Page 131 of More Tricks

Laughter burst out of me as I looked over Tommaso’s plan to oust the current Italian leadership as well as take over the De León Cartel at the same time, combining the two. He’d used the research they’d done on me to incorporate where it would fit best into this hostile takeover. It was a brilliant plan and one I would have come up with myself if I had all the pieces to pull it off. Turning to the last page was his plan for the future, including our friendship and siding with me when the showdown with Marco happened.

That had me pausing, reading over the wording again before I asked my question. “Is this what he’s really doing?” I asked. “Does he really think he can become the king of the criminal world if he takes me out? While I’d like to think I’m that much of a badass, I don’t think I have that much pull outside the US.”

Betta looked at Tommaso in complete shock. “Does she really believe that? She can’t be that blind to the truth, can she, Tommy?”

“Do you think now is the time to be talking about me like I’m not standing right fucking here?” I asked as I handed the papers over to Wes. “I mean, I’m already dirty. What's a little more blood?”

“Whoa, there, girlfriend,” Betta said with a chuckle. “I’m definitely not looking to pick a fight with you after seeing how you handled that guy. The way that guy got himself in good with Diego and his men is by becoming their pet fighter and killer of those who pissed them off. He wasn’t just some chump, and you demolished him like the devil himself lived in you. Really, I consider myself lucky you decided to spare me during the whole break room stunt.”

A wave of exhaustion hit me as the events of the day settled and the last of my adrenaline drained to normal levels. “I wouldn’t have killed you for being a bitch unless you did something I couldn’t look past. Now in the efforts of you making nice, explain to me what the fuck you meant a moment ago?”

“I was just simply shocked that you have no clue just how big of a player you are in this world. When the fight was announced, it caught everyone's attention across the globe. People are declaring whose side they're on in how they bet,” Betta explained. “Marco is supplying some of his own men for the challenge along with many of the others who are backing him.”

Rubbing my forehead, I felt like I was missing a key point in all this. “How can you possibly know all that?”

“Well, because I’m Madam Two,” she answered with a grin. “I run any and all betting that happens in our fights. Remember when I told you that I earned myself a position of respect? I wasn’t just being cheeky when I said that.”

“Please don’t tell me Mr. Three is one of the men who pissed me off today. I’d really like to not have my fate in the hands of a man I will kill on sight,” I asked with a sigh.

“No, the only person who knows about my involvement in all this is Tommaso,” she answered, waving off my concern. “My father would be incredibly disappointed in using my skills this way, but there are many times it comes in handy dealing with situations behind the scenes. The other three men I work with are neutral enough, but if they had to choose a future that would be more advantageous, it would be putting their lot in with you.”

“Okay, say that’s all true, then this fight night is turning into the beginning of a world war of crime lords,” I pointed out. “Are we sure that’s the best plan?”

“It was going to happen whether you did this fight or not, Dax,” Tommaso reasoned. “Marco is the one driving it, and when push comes to shove, they will choose one way or the other. You respect those who give it. Anyone who doesn't, well, they get put in their place to learn from their mistakes. What everyone knows and is choosing to side with is that you aren’t looking to rule the world. You just want to run your own empire and do business. Marco wants to have his fingers in all the pies and reap the benefits.”

He paused, seeing he was losing me in his long-winded explanation. “Fine, here’s the cut and dry of it. You’re the person who’s willing to stand up to Marco, so you automatically became team captain of the opposing side. They respect you and want to rally behind you, so they don’t have to be the one to do it if everything goes to hell.”

“Well, fuck,” I grumbled. “This is making my brain hurt, and all this blood is drying, making me incredibly itchy. Is there a place I can rinse off, even if it’s a hose? Not sure walking around Boston looking like Carrie is my best choice.”

“Yeah, there are showers in the back. I’ll show you,” Betta offered.

“Great,” I looked over my shoulder. “Who’s coming with me?”

The guys looked at each other, a little surprised at the offer but quickly pulled it together as Cognac and Sprocket stepped up. Since Cam was still acting like my shadow, I assumed he was coming too. I really should look at his arm to make sure the damage wasn’t too bad. It was almost to the point I felt like we needed to bring Dani with us everywhere we went. Good thing Sprocket was way better at stitches than I was.

“Lead the way. The others will keep your brother company,” I said, gesturing for her to move along.

She cocked a brow at me. “You think little old me deserves three of your men watching your back?”

“No,” Cam stated. “It’s to make sure you make it back to your brother alive.”

The color in her face started to bleed out of her face as she realized who the dynamic at play was. “You’re gonna need to work on that if you’re going to be his right hand in this coup. We women need to be fearless in the face of all danger, aka, fake it till you believe it. Soon enough, you’ll believe it since you’ve said it so often to yourself.” Betta nodded as we headed deeper into the warehouse.

“Is this what the place in New York will be like?” Cognac asked, trying to ease the tension.

It took her a moment to catch up to the change in topic and smiled at him. “No, it will be much nicer. This is more for people trying to earn their stripes in the whole game. Where we are going to host in New York is far nicer. It’s an actual fighting ring that’s built underground and has many entrances, so it’s not easy for law enforcement to find it. Not that we haven’t paid them off, but there’s always a few young bucks looking to get that one case that will get them promoted to chief.”

“You mentioned betting. What kind of stakes are we talking about?” Sprocket inquired.

I had to admit I was curious about that as well. If they were making it known whose side they were on, it had to be substantial.

“While we might be working on becoming friends, if I told you that kind of information, I’d be setting myself up for trouble. If the other three found out I gave you insider knowledge like that, I’d be lucky to keep my hand, let alone my head,” Betta shared, rubbing her left hand like she was worried she might lose it.

“Damn, they play by those rules,” I muttered. “Can’t blame you for not sharing.”

“Yes,” she agreed. “They are progressive enough to allow a woman into the mix, but they won’t go easy on me if I fuck up. I told them I was going to tell you who I really was and my connection, but to give you more than that wasn’t agreed upon.” She paused at a door that swung slightly off its hinges. “This is the locker room with the showers. I figured you’d want to go in on your own. There should be a towel or two left. We had some fights over the weekend, and it's not restocked.”

I gave her a two-finger salute and headed in, the guys following after. Sprocket stayed by the door as the rest of us ventured through the rows of lockers until we found the open shower area. I tugged off my shirt, chucking it in the trash can I spotted. Not like I was going to be able to save it. The showers were those lame kinds where you had to hit the nozzle and it only ran for a few minutes before turning off. It wasn’t like I was planning on indulging in a long shower, but it just pissed me off to keep whacking it.