Chapter 4

Rico.

I don't know if I made the right choice by listening to Alessio but I did anyway. I want a woman.

A woman who can handle a fight, a woman who can take care of herself when I am not there to help.

In this world, we can't always depend on guards because they are humans too, and anything can happen to them leaving us vulnerable.

That's why having a strong independent woman to carry your kids is important.

So when Alessio suggested this mysterious ring, I gave it a deep thought and realized in fact, it was a brilliant idea.

The only way to eliminate the weak until the strongest is left standing is if we take them to the ring.

I have heard rumors about this place but I never got the chance to see it for myself. They say this place is ruled by the underworld queen who is also like a ghost.

No one knows her identity and those who do, leave it behind the walls of the arena.

It's an everyday talk at the casino and clubs, especially from men. Everyone yearns to meet this enigmatic woman.

I hope I meet her today. She must be a strong woman to maintain that amount of reputation.

He also said he named today's event as a 'King finding his queen ' and down there, such events are seen as a celebration to which a lot of men and women in business are invited.

None of my family knows about this. My mum will think I'm crazy and I'm sure she will never accept such an act just to find a girl. Who cares though, I have enough blood on my hands and it's not like anyone will be forced to enter the ring.

It's strictly voluntary.

I also have qualities that I need in a woman and if whoever wins today doesn't meet them, I have the right to reject her and find other options.

Of course, I won't be settling for less.

"Finally you made the right choice brother. Taking the fight to the death ring makes me more proud", Alessio pats my back as he aligns my tie.

I don't even know why I have to wear a damn suit. This place must have crazy rules.

"And whoever wins tonight, remember to treat them well, okay?," he says and I nod even though I'm not sure about that.

It's like he has everything figured out.

"The fight starts in 30 minutes, we better be on our way"

*

We get out of the vehicles and our men quickly cover us. Of course, I have bodyguards.

A few of my most trusted men refused to leave. We came from far and when that man locked me up, he made sure my friends followed me shortly after.

I'm still thinking about when to visit him. Everyone knows Rico is bad and I won't try to change that. I just know everyone who laid a finger on me in prison and out, must be rewarded. That's more reason I keep these men with me.

The metal gates are opened to a big round arena. It's more of a stadium but also it gives a club vibe.

It's in the middle of the day but the place is crowded like crazy, and a loud tremble of music is playing from every corner of the building.

There is smoke all over the place accompanied by the smell of sweat, cheap perfumes, and alcohol. Women in flimsy outfits are strip dancing on the poles as the old men watch with lust.

Some are openly taking drugs with no care in the world, there is no one to hinder them or authority to question them.

This is a place they come to sin.

A perfect place for the underworld business.

Carl should see this.

In the middle of the arena, is a big iron caged ring where I'm assuming the fights to death take place.

I can only imagine the kind of things that happens here.

The arena is so big and to my utter surprise, on every wall, are portraits of the girl from the club. A gold crown adorns her head and I was correct when I said she was beautiful. A tag queen is on each of the pictures with some Russian words I don't understand their meaning. In each photo, she's holding a different kind of weapon, in some she's holding guns, others a sword, and others knives, and in contrast to the sweet girl I saw dancing, this picture portrays a no-nonsense woman who messing with will land you in great trouble. 

She looks completely different and dangerous.

No.

It can't be.

Is she?

"Bro?" I look at the man beside me in question and he chuckles.

"Yes Rico, the girl you are looking at is the queen of the underworld," he says staring at her portraits with so much pride and it makes me more curious about who she is to him.

He doesn't have a sister. I know his family so well, even his bitchy mother tried to seduce me a couple of times. It was so disgusting.

 If I'm correct, she must be 17 or 18 at most and the things I have heard about this queen are crude than her age.

Am I missing something?

These pictures are evidence that she runs this place. But how did a young girl achieve all of this?

Fuck! She is beautiful.

She is underage and not supposed to know this place exists, but the irony of life is that she owns and runs it.

Truth to his words, on a big podium above the stairs, sits a big throne and everything is either in a shade of blue or red. There are two big ethereal seats, one has a tag King, and on the left has Queen written on the top, and her majesty herself is calmly sitting on it.

