Running from the truth

Liam Bradford walked down the dimly lit alley, his leather jacket shielding him from the cold night air. At just twenty-one years old, he was already a force to be reckoned with in the underworld. His piercing blue eyes and strong jawline made him intimidating, but there was a vulnerability hidden behind his tough exterior. Liam was the son of Vincent "The Viper" Bradford, the notorious mafia boss. Despite growing up surrounded by crime, Liam dreamt of a different life - a life free from the shackles of his dangerous destiny.

That night, as he approached the rundown warehouse that served as his father's headquarters, Liam couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to take a dramatic turn. He stepped inside to find his father, a hulking figure with a salt-and-pepper beard and a piercing gaze that could make even the bravest men quiver. Vincent was seated behind his oak desk, surrounded by his loyal henchmen.

"Ah, Liam, I've been expecting you," Vincent said, his gravelly voice cutting through the silence. "Take a seat."

Liam nodded, taking a seat across from his father. The room was thick with tension, and Liam couldn't help but wonder why his father had called him here so urgently. Vincent leaned forward, his eyes locked onto Liam's.

"There have been whispers in our circle, Liam," Vincent said, his voice dripping with authority. "Whispers of a rival gang expanding their territory into ours. I need you to investigate this matter discreetly."

Liam's heart raced; this was not the future he had envisioned for himself. He knew that diving deeper into the world of crime would only endanger the few things he held dear. "Father, I don't want this life for myself. I want to pursue something different, something better," Liam said, his voice filled with determination. "Son, our family has been entwined with this life for generations. It's our legacy, our destiny. You can't just walk away from that."

"But, Father..."

To be continued...