Grady’s howl of pain is loud enough to cause several spectators to cover their ears. I stumble to the other side of the courtyard as a red stain blooms on his pants.
I expect him to be shaken, but what I don’t expect is for him to fall to his knees.
Is this monster of a man really so weak as to go down from that?
“F-fucking asshole,” Grady stutters as he grips his crotch, rocking back and forth where he kneels. “You fucking fight dirty.”
I wipe blood from the corner of my mouth as I brace for more. “We never said ‘no ripping out piercings.’ Not my fault you got that stupid thing.”
Then, something happens that makes my blood run cold.
Aron steps into the ring.
Before I can say a single word in protest, Aron strides up to Grady, stands behind the massive man, and grabs his head with both hands.
“Can you continue?” he asks.
Grady whines—whines—and trembles in Aron’s grasp. “H-he fucking ripped my dick in half!”
“That wasn’t what I asked,” Aron says calmly. “Can you continue?”
“Y-you want me tofuckingcontinue with my dick bleeding out?”
Aron looks at me, his gaze questioning. I know what he’s asking; he wants permission. He wants the order, an order that only I can give.
I give the barest of nods, and Aron snaps Grady’s neck.
Grady drops like the sack of shit he is, but I know it’s not over yet. I have to put a stop to future challenges before they happen. If I don’t, this will never end.
“Who else wants to challenge the don?” I ask the crowd. My ears are ringing, and my vision still shifts from single to double and back again, but I can’t stop now. Just have to hold on a little longer. “Well?”
Murmurs ripple through the gathered crowd, but no one takes the bait.
No one wants to end up like Grady.
Aron steps up beside me and offers an arm, which I gladly let him place around my shoulders. At this point, I’ve proven myself to anyone who might have doubts about my strength. The time for posturing is over; now I need medical attention.
Cheers and praises of my prowess follow us into the mansion. At the door, Jules stops us for a moment.
“Good job, boss. I knew you could beat that fucker.”
“Thank you, Jules. Make sure this is all cleaned up, will you?”
He nods. “Of course, Don Matteo.”
Chapter 21
Javier
As my informant regales me with the details of Grady’s unfortunate demise, I ponder my next moves. Tito’s son is making smart choices. Confronting his biggest opponent within the organization to a savage end is a sure way to earn fast loyalty.
There’s other news from the Royal Syndicate that I find less amusing, and my blood boils as the informant gives me the details of this new development.
“What do you mean he fucked my son?”
My informant shrinks back. “I saw it,jefe. Like fucking rabbits, they were. Right out where anyone could find them.”
I shoot out of my chair, knocking it over, and slam my palms on my desk. “You didn’t try to stop them? That’s my fucking son he violated!”
