CLAIMED BY THE RUTHLESS MAFIA LORD

Whispers in the Shadows

Hardin suddenly stopped just outside the noisy club, his face flushed red with barely contained anger. He turned to Harmony, eyes scanning her revealing maid uniform and the way too many men had been staring at her all night. The sight made his blood boil.

“There are some things you have to stop doing,” Hardin said, his voice stern and low, trying not to draw more attention.

Harmony looked down at her feet, nodding silently. She felt exposed and ashamed.

“If a man tells you to pick something up for them, you ignore him completely, you hear me?” Hardin continued, his eyes narrowing. “Don’t bend down. Don’t smile. Just walk away.”

Harmony nodded again, her voice barely a whisper. “Okay, brother.”

“I don’t think you should return to that club anymore,” Hardin said, jaw clenched tight. “Stay in the room if you can. I’ll be back soon.”

He turned and started walking back toward the club, intending to cause more trouble if necessary, but then he spotted Alessandro leaving with Reaper a few steps behind him. Hardin’s eyes hardened. Without thinking, he followed them immediately, fists clenched at his sides.

Alessandro entered his private quarters. Hardin tried to follow, but Reaper stepped in front of him, blocking the door.

“Let me in. I need to talk to him,” Hardin demanded angrily, fists tight.

“I don’t think he wants to see you right now,” Reaper said calmly, raising an eyebrow.

“Do you think I care about that?” Hardin snapped, his face twisted with disgust and fury. “I need to set things straight. He can do whatever he wants with me, but not my sister. I can’t accept this.”

Reaper shook his head, almost pitying him. “I can’t believe you right now. Follow me.”

Reaper grabbed Hardin’s arm and dragged him away down a dimly lit corridor. Hardin’s face remained set in a deep scowl the entire way.

“I told you I wanted to see him!” Hardin raised his voice. “He has to stop all this. I can tolerate a lot, but not this.”

“I don’t think you understand the type of person Venom is,” Reaper said seriously, stopping in a quieter hallway. “Do you really think challenging him will change anything? It will only make things worse for you and your sister.”

“I don’t care,” Hardin scoffed, rolling his eyes.

“You will care,” Reaper replied, eyes narrowing. “Because that kind of attitude can get your lovely sister hurt or worse in a place like this.”

Hardin didn’t reply immediately. His face stayed determined, but doubt flickered in his eyes.

Reaper continued, voice firm but not unkind. “If you really love your sister and want both of you to survive here, you have to lay low. Acting reckless won’t help. It will only bring more trouble.”

Hardin stayed silent for a long moment, staring at the floor. “Why are you telling me all this?” he finally asked, looking at Reaper with confusion.

Reaper gave a small smile. “Well, strangely… I like you. So think about it.” He patted Hardin’s shoulder once and turned to leave. “I’m Reaper, by the way,” he added midway before disappearing down the hall.

Hardin stood there alone, thinking deeply about Reaper’s words. He eventually walked back toward the bar area. The club was now almost empty, with only a few bartenders cleaning up the mess from the night.

“You should follow me,” a guy with an easy smile said, approaching him. “We’re staying in the same room.”

Hardin didn’t say anything. He just followed silently, face expressionless.

“I love your courage back there,” the guy continued as they walked. “I wish I could be like you.”

Hardin remained quiet.

“I’m Cole, by the way,” the guy introduced himself again.

They reached a nicely furnished room with a huge bed in the center.

“We’ll be sleeping together on the same bed,” Cole said casually. “I hope you’re okay with that?”

Hardin muttered under his breath, “I don’t,” and lay down on one side of the bed, face still scowling.

“I guess you don’t like talking too much,” Cole chuckled and lay on the other side.

---

Meanwhile, a maid had taken Harmony to their shared room.

“How do you like the room?” the maid asked with a friendly smile.

“It’s nice,” Harmony replied softly, looking around. The room was simple but comfortable — two beds, a small wardrobe, and a window with curtains. “Can I change my clothes please?”

“Sure,” the girl said. “Let me give you one of mine. I’m Star, by the way.”

“I’m Harmony,” she replied cutely, managing a small smile.

“So how did you get here?” Star asked as she searched for clothes.

Harmony shrugged. “I don’t really know. One minute I was helping a wounded man… the next, I’m here.”

Star’s expression turned sad. “My dad sold me to Godfather Marco a few years ago. I’ve been here since.”

“Sorry about that,” Harmony said gently.

Star shook her head. “No, I’m over it now. What about you? Any idea why they brought you?”

Harmony shrugged again. “I really don’t know.”

Star handed her a simple dress. “You should rest. We wake up very early tomorrow for duties.”

Harmony took the dress with a grateful smile, changed quickly, and lay on the bed. She had been through so much in one day — witnessing a brutal killing, being kidnapped, wearing that humiliating uniform, and seeing so many dangerous people. The images kept replaying in her head like a bad movie. She tossed and turned, thinking about her brother and wondering if he was safe, until exhaustion finally pulled her into a restless sleep.

---

The Next Morning – Dining Hall**

The dining hall was a grand, impressive space with high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural morning light. A long, heavy wooden table stretched down the center, surrounded by many chairs. The table was already set with plates, glasses, and silverware, ready for the gang members.

The walls had intricate wallpaper, tall wooden cabinets filled with fine china, and a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling that cast a warm glow even in daylight.

As the gang members began sitting down for breakfast, a group of maids, including Harmony, emerged from the kitchen carrying trays of delicious-smelling food, eggs, bacon, fresh bread, fruits, and hot coffee.

All eyes in the room immediately fell on Harmony. She felt extremely uncomfortable under the intense stares, her cheeks flushing pink as she moved around the table serving food.

Star whispered to her quietly while they worked, “I think you’re becoming popular already!”

Harmony’s face grew even redder. She dropped a generous serving of food in front of Ghost, who smiled warmly at her.

“What’s your name?” Ghost asked gently.

Harmony looked down, voice barely above a whisper. “Harmony.”

Ghost’s eyes lit up. “That’s a beautiful name!”

“And what about your brother?” Stalker asked curiously from across the table.

Harmony kept her gaze downcast. “His name is Hardin.”

The gang members exchanged amused glances. Stalker chuckled softly.

“How old are you, Harmony?” Hacker asked, leaning forward with interest.

She hesitated for a second. “Nineteen.”

Hacker pouted dramatically, his face scrunching up. “No way! You’re older than me!”

Ghost smirked, eyes twinkling. “I told you, Hacker!”

Harmony bowed her head, feeling overwhelmed by all the attention. She just wanted to see her brother again and get out of these revealing clothes.

After serving all the gang members, the maids returned to the big kitchen. Harmony was relieved when they gave her a plate of food for herself. She had barely eaten since yesterday. She dug in with quiet gusto, trying to ignore the whispers and stares that still followed her.

---

The day had only just begun, but Harmony already felt the heavy weight of her new reality pressing down on her. She had no idea what was coming next or how deeply her life was now tied to the dangerous man called Venom.