I already noticed he dislikes that word.
"Right, sorry, that’s what I meant."
"Yes, we have investments in many areas of entertainment. These days you can’t run a company with only one profile."
"A very reasonable approach. Will you be at that concert?"
"Yes, we have a special VIP box."
"That’s great, drop by backstage, it would be nice to see you."
"Excuse me?"
"I mean… sorry! Of course I understand that being seen together in public wouldn’t be the smartest idea," I correct myself quickly and clear my throat.
He answers with pointed silence.
"But I’m actually calling for another reason."
"Did you kill someone again?"
I let out a muffled, slightly nervous laugh. Gosh, good thing I’m taking this call outside, because someone might hear me. The two years since my killing spree feel like an abyss.
"No, not this time, this is a completely different request. The real estate development branch owned by your family, Ferro Development, is selling small houses near the campus whereAlex and I want to study. At the moment we don’t have the full amount to buy one, and since we’re only eighteen there’s no chance we’ll get a loan. I thought maybe I could work something out with you, sign a repayment contract, assure you that we’ll pay everything back… because you know we would."
Ennio laughs with a mechanical sound, disbelief humming under it.
"Are you being serious? You really have no idea how big your debt to me already is. And I remember it perfectly. We are not a charity, Bay. When you sign a deal with us you follow through, or you end up in a black bag. Simple."
A heavy silence drops between us. It’s not like I doubted that. But I do believe in my ability to earn enough money. Still… shortcuts exist, right?
"Maybe I could… do some job for you as part of the repayment?"
He goes silent.
"Well…"
I know Ennio is thinking.
"Gurco told me you’re really good when it comes to fighting, but he couldn’t convince you to go pro. There might be something you could do for me. My family is deeply rooted in underground fight clubs and of course in the betting tied to them. I need to shake things up, some fighters have gotten too confident and need to be put in their place, and I have a few plans of my own. I want to teach a lesson here and there. I could use you for that."
"So we sign a contract for the house in exchange for… what, exactly?"
"You’ll fight four matches for me. And the house will be yours."
I swallow hard.
Gurco really did hype me up, kept saying he no longer had sparring partners who could challenge me. Luka isn’t available, he’s temporarily staying with a distant uncle instead of with Anzo because he’s going through maturity and, out of fear that he might slip into hormonalMusth, he was placed in the home of a strong alpha. And his older brother Rocco rarely wants to fight me.
"The thing is, I don’t have ring experience. All I do is spar during training, but I’ve never actually fought professionally."
"I never said you had to win all the fights." Ennio’s tone turns dark. "In two of them I expect you to lose, and in two I expect you to win."
I’m quiet for a moment, letting it sink in.
"I’d prefer the losing matches to be first."
"Fine, I think that can be arranged."
