A walk
A walk
Chapter 171
Ruby's POV
The Purple Party Tournament was an underground game, it was filled with death and danger. It was where the heirs or chosen representatives of the different cities under Mafia rule came together to compete, not for honor, but for survival and dominance. The participants were always between the ages of eight and eighteen. It was usually a bloody game and lives could be taken in the process without consequence. No one cared about mercy or fairness. Anything could be done to win in the ring. There were no rules. Everything was allowed.
“No, no, no… I should hasten my plans…” I murmured, my hands trembling as I stood up shakily from where I had been crouched on the cold floor in front of Little Black. My fingers shook and my heart kept pounding in my ear.
“No, Mum, you’d make a mistake if you rushed. And that would be the end of us,” Little Black said, calmly and wisely. “Besides, I’m a copy of my father, isn’t that what you’ve always told me? And with your cleverness added to mine, I’m literally unstoppable. I’ll topple them all.”
He puffed his small chest out proudly and reached out with a gentle hand to pat my head, trying to calm me down. But instead of helping, my panic only worsened. It rose like heat off my chest and spread to my entire body. My mind raced with dark possibilities and worst-case scenarios.
“There’s no guarantee right now that you’ll be participating in that tournament,” I said quickly, grasping for comfort. “After all, you’re still under the age limit. You won’t even be eight for a few more months.”
“You’re right, Mum,” Little Black said flatly.
That flat tone made me look up at him. I knew it all too well. He was certain, completely sure that he would be taken. My palms turned sweaty with fear as i found it hard to even swallow.
“Mum…” Little Black began, lifting his right hand. “This wristlet, this thing glued to my wrist will be the target of my opponents in the matches. I need to take it off or find a way to deactivate it.”
“We can’t take it off now, and we definitely can’t deactivate it yet,” I replied quickly, panic rising again as I gently pushed Little Black’s hand down. “Besides, Dominic wouldn’t stoop so low he wouldn’t break his own words. He still has a reason to keep both you and me alive. He still needs us… he has kept us for seven years, why would he change his mind now.”
I didn’t say it aloud, but I could feel that if Dominic no longer needed us, we’d be gone. He would get rid of us.
“Even if an order like that was given, accidents can always happen. These people play dirty,” Little Black said, his voice getting serious. “Besides, it’s been years since Father disappeared. I don’t think he’s coming back. We need to get out of here, Mum. What’s the plan?”
His tone was steady now, and serious in a way that made a smile slowly stretch across my lips. He was just like his father so composed, so in control.
Ethan’s POV
I remained standing, my back pressed against the wall looking very relaxed. My face tilted up toward the sky as I slowly twisted the small, sharp knife in my hand, the blade catching streams of light. The conversation between Canon and Ava drifted into my ears from around the corner. I didn’t move, just listened.
“So what are you going to do?” Canon asked Ava in a hushed voice. “The tournament’s been scheduled to hold in your father’s territory. I got intel that that boy will be competing even though he’s not of age. And the tournament will most likely be held in that building. There’s a high chance he’ll run into someone from the Mafia who recognizes him.”
“Don’t be silly, Canon,” Ava replied lazily, clearly unbothered. “He’ll have a mask on in the building. It’ll be easy for him to walk right under their noses without giving away his identity. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Ava, dear, there’s still a possibility something could go wrong…” Canon began gently, but she cut him off with an annoyed groan.
“I need a nap. All I’ve been doing lately is getting dizzy and fattening up,” Ava grumbled as she got off the couch and slowly made her way toward the stairs, still mumbling under her breath.
“Let me go ahead and finish up that paperwork for you, then,” Canon called after her with a sigh. He began walking toward the hallway, in the direction where I was standing.
As soon as he spotted me, he froze and jumped back with a small yelp. “Hey! Why do you take so much joy in scaring the life out of me?” he growled, clutching his chest. “Eavesdropping doesn’t suit you, Black,” he scolded, moving to walk past me.
But my words stopped him in his tracks.
“I have a few things to say to you since you seem to be the level-headed one around here,” I began coolly as I walked past him. I slid the knife back into its holder at the side of my trousers and reached beneath my shirt to pull out the gun I had holstered there.
“No guns in the house. Ava’s rule,” Canon said firmly from behind, watching me closely as I casually checked the magazine to count the bullets left.
“When do I ever play by the rules, Canon?” I replied, turning to face him fully. A slow, dangerous smirk curved across my lips as Canon instinctively took a small step back.
''I know you aren't bothered since Ava never raises her voice at you, but can you consider me?'' Canon said with a sigh.
“Let’s go for a ride,” I said coldly, my tone more commanding than just a suggestion. I watched as Canon’s eyes darted nervously toward the staircase where Ava had disappeared just moments ago.