Punch to the right, duck, upper cut. Punch to my left. Upper cut.

"If your opponent is distracted, don't aim for the face, make them fall with a swift kick and then attack."

A kick to the shin, a punch to the face, upper cut and a duck as he retorted.

"If the punches are constant, don't attack, defend."

I placed my gloves in front of my face, having the opponent hit them instead.

I heaved a breath, kicking my elbow back and punching his jaw.

He sprang back from the ring's boundaries and I wiped the blood around my lip with the glove. He smirked and motioned with his fingers for me to come at him.

"Too much cockiness can lead to your very demise, Hernine, think of your opponent as worthy. Never underestimate."

I smirked back and his head cocked in confusion. I took that as my sign and ran for his waist, tackling him to the ground.

The bell's clings around me rang and I got up forwarding my hand to the man on the ground. He looked up, rolled his eyes playfully, placed his hand in mine and got up.

"GG, Hernine, GG."

"You know it." I winked at him and he shook his head, smiling, leaving the ring as the referee joined my side, holding my hand up and getting me yet another belt.

The crowd cheered and as I climbed out of the ring, Juan holding his hand out to me.

I smiled at him. He gave me a nod.

I was glad to see him back in his element.

I clasped his hand, jumping down. Taking my mouth guard off, towel off and my gloves off. My team led me to my private room and I immediately hit the showers.

My wounds stung and I welcomed the pain with a hiss and a smile.

Turning off the shower, I got out, my wet hair surrounding me as I wore my bralette and swung a coat around it, zipping up my pants.

A knock resounded and I affirmed to have the person enter.

"Ready to leave?"

"She won't. She always sees the final fight."

My lips twitched upward as Juan and Judo bantered.

"Uncle Levi has trained you well, Juan. You know me well."

"Hey. I was there with you while someone was stabbed."

I looked through the mirror as I wore back my jewelry and saw Juan roll his eyes at Judo.

My smile fell as I picked up the golden ring papa recently fixed for me.

"Let's go then." Juan's voice cut through my thoughts and I nodded my head, my smile forced.

"Let's go."

I handed my purse to Judo who grimaced but nonetheless held it... in a very manly way.

I stifled a laugh at that.

Juan seemed to be too busy laughing so I handed him my heels.

The two men surely looked hilarious, walking behind me in all black, grey earpieces and a purse and heels in one hand.

I dipped my head in acknowledgement as the previous fighters I fought with waved at me.

Reaching the main ring, cheers filtered through and I hooted seeing Leslie all in her gear, climbing the ring.

"Boss. Can we put this away?"

I stopped my hooting to see both of their cheeks slightly red in blush as they motioned to my items in their hands.

"No." I smiled and went back to hooting as Leslie threw her first punch, remembering well as papa had taught her, same as me.

The ring was littered with sweaty men and women hooting, placing their bets and cheering. The place reeked of blood and sweat and I embraced it all for the last time.

The center ring got hit with a beam of spotlight as Leslie threw a kick to her opponent and the crowd screamed loud as she secured her win.

I clapped with a proud smile on my face.

The lights to the ring suddenly shut down and we knew this is to be the final fight of the night.

"Now! For the fight you all have been waiting for!"

The murmurs from the crowd grew and "oooooo's" started being chanted.

"For the night's last fight! On the left we have the infamous Aldo Vachez!"

My heart stopped.

"And on the right we have!...... Ah-... There's no name." Commotion grew and the spotlight directed to the centre of the ring where Aldo stood.

"Amadio Velvet." His voice rang through and my breath hitched.

The crowd fell silent before sudden hooting and cheering started, people pushing one another, each trying to reach the nearest to the ring.

I got a push and I stumbled back.

"Hernine, you okay?" Juan asked, holding me from my shoulders from behind and I absentmindedly nodded.

And there he was.

"And on the right side we have, Amadio Velvet, everyone!"

The crowd went crazy.

The bell rang through and Aldo smirked, Amadio blinked slowly, cocking his head.

Who the fuck fights their friends in rings?

Aldo had the first punch thrown, Amadio dodged.

A breath puffed in me, almost knocking me out when Amadio out of nowhere, in the very first round, kicked Aldo's jaw.

The crowd gasped, Aldo stumbling from the attack and the murmurs started.

"How did he survive that kick?!"

The man beside me screamed, clutching his hair, like he saw the eighth wonder of the world.

Aldo looked up at Amadio with blood dripping down his lips and threw a punch. Amadio dodged and leaned into Aldo's ear saying something before kicking his shin.

Aldo almost fell down, but he grasped Amadio's waist, bringing both of them down.

The crowd got in between my view and I signalled at Juan who made way for me.

The crowd parted and I without a doubt walked in the middle and near the ring, as if in a trance.

They came into my vision again and as if everyone was on the edge of their seats, none made a sound, holding their breath.

Aldo put Amadio in a chokehold but Amadio effortlessly, grabbed the hand he was choking him with and twisted it, throwing Aldo over his shoulder.

My eyes widened.

That's new.

He in turn, quick to his feet put a very out of breath Aldo in a chokehold and Aldo turned red. The crowd let out a syncing "oh!" When Aldo brought his leg up and kicked Amadio who was behind him.

My eyes went left to right as they both stood up looking equally disheveled.

They both had blood running down their noses and mouth, their mouth guards all bloody.

