“You should’ve asked Rubio about John,” Seth said as we were about to arrive at the club. Since Rubio had kindly offered me a deal, I wanted to talk with everyone so we could decide together on how to proceed.
Maybe moving the club wouldn’t be such an issue. Maybe there was another area that didn’t belong to anyone and wouldn’t get us all in trouble. Yeah, right. I knew that was highly unlikely, because we would’ve moved to that area long ago. And even if we found something good, Rubio or someone else would surely follow us, which again didn’t solve anything. God, I hated this situation so much.
“If I’d asked Rubio anything about John’s death, do you really think he would’ve told me the truth? And he can’t know we suspect something, because he’d try to use that to his advantage or he’d decide to get rid of us all.” I unlocked and pushed the back door open and realized everyone was gathered around the cage, but this time, Chiara was inside and she was talking, not fighting.
Seth didn’t say anything as he followed me through the crowd and toward Chiara, whose face immediately lit up when she saw me, and she ran toward me.
“Finally,” she said, flashing me a smile. I’d texted her and told her to gather everyone, but I hadn’t exactly explained what was going on. It was better if she heard it in person with everyone else rather than over the phone. “What did you want to tell us? Are we finally free? Is our little problem taken care of?” She eyed Seth, who was quiet behind me. Actually, everyone was so damn silent.
“No,” I said, and her face fell. Had she been expecting that Seth had found a way to kill Rubio and made sure no one connected it to us? I wished Rubio was dead, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. I climbed onto the platform, but instead of taking a seat, I remained standing so I could take a good look around the room. “Everyone, listen up. I’m sure you’re all aware we’re having some problems with our... competition. I talked to Rubio, and he offered me... us... a deal.”
“What?” Chiara gaped at me, and whispers spread through the room as people looked at each other. Fitz was frowning, and Levi crossed his arms.
“We’re not making deals with those people,” Levi spat out.
“Rubio wants to own this club, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants. But he offered me something... to prevent bad things from happening to me and anyone else here. He challenged us. Our best fighter against his. One fight at our club, one at his. Whoever wins, gets this club. If we win, he leaves us alone. If there’s a tie, there’ll be a third fight.”
“Yeah! Let’s fight the bastard and show him who’s the boss!” someone shouted.
“How can we be sure it’s not a trick?” Chiara cocked her head at me. “You know he’s a liar and a cheat. Why would he honor the deal if we win?”
“He’s confident he’s going to win, so he’s not afraid. We all know how his men fight. But if we actually win, everyone will know it. The fights will be open to the public and everyone will be allowed to come. If he breaks the deal and the word gets out, no one will ever want to make another deal with him.”
Rubio’s men must have been watching us and had concluded that none of our fighters were as good as theirs. After all, his best fighters were alive only because they’d killed all of their opponents, but that also meant Rubio changed his fighters often and rarely had the time to train them properly.
“Are the fights to the death?” Mark asked.
“No,” I said.
“Then we should do it!” Levi yelled, and everyone nodded and cheered in agreement.
I lifted my hand up and they all went quiet again. “Please don’t make any rash decisions. We know how Rubio is and that he hates losing. His fighters... They’re not like us. They fight dirty and... I can’t guarantee that whoever participates in that fight will come out alive. His men are taught to kill. I don’t know if Rubio’s giving them some kind of drugs or enhancers or what, and I don’t know if I should expose any of you to that peril. I assume Rubio wouldn’t want to break the deal, but you never know with him.”
“I’m not afraid of Rubio or his stupid steroid dudes,” Levi said. “I still say we fight. That motherfucker won’t know what hit him.”
I glanced at Seth, whose eyes were transfixed on me, and there was something in them... Was it admiration?
“We should vote,” Chiara said. “Everyone who thinks we should fight, raise your hand.”
A lot of hands came up. More than I’d expected.
“He’s going to come after us anyway, and if fighting’s the only way we can do something and keep this place...” Fitz said, pushing his blond strands out of his eyes. “Then we have only one choice.”
“The majority’s in favor,” Chiara said after she counted the raised hands.
“There’s another option,” I said. “We could make a new agreement with Rubio. Give him this place and find another one for ourselves and forbid him from coming after us again, or maybe ask for his protection in exchange, but I don’t know how successful that would be. If we show weakness, we’ll be pushed around no matter where we go and forced to do what some other gang says.”
A few more who had been undecided raised their hands too. Was I making the right choice? Was this best for everyone? I searched Seth’s eyes, and maybe I was imagining it, but he seemed to nod.
“We fight,” Chiara said. “But how are we going to choose who’s going to be our fighter? You need to pick one, right?”
