When danger came, Echo didn’t think of anything else-only that Ryan was strong, and if anyone had a chance of saving her, it would be him. Somehow, she was completely convinced, as if she’d built up this stubborn belief out of nowhere, that Ryan would come for her.
But when Ryan actually showed up and put himself in her place, using his body to shield her, the shock hit hard. She couldn’t lie-she was stunned. At that moment, as she climbed onto the rescue ladder, she found it impossible to believe. Ryan-him-had chosen to protect her.
Now that she had some time to think it over, it felt even more unreal. Ryan wasn’t just anyone-he was the Boss of the Dark family, the king of the underworld. A man with so much power that even some heads of state had to respect him. And yet, he had come for her–risking everything. That just didn’t add up.
Ryan didn’t hesitate when he heard her question. In his usual cold, commanding tone, he said, “I told you-you can only die by my hand.”
Echo rolled her eyes instantly.
So that’s it, huh?
He came all that way, not because he cared, but because if she was going to die, it had to be on his terms. That logic actually made sense. Ryan was just that kind of unreasonable-controlling to the core.
Any trace of gratitude she’d felt evaporated right then and there.
She should’ve known Ryan wouldn’t save her out of kindness.
Still, even though her appreciation vanished, the worry didn’t. No matter what, Ryan had risked his life for her.
In that final moment, there hadn’t been time for careful planning-he’d just acted. And now, with the radiation in his system, who knew if he could be cured?
The fact that a boss like him would go this far for a subordinate… well, it was reason enough for her to let herself care a little.
Echo was already used to Ryan’s domineering ways, so she didn’t bother thinking too hard about it. Whatever Ryan said went. As soon as she felt him finish applying the ointment to her back, she tried to push herself up to say something, but before she could, Bill’s voice came from outside.
“Mr. Adolph, this is the Dark family’s territory. Boss is resting-you can’t just barge in.”
Outside, Adolph gave an annoyed scoff. “I was out there risking my neck with him when you were still wet behind the ears. Get out of my way.” His footsteps quickened as he stormed toward the room.
Ryan’s brow furrowed slightly. He grabbed a decorative throw from the couch and swiftly wrapped Echo’s half-naked body in it, securing it tightly around her. At the same time, he threw on his shirt, making sure to cover the strange red blotches on his skin. They’d barely finished when Adolph came bursting through the door.
Trailing behind him, Bill lowered his head slightly and apologized to Ryan. “Boss, Mr. Adolph insisted on coming in.”
Ryan glanced at Adolph, who wore his usual smug grin, without showing any emotion. With a quick look, Ryan signaled for Bill to leave the room. If Adolph wanted to barge in, it wasn’t like Bill could stop him. Not unless Hawk and the others joined in-Bill alone didn’t stand a chance.
Back in the day, Adolph had been Ryan’s mentor, the one who had trained him from scratch. He had passed down the most valuable techniques, secrets of the mafia’s ancient traditions that were never meant to leave the family.
It was through Adolph’s teaching that Ryan had mastered everything. Though Ryan had surpassed his teacher by now, Adolph’s skills were still formidable, hidden beneath his deceptively smooth and delicate exterior. None of the others-not even Hawk-could take Adolph on alone.
When Bill noticed Ryan didn’t show any particular reaction-no anger, no reprimand-he gave Echo a quick look before turning around and stepping out of the room.
Hawk and the others had allowed Adolph to enter because, given Adolph’s status, rank, and how well he knew Ryan, stopping him wasn’t an option.
Bill had only made a brief attempt to block him, knowing that if he pushed too hard, Adolph might notice something unusual about Ryan-something they definitely didn’t want getting out, even to someone as close to Ryan as Adolph.
Adolph watched Bill leave, then strolled over to the sofa, plopping down with a smug grin plastered across his face. He glanced at Ryan and Echo, who were still tightly wrapped in the blanket, and then eyed the shredded clothes on the floor.
