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He nodded once with approval and winked at me, figuring out my attachment for the girl pretty much immediately.
We’d worked together through various alliances and deals a lot over the years. He knew that I never really had a woman at my side, at least until now.
James cleared his throat and I turned back.
“I pulled Ronaldo’s medical records. He’s got a weak left knee,” he offered.
“I appreciate the tip.”
“No problem. I know you don’t need it, but good luck anyway,” he grinned. I nodded and the clock tolled that it was time for the fight to begin. James took his leave, joining Cyrus and the girls on the sideline.
I stretched one last time and faced Ronaldo head on. He had a deliriously excited look written all over his face. I kept my calm and lifted my arms into a defensive position in front of my chest. Ronaldo huffed with souped-up bravado, and I rolled my shoulders, loosening up and standing my ground.
Unsurprisingly, he threw the first punch straight at my face.
It was fairly easy to dodge. With a quick sidestep, I outmaneuvered him and whirled around, throwing a swift jab and hitting him hard in the back of the neck. He gasped with shock for the briefest of seconds, before roaring with anger that I had actually hit him.
He threw himself at me, fully committing to the fight.
It soon became clear that he definitely hadn’t had any sort of technical training in his life. He’d gotten by on using his large frame and his strength to his advantage. He was a brawler and that was apparent in his fighting style.
He swung a few more hard punches and seethed with fury each time I dodged them.
Overconfidence was a tricky thing.
The more Ronaldo threw himself into the brawl, the more he huffed. His brow was beaded with sweat and his chest was rising and falling far too quickly from his efforts.
I couldn’t outmaneuver him all day. I had to go on the offensive. My men were watching, and they needed to know that my position in this family was not to be questioned ever again.
They needed to see that I wasn’t weak and that I could rise to the occasion when my strength was needed.
I leapt and swept my fist upward, catching his chin in a harsh uppercut that made him fall back. His arms circled backwards as he floundered, but eventually he caught himself before he tumbled to the floor.
I took advantage of his momentary blunder and moved in.
I threw several punches, catching him on either side of the head hard enough to jolt him to the side. He yelled out, furious at my audacity. He leapt forward, throwing his whole body on top of mine, and slamming me back down onto the floor.
He punched my right cheek and I rolled, using all of my strength to throw him off of me. With a roar, he tried to take back the upper hand, but I was ready for him. I punched him hard directly in the center of his belly, forcing the air from his lungs with one blow. He struggled to draw in a breath, and I knocked him hard in the head with my elbow. His eyes rolled back in his head briefly and he fell back onto the floor, his arms and legs spread wide.
I stood up and the entire room erupted into cheers. I glanced up at the clock, watching about ten seconds before looking back down at Ronaldo.
He was awake, but he didn’t get back up.
His right eye was already bruising, and his lip was bleeding. He’d be a little worse for wear in the morning, but he didn’t have anything more than a few bruises and a humbled ego to show for the whole thing.
I cleared my throat and the room quieted. They were waiting for what would come next. They were probably expecting me to kill him.
I wanted my men to want to follow me out of loyalty rather than fear.
“Ronaldo Montagna questioned my loyalty, and he paid the price for that with his defeat here in front of all of you. As further punishment, I rescind his title of underboss and demote him to the level of soldier. He’ll have to earn his way back if he ever wants to sit at my table again,” I announced.
Ronaldo groaned on the floor.
“I’m going to get the diamonds back from the Bratva, but I’m going to do it my way. Now get this man out of my sight before I decide that wasn’t enough,” I roared.
A group of men rushed onto the court. They grasped his arms and dragged him backwards. I turned away and strode over to Mila. She leapt out of her seat and rushed over to me. I caught her around the waist, lifting her clean off the floor as I captured her in a rough kiss.
Her hand grazed my cheek.
