Chapter 21
Nerves I rarely feel eat away at me the moment we saunter into the venue. Tension hangs in the air. People mull around, whispering to each other and pointing at the empty octagon. A line starts at a small booth where two people take money, write names, and take bets placed for the fighters of the night.
It's a crowded place—an old gymnasium of an abandoned prep school that once functioned and housed the country's most influential people until a deadly society that got their rocks off on murdering people for money ruined it.
What a fucking world we live in.
I take a deep breath, centering myself the best way I know how. The faint sound of a violin beautifully playing classical music springs into my mind. Ah, how I miss the feel of my baby beneath my fingers, easing whatever tension I might have. I ache to touch it, play it, and do anything to have it back in my hands. But my father has commandeered that, too. Erasing it from existence by smashing it to pieces.
No matter. I’ll find a new one. A better one.
Arrow's eyes light up at the prospect of fighting someone. He practically vibrates with excitement—something I haven't seen since we reunited. The only feelings we've experienced are rage, hate, and desperation as we search for our wife. What's worse is that we know exactly where she is, but there's no way of safely retrieving her.
It's a new kind of Hell.
"This is going to be good, Jer." A grin lights up his face as he soaks in the atmosphere almost built for him. "Now, I won't have to punch you so much."
Yeah, about that. I've felt his fury through his fist. No matter how much I tell him it was impossible to carry him out of the hospital without arousing suspicion, he won't listen. Or maybe it goes deeper than that. I can feel the resentment wafting off him when he thinks I'm not looking.
Maybe he blames me as much as I blame myself for not bringing Journey on stage with us. I didn't protect her as I should have. We didn't protect her from my father when we should have. I should have known he would pull something like that when he tried to get her alone. I underestimated him. But that will never happen again. I'll never underestimate that man again.
"Just don't murder whoever they put you up against," I say, walking further into the large room and taking it in.
"I can't promise that." Arrow grins at me. "Someone needs to die." He shrugs before I can protest.
"You must be the replacement," a gruff voice says from over my shoulder.
I turn quickly, watching a tall man with a scar down his cheek standing before us with a straight face. He’s an older version of Elias in stature and looks—it has to be Ruthless, the leader of this fight ring. He inspects us with a glowering expression, taking in the bloodlust shining in Arrow's eyes.
"I'm Ruthless. This is my establishment. I feel like we should go over some rules." He darts his hand out and shakes both of our hands, squeezing to display his superiority.
"I'm Jericho Viotto," I say in return.
"Arrow Amour."
"So, I've heard. The great heir of Briar Cove and his lackey.”
Well, that isn't polite. I see the moment Arrow takes offense to the word lackey. He visibly recoils, staring at the man and wondering where he got the audacity. Then, the evil grin comes. Yay. He’s concocting a plan for revenge.
“You can't kill the person I pit you against," Ruthless says, straightening his spine. "I've seen that look plenty of times before. You murder someone here, and I murder you. Got it? I don’t give a fuck who you are or where you came from. This is my domain. No fucking murders." He eyes the two of us suspiciously, narrowing in on Arrow, who grins more.
I stiffen at his threat.
"You think you could?" Arrow taunts with a grin, cracking his knuckles playfully.
"I possess skills and talents that might surprise you." Although Ruthless spoke deceptively calmly, the underlying threat didn’t escape my notice.
Yeah, he could murder us and dispose of our bodies with no problem. Not to mention, his men linger everywhere, watching our every move. This is his territory, after all.
"Arrow won't murder anyone," I say confidently, turning to the man in question. "Not our territory."
Arrow scoffs at me. "Fine. No death. But they'll wish for it." His grin would send chills down anyone's spine—except Ruthless. Amusement flickers across his face, and he grins, eyeing Arrow differently now.
"I think I might enjoy your company. Maybe one day, our two families can come to an agreement,” Ruthless says, nodding his head.
"And do you have the same setup as your brother, Elias?" I question.
Ruthless grins. "Welcome to the Blue Spider compound. My brother and I have several territories throughout California. Much like the notorious Viotto family. Although we offer more than just casinos and nightclubs for profit." He taps the side of his nose.
"So, you've done your homework," I say with a respectable nod.
"When my brother invites the mafia heir of Briar Cove to my establishment, I tend to look into who is stepping foot on my territory. Not that we didn’t know who you were. I'm hoping there will be no bad blood between us."
"I'll consider this a neutral zone," I say out of respect for his hospitality.
