Page 37 of Retribution

“I like the way you think,” Blaze said. “Tell me more.”

“You see, he has got to be here tomorrow where the fight will be. Because it will be crowded, he doesn’t think anyone will enter here. So, I’m sure he is guarding his main entrance more than anything, and also guarding the secret if he knows about it.”

“So…” Luca murmured.

“So, we attend the fight as guests, cause a melee which will bring his men to sort it out. Meanwhile we take control of everything he has underground.”

Blaze clapped Luca’s shoulder. “You ready for this?”

“Always.”

I frowned. “For what?”

“Going inside the ring.”

“The hell you are,” I rebutted. “You don’t know these guys. You could get hurt.”

“Babes,” he placed both hands on my shoulders. “There are lots of things you’re gonna learn about me starting today. I’ve done this before. So don’t worry.”

“Luca, these underground fights don’t have rules.”

“I know. I can handle it.”

“Yes, he can,” Blaze said. “He was our champion back in Chicago. Moreover, he got a black belt in Judo and Taekwondo.”

Luca leaned close to Blaze and whispered. “You forgot Krav Maga.”

“I don’t want to scare her.”

“How come I’ve never seen you fight before?” I asked.

“No reason to. These idiots we’ve been dealing with haven’t posed any challenges.”

I pulled him aside. “I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“Don’t worry, I’m fighting to win.”

The plan was to enter in the of the minor fights as challenger from the audience. I was worried that he was too cocky about his abilities and might get hurt. But I had to trust him and Blaze that they knew what they were doing.

We spent the rest of the day packing the weapons and gears inside the vehicles while Blaze and Nando went into town. We were ready to roll, and I was anxious to meet Santiago. My only concern was Luca and that fight.

Chapter 22

Ciara

The entrance had a freight lift that lowered the people down inside the tunnel. Luca and I were among those entering. All patrons had been given masks in which to wear to conceal their identities and would only be known by their tickets.

When we got to the bottom, we walked a cobblestone path into the arena where benches and chairs were set out. It looked like any typical boxing area, except that the walls were dark and grungy, and the place smelled of rat piss.

I’d ditched my usual attire for a mini summer dress and comfortable loafers. My stiletto was strapped close to my cookie where it wouldn’t be easily detected. I didn’t have my gun because they were ensuring no one entered with weapons, and my purse was scanned by the security.

I wasn’t concerned about not having my gun because our teams came prepared for war. We were split into several units; Blaze took charge of one team, while Sam and Sandy also had theirs. Luca and I were in charge of another, but Nando was sent home to be with his wife. From where Luca and I sat in the back, I could see a couple of our men milling about.

I leaned over to Luca and whispered, “Is the bouncer our guy?”

“Yes, and three others.”

The street team were always involved with something or another. And when the word went out that Santiago wanted security for fight night, our men jumped at the opportunity. They had been working as bouncers for years, so they were easily employed for this. That was how we were able to plan this so well.