Harlan has a unique power, one that makes him see things others cant, and therefore got him thrown in an asylum when he was only a child. Now he's a reluctant hero, thrust into the profession since he lacked any other option. He's amazing at his job, and six years into his work, is the sidekick to one of the most notable heroes of his generation: Lavina. Unfortunately, he also hates being a hero, but there's one thing that makes it worth it. The numbered. A series of villains who appeared out of nowhere and have an exceptional skill at avoiding the law, heroes, and just generally winning or evading consequences. Consequences, which are the only part of Harlan's job he enjoys. Harlan wants to find the root of it all more than anything, and he's beginning to get close. He intends to find out at any cost. He intends to win at any cost. That, he's sure of. His drive is unmatched. Until something entirely foreign to him gets involved: Feelings. [WARNINGS: smut, gore, swearing, some heavy topics, morally grey characters (the usual)]

✔️ | When you've been controlled by your father nearly your entire life, would you take the risk and escape? I did. I took that risk and escaped my father. The big, bad mafia boss; Jerry Tirelli. That man has never been a father to me. He's worth no more than the scum on the bottom of my shoes. I thought I'd be free after escaping him. I wish I knew I'd be walking into the hands of the most feared man in Jersey. Xavier Toscano. My family's biggest rival. Maybe it's stockholm syndrome? Or am I just simply falling in love? I've been deprived of human contact for so long, how do you decipher the two? ⚠️TW : Assault, Violence, Rape/Attempted rape, Attempted suicide, Sexual content between mxm. Read at your own risk; this book will be dark and emotional. Tw will be mentioned at the beginning of each chapter besides consensual sexual content. ⚠️ Published - August 2022