The Mafia's Secret

Chapter 4 ✔️

SCARLETT

I couldn't anticipate the next few seconds. I wasn't sure what he would do after I had realized what I had said. By the time he grabbed my arm, forcefully pulling me towards the front door, it was already too late. I had a feeling I knew where he was dragging me, and within a matter of seconds I was right. I had been too proud of having no fear that I had dug myself a deeper hole than what I was already in. We were headed straight for a large two bay shop. Once we were there, Xavier opened the door, throwing me to the floor. I had to hold out my arm to break my fall, biting my tongue to prevent myself from crying out. I could taste blood almost instantly. The metallic taste would have been intolerable if I wasn't in so much pain.
Xavier hardly gave me time to recuperate before he grabbed my arm, forcing me to my feet. I kept my jaw clenched as pain began to throb in my arm and wrist. Xavier then proceeded to push me forward and passed the two dozen pairs of eyes staring directly at me. All but a few were familiar as I had met most of them. Unfortunately for me, most have converted their ways in favor of Xavier. I only hoped at least one would help me out of whatever mess this was.
Xavier pulled me towards the two rings at the end of the shop. There were people fighting in both rings. Others who had gathered around to watch, now had their attention on Xavier And I. Xavier brought me to the ring on the left, pushing passed the crowd until we were situated right by the ring. The two men stopped fighting, focusing their gazes on me and Xavier. I could recognize the two as Caleb and Jake from Zayn's original gang.
"Did I say stop?" Xavier asked. The irritation could clearly be heard in his tone.
The two continued to fight until Jake was on the ground, bleeding from the nose and mouth. Caleb stood above Jake, extending a hand. Jake seemed hesitant before taking it, allowing Caleb to help him to his feet. Jake began to leave the ring.
"Stay." Xavier's voice echoed through the crowd. Jake stopped moving as he was halfway out the ring. "Caleb, out of the ring. Maybe Jake can redeem himself by fighting Scarlett here. And don't even think about pulling back your punches. I'll know if you do and you won't like the punishment."
"I'm not fighting for your own entertainment, Xavier!" I said angrily.
"I'm not giving you a choice."
"I don't think that's a good idea, man. She had a bad reaction to the sedative. It'll take a few days before it fully leaves her system." Caleb said as he leaned against the ropes of the ring.
"And since when do I listen to a damn thing that leaves your mouth, Caleb? She's fine. She had the strength to leave your room. She'll have the strength to fight. Now get out of the ring." He put his lips close to my ear. "Fight or I'll have everyone in this room make sure you can't move a muscle without pain."
He pushed me towards the ring as Caleb left it. Seeing as I had no choice, I climbed into the ring, hesitantly raising my fists towards Jake. Jake seemed so unsure if he wanted to lay a finger on me. I knew Zayn would never let anyone lay a hand on me unless they came to him first. If Zayn thought someone was looking at me strangely or in a way he didn't like, they would usually end up in the hospital or with minor injuries. It all depended on who it was. Now it was completely different since Zayn wasn't here to protect me.
"Fight!" I could hear someone say from somewhere beside me. I couldn't see anyone but I knew it must have been someone controlling the fights.
There always had to be in case there was too much rage in a fight. Despite the entertainment, people could easily get carried away. It was dangerous to do so around here since everyone basically had a price tag around them. Even Jake had one despite it being a small price.
Jake seemed hesitant to step forward or even raise his fists. Before he did so, he sent me an apologetic look before stepping forward, striking out with his left fist. Pulling back my head, his fist easily missed my face. He continued to strike out towards my face and side a few more times, hardly giving me the time to anticipate them. Dodging the fifth punch, I used my knee to kick up, catching Jake in the stomach. He gasped out, hunching over in shock. For a second I thought I had an advantage so I threw a punch towards his face. The thought was gone the second Jake grabbed my fist, twisting my arm as he kicked the back of my legs, knocking me down. My back slammed against the ground hard, knocking the air out of my lungs. I couldn't catch my breath for a few seconds, allowing Jake to tower over me and strike out towards my head. Swinging my body to the side, I could hear his fist connect with the ring floor. Taking this to advantage, I lunged forward, knocking Jake to his side. I pinned him down as I held my fist in the air, refusing to strike him. I didn't have the strength to humiliate him twice. He didn't deserve it. He was just as innocent as I was. I knew he was one of the weakest in the group. He was two years younger than I was. Leaving him at sixteen. He had only been a drug deliverer and fetcher. I used to be but after I turned eighteen, things changed. Eighteen was the age of moving up in the world. All the dirty work you were forced to do beforehand was then passed on to the new recruit or a retired fighter.
Dropping my fist, I stood despite the dizziness that threatened to knock me off balance. Turning to Xavier, I stood straight, challenging him. I was better than him. He may have been older but I was wiser. I knew right from wrong and this was wrong.
"I told you. I won't fight for you. I'm not hitting a damn kid."
Xavier chuckled darkly. "You know, since you're the sister to an ex Mafia leader, I thought you would do anything to prove your strength but clearly I was wrong."
"The only thing I'm doing is showing you what it takes to be a true leader. Fighting to prove strength, isn't the way."
Xavier climbed through the ropes, walking over to me. Within seconds, the palm of his hand came flying towards the side of my face. The force sent my face springing to the side. It took a great amount of stability to prevent myself from falling due to the force. Xavier grabbed hold of my chin, squeezing it tightly enough to make me wince in pain. He leaned in close to my ear. His lips grazed against my ear, sending an uncomfortable shiver down my spine. He spoke low enough so I was the only one who heard him. I was sure even Jake couldn't hear him despite standing right there.
"I don't need to be challenged by an insolent little girl! You know nothing about leading!" He seethed in a stern whisper. He then backed up a step. "Tyler, Get in here!"
Tyler appeared from within the crowd, standing right up to the ring. He seemed annoyed at first as if he had previously been doing something of more importance to him before being dragged into whatever this was.
Xavier looked over at me, smirking. "Show Scarlett here what happens when you disrespect my authority." Xavier left the ring, practically dragging the now standing Jake, with him.
Tyler sent a devious grin my way as he stepped into the ring. "With pleasure."
I didn't have to be a genius to know that I was going to regret challenging Xavier. Tyler was one of Xavier's best fighters. No one ever won a fight against him. Tyler was the only fighter I knew that used his rage in fighting. Even Zayn couldn't beat Tyler in a fight but at least he could hold his own with him. I was a dead man.