Kanyan (Gatti Enforcers #1)

2 MASON

Saxon.

The vagabond.

The fucking asshole Fed who deprived us of our revenge on Altin Kadri, the man who kidnapped two of my brothers’ partners. A man who developed a penchant for power and control and decided to make a play for the Moreno family. He tried to wipe us all out, but just as he slipped through our fingers and was about to get on a boat to leave the country, the FBI swooped in and caught him, detaining him on federal charges. An FBI team lead by no other than Saxon North. Who now stands before me, cocky as ever. Fucking asshole.

I don’t bother standing. I let him take his sweet time, watching as his polished shoes scrape against the grimy floor. He steps into the dim light, eyes locking onto mine with that too-calm expression, the one that never changes. It’s always like he’s standing over you, watching, weighing every little thing you do. But I can see through it. I know a predator when I see one.

“Didn’t think I’d see you here, Saxon,” I mutter, leaning back against the cold concrete wall. My voice is rough from the stale air, but I make it sound casual. Like I’m not about to tear this motherfucker apart.

He doesn’t reply right away, just steps closer. He’s wearing that sharp suit, like he’s here for business, though we both know it’s more than that. He’s not here to talk about my arrest. He’s here because he’s been watching me.

I watch him close the gap, his eyes scanning me for any hint of weakness. It’s the same game he’s been playing since I first met him. But this time, something’s different. He knows something I don’t.

“You got yourself in here for a reason, Mason,” Saxon finally says, his voice calm, calculated. He leans against the bars of my cell, arms crossed, not bothering with pleasantries.

My lip curls into a sneer. “What’s your point, Saxon?”

“You’re not stupid,” he continues, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You got thrown in here on purpose. I know what you’re planning. I know exactly why you’re here, and I’m not about to let you fuck up my plans.”

His words hit like a cold slap to the face, but I don’t show it. I’ve learned to keep my mask intact, no matter how sharp the knives are.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking,” I say, sitting up straighter. “I broke the law. That’s why I’m in here.”

“I don’t think,” Saxon replies, his voice icy now. “I know.”

I snort. “Is that right?”

He steps closer, his presence suffocating, like a predator circling its prey. I can almost feel the tension crackling between us. Saxon knows he has me cornered—at least for now. But he doesn’t understand what drives me. He doesn’t know what I’m willing to do, how far I’m willing to go.

“You’re in isolation for the next 48 hours,” he says, his tone dropping to a hard, unforgiving edge. “I’m pulling you out of general population.”

I can’t help but laugh, though it sounds bitter. “You can do whatever the fuck you want to do.”

He doesn’t flinch. “And I will. I’m keeping you locked up until I get you transferred out of this federal hellhole.” He smirks. “Maybe I’ll even give you a cushy hotel room.”

I shift, my muscles coiling. “Like I said, do whatever the fuck you want to do.”

“I will,” he says, finally breaking his impassive facade to reveal a flicker of something darker. “You got yourself in here to do something. I don’t care what it is, but I know it involves someone in here. Or maybe even someone out there.”

I don’t respond. He’s not wrong, but I’m not about to give him the satisfaction of admitting it.

“You’re not in control anymore, Mason,” he adds, his voice low, almost a growl. “And you’ll stay the hell away from anyone in this prison population. The last thing you need right now is to make an enemy of me.”

His eyes are hard, cold, but I can see a flash of something—fear—behind them. Fear of what I might do. Fear of what he knows I’m capable of.

But that’s the thing. I like making people like him nervous.

“You done?” I ask, my tone heavy with amusement.

“I’m watching you, Ironside.” Saxon’s voice is tight, his body rigid. He’s itching for a reason to strike. I can see it in the way his fingers twitch at his side.

“Watch all you want,” I say, my voice turning cold. “But you’re right about one thing. I didn’t get myself locked up because I lost my mind. Now do your job and stop me if you can.”

His lips tighten, but he doesn’t respond right away. I can tell he’s trying to read me, trying to figure out how far I’m willing to push. But the truth is, I’ll push as far as I need to. And if that means going through him, so be it.

“I’ll do what I have to,” Saxon finally says, his eyes narrowing. “But you’re not making any moves in here. Not without me watching.”

I lean forward, my gaze locking with his. “You think you can stop me, Saxon? You think you can alter the destiny I’ve already constructed?”

His jaw clenches, but he doesn’t answer.

Instead, he turns and walks to the door, his steps measured, controlled. The sound of his shoes scraping against the concrete floors echoes louder than his words ever could.

But before he leaves, he pauses.

“I will keep you in here until you rot if you push me,” he says, his voice almost a whisper, like a warning.

I sit back, letting the silence hang in the air like a thick fog.

You can try.