tightened.
"You?" he said. "You pushed me to the brink of death with your games with Rider. I haven't forgotten that."
Hela's eyes widened.
"What we have," Jack said, "is purely pleasure. Nothing more."
For a moment, Hela's expression shifted.
Her usual grin faltered.
Something raw flickered across her face.
Sadness.
Real, genuine sadness.
Jack had never seen it before.
And then it was gone.
Hela's grin returned, sharp and mocking.
"Of course," she said. Her voice was light. Too light. "I know what we have is nothing compared to what you have with Bella."
She pushed his hand away.
"I was just trying to give you some advice," she said.
Jack let go, stepping back.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Now the good mood's ruined," he muttered.
He looked at Hela.
"Come on," he said. "Let's get drinks. Celebrate properly."
Hela hesitated.
Her smile flickered.
"I can't," she said.
Jack frowned.
"Why not?"
Hela shrugged, her eyes not quite meeting his.
"I've got... things to do," she said.
Jack studied her for a moment.
But he didn't push.
"Fine," he said.
Hela turned and walked toward her car, her heels clicking against the pavement.
Jack watched her go.
***
Inside the mansion, chaos reigned.
Investors surrounded Rider, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of anger and accusations.
"You lied to us—"
"I want my money back—"
"This is fraud—"
Rider stood in the center of it all, his hands raised, his voice strained.
"It's not what it looks like—"
"Then what is it?" someone shouted.
Rider opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Mr. Caldwell stepped forward, his face a mask of cold fury.
"Everyone," he said, his voice cutting through the noise. "The party is over. Go home."
The room fell silent.
"Now," Caldwell added.
Slowly, reluctantly, people began to move.
They grabbed their clothes. Their partners. Their dignity.
And they left.
Within minutes, the mansion was nearly empty.
Only a few stragglers remained.
Marcus was one of them.
He walked toward Leena, who had pulled her dress back on and was standing near the couch.
David was beside her, his shirt half-buttoned, his face flushed.
"You're coming home with me," Marcus said.
Leena's stomach dropped.
"In your dreams," she said, her voice sharp.
Marcus smiled.
"Rider," he said, turning to look at him. "Tell her."
Leena's eyes moved to Rider.
"Tell me what?" she asked.
Rider's jaw tightened.
He didn't look at her.
"I made a deal with Marcus," he said quietly. "In exchange for his investment, he gets... you. For a week."
Leena's heart stopped.
"What?" she whispered.
"It was the only way to secure the funding," Rider said. His voice was flat. Emotionless.
Leena felt like she'd been punched in the gut.
"You're kidding," she said. Her voice was shaking. "Tell me you're kidding."
Rider didn't respond.
Marcus stepped forward, his hand reaching for her arm.
"Come on," he said. "Let's go."
Leena jerked away.
"I'm not going with you," she said.
Marcus's smile faded.
"You don't have a choice," he said.
He grabbed her wrist, his grip tight.
Leena tried to pull away, but Marcus was stronger.
He shoved her toward the door.
Leena stumbled, her heels catching on the marble.
She fell to her knees, her hands hitting the floor.
"Stop—" she started.
Marcus grabbed her by the hair, yanking her to her feet.
"I already got fucked by Rider once," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm not getting fucked out of this deal twice."
Leena's eyes filled with tears.
She looked at Rider, desperate.
Help me.
Please.
But Rider was already walking away, his attention on Caldwell.
Leena's chest heaved.
He's not going to help me.
He sold me.
He fucking sold me.
And then David was there.
He shoved Marcus hard, sending him stumbling backward.
"Leave her alone," David said.
Marcus's face twisted with rage.
"You little—"
He lunged forward, his fist swinging toward David's face.
Leena stepped between them.
"Stop!" she shouted.
Marcus froze.
Leena turned to David, her chest heaving.
"It's okay," she said quietly.
David's eyes were wide, his hands trembling.
"Leena—"
And then an idea struck.
A desperate, reckless idea.
Leena leaned close to David, her lips brushing against his ear.
She whispered something.
David's eyes widened.
Leena pulled back, her hands gripping his shoulders.
"Can you do that for me?" she asked.
David hesitated.
Then he nodded.
"Okay," Leena said. Her voice was shaking. "I'm relying on you."
"I won't let you down," David said.
Leena turned to Marcus.
"Let's go," she said.
Marcus's smile returned.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the door.
Leena didn't look back.
***
Rider stood alone in the corner of the room.
Caldwell approached, his expression cold.
"I'm disappointed in you," Caldwell said.
Rider opened his mouth to respond, but Caldwell raised a hand.
"I could understand lying to the others," Caldwell said. "But to me? The man who's been your biggest supporter since day one?"
He gestured to the projector, where the evidence was still displayed.
"You lied to my face," Caldwell said.
"I didn't mean—" Rider started.
"You did," Caldwell said. "And now we're done."
Rider's chest tightened.
"Mr. Caldwell, please—"
"The best you can hope for," Caldwell said, his voice flat, "is that you don't have to declare bankruptcy."
He turned and walked away.
Rider stood there, his hands trembling.
The room was empty now.
Silent.
He looked at the projector.
At the numbers. The evidence. The proof of his failure.
And then he thought of Jack.
The King.
No.
Jack.
Rider's jaw clenched.
His hands curled into fists.
He did this.
He destroyed me.
He took everything.
Rider's vision blurred with rage.
I'll get revenge.
Even if it kills me.
I'll make him pay.