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I could only assume he wanted one thing from me.
And I didn’t want to think about what that one thing was.
Bosco and I sat on the couch together, his arm draped over my shoulders as a blanket lay in my lap. We hadn’t had sex since I’d come home yesterday because I wasn’t in the mood. All I could think about was the moment that man would finally be dead.
Bosco’s phone rang, and he fished it out of his pocket. “Ronan, did you find him?”
Ronan’s voice was audible because the phone was close to my face. “He just walked in.”
Bosco was quiet for a few seconds, clearly shocked. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. He just hit a poker table.”
“And he’s pretending everything is normal?”
“Seems that way,” he responded. “What do you want to do?”
“Grab him and throw him in the ring. Don’t start until I get there. Who else is on the waiting list?”
“That guy who stole a few million from one of our members. Can’t remember his name. But he has a tattoo of a dragon on his chest. Beefy guy.”
Bosco seemed to know exactly who that was. “Good. The Butcher won’t stand a chance.” He hung up.
I was relieved this was finally over.
“Get dressed.” Bosco left the couch and headed to his bedroom.
“Wait…what?” I stayed in my spot, my blanket wrapped around me.
“You’re coming with me.” He turned back to me. “I want you to see the body. It’ll help you sleep tonight.”
“But he’s not dead yet…” I didn’t want to be in the same room with him while he was still breathing.
Bosco gave me a terrifying scare, like he wasn’t in the mood to be delicate anymore. “There’s nothing he can do to you. Walk in there with your head held high and show every man in that casino what happens when they fuck with Carmen Barsetti. Now get your ass up and change. Don’t make me ask you again.” He turned around and marched off, making good on his word not to give me another warning.
His tough love invigorated me, made me realize I shouldn’t be afraid of a sick man like that. I should show him that he couldn’t treat women that way—that he would pay for his actions.
Bosco was visibly angry, his arms swinging by his sides and his shoulders tense. He usually took his time when he walked across the casino floor, drawing attention to himself as well as his majestic prestige. But now he didn’t care. All he wanted to do was get to the ring as quickly as possible.
The casino floor wasn’t nearly as full as it usually was. There were only a few tables operating, while the others remained vacant and the dealers stood there idly, having nothing to do since there were no players. The women danced in their cages even though hardly anyone was watching.
“It’s quiet tonight.” I kept up my stride beside him, feeling uncomfortable when his hands weren’t on me.
“They’re all underground.” Before he arrived at the elevator, his men hit the button and the doors opened. He stepped inside with me at his side. The men stayed outside, and the doors shut, bringing us into solitude. The elevator shifted then began its descent. He slid his hands into his pockets and stared at the metal doors, his jaw clenching in rage. He looked like he wanted to fight The Butcher himself.
“What happens if The Butcher wins the fight?”
He didn’t answer, keeping his eyes straight ahead. He was so pissed off, perhaps he didn’t hear me.
I didn’t dare ask my question again.
The elevator came to a halt, and the doors opened to pure pandemonium. Men were yelling at each other, making bets. There was a ring in the center, lifted up so everyone could see well. It looked like the kind of ring they had in Vegas where professional fighters duked it out on live TV. Men sat in the bleachers that rose up toward the back so everyone had a good view.
Cash was being exchanged between men, and dealers were going around taking bets.
Two men sat in the ring at opposite corners, handcuffed and shirtless. They only wore their jeans, their shoes and socks removed.
The second I looked at The Butcher, I was scared all over again.
Bosco must have felt my fear because he grabbed my hand and pulled me with him. His men made a path through the crowd, and we ascended the steps to a special platform with a few chairs. “Sit.” He commanded me like a dog.
I would have told him off for it normally, but now wasn’t the time.
He turned to walk away again.
“Where are you going?” I blurted out. I was guarded by six men, but I preferred Bosco’s protection over anyone else’s.
He turned back to me, still looking livid. “Getting the execution started.” He moved down the steps and stepped into the ring, wearing his fitted black suit and matching tie. The second he stepped through the ropes, every man in the audience cheered.
