It carries a thin veneer of legality. The Ferros have certain permits lined up with the police and local authorities, and no one bothers them about fighters being carried out on stretchers,or the lack of fire code compliance, or the illegal betting, or the fact that some fighters don’t even have a choice and are forced to fight. They’re here because of debts, abductions, some young alphas fighting here were raised in hidden warrior farms, but anyone with the right skills can end up here if they want, or… because they made a mistake.
I play the part of the knocked-out loser so well that after the referee announces the winner, I’m carried out of the ring.
No one will bet on me in the next fight, and that’s when I’ll have to face someone Ennio wants to destroy. Next time… I’ll have to win.
Soon we’re in a tiny room where Gurco’s fighters get ready before fights.
He dumps a cup of water over my head and says, "It wasn’t perfect. If someone really pays attention, they’ll notice you were acting through half of it. Next time you need to be more convincing."
"There isn’t going to be a next time," I snap, spitting blood and peeling the mask off my face.
Ennio walks into the room, leading a slim alpha who can’t be more than fifteen. Behind him follows another boy, even younger, maybe eleven.
The fifteen-year-old has a truly beautiful face, and it’s hard for me to imagine it bruised or swollen from someone’s fists.
Ennio answers my stunned look with a slight lift of his eyebrow.
"This is Mauro Ferro," Ennio says, "my cousin. And this is Eliano…"
"Wait! I’m supposed to fight him in the next match? He’s a kid."
"Just like you, Mauro is in the under-eighteen category."
"But…"
Ennio leans in slightly and speaks with emphasis. "Our capo expects him to fight," he says, and I can tell from his tone that he personally disagrees with the decision.
Slowly I begin to understand what Ennio’s plan actually is. I shift my gaze to the boy’s face. His features are refined, his eyes a deep hazel that could charm anyone, but inside them I see something else. Numbness, indifference, a quiet despair.
Ennio studies my expression for a moment, as I ask, "Why this way? You could’ve set him up against me and let him win."
"That is exactly what I don’t want," Ennio says firmly. "If Mauro starts winning, Anzo will keep putting him into more fights. And if he keeps losing, even to someone who loses to everyone else, Mauro will be sent for more training and will be placed in fewer matches."
I study Ennio, then glance at Mauro, whose eyes watch me from beneath long lashes.
The eleven-year-old Eliano behind him stares at me with wide curiosity. This family truly has incredible genes; these boys are stunning. All of them, including Ennio, have flawless features. It’s such a waste to throw them into rings to get their faces smashed in; they should be models, but they didn’t get to choose the family they were born into.
Though honestly it’s not surprising, their looks, considering their late dad and granddad were both models. Mafiosos often choose beautiful omegas as husbands, so it isn’t that shocking their sons end up inheriting that beauty.
"Don’t tell me I’m supposed to fight that kid next." I point to Eliano. "That’s illegal."
Ennio exhales with a hint of irritation. "Of course not. Eliano is here to learn. His turn will come later."
I stare at Ennio for a moment.
"Your family is truly strange," I mutter under my breath.
Then I glance again at the brothers. Both of them look at me with the eyes of people whose childhoods have been dragged into adulthood far too soon.
Mafia upbringing. I let out a long sigh.
I still have so many challenges ahead before I can finally rest and sink into that soothing velvet-black color of depression. I hope I find a new purpose, something that still includes Alex in some small way. I just need to grow into it. And let go of the hope that our paths will ever cross again.
But as I’m about to turn and head into the showers, Ennio’s hand lands on my shoulder and he speaks in a low voice.
"Listen, Bay. Do you remember I promised you a new life goal? Protecting the innocents? Well, I may have a certain situation you could help me deal with. As a start. I’d be willing to reduce your debt little by little if you agree to do some things for me."
I raise my eyebrows.
