BORN TO BE A MAN,FORCED TO BE A GANGSTER

CHAPTER 6

A DANGEROUS OFFER

The morning sun peeked through cracks in the warehouse roof, lighting up the dusty air. Selena sat against the wall, bruised and sore, but still strong. Every guy who walked by kept their distance—last night’s events had quieted them.

Griffin stood above on the catwalk, a cigarette between his fingers, eyes locked on her. She had survived the night and moved the impossible. Now he wanted to see if she could think like him—cold and sharp.

He blew out smoke and said, “Bring her to me.”

They dragged Selena upstairs into Griffin’s office. The door slammed behind them, leaving just the two.

“If you want to belong here,” Griffin said quietly, “you’ll earn it with your mind, not just strength.”

Selena sat up straight. “What’s the test?”

Griffin’s eyes were sharp. “There’s a rival crew in the south. They’ve been messing with my shipments. Little pests—but pests can bring a lot of trouble.” He slid a photo across the desk—a scarred, smug-looking guy. “Find him. Tell me where he sleeps. Nothing else. Lie, and you die.”

Selena looked closely at the photo, memorizing it. “And if I do find him?”

Griffin leaned back, smoke curling from his lips. “Then maybe you’re not just another mouth to feed.”

They sat in silence. For Griffin, it was about control. For Selena, survival.

She tucked the photo into her jacket. “I’ll find him.”

Griffin watched her, a twitch at the corner of his mouth—not quite a smile. “We’ll see if you’re worth the air you breathe.”

As she turned to go, his voice was colder.

“And Selena—if you betray me, I’ll know. Don’t think last night was mercy. That was just the surface of what I can do.”

Her hand froze on the door but she didn’t look back.

“Then you’ll see I don’t break.”

She left, the door slamming shut.

Griffin sat alone, cigarette burning low. He’d made men obey for years, but this woman—this stranger with fire inside—refused. Against his instincts, he wanted to see how far she’d go before she burned out.

The streets outside the warehouse felt colder than usual, or maybe it was just the way every corner seemed to watch her. Everyone was already talking about Griffin’s new “stray.” Selena could feel it—in how men peeked from cars and whispers followed her through alleys.

She tightened her jacket and stepped carefully over broken glass. She had no friends here. If she failed, she wouldn’t just lose her life—she’d prove Griffin right, that she was nothing.

But she wasn’t about to be nothing.

The photo in her pocket was heavy. Scarred face. Smug grin. No name, but everyone knew him—Rico, a leech stealing shipments.

Selena moved carefully through the city’s cracks. She watched the men on corners exchanging signals, the cars coming and going, which warehouses stayed lit. She knew how to blend into shadows—a skill Griffin hadn’t expected.

By midnight, she found him. A run-down motel at the edge of town, poorly guarded. Rico’s men drank loudly on the steps, careless. Through a dirty window, Selena saw Rico lounging with women, laughing like he owned everything.

Her lips pressed tight. This was the man Griffin wanted gone—loud, greedy, and dumb.

She slipped away before dawn, making sure no one saw.

Back at the warehouse, Griffin waited. He stood where she had left him, arms crossed, eyes sharp. His men watched, wondering if she’d come back alive.

Selena dropped the photo on his desk. “Room twelve. Motel on the south side. He won’t leave before morning.”

Griffin looked at her, cold and careful. “You sure?”

“Yes.” Her voice was steady.

The room went silent. Then Griffin nodded—a small, sharp move. “Get the car ready.”

The men moved fast, excitement in the air. But Selena caught the look in Griffin’s eyes—it wasn’t trust. It was something tougher, like he dared her to prove him wrong again.

As they stepped outside, the city held its breath. Selena wasn’t just surviving his tests anymore—she was stepping into his world.

And Griffin, though he wouldn’t say it, was curious how far she’d go before she rose… or broke.