Hard-hearted, horrible hustlers (8)
I believe the answer is:
ruthless
'hard-hearted' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'horrible hustlers' is the wordplay.
'horrible' indicates an anagram.
'hustlers' anagrammed gives 'RUTHLESS'.
(Other definitions for ruthless that I've seen before include "Without pity, merciless" , "Hustlers can be without mercy" , "Callous" , "nasty" , "Without mercy or pity" .)