Amadio threw a punch and Aldo ducked, going for Amadio's waist but Amadio swiped to his left. Aldo almost fell but held himself up, bouncing from the ring boundary and then in front of Amadio again.

"The fight can't go on longer more than fifteen minutes boys!"

The crowd laughed as obviously the two naked man only wearing shorts didn't seem like boys... From anywhere.

Amadio gave Aldo a look who nodded.

"It's over! It's a tie!!"

The bell rang through and the crowd's sorrows were heard through their synchronized groans.

Years of coming to this ring and I have never seen a tie-

"Man! That's crazy! I have never seen a tie."

-and neither have people in this very moment. I scoffed as they both smirked at one another before they got off through their designated sides before joining one another and laughing about something.

What the fuck just happened?

"Hernine! Ayy!" I turned behind me to find Faraz jazzing at me.

Faraz Khan. The man I just fought in the ring. A terrific cartel member but we had always been good acquaintances.

"Good game, Hernine. I knew you'd win, Zemen wasn't lying when he told me you were better than him."

"Then why do you bother jumping in the ring with me?" I taunted.

"Can't help myself from giving you a good time." A laugh escaped me at his horrible attempt at sounding seductive.

"What do you say, we go out, get a drink? You deserve it after such a round." His charming eyes glinted and I smiled tight.

"Can't. I have a flight to catch."

Although it was tomorrow, but he didn't need to know that.

His eyebrows spiked up. "Flight? You going on vacation."

"Nope. This was my vacation. I'm leaving for Spain."

"You're leaving?"

My breath hitched and Faraz's eyes switched to behind me.

Deep Italian voice and all my restraint built overnight is gone.

"Hey man. Good game there." I was forced to turn around as Faraz acknowledged him.

My eyes made contact with his as he clasped his hand onto Faraz's.

"Thank you. You played well too." Faraz turned to me and I gulped.

"It was all Hernine. Right?" He laughed, bumping into my side and I cleared my throat. "Right"

"Anyways. You said you were leaving?"

Fucking hell.

"Ah, yes. I have no business here any longer so, it's time to go back."

"Aw, I just saw you today. Sucks to be me, hit me up the next time you come back to Italy, we can go over to my mansion... Have a good time."

"No!" Amadio yelled.

Our heads jerked to look at Amadio who looked to be chastising himself.

Juan and Judo gave each other side eyes.

"Uh- I mean... I-" I stared at him when he met my gaze and he scoffed. "I don't think going to a mansion is necessary. A good time can be outside too.... Like... At a.. Park?"

I stifled a laugh as Faraz nervously laughed. "Right, man."

"Then... I'll see you Hernine?" Faraz turned to me and I gave a smile and a nod.

"See you, then." He started walking but not before he made a call action from his thumb and pinky, winking at me and I smiled tight.

I took a move to leave, Juan and Judo behind me but I stopped when he called out. "You're leaving?"

I took a deep, deep inhale before turning around. Anything to give me some courage.

"Sì."

"Is it because of me?"

"No. Nothing... Is because of you. I'm leaving because as I mentioned, there is no further business left for me. The shipments were completed long ago. It has been six months. I should be leaving."

He seemed to be in a deep thought and I took another deep breath.

He really has me sweating. Really Hernine?

"I'll go now."

"Why? Is Faraz waiting for you?"

My eye twitched and fists clenched. "Stay out of my business."

"Hernine." He sound defeated. "Let's talk."

The hole in my heart grew larger.

"I don't want to. Nothing you say can fix it."

He looked behind me and I sighed. I looked at the men behind me and gave a stiff nod. They immediately distanced themselves.

But I know they'd be eavesdropping. They don't miss no gossip.

I rolled my eyes internally.

"Hernine. I want to fix this between us. I was my happiest with you, I.. I can't sleep, I can't seem to focus without you. Nothing feels right, everything is a mess. I don't sleep in our bed, it reminds me of you." I averted my eyes from his intense ones.

"You left your shower gel, your things. Everything is still there. It's heavenly and stuffing at the same time.... I would have taken you still keeping me in that basement over this. At least then I would still be seeing you."

"Amadio. I can't trust you now."

His eyes closed painfully, his dry wounds coming in view and my heart clenched.

He lowered his eyes before he forwarded his hand. "Just please think about it... I'm always here for you. I don't care if you call me in the middle of the night, in the middle of a mission. I could be visiting the most monumental once to be seen sight and I'd leave it for you. You're all that matters, Hernine."

"Amadio.. I-I can't-"

I stared at his forwarded hand and he pushed it a little more towards me, I stepped back. "Just please.. Please think about this over. You can have me back after a day, a month, a year or a decade. I'll always be here for you." He let his hand fall.

I don't know why but I gave a small nod, my eyes stinging as I lowered my gaze.

It was fine. I had been alone my whole life, without this kind of love. I didn't need him. I didn't need love. I didn't need anyone. I was fine... I was fine.

"I'll grovel and beg, whatever you want me to. Just please think about it... About us."

I nodded saying nothing more, just turning on my heel, wanting to leave the place as soon as possible.

A tear fell and something inside me twisted.

"You know you can tell me anything, right?"

"Anything? You wouldn't hate me?"

"Me hating you? The world will end before that occurs."

"Time will tell, gem."

Juan and Judo came out from nowhere, opening my door for me as I got inside my car.

I guess we both lied, Amadio.