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She takes a step back with a smirk full of false bravado as she sweeps her hand out gesturing for me to lead the way.
“Gino, make sure the Fightmaster keeps the ring clear. I have an announcement to make.”
I push past Mila and make my way to ground level. Once Jefa and I step into the ring I grab the Fightmaster’s mic.
“Good evening ladies and fellas!” I say as cheers and whistles go up around me. “I hope you all are enjoying yourselves tonight but pay attention because I have a special announcement to make.”
I wait until the cheers quiet down again before nodding my head for Mila to be brought into the ring. I watch her hesitate a second before stepping in and leaning up against the gate, as far from me as the cage will allow. Coward. She knows that technically I can attack her now that we stand in the octagon, but I’m no punk so I don’t pull punk moves. I’ll let her train for the fight.
Smirking at her fear, I turn and continue my announcement. “As you all know Barbarity is mine and Jefa’s pride and joy but we’ve been thinking about bringing you more competition and more entertainment! What better way to do that than to start an annual battle of the beasts? So, starting tonight two men and two women, from each category, that have the most wins by this day next year will be entered into... Barbaric Night!” The audience is riveted on my words as a wave of anticipation and bloodlust flows through each of them.
I don’t wait for them to calm down as I continue speaking. “In three hundred and sixty five days we will watch the best of the best compete for titles, but that’s not all. The final fight of that evening will be the biggest fight of them all.” I pause a moment and let the anticipation build. “I’ve been challenged by Princess Popov.” I grandly gesture to Mila who sneers at the name I’ve just given her.
“But…” I stop and turn to her as I say my next line. “Loser never shows her face here again while the winner will be declared the Queen of Barbarity.” The audience is suddenly shocked into silence as I hold my hand out to Mila. Even she looks pale. After all, it’s not everyday that I put up my reputation for betting but I’m confident in my skill in the ring.
Jefa smiles and walks over to us and takes the mic from me. “What do you sayPrincess? Not backing out now are you?” Her lip curls as she holds the mic up to Mila’s fake lips.
“I look forward to dethroning you, Silver.” Popov grasps my hand in what I’m sure she thinks is a firm gripuntil Isqueeze it at just the right spot to dislocate her index finger. Jefa still has the mic to Mila’s mouth so I give her a serene smile when we hear her muffled grunt.
As we part and exit the ring, the audience begins to chant, “Sil-ver! Sil-ver! Sil-ver!”
I make my way through the crowd and accept hand shakes and well wishes. I’m sure everyone will enjoy the big event once it arrives, it’s exactly what Jefa and I discussed and worked on before the ring’s doors were even opened. It may seem like I just made up Barbaric Night on the spot but in actuality, a lot of thought and calculations went into this event. Mila was just the opening I needed to announce it.
Once I get to the bar and accept a drink from Gino, my phone pings with a message. I swipe the screen and see a text from my mother’s nurse. She knows not to text unless it’s life-threatening.
I tense and slam my drink down onto the bar-top but then deliberately slow myself down so as not to show weakness in front of these people. I am amongst all the important people within the criminal world and they smell weakness the way sharks smell blood. I pull out a pink cigarette and light it up as I snap my fingers to get my Gino’s attention.
“Yes boss?”
“Get the car out front now.” I don’t wait for him to reply, I know my demands will be heeded. I turn and find Jefa walking over to me after speaking with some guests. Her smile morphs into concern as she sees the dread in my eyes.
“¿Qué esta pasando? What’s happening, Silver?”
“There’s an emergency at the hospital, I need to get there immediately. You’re in charge tonight, make sure no one walks on you, Jefa.”
She tilts her head down and taps her chest twice. It’s a little sign we made up and it saysyou have my word.
I know she won’t disappoint me but I can’t keep the threat out of my tone. She knows I’ll lose my shit if she messes up.
Cartel or not, this is my house and in my house, I’m the Boss.
I whistle for my enforcers to lead the way as I walk out of the ring with my head held high while my heart cracks.
