“Shit. No, no, no. This can’t be happening.” Athena runs to the bathroom in a panic, causing Sandro to chase after her in worry.

“Athena, what’s going on?”

“I got my god damn period.” Athena shouts, her voice riddled in agony.

Allesandro did not respond, instead he waited patiently for her with folded arms against his bare chest.

The bathroom door opened and an annoyed dark haired beauty dragged her feet along the cool tiles, eventually making eye contact with her best friend who was now bent over in laughter.

“It’s not funny dammit.     Why God? Why tonight of all nights?” She groaned.

“Back when we were fucking, you getting your period meant you weren’t pregnant and we would celebrate. Now look at you, all saddened from the lady in red’s visit.”

“Shut up. Can you imagine how horny I’ll get watching Dante assert his dominance in the ring tonight? And now I can’t do a thing about it.”

“How’s this, I’ll have a threesome tonight. It’ll be like enough sex for the both of us.” Sandro jokes and Athena throws a nearby pillow at him.

“Like you could get two girls.”

“Honey don’t you remember last summer in Venice? You and that blonde.”

“Your performance was mediocre at best.”

“Ouch. Hello I’m still your best friend, why do you have to crush my ego like that?”

“I’m kidding. Let’s finish getting ready, Dante’s driver is already downstairs waiting for us.” Athena gently placed a peck on Sandro’s cheek as a sign of repentance.

Earlier on that day, after Dante left his penthouse.

“Antonio, Is Hendrik and his team already inside?”

“Sure are boss.” Dante’s right hand man answered.

“Mr. Romano, Antonia. Good to see you both, come with me.” Alek, a trusted part of Hendriks inner circle instructed.

“It’s Antonio you Russian prick.”

“Sure thing, Antonia you Italian sausage.”

There was a constant playful teasing between these two men, after all they had been friends for years. 

An exuberated Dante walked in and greeted his friend Hendrik who joked about him being stuck with the right hand man duo. The men entered a heavily guarded room and sat down to discuss business.

“Any updates on Ramirez?”

“Well last night a shipment of pure heroine arrived at the docks, it hit the streets this morning.”

“What’s the market value looking like?”

“Over 20 million.”

“Fuck, this has been the second consignment to arrive this month alone.”

“It looks like he is getting push back from his partners. They definitely want to expand outside the city of Los Angeles.”

“Please tell me Donny came through with something for us to work on.”

“He managed to get a list of corrupt cops on Ramirez’s payroll. We just need to get the right one to talk.”

“Finally, because I’m sick and tired of being a pawn in someone else’s game. It’s time we take down Mayor Ramirez and his operations.”

“I’m with you bratva. (Russian for brother)”

Back to present, at Vittore’s underground fight club.

“This place isn’t our usual scene.” Sandro shouts, trying to compete with the blasting music and betting civilians.

“I know but it can’t be that bad right?” Athena questions as she follows one of the guards Dante assigned to protect her.

“I’ll be a few metres behind you at all times ma’am.” The guard stated before moving away from the pair.

“Got to hand it to Dante, the guys got his priorities straight. I’ll go get us a few drinks.” Sandro runs off leaving Athena alone for a few minutes.

“Athena, welcome. Come with me Dante wants you in the front row tonight. I already bumped in Allesandro and told him where we’d be.” Hendrik flashed his warm smile and led the way.

“So this is a weekly thing, where do you even find your fighters?” Athena and Hendrik chat while waiting for the match to begin.

“Usually they find me Miss Ruiz, but I do have my scouts checking around for new talent.”

“And have you ever being busted by the cops? This sort of thing isn’t exactly legal.”

“With the right amount of money and connections, anything is possible in this city.”

“Hendrik you sound like a Russian mob boss.” Athena jokes.

“I’m too much of a softy for that sort of thing really.” 

Just then Credence Chase, Dante’s opponent theme music started playing and the fighter walked out surrounded by half naked women. The guy was massive, about twice Dante’s stature and this almost worried Athena.

“That’s the dude Dante’s up against? Geez he looks like he lives in the gym and eats supplements for a living.” Allesandro returned with some liquid encouragement.

“He’s being up against tougher opponents relax.” Hendrik provides some words of comfort.

Credence winked and offered Athena a flirty smile before taking his stance which actually amused her.

A few moments later Dante’s name was called and with confidence he made his way towards the ring, searching in the crowd for his women. Once finding Athena, Dante leaned over the ropes and called her over.

“Can I get a good luck kiss?” He pleasantly asked.

“I thought you don’t need luck?” Athena mocked him.

“Maybe I just want to kiss my girl in front of all these people, so they don’t dare touch what’s mine.”

Athena stepped on her tippy toes and gave Dante a quick kiss which caught the attention of Credence. 

“Oh so that’s your bitch. Don’t worry baby tonight you’ll feel what a real man is like.” Credence tried his hand at talking smack.

Dante’s eyes had darkened and he let out a small menacing laugh. Hendrik knew what this meant and escorted Athena back to the crowd.

The bell rang and the match had begun. A blow of fists were exchanged between the men, blood had splatted all across the rubber mat which their feet had stood on. Credence had become cocky which caused him to make mistakes, leaving room for Dante to strike and end things once and for all.

Bam – Dante’s fist caught Credence’s temple knocking him out.

1, 2, 3 – The referee counted and raised Dante’s hand, declaring him the winner.

Dante blew a kiss to a cheering Athena in the crowd and called Hendrik to follow him back to the change rooms.

In the change rooms, Dante’s p.o.v

“Good match brother, although I’m sure you could have knocked him out in the first minute.” 

Hendrik congratulated me and he was right, I could off ended that bastard a lot sooner but that wouldn’t have given me a chance to blow of some steam on him.

Once he spoke ghastly of Athena, I was ready to put him in an early grave but refrained myself from doing so. Well at least after tonight he will know his place as nothing but a lowlife creep.

“Thanks man. Do me a favour? Escort Athena back here and tell my guard he is relieved of duty.”

“Yeah of course. You guys are coming back to watch the other fights right?”

I laughed at Hendriks question and he soon realised there’s no chance he will be seeing Athena and I for the rest of the night. I’ve missed my women and all I wanted to do was strip her out of that tiny black dress and make her moan, after I’ve cleaned myself up a bit that is.

“Whatever. Just try not to mess up this place like you did my office.”

“No promises bud.”

“You’re lucky you’re my best friend.” 

Hendrik laughed and rolled his eyes before leaving. He was right though, our friendship had gotten me out of a few jams in my life and I will forever show loyalty to him.

End of p.o.v