If I had known this was another sect of Elias' gang, I might have thought twice about bringing Arrow here. He's unstable at best without the other two members of our quad. God, now I’m starting to sound like Arrow. Our quad. Fucking hell.
"Good talk," Ruthless says, clapping his hands several times. "Now, you're up first." He nods toward the ring, and Arrow practically sprints off with an excited bounce in his step. "And my brother has reserved a private viewing room to give your conversation privacy."
"Much appreciated," I say with gratitude, stepping toward the side, but he stops me.
"I've heard of your misfortunes. Keep it peaceful. I don't mind cleaning brain matter off the wall," he threatens nonchalantly, then lets me go.
Well, then. That was dramatic. I have no intention of harming his brother. Or him. In fact, I don't have a weapon, which leaves me vulnerable and left for dead. But what can I do? Everything I had access to lies in the hands of my parents. And Carter was less than accommodating with weaponry, expressing how much he did not trust us not to shoot him in the face. Such faith he has in us.
"Elias," I say respectfully, finding him resting on a couch in a small room off the central hub of people.
"Jericho Viotto," he says smoothly, sipping his beer. "Can I offer you a drink?" He gestures to a small bucket of ice filled with bottles of beer.
I nod, grabbing a beer and popping the cap off. I take a sip, settling on the opposite side of the couch, my gaze following Arrow as he enters the ring shirtless through the large window overlooking the show.
"I'm assuming my brother had the no-murder talk with you," Elias quips, taking another drink.
"Yes. We even had a nice discussion about brain matter on walls and all that jazz," I say, sipping my beer.
Elias leans back, leisurely looking out at the crowd as they chant the other opponent's name with vigor, tossing their fists in the air.
"Good," Elias comments.
"How long have you known Shadow was Thomas Mondelli?" I question, getting right into the thick of the conversation. It's been bothering me since he mentioned the mind-blowing news.
"Shadow and I have had an ongoing business relationship for two years."
"What kind of business do you two share?" My eyes glue on Arrow, who dances around the cage, flipping off the crowd and cackling at their boos.
They won't be booing soon when he wins because that’s the thing about Arrow Amour. He never loses. If you hit him, it’s because he let you. He wants the pain, absorbing it like a drug into his veins and using it to fuel his violence.
"I want to offer you a deal," Elias says, dancing around my damn question.
"Yeah? What kind of deal?" Finally, I peel my eyes off Arrow’s dance and stare into the eyes of Elias as he tilts his head expectantly.
"We're two men in similar situations. I've got roots in Briar Cove, as do you. I think an alliance of our families will stop the animosity between us. At least between you and me."
"I'm curious what we could bring to the table for one another?" I question.
"Well, I'd have much more to offer in this negotiation, wouldn't I? It seems to me you're on the run while your father completely decimates the city that I've grown my budding business in." He raises a brow.
"I'll be going back eventually," I say. "We just need time to..."
"Recuperate, and then what, Viotto? Are you going to storm the castle and take him by surprise?" He chuckles. "He's leveled you to the ground. Taken your friends, your wife, and set you up to marry another woman. Believe me, you cannot single-handedly reclaim what he took from you.”
"Not exactly," I say coolly, taking another drink. Despite my teeth grinding together and my fists tightening, I have to remain calm and not pummel his face in.
"Here," he says, pulling out a white envelope and slipping it into my hands. "An invitation to my wedding. The date, place, and time are stamped on it so you won't forget. And I don't think you want to forget."
For fuck’s sake. I’m getting whiplash with this conversation.
"Yeah, and why is that?" I don't mind making an appearance at the wedding. Jenni was a classmate. Although, I murdered her father for his ties to Shadow and traitorous ways. I suppose that's how these two got married.
"Because I invited Shadow and his bloodied-up guest the night I had dinner with them," he says nonchalantly, but my fucking heart stops. "And he wouldn't shy away from showing his face in town now that your father seems to have lost his edge. Shadow is no longer a shadow on the fringes of society. Shadow is coming out for all to know who the fuck he is. His days of hiding are over.”
"Journey is going to be there? What about..."
"He'll be her plus one, I can only assume. I'm giving you an opportunity to speak to them and get close to them. It's the only time you'll be able to. Shadow has them on his island. There's no way of getting close to it without getting yourself killed." He takes a sip, taking in my straight-faced expression. “Unless you enter The Pit.” He raises a brow. “Of course, Shadow would have you slaughtered on sight for even stepping into his palace. He rules there.”
