From Bullets To Billions novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22 - Putting Max Through Hell

Steven stuck his little finger in his ear and twisted, half-convinced he'd misheard.

"Wait... what did you just say? Did you seriously ask me to take care of someone?"

Max didn't flinch. He just stared straight ahead, eyes locked on Steven, waiting for a response.

"Hey, you've got to be careful with how you say stuff like that," Steven muttered, glancing around the empty gym out of instinct. "You say something like that, and it almost sounds like you want me to..." He lowered his voice. "Kill someone."

That made Max laugh, and not a little chuckle either—full-on laughter that echoed through the gym. Given the context, it made him seem completely unhinged.

"No, I'm not asking you to go that far," Max said as the laughter faded. "I just want you to rough someone up a bit. A few solid hits here and there—someone from my school."

Steven's brows drew together. "You want me to beat up a kid?"

He shook his head. Based on what he'd seen of Max so far, the request didn't really add up. The kid could clearly handle himself. Still, Steven had a few guesses. Maybe Max was being bullied at school, and this was his way of fighting back.

But if that was true... then who the hell were these bullies?

"I'm sorry... I just... I don't think I can do it," Steven finally said, shaking his head. "Beating up someone I don't even know? Someone I've got no personal issue with? That's just not who I am. And besides... we're talking about a teenager. A 17-year-old kid. I don't think I could go through with something like that."

Max gave a small nod. He'd gotten the answer he was looking for—not disappointed, not surprised. If anything, he'd just been curious. Curious to see what someone like Steven, with real skill, might say when faced with a situation like that.

Because Max wasn't just thinking about today.

He was thinking about the future—about the White Tiger Gang. About going up against the very empire he had built from the ground up. It was a force too large to take on alone. And Max didn't have the luxury of time to build deep, meaningful relationships. Not anymore.

So, instead, he wanted to test something.

Just how far can money really take me?

After all...

You said money is what rules the world.

That's why I was betrayed, right?

With those thoughts, Max slid his hands into his pockets and turned away.

Steven, still watching him, felt his phone buzz. Then again. And again. Notifications lit up the screen—several messages from different people and companies, all popping up in quick succession.

[Your loan is overdue.]

[Your debt has gone into collections.]

[If you don't pay us back, you know what will happen to you.]

Steven stared at the screen, his grip on the phone tightening. Slowly, his eyes lifted toward Max, who was just about to walk out the gym doors.

"But!" Steven suddenly shouted. "It depends how high... after all, there's a price for everything."

Max didn't even glance back. He kept walking, a small smile creeping onto his face.

'There sure is.'

Steven stood frozen in the middle of his empty gym.

At least, Ko thought so. He was doubled over at his desk, laughing loudly. _{freewebnøvel.com}