“Yeah. One person who can win two fights,” I said. “I won’t force anyone to do this, so I’ll ask for volunteers. What we’re doing is dangerous, and we’ll be going to Rubio’s territory where anything can happen, so I assure you, if you want no part of this, that doesn’t mean you’re weak, a coward, or anything like that. I know some of you come here just to unwind and enjoy yourself, and that you have families... so believe me, no one will think less of you if you don’t volunteer.”
“Okay.” Chiara clapped her hands. “Volunteers, raise your hand!”
Five hands shot up, and in the corner of my eye, I saw Seth lift his hand too.
“We have...” Chiara started to say as a few more hands came up. “Ten volunteers.”
“How are we going to decide?” Levi asked. He’d volunteered, of course.
“Danielle,” Chiara addressed the only woman who’d raised her hand. “Are you sure you wanna do this? Rubio’s fighters are all men and they’re nasty.”
“Yeah, I’m sure. I can kick their asses, especially if they think they can laugh at me.” She bumped her fists together.
“Seth,” I said, turning toward him. “I don’t think you should be participating. You’re my bodyguard, not our fighter.”
He gave me an incredulous look. “You know I can fight.”
“Yeah, and that’s not in question, but you’re not...”
“Come on, Vix,” Levi said. “He’s earned his right to be here. If he wants to volunteer, let him. We’ll have to settle this fighting anyway. May the best win.”
I bit down on my lip, wondering if I should agree with Levi. This was still my club and my word was final, so if I didn’t want Seth to be a part of this, I could say no and there wouldn’t be anything anyone could do about it.
But Seth’s eyes were intent on mine, his fists clenched at his sides, his feet wide. He wanted this, and he was ready for it. For a second, I wondered what John would do if he were in my place. Would he let Seth fight? There were still things I didn’t know about Seth and his past.
“Fine,” I finally said. “Divide yourselves in pairs. The winners move on to the next round, and the person who wins everything will be our champion. And remember, once you agree to this, you can’t change your mind and back out, okay? We need to know who’s going to fight so we can train you properly.”
“Let’s go, guys!” Levi clapped, and everyone cheered and shouted encouragements.
I descended the platform and stopped in front of Seth. His face was calm, his shoulders relaxed.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked.
He nodded. “Why wouldn’t I be? I’m the best fighter you have here.”
A smile curved my lips. “Don’t be so sure. You fought only Levi.”
“I’ve spent enough time around here to know how they fight. I can beat them all.” He didn’t even blink as he said it.
“Sure.” Maybe he was right. But one glance around the room at the bright faces of the volunteers, who were surrounded by their supporters, told me that every single one of them believed they’d win this. Hopefully, Rubio wouldn’t have a hidden card up his sleeve or try to change the deal, but at least I had it in writing. The first fight was in a month, probably so he could gather an audience as large as possible, so there was time.
“Be careful, though,” I said. “I know you can fight, but you almost died three months ago, and maybe you still need time to...”
“No, I don’t need time. I can handle this. I’m healed, and I’ve been in much worse condition before.”
“Don’t forget there’s going to be two fights. If you get injured or someone hits you where...” I didn’t even know why I was trying so hard to dissuade Seth from doing this. He looked fine and if he thought he could do it, then I should just let him.
Seth reached out, placing his hands on my shoulders, his eyes boring into mine. “Stop worrying about me. I’ll show you just what I’m capable of.”
My lips parted and I just stared at him, wishing I could...
“Vix!” Chiara called, and I flinched, breaking away from Seth, who immediately looked away.
“What?”
“Are you sure we should let Danielle do this?” she asked. “She can totally beat up Mark, and surprise Levi, but if she wins, Rubio could complain or something because she’s a woman. You know how he is.”
“He simply said a fighter. If Danielle wins and wants to do it, we should let her.” I sighed. “Find volunteers to go spy on Rubio’s fight club. We need to know who might be fighting for him. Tell them to focus on those who don’t fight to the death.”
She nodded.
“And have them use a hidden camera so we can see the footage, but make sure they’re very, very careful, because if they’re caught...”
“I understand.” Chiara’s face was serious. “I think I know just the guy for the job. He’s not here often, so no one should recognize him at Rubio’s, and he’s already been there. I don’t think he’ll have any problems smuggling in a camera.”
“Good.” Rubio sometimes allowed a few rich guys to record the fights so they’d help him broaden his audience. Since most of the fighters ended up dead eventually, he didn’t have to worry about anyone recognizing them.
“Where are you going?” Chiara asked after I started for the door that led to the hallway and my office. “Are you going to miss the fights?”
“I need a moment. I’ll be right back.” I offered her a small smile, then strode away. Once I was in the hallway, I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. God, I was really hoping we were doing the right thing.