I won't mention to him that the men of Veritas are already attempting to break onto the island and have gone up in flames. Then, he'd be aware I have connections to the government and be less apt to help me. But The Pit? The same pit my wife fought in? I’d slaughter everyone who dared to fight me. But Arrow? Yeah, he’d have the time of his life.
"And you're one hundred percent sure that Shadow will come through?" My heart aches with desperation for this entire situation to be true. It could be a setup. One to bring us all to a location and then end our lives.
Elias shrugs. "No one can be one hundred percent about anything in this world. But a wedding is a wedding. It brings out everyone. It's much like a celebration. Shadow will make an appearance.”
"So, what kind of deal were you thinking?" I ask, studying the invitation with a skeptical eye. It could all be a trap, but if I can shake his hand by the end of the night and verbally come to whatever agreement he has in mind, then maybe I can get my place back at my home.
"I want the Blue Spiders to help run Briar Cove." He takes a drink, eyeing me as the words sink in. "In return, I want your loyalty. And with that loyalty, I'll help you take down Shadow from the inside, get your girl back and your friend, and then take down your father. This benefits both of us. I have the arsenal at my disposal. The men who are willing to fight.”
Briar Cove is my birthright. The achievement I've been preparing for since I was five, and my father locked me away to toughen me up. His words. Not mine. Sitting on the throne of the Viotto Crime Family has always been my destiny. My knee-jerk reaction is to tell Elias to get fucked. Veritas can easily help me get back Journey and Shepp. And they have inside help, too.
But do I want a broken legacy handed down from Viotto to Viotto? Only time will tell.
"I can see you're thinking it over. Maybe I should give you some time to consider my deal. Let’s say until my wedding. I’ll be holding meetings there, anyway.”
It’s not too far off to hold meetings during a time of celebration when the leader is more charitable and giving. Many attend weddings hoping to create alliances and earn forgiveness for past transgressions. Mafia or gang, it doesn’t seem to matter.
"And what would my role be in all this? Briar Cove is mine.” In the future, at least.
I was born for this role. Tortured for it. Given complexes for it. It’s a hard piece of myself to let go of and let someone else step up to the plate, especially when it’s Elias White, rival gang member.
"You can still have your cake and eat it." He shrugs. "I want out of the shadows, Viotto. My family has a role there, too. Something your father has pushed to the outskirts and banished. Sure, we had a deal. But it only benefited him.”
"The drugs you bring into my city?” I raise a brow, attempting to release my teeth grinding together. "There are more deaths attributed to those laced drugs than from anything else."
"You should check who the distributor is of those drugs you're accusing me of possessing," he says cooly, not letting on to the nerve I just hit. "Everyone likes to point a finger and blame my family. I provide the purest form of our products. They're tested and not tampered with. No lacing is going on from my end or Shadow's. Your father is the one attempting to keep everyone out of his territory. Even though he and I made a deal."
I digest his words. "If you're not the one doing the lacing, who is?" I question, not fully believing in what he's saying. He could be giving me one lie after another. We've never been friends, after all. We exist in the same town, attempting to run our businesses harmoniously.
"I think that's something you should ask your father," he says, taking one last drink of his beer.
"Him?" I raise a brow.
"And I'd hurry for a visit if I were you. Your entire empire is hanging by a thread. Word is, your father is sick and lacking in his duties. If he’s not careful, someone will swoop in and take what should be yours."
I lick my lips, looking out into the silent crowd. Arrow struts through the octagon with blood coating his face and chest. He raises his hands, laughing as two other guys take the other guy out of the cage. He doesn't move and barely looks like he's breathing. I guess Arrow was right when he said the other man would wish for death.
"Come to my wedding and see for yourself. Your father is no threat to you right now. Others, though? Maybe. I suggest hiding out in the shadows. It’ll give you a taste of your own medicine."
"The family would be there to back his every move," I say, taking several gulps of my beer.
"That's the thing about family, though, isn't it? Are they truly there to help the town of Briar Cove? Or are they after the throne for themselves? Where money and power are involved, others will trample the rest of you to gain it."
"How exactly do you know all this information?" I question, tilting my head.
It seems odd for a man who lives on the edge of town to know all our business. He’s hiding something vital, but I’m not sure what.
"I have sources, Viotto. Viable sources within the family have come to me with concerns about our town and your father." With that, Elias gets up from the couch and nods for me to follow. "You might want to carry your friend out of here before my brother makes him disappear."
