Chapter 22Ciara

Chapter 22

Ciara

The entrance had a freight lift that lowered the people down inside the tunnel. Luca and I were among those entering. All patrons had been given masks in which to wear to conceal their identities and would only be known by their tickets.

When we got to the bottom, we walked a cobblestone path into the arena where benches and chairs were set out. It looked like any typical boxing area, except that the walls were dark and grungy, and the place smelled of rat piss.

I'd ditched my usual attire for a mini summer dress and comfortable loafers. My stiletto was strapped close to my cookie where it wouldn't be easily detected. I didn't have my gun because they were ensuring no one entered with weapons, and my purse was scanned by the security.

I wasn't concerned about not having my gun because our teams came prepared for war. We were split into several units; Blaze took charge of one team, while Sam and Sandy also had theirs. Luca and I were in charge of another, but Nando was sent home to be with his wife. From where Luca and I sat in the back, I could see a couple of our men milling about.

I leaned over to Luca and whispered, "Is the bouncer our guy?"

"Yes, and three others."

The street team were always involved with something or another. And when the word went out that Santiago wanted security for fight night, our men jumped at the opportunity. They had been working as bouncers for years, so they were easily employed for this. That was how we were able to plan this so well.

Santiago was also looking to recruit more men for his team, but our men were familiar with his recruitment process and decided against it. Most of Nando's men were once Mercado's people and were smart enough to know that Santiago would do a thorough background check along with a torturous initiation that would most likely reveal their identities.

When Santiago refused to come out of the tunnel, I thought he was a coward. Now I knew that he loved money more than his son. He was a monster who took pleasure in torturing his men. That was the word on the streets. I wanted to meet this bastard, to see him squirm when I cut out his tongue.

But I believe Blaze had a two-decade old bone to pick with him. He was the one who helped take Sandy and ditch Nando back then. Although Sandy doesn't like to talk about it, he too had some unfinished business with the man.

An amateur fight started with two young boys around eighteen years old. A few more of those would take place before the invitational fight from the audience, before the highlight of the night.

The amateur fights ended, and the MC announced that they would be accepting challenges from the audience. Luca stood and made a derogatory comment about the champion he was about to fight.

"Are you challenging our champion sir," the MC asked.

"Nah, I don't fight pussies."

"Sir, you can't make a statement like that and don't prove yourself."

I nudged him. "Luca, what are you doing?"

"Making the champion choose me."

"By insulting him?"

He nodded and whispered. "Look Baby, I'm gonna get hit a few times. But that's the game, so don't worry."

I silently nodded and he kissed me.

The MC spoke again. "Sir, do you think you can beat our champion?"

Luca laughed. "Sorry, I'm no fighter. I'm sure he's an okay fighter."

The crowd roared as Luca insulted their champion. They started chanting, "Prove yourself. Prove yourself."

Luca had come prepared to fight, wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants. Reluctantly he left me and moved through the gathering, reaching the ring. I giggled as he acted as though he didn't know how to get through the ropes onto the canvas. We had a ring in our main gym, so this was quite amusing to me. I started to relax as I realized he was putting on a show.

"Don't you want to take off your shirt?" the MC asked.

"There are too many people watching," Luca whispered close to the mic so that everyone could hear.

I rolled my eyes and covered my face, willing myself not to burst into laughter.

"You sure? It might get bloody in here."

Luca's eyes widened. "Blood? No one said anything about blood."

The MC patted his shoulder. "Just kidding mate. Relax. This is a friendly fight. Our champion knows how to behave."

The crowd roared again as the champion came into the ring. He was tall, thick and muscular, with a bald head. Luca whipped around to face him and when he saw him, he backed away. The referee came in and called both men to the center of the ring, having them greet each other.

They took their places with Luca stance being weird and awkward. His hands were too low and his feet straight. There was no defense or offense in his posture. The champion came on strong and Luca took a few blows to the face. The third blow sent Luca flying in the ropes and landing flat on his face. My heart thudded wildly as I began to wonder if this was really a part of our strategy.

The referee started counting down and as soon as he was on the last digit, Luca flipped and sprang to his feet. He rolled his neck, his face becoming deadly. He took his time removing his t-shirt, folded it and placed it at the corner of the ring. I could hear the gasps through the crowd as we all witnessed a ripped physique that looked like a Greek statue.

Luca's lithe and athletic built told them that he'd been jesting with the opponent. His face had taken on the seriousness they'd been used to in the matches.

The champion tried to blindside my man, but Luca ducked and slid to the side. The champion of whose name no one seemed to know, glared at Luca, who beckoned him to come forward. This seemed to irritate the man who lunged at Luca, only to land in a round punch. Before he could complete a stagger backward, Luca landed a kick to the side of his head, sending him to the mat.

He got up and shook his head, coming at Luca again. Luca shimmied and punched him in his side followed up with a clip on the chin. He reeled back and shook his head once more.

Luca turned his back to the man, looking in my direction, blowing me a kiss. I didn't worry now that I saw him in action and knew he was taunting his opponent. The champion came up from behind, but Luca was quicker, twisting with a flying kick to the face.

Movements behind and to the side of the crowd caught my attention. The men were gathering for the take down, it was time Luca ended the fight. Luca lifted himself in the air and came down with his knee on the man's crown, knocking him out cold. I'd never been so damn proud of a man before.