In The Shadows ✔

[14] Quattordici - Tournament

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fratello = brother 

mio Dio = my God  

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They arrive at the abandoned building and Scorpia puts her wig and mask on, before pulling the hood over her head. Logan puts on his mask and hood as well and Bruno just the hood. They haven't spoken a word during the ride over and all three of them are extremely nervous. Scorpia gets out of the car and waits for Bruno. The men get out too and hit each other on the shoulder. "Good luck. See you inside."

Bruno walks over to Scorpia and softly pushes against her lower back. They walk towards the entrance of the building, leaving an anxious Logan behind. They've decided to enter the building separately and Bruno will talk for Scorpia. To make sure they don't reveal the fact that she's a woman too soon.

They reach the entrance and see Dino standing there. He looks up at his big brother in surprise and asks: "I thought you weren't going to fight yourself, fratello?"

Bruno says: "I'm not. I just decided to support my boxer. Since I'm the one who introduced him to you."

Dino says: "Keep your head down inside. Because the second Salvatore sees you, you'll be out. And not on your own two feet, you get me? He's still pissed that you knocked him out." His eyes scan the list in his hand and he checks a name on it. "P. Maestra is accounted for. Good luck."

Scorpia breathes out slowly, relieved that Dino didn't recognize her. They had hoped he would be there at the entrance and that Bruno being there would be enough to distract him. They walk inside and hold their breath for a second. The place is packed and they see two boxing rings next to each other in the distance.

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Logan feels sick from the tension in his body and walks over to the entrance. He looks at Dino and says: "Hi. Barman's here."

Dino nods and checks his name off the list. "Good luck. I hope you survive this man."

Logan nods and walks inside without saying another word. He looks around and tries to find Scorpia in the sea of people in the building. He sees the two boxing rings and a schedule on the wall at the other end of the room.

He squeezes himself through the crowd to have a look at the schedule. There's a huge guy standing next to him, wearing a clowns' mask and pointing at the piece of paper with his finger. Logan follows the guy's finger with his eyes and feels his stomach turn. The Clown is fighting against P. Maestra in his first match.

He looks for his own nickname and finds out he's fighting against The Devil first. He scouts the crowd and sees a guy wearing a devil mask. He studies him and figures he should be able to beat him.

His thoughts go back to Scorpia. How the hell is she going to beat an enormous guy like that. His eyes find her, she's sitting on a bench and Bruno is standing behind her, scanning the crowd. It suddenly goes deadly quiet and Logan looks around to see why.

Salvatore walks in with a big entourage and is guided to a podium with a throne on it. Logan tastes the bile in his mouth and swears through his clenched teeth. Bruno looks at the floor and Scorpia freezes on the bench. She closes her eyes and breathes in deeply. She is the first one to fight today and tries to channel all her anger.

Salvatore welcomes everyone with a mean grin on his face and asks the first two fighters to present themselves, to entice the crowd to place their first bets. Scorpia steps onto the bench and raises her fists in the air, as soon as the name P. Maestra sounds through the speakers. As soon as The Clown is introduced, the energy in the air shifts. It causes a commotion and bets are placed quickly.