Without another word, I follow Elias out of the small viewing room and make my way to Arrow, pushing through the crowd.
"Arrow," I say, standing beside him, marveling at the blood coating his flesh. "We may want to take our leave."
Arrow snorts. "But I want to stay and watch the rest of the fights. Did you see me, Daddy Jer? I fucked that guy up!" he howls, throwing his head back with excitement.
"I did, indeed."
"It was a good fight. If you ever think about leaving your organization and coming here, I'd offer you a permanent spot," Ruthless says, standing beside his brother with a smirk. Well, at least he doesn’t seem too upset. "Like that one." He nods toward the next fighter beside the ring. "Found him outside a bar. He's a rock star. Former junky. This was his opportunity. Smart kid."
I watch the tall, blond-haired fighter stare off into space. Earbuds rest in his ears as he bounces from side to side, preparing himself. Tattoos etch into his flesh, bringing my eyes to the neon stars above his heart. I’ve always been told tattoos represent something of importance if they’re above the thumping organ pumping blood throughout your body.
Maybe it’s true.
"Is he any good?" I ask, my eyes sliding to his large opponent, eyeing him up and down. He's larger. Larger than the man he's about to throw fists with. In fact, it looks like he could kill the other one with one punch.
"You could stay and watch if you'd like. Everyone underestimates him. But he's got a hell of a gift."
"Oh, yeah? And what's that?"
Ruthless grins when the bell rings and the two enter the ring. "He's got a photographic memory. Every move the person opposite of him makes, he stores it inside his brain.”
"A photographic memory?" I mumble, staring at the tatted man with raised brows.
What a horrible thing for a brain to do. Worthy for a fight like this, being able to determine the others' move. My mind has blocked out a lot from my past. The feelings I held when my father took his anger out on me or locked me in the closet for crying—like a child should. It would all be there in reach. Every emotion. Every movement. It would be a damn burden.
"So, not a junky anymore?" I ask, watching him enter the ring. Long gone are the earbuds in his ears. His light eyes dart around the ring, taking us all in and landing on his opponent. He sizes him up without emotion, taking in the large muscles bulging on his arms.
"Wouldn't let him fight if he was. Just watch him." Ruthless nods to the kid in the octagon as the bell rings, indicating their fight is starting.
The kid doesn't waste a moment. He watches his competitor, and no shit, predicts his moves. One punch. Two punches. A kick to the kidneys. Then, one last blow to the jaw, forcing the bigger man to the ground.
Arrow grins, watching him with a challenge in his eyes. "Can I fight him next?" he quips, cracking his bloodied knuckles.
"Not a chance in hell," Ruthless grunts. "That's my crowd favorite." AKA, he brings in a lot of money, and Arrow would decimate the competition with his fury fists.
"Boo, you're no fun," Arrow pouts, crossing his arms.
"That's our cue, then," I say, standing beside Arrow.
He seems lighter now that he's pounded someone's face in and has blood on his skin.
"The offer still stands," Ruthless says, holding his hand for me to shake. "And consider what my brother has to offer. You'll need allies in your fight against two evils."
"And adding in a third evil is good?" I ask, raising a brow.
Ruthless smirks. "I am neither good nor evil. I'm a third party with six brothers at my beck and call. Elias runs his own, taking himself to the top after working from the bottom."
"I'm curious why your family would willingly insert themselves into my family's battle?"
Ruthless finally lets go of my hand and raises his chin. "Everyone needs an ally, Viotto. You should consider it."
"Ally, indeed. But it still makes me question why you'd willingly do that. We've had zero business together." Not to mention the beef I've had with Elias and the drugs he's given to people of Briar Cove, poisoning some. Or maybe it wasn't him. I need time to reflect on what the past has shown me. Has my father been manipulating things from behind the scenes? To what? Create a false narrative against outsiders?
Possibly.
"But we could," Ruthless says, pursing his lips. "Consider the offer. Then, we can have another meeting and discuss further details. It would be in everyone's best interest to wipe out Gabriel Viotto and the cruel empire he's erected and take Shadow down with him."
With that, Ruthless tips his chin at us and then saunters through the crowd toward the stage. He slaps the kid who won on the shoulder, leaning in to talk to him discreetly.
"Well, they seem trustworthy," Arrow quips, whooping with unexpelled energy.
"I'm not convinced," I say, tipping my head for him to follow so we can talk in the vehicle Olivia let me borrow.
We stay silent until we jump into the SUV, closing the doors and cutting off the chaotic world around us.
