BORN TO BE A MAN,FORCED TO BE A GANGSTER

CHAPTER 7

THE FIRST TEST

The room was quiet except for the ticking clock on the wall. Griffin stood by the window, hands behind his back, watching the city at night. The dim light made his shadow stretch wide, like he carried more than his own worries—like he was the weight everyone who followed him leaned on.

Selena sat in the leather chair, her back straight, even though she was tense. She wasn’t sure if Griffin had forgotten her or was just letting the silence get to her.

Finally, he spoke.

“You said I need something,” his voice calm but sharp. He turned to her, eyes locked on hers. “So what do you think you can give me that I don’t already have?”

Selena didn’t flinch. “You have power and control. But power without planning is weak. You need someone who can see ahead, read people, and keep quiet.”

Griffin’s jaw tightened. He stepped closer, boots echoing on the floor. “And you think you’re that person?”

“I know I am.”

He stared at her for a moment, then leaned down, one hand on her chair’s armrest. She could feel his breath. “You think I trust easily?”

“No,” she said softly. “That’s why you need me.”

They stayed silent a long moment. Then Griffin straightened and went to his desk. He pulled out a sealed black envelope and dropped it on the desk.

“Here’s your first test,” he said. “Inside is real, dangerous information. If it leaks, even by accident, I’ll know. And when I know, Selena… I’ll break you before I kill you.”

Selena stood up and walked to the desk. Her hand picked up the envelope steady. She met his eyes without blinking.

“If you’re testing if I can keep secrets,” she said, “you’ll be disappointed. I don’t break.”

Griffin watched her for a long moment—his mouth twitching, not amused but noticing her strength.

“Don’t be so sure,” he muttered.

Selena tucked the envelope under her arm and walked to the door. She didn’t look back.

When the door closed, Griffin sighed and leaned on his desk. His mind screamed to end this now. But a quiet voice whispered maybe this woman was different.

And that thought scared him more than any enemy ever had.

The room was quiet except for the ticking clock. Griffin stared at Selena, cold and sharp, like he could read her thoughts.

He tapped the desk once and slid a plain brown envelope toward her.

“Inside is information not meant for you,” he said flatly. “If a word leaves your mouth, you won’t live to regret it.”

Selena hesitated but picked up the envelope, holding his stare.

“And if I prove I can keep it?” she asked softly.

A small, cold smirk touched his lips. “Then you buy yourself time. That’s all.”

She leaned back, the envelope in her lap. Her instincts told her to open it, but eagerness here was weakness.

Griffin stood behind her, his presence thick in the room.

“This isn’t just about silence,” he whispered near her ear. “It’s about control. Mine. Over you.”

Selena swallowed, jaw tight. “Maybe you’ll find out I’m not easy to control.”

For the first time, Griffin chuckled—a short, dangerous sound. “We’ll see.”

Selena waited until Griffin went back behind his desk before she let herself relax a little. She could still feel his eyes on her, like knives testing where to cut.

She carefully placed the envelope between them. “If this is a test, I should know what’s inside.”

Griffin’s face didn’t change. “Curiosity can be dangerous.”

“Then you shouldn’t have given it to me,” she said, sharper now but steady.

For a moment, silence. Griffin leaned forward, eyes searching for a weakness in her.

“Open it,” he told her.

Selena broke the seal and pulled out papers. The first page hit her hard—names, dates, locations, shipment records. This was Griffin’s whole empire on paper.

She looked up, surprised, but Griffin showed nothing.

“You gave me your secrets,” she said slowly.

“No,” he said coldly. “Just a piece. Enough to tempt you and destroy you if you slip. You carry it now, Selena. If you betray me, it’s your grave.”

Her fingers shook a bit, but she held still. He wasn’t just testing her loyalty—he was locking her in with these papers like a heavy chain.

Selena folded them carefully, slid them back in the envelope, and pushed it to him. “I don’t want this.”

Griffin didn’t move. “Wanting doesn’t matter. You keep it. And live with it every second.”

Her stomach twisted, but she kept her face calm. “Then I’ll carry it.”

For the first time that night, Griffin’s look softened—just a little, like a blade dulled enough not to cut. “We’ll see how long you last.”