How come?

I'm 29 but she makes me look so fucking incompetent.

She's wearing a short black leather dress with white ankle boots. Her silver hair is parted in the middle and let free. Around her are armed men in black suits and I must admit, she is impressive.

"This way" He leads us to the podium but no one gets closer to the girl. We sit in a separate wing and to my amazement or disappointment, she doesn't lift her eyes from her phone to acknowledge us.

It's like she doesn't want to be here. Why do I want her to notice me when the ring is full of bitches who want to fight for me anyway?.

I didn't think anyone would appear, but it's a crazy world.

"Everyone, get ready for a fight to the death. Only the winning girl gets the privilege of going home with King Ricardo Moreno" the DJ announces in the speakers and the crowd goes crazy with cheers and screams.

She does not look up. Did she hear him mention my name? Does she know my name? Fuck! I don't know hers either.

I think I am behaving weirdly.

I glance inside the ring and there are around 15 girls in total. All stretching out and getting ready for the upcoming fight.

"The rules of the game are, the only elimination is through death, you are free to use any weapon of your choice, and when you enter the ring you either come out alive or dead. If any of you does not agree to these terms please step outside" the man shouts but none of the girls make a move to quit.

*

The fight has been going on for 40 minutes now and so far, five girls are out.

The whole time my interest has been in one girl. She is not watching the fight or anyone for that matter. I would love to find out how she thinks.

No doubt she is extremely smart.

They say to keep her reputation, she enters the ring at least once a week and she never loses.

The queen is said to be the best assassin and never forgives, she's accurate and she always goes for what she wants.

The main reason her identity has not been leaked is because the thousands of people in this arena work for her.

This place is like their kingdom and it's a marvel how a girl her age demands attention from this crowd without even lifting her finger.

They greatly respect her and anyone here will gladly die in her place.

She is the perfect queen for this business. Judging from the rumors about her, you would never guess she is this young. I always assumed she was a middle-aged woman.

And here I thought Kay was badass.

"And the winner is, Jessica" the DJ drawls out into the mic and only then do I return my concentration to the ring. I'm gonna reject her, maybe I don't need a queen right now.

I can still look around some more.

"One moment Dj" the cheery voice of the winning girl stops the overexcited man on the mic.

Why is he excited anyway? He is pissing me off.

He calms down and hands the mic to the girl who isn't near my type.

"I won fair and square" she brags raising her hands in victory," And as all of you know, there can only be one queen in a kingdom" Jessica smirks eying the girl who doesn't spare her a glance.

Looks like I'm taking home an opportunist power-hungry bitch.

" I want that throne, and I'm challenging the bitch sitting on it to a fight to death" she shouts pointing at the dais before noisily dropping the mic, everywhere goes completely silent.

"She was not a contestant, I propose you take your prize and leave while you still have a chance," The armed man standing next to the queen tells the winning girl and I scowl at him. What prize is he talking about?

"She can't fight, she's sick," Alessio says staring at the girl in concern.

"Rules are rules, if she beats me, she keeps the king and her crown, and if I beat her, I take them all" Jessica proudly smirks and it makes me mad, imagining how much trouble she is about to cause.

Everyone in the arena draws out their weapon and aims at the woman in the ring. I was right, everyone here is working for the queen and this is a clear threat to their boss.

"It's okay, Fabio." the queen slowly stands up and places her hand on the weapon Fabio is aiming at the ring, and everyone lowers their guns when he puts his down.

"I will take the challenge" she whispers walking to the arena but an older man quickly interjects.

"Mia baby, you are sick. We can take care of this"

"He wants me to fight" she mumbles and for the first time since I got here, she looks at me and her eyes flush with recognition.

I can't believe she didn't know it was me all along.

Her eyes look so tired and she has dark circles around them. Her previous vibrant skin today is pale and it makes me feel guilty for adding to her stress.

Is this the reason she looks down today?

"Give me a minute, this man is crazy," the man says fumbling with his pockets for his phone.

"No Godfather, you know what happens if I don't get in the ring in the next minute" she tiredly whispers before walking to the ring to claim me.