Underworld Submission (book 1)

Convergence

The evening air was thick with the scent of rain, the sound of distant thunder rolling through the city as Adrian Hayes sat alone in his dimly lit apartment. The conversation with Dominic had stirred something within him, unearthing memories he had long-buried—memories of his father and the world he had desperately tried to shield Adrian from.As Adrian stared out the window, the city lights blurred into a haze, and his thoughts drifted back to a time when his life had been simpler, though far from easy. He closed his eyes, letting the memories wash over him.---Adrian was fourteen, sitting on the worn leather couch in his father's study. The room was dimly lit, just like his own apartment now, the smell of tobacco and old books hanging in the air. His father, Vincent Hayes, loomed over him, a powerful figure who had once been a force to be reckoned with in the underworld. But now, there was a weariness in his eyes, a desperation that Adrian had never seen before."Adrian," Vincent began, his voice rough with age and worry, "I need you to listen to me, son."Adrian, still rebellious and full of youthful arrogance, crossed his arms and looked away, refusing to meet his father's gaze. He knew where this conversation was heading. It wasn't the first time they'd had it, but it was the first time he felt the weight of his father's words."Look at me, Adrian," Vincent demanded, his tone firm but pleading.Reluctantly, Adrian met his father's eyes, seeing the pain and fear that lay beneath the surface. It was a fear he had never associated with his father before, a man who had once ruled the streets with an iron fist."I made mistakes," Vincent continued, his voice softer now, "mistakes that I don't want you to repeat. The life I led...it's not for you. It's a world that will chew you up and spit you out, and I won't let that happen to you."Adrian swallowed hard, his defiance crumbling under the weight of his father's words. "But, Dad, it's our legacy. It's what we're supposed to do, isn't it?"Vincent shook his head, a sad smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "No, son. That's not our legacy. Our legacy is surviving, breaking the cycle, and giving you a chance at something better. I wanted out, Adrian. I wanted to leave that world behind, but I couldn't...not completely. And I don't want you to make the same mistake."The intensity in his father's voice was something Adrian couldn't ignore. He had seen the violence, the fear, and the destruction that came with the life his father had led. But he had also seen the respect, the power, and the wealth. It was tempting, so incredibly tempting."Promise me, Adrian," Vincent urged, his voice cracking with emotion. "Promise me you won't follow in my footsteps."Adrian hesitated, the words stuck in his throat. He wanted to promise, he really did, but there was a part of him that was drawn to that life, a part of him that wanted to prove himself. But seeing the pain in his father's eyes, he couldn't bring himself to say no."I...I promise, Dad," Adrian finally said, though even as the words left his mouth, he knew they weren't entirely true.Vincent nodded, though he seemed unconvinced. He reached out and placed a hand on Adrian's shoulder, squeezing it gently. "You're a good kid, Adrian. I just want you to have a chance at a life that I never had."---The memory faded, and Adrian was back in his apartment, the sounds of the city filtering through the window. He opened his eyes, feeling the weight of his father's words pressing down on him. He had broken that promise, and it had led him to where he was now—caught between two worlds, trying to find a way forward.His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. It was a message from Dominic, confirming their meeting for the next day. Adrian stared at the screen, his father's voice echoing in his mind. He wondered what his father would think of the path he had taken, of the choices he had made.With a deep sigh, Adrian put the phone down and leaned back in his chair. The road ahead was uncertain, and the lines between right and wrong, loyalty and betrayal, were becoming increasingly blurred. But one thing was clear—whatever happened next, he needed to find his own way, free from the shadows of his father's past.As he prepared for the meeting with Dominic, Adrian knew that the conversation would be more than just business. It would be a crossroads, a moment where he would have to decide who he really was and what kind of life he wanted to lead.The convergence of past and present was inevitable, and Adrian could only hope that, this time, he would make the right choice, or would he.