Page 47 of Sadistic Retribution
I stand there awkwardly, waiting for her to tell me what to do. She rushes off out of my sight, then comes back a second later, arms full of clothes and shoes.
“Here, change into these,” she says. I look down. It's a sport bra, shorts, and sneakers. I'm not at all weirded out the shoes are my correct size.
“Any advice?” I ask her, as I struggle into the change of clothes.
She shrugs. “Don’t lose.”
“No shit—what should I do?”
She thinks for a minute, then tells me, “Don’t let her get you on the floor. If you can, put her in a chokehold until she passes out. Otherwise, wear her down by going on the defense. Try to avoid her hits and kicks.”
“Thanks, 6, I’ll do my best.” I gulp, scared out of my mind.
6 pulls me into a hug, rubbing circles onto my back. She draws back, tears shining in her eyes. “Sorry I had to hurt you.”
I take her hand, squeezing it in assurance, letting her lead me into the arena. It's packed again. I see so many pairs of eager eyes, practically salivating at the upcoming bloodshed.
My heart pounds when I see my opponent. I don’t recognize her. She's muscular, but petite. Long, brown hair, and a sneer on her face.
I ask 6 quietly, “Who is she? I haven’t seen her before.”
“She’s from another block. She's ruthless, and petty. She'll try for low blows. Be on your guard.”
Fucking great. I breathe out, steeling my spine. I put my head up, faking confidence as I step into the ring.
My opponent laughs loudly. “Really? Too easy! I'm going to fuck you up, little girl!”
My blood boils, and I snap back. “Bring it, bitch. I will end you.”
The voice of Demon comes through the arena. “Attention! This is 11’s first fight! This will be good! Okay, ladies—ding-ding!”
My opponent bolts straight toward me, head down, barreling into my stomach and knocking me back to the ropes. She pins me there, rearing back for a punch. I think quickly, bringing my knee up, getting her in her crotch. She yells, stumbling back. I take that opportunity to move away and put myself slightly behind her, hands clenching, hoping I can put her in a chokehold.
She comes toward me, leg sweeping out, knocking my legs out from underneath me. I catch myself before hitting the floor and push back up—and just go for it.
I swing, catching her in the eye. Satisfaction runs through me when I see her eye immediately start to swell. I swing again, getting her in the mouth, splitting her lip. She spits blood, and that familiar rush comes.
I bellow, wrapping my arms around my opponent’s waist to take her down. I almost succeed, taking her to her knees, but she’s strong. She pushes up, slamming me backwards into the ropes. She pulls some kind of crazy move—she drags me backward and spins. I hit the floor—hard.
My opponent straddles me, turning me onto my back. With a roar, she unleashes on my face and torso. I struggle, but I can’t even move my arms, let alone get out of this. Blood rolls down my face, and my vision blurs. I see stars, desperately trying to hang on to consciousness.
Before I pass out, the loudspeaker crackles. “Ding-ding! We have a winner! 7!”
7 gets off me, pumping her arm into the air with her victory. I manage to sit up, dizzy. I struggle to stand, and Demon rushes in, lifting me from the floor. He carries me out bridal-style, back to the cells.
He passes mine, and my brows wrinkle in confusion. He walks to 3’s cell, opening the door, and dumping me in. Before I can utter a word, the door locks in my face.
Chapter 18
Hunter
I still can’t wrapmy mind around the Mafia and Bratva working together. From the little I know, it doesn’t happen. Italians and Russians don’t get along.
It seems there is a hierarchy within the Six. Synn's family is the most powerful. The others defer to him. Power-wise, the others are about equal. From what I've uncovered so far, this little group is unknown by other families. It's a secret for some reason. I have a feeling that if the main branch caught wind of it, they would all be dead.
The main “big bad” is known as the Syndicate. It's a conglomeration of all mob groups, overseen by a group of higher-ups. Italian, Russian, Irish, Chinese.
The Syndicate isn’t hush-hush, plenty people are aware of their existence. Their reach is global—from the States to the Vatican and beyond. They have the power to wipe out anyone they want to. That's why I bet they don’t know about The Six families working together. That would be seen as open defiance, and would end in bloodshed.