Page 15 of Chaos
Nico is next in line to take over his syndicate. We grew up joking about the day we would be in charge, and I just never imagined mine would happen sooner than planned. We had big dreams of what we would do. I still haven’t done anything that I wanted to do. Too consumed with vengeance for my father.
“I need your help.” My voice is tight, filled with emotion.
I hate feeling like I am failing my people. I am the leader, and it’s my responsibility to keep everyone safe. I have spent six months trying to figure out who is behind this, but every time I feel like I have a solid lead, I hit a dead end.
Now knowing the Russians are trying to make a move on my territory adds another layer to this mystery. I’m beginning to believe they are connected, but I can’t stop thinking the MC is in on it. I need to reach out to my contact with the MC and see if he can give me some further information. Someone there has to know something, but knowing Zane and his crew, this is something they are keeping to themselves.
“Anything.Qualunque cosa tu abbia bisogno, sarò al tuo fianco. I will be there by the morning.” Nico’s voice is harsh, determined. He hung up the phone shortly after replying, but I could hear him yelling at Marco and Bastian. Telling them to start planning to fly out.
Marco and Bastian are Nico’s family. His chosen family. They have been thick as thieves since they were all young. I once considered them my close friends too, but I had others at the time that I considered family.
I have never been the person to ask for help, even when I desperately need it. When my parents were killed, I pushed everyone away. I was young and suddenly thrust into a position of power. I wanted to be like my father, strong and unwavering. I wanted to make him proud.
Something broke in me that day. I was no longer the boy I once was, turning into a hardened man in a matter of seconds. Nico and his family flew out as soon as they heard and tried to dote on me, but I refused. My heart turned to stone, and I decided I never wanted to have someone close enough to me again. I didn’t want to go through the pain of losing a loved one a second time.
I park my car at the valet and toss my keys to the young man working. He bows his head in respect before rushing to my car. I straighten my jacket and push my hair out of my face before walking into Midnight, one of the various clubs I own.
The music is loud as I walk through the front doors. The doorman nods his head to me before opening the door. I have one destination in mind for tonight, and it’s not the dance floor. I walk through the raging crowd until I reach a guarded door at the back. No one says anything as the door is opened, and I stroll through to the other side and down a flight of stairs.
It’s loud down here too, but for a different reason. Men are screaming, money waved in the air as bets are made. The sound of fists hitting skin is like music to my ears right now. It’s not often I come down here, but when I do, I always get in the ring. That’s what I need right now. A way to get this pent-up aggression out.
I watched the fight in front of me. I don’t recognize either of the men on stage, but it’s obvious who the winner will be. I pay close attention to the bigger man as he ducks and sways his way around the ring, waiting until his opponent is too tired before finally striking. One swift punch to the other man’s face, and he goes down. The crowd screams out, most happy with their winnings.
Leo, a new member to the organization, is standing next to the ring, waiting until the guy’s bloody body is pulled out. His bright green hair is shorter on the sides and longer on top. He may still be young, only nineteen years old, but the man is jacked. I swear, when he is not working here, he is in the gym. I walk over to him, and he gives me a smirk, knowing exactly what I am here for. I watch the winner walk around the ring with a smug smile on his face.
“He’s undefeated tonight,” Leo says to me.
“Not for long,” I reply.
Leo shakes his head with a smirk on his lips. He walks into the ring and starts announcing the winner. I start stripping off my jacket and shirt, then hand them to a waitress. Her eyes take in my naked chest. Usually, I would be down to play with her once I am done, but not tonight. Not since Serena came into my life. There is no one else I want but her.
I kick my dress shoes off and take my socks off. Fighting in my dress pants isn’t ideal, but it will do for tonight. I don’t expect this fight to last long anyway.
Leo loudly announces my name as the next competitor. The crowd falls into dead silence as I walk into the ring. My eyes focus on the man in front of me. He appears to be in his thirties. He is shorter than I am but easily has twenty pounds of muscle on me. The overhead lights glare against his sweaty bald head. His lip is busted open, and dried blood is caked onto his skin. He maliciously smiles at me, thinking he will win.
I bounce on my feet, preparing myself for the release I need. Leo walks out of the ring, and I wait for the bell. The loud ding signals the start, and the man charges towards me. I move out of the way and turn around, my fist flying into his side. He grunts in pain before turning to me. He takes a swing that I easily avoid. He growls in anger before repeatedly trying to hit me. I dodge and block when I can, but he gets a few good punches in. My lip is busted open, and I can taste the copper on my lips.
I jabbed out, hitting him in the cheek before kicking his ribs. He stumbles but doesn’t fall. He comes at me again. We exchange blow after blow until I decide I am done with this. I hit him with a quick combination of jabs, kicks, and a final uppercut that sent the bastard to the mat. He is knocked out, and my name is announced as the winner. Cheers for the crowd erupt. I swipe the blood off my lip before making my way out of the ring.
I walk over to Leo, and he pats me on the back. The waitress is still standing where I left her. I grabbed my shirt and jacket from her before picking my shoes up and walking away. I walk down the hall until I reach the office that I have back here. I unlock the door and close it behind me. The room isn’t as lavish as my other offices, but it has a shower in the back.
I turn the light on in the small washroom and take in my appearance. A small bruise is forming on my cheek, and my lip is busted up. I shuck off my pants and turn the water on before stepping into the shower. I quickly wash the sweat and blood off and get out. I dry myself off and redress in clothes I keep here, just in case, before sitting down in the chair behind my desk. I should probably get some work done while here, but I can’t focus enough for that right now.
The fight helped reduce the growing tension and anxiety in me, but I can’t stop the thoughts. Wondering what is happening and who is behind it, but the thing that consumes most of my thoughts is my darling. Serena.
I pulled my phone out and sent her a quick text.
Me: I haven’t stopped thinking
about that kiss.
Which is true, I haven’t, but I can’t believe I just admitted that to her. Showing women emotion past sex has never been something I have done. None have meant more than that to me, but for whatever reason, Serena seems to make me feel more than I thought possible.
I stared at my phone, waiting for a reply, but none came through. I look at the time, noticing it’s almost two in the morning. I shut the screen off and toss it on my desk.
It ironically lands on the file that Michael got for me about Serena. Every piece of information about her that could be found, and some that I shouldn’t have been able to find out. I have read that file more times than I care to admit to. The need to study it again is rushing through me, but I know that I won’t be able to figure anything else out from the information.
Most was what I had expected. Information on where she was born. Her family, though there were some inconsistencies with that. Her mom, Emma Gold, is a ghost in her own right. No information could be found about her before the age of nineteen. Which proves to me she changed her name. Now the question is why? Her dad is just as much of an anomaly. He wasn’t listed on her birth certificate, but based on the information about her grandparents, we were able to find a name. Thomas Moore. Died at the age of thirty-five. But there is no death certificate or police report about it.
