Page 19 of The Fractured

Another fight club. It explained why there were fewer of us in the room. The guys had dipped for what might be a better offer.

I could picture the detectives in that van listening in with more attention. An opportunity was rising for them to catch not only a mob boss, but his offspring too. Along with everyone else involved.

“I’m sending all of you to this new club, and I expect you to play the part.”

Seb cleared his throat. He gave up on opening the lollipop. “What kind of fighting is it? Bare knuckle? Gloves?”

“That’s what you’ll have to find out,” Antonio said. “But you have no affiliation with me anymore, at least that’s what we need them to think. Your new representative is Roxanne.”

I crossed my arms, unable to hold my tongue any longer. “Why not keep it honest? Go straight to them and end this.”

Antonio didn’t look too amused by my suggestion, or that I had questioned his overall plans, as he tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. “Because I want to tread lightly while I figure out how to handle them. They won’t hesitate to react maliciously if I go directly to them. And I’m sure none of you want that. You all have families. Loved ones.”

His calculating stare lingered on me before he looked to the rest of the room. Meanwhile, Seb jabbed me with his elbow.

“Dude,” he muttered.

I rubbed my jaw.

Our job was to teach Antonio’s kids a lesson, but make sure it wasn’t obvious it was coming from their father. Meanwhile, Antonio would be finding a way to get rid of them.

And I would be working undercover while already undercover.

Wonderful.

I needed a cigarette.

“You are to use your fight names only,” Antonio added.

The nicotine cravings were making me irate, because I spoke up again. “And if the other fighters–– the ones who know our names and faces andleftyou–– suspect something’s off?”

Seb dropped his face to his hands. Even Roxy looked concerned for my well-being.

Antonio’s smile was forced as he considered me for a moment. “You’re very vocal tonight.”

I shrugged a shoulder. “Just concerned for our safety.”

“Hm…” He lifted one finger, and I braced myself as Vince stepped away from the door and beelined for me.

“Fuck’s sake, Dean,” Seb murmured.

“Sorry, bud.” Vince half smiled before he slammed his fist into my stomach.

My body wanted to buckle at the sudden strike to my abdomen, but I forced myself to stay upright as I pressed my lips together and hum-coughed through the pain.

Vince patted my shoulder and walked away, removing the golden brass knuckles from his hand as he returned to his position by the door.

The tape on my chest miraculously stayed in place.

“Now,” Antonio continued to everyone else. “The other fighters will recognize you. I never suspected they wouldn’t. And when they do, you tell them you’re there for the same reason they left me; I was an unfit boss, and Roxy, a new owner in the game, offered you a better job and pay when she left me too… Those disloyal fighters won’t be around too long.”

Meaning he would have them killed for betraying him.

I rubbed at my stomach, nursing the tender area in the center of my abs, but also checking that the microphone wasn’t broken.

“None of you are expected to bring me back any information about whatever they have going on. You’re there to fight.”

And earn him money while his fight club is out of business.