Raising an eyebrow, Adolph grinned mischievously at Ryan and said, “I knew something was off with Bill today-trying to keep me out. So, this is what’s going on, huh? Heh, Ryan, you finally made your move on her.”
Hearing Adolph’s playful jab and seeing that smirk on his face, Echo shot him a withering glare, baring her teeth in frustration.
Without saying much, Echo stood up and walked over to change into fresh clothes.
Sure, the scene looked a little suggestive and romantic, and it was the kind of situation that could spark rumors, but Echo didn’t care. As long as her conscience was clear, what people thought or said didn’t bother her in the slightest.
Adolph, noticing her annoyed look, burst into laughter. “Aw, are you mad I interrupted your little moment with Ryan? Is that it, my dear Echo?” he teased with a grin.
In response, Echo grabbed a pistol off the nearby table and chucked it straight at Adolph’s head. He dodged it with ease, his laughter only growing louder.
Ryan’s expression darkened instantly. His voice turned cold as he said, “Aren’t you supposed to be working? What the hell are you doing here? You need me to pave the way for you?” His face grew colder with every word.
Adolph saw Ryan’s icy glare and quickly wiped the grin off his face, coughing awkwardly. He hadn’t forgotten how far Ryan was willing to go to protect Echo. The last time he got on her bad side, Ryan had exiled him to Africa to dig up coal and diamonds. He hadn’t even left for that miserable assignment yet, and if he got in trouble again for joking around, his life would get a whole lot worse.
Adopting a pitiful expression, Adolph looked at Ryan with a pout. “Come on, Ryan, I’m just here to talk things over with you. You know I’ve been working on consolidating the old mafia territories that used to belong to Cecily. Do I really have to go to Africa? Can’t we send someone else? I mean, nothing major is going on over there-it’s just minor stuff. No need to drag me into it.”
Ryan’s cold gaze softened just a fraction, but his tone stayed sharp. “Minor stuff?”
Adolph nodded eagerly. “Yeah, exactly-just small matters. Look, someone else can handle it. I’ve got more important things to deal with.”
In Adolph’s eyes, Africa’s mines-whether coal, diamonds, or gold-weren’t worth his attention. Sure, there was some ongoing conflict over control of a massive diamond mine, and local disputes with major international diamond traders, but to him, it was still a trivial matter.
If they had to call him in for something like that, it would be embarrassing for the Dark family. How could they call themselves a top crime syndicate if they couldn’t even handle some basic business.
After changing clothes, Echo walked over and noticed Adolph giving Ryan this overly sweet, almost flattering look. His tone was playful, with just a hint of fake charm, and it made her shudder with disgust.
She shot him a glare and said, “Can you, like, talk like a normal person for once?”
Adolph caught her disgusted look and exaggerated his reaction, acting as if he was deeply offended. He gave Echo a hard glare in return.
What does she know? He knew that if there was one thing Ryan hated, it was sappy, clingy behavior. The more cringey he acted, the more likely Ryan would kick him out-and his current goal was to get out of this mess without being shipped off to Africa. If he started acting “normal,” he might actually have to go.
Sure enough, Ryan’s face darkened, and his frown deepened as he shot Adolph a freezing glare. “Go handle your business. I don’t want to see you right now.” His words weren’t exactly shouted, but the chill in his tone hit Adolph like a slap in the face.
Adolph, however, lit up with relief, immediately taking two steps toward Ryan with a broad grin. “I knew you were reasonable! Alright then, I’ll get back to-”
But before he could finish his sentence, Adolph lunged forward with lightning speed, reaching for Ryan’s collar.
Ryan’s expression didn’t change one bit, as if he’d been expecting the move all along. His left hand shot up, blocking Adolph’s grab with a powerful smack.
The sound of their muscles colliding echoed through the room.
Adolph’s eyes narrowed, his grin fading. He turned his failed grab into a punch, throwing it directly at Ryan.