"Do we trust them?" I ask, looking forward as a crowd surges into the space through one tiny door. “They want an alliance and loyalty. In return, they’re offering their men as soldiers in our fight. We’d be one. They’d rule half of Briar Cove. And us the other.” It’s truly something to consider, but I’m failing to see why. Why put their people on the line? Would they double-cross us and attempt to take the entire town for their own?
"I want to fight again. So, yes," Arrow quips with a grin.
"Elias wants to work with us to take down Gabriel." I want to make sure he understands the severity of our situation. He’s got the gory fight on his brain and blood on his flesh. He’s eager to please whoever can help tamp down his demon.
"Why? What's the deal he wants?" Arrow asks with furrowed brows.
"He wants to help rule Briar Cove when it's all said and done."
"Pfft. Like the family would ever agree to that, we've held Briar Cove for years. Why the hell would we give it up to a gang?” He rolls his eyes for dramatic effect.
I sigh, rubbing my temple. "My thoughts exactly. But Elias's words make me think something more is happening back at home that we need to be present for." I raise a brow when Arrow grins. “Like we need to head back and hide out so we can observe what’s happening.”
"Go home, you say? I'm down for that. Besides, I miss my babies, Shepp, and my girl," he pouts.
"Then it's settled. We'll discuss this with Liv and Carter first. But no matter what, we're returning to Briar Cove, come hell or high waters. Besides, we have a wedding to attend," I say, starting the vehicle.
"A wedding?" Arrow groans. "I hate weddings—unless it's my own." He smirks. "But you know allllll about getting married, don't you?"
Asshole.
"Well, no matter your hatred for weddings, you'll want to attend this one."
"Yeah, and why is that?"
"Because Journey and Shepp will be in attendance. It may be our only chance to grab them and run.” Run straight to the cabin to make up for lost time and get our bearings before going back to conquer my father.
"Fuck yes. A fight and a kidnapping at a wedding? Count me the fuck in," he hoots, punching the ceiling.
"We can't go in half-cocked, Arrow. We need to plan this to a T so there are no mistakes. This may be our only chance to get them away from Shadow's grasp."
Arrow's grin sends shivers down my spine when he nods. "No half-cocked here. We'll go in fully cocked. With guns and a plan to get my Kitten back into my arms."
"That begs the question of what we do next?"
"Go back home." Arrow smirks. "We need to get back into Briar Cove and scope out what's happening there. Maybe take down a few assholes along the way. My dad will have insight. And he's not a traitor. Also, I need to break out my babies. They're probably dying without me.” And where does Arrow think he will stash two lions once he breaks them out? I know he’s been in contact with the zookeeper, who feeds and tends to them daily. They’re probably safer in their cage than on the outside.
"We'll take care of it all," I say with finality, pulling into Olivia's driveway. "The real work begins now. We escaped from the fates Gabriel insisted we needed." I cringe.
"Yeah. Me with death and you with... other death," he snickers at that.
"The marriage between Chloe and I wouldn't have been legal, anyway. No matter what my father said. She didn't want me." I shake my head. "Once we return to Briar Cove, we'll contact Brandon.” The man who helped Aiden run our club as head of security. “We need to test his loyalties because Aiden proved to be a double-crossing pussy. We also need to visit your father and talk with the police chief.”
"I love testing loyalties," Arrow quips, jumping out of the car, still covered in blood. “I’ll text Dad and make sure he’s good for a meeting. If one of those assholes touched him or hurt him because of me…” he trails off, the gleam of the fight falling from his face.
“Don’t worry, Arrow. If someone has messed with the priest, it’ll be the last thing that they do.”
“Fuck yeah,” he says with a smirk. “I’m this close to forgiving you.” He holds his fingers together, holding them an inch apart. It’s something, but not total forgiveness. I will do whatever I have to do to get my best friend on the right track.
"Then it’s settled. We need someone on our side," I grumble. "It seems like everyone we knew in the family was in on my father's plans to take us down and eliminate us."
Well, not me, of course. He wanted to marry me off and use Arrow as the motivation. It’s not the first time my father has used the people around me to get what he wants. Not the last time, either.
Gabriel Viotto will continue to control my life until he falls on his knees with blood surrounding him.
It’s time that ends.
“Let’s go home.” I grin as I step outside the vehicle with Arrow.
“And fuck some shit up!” he shouts into the night sky. No doubt disrupting the few neighbors Olivia has in her gated community.