Page 25 of Fight

“Does this involve your fuckup?” he asked.

I had no doubt he knew exactly why I was here. Even if we hadn’t met the previous night, Anton, and no doubt others, would have filled him in on the events. I answered his questions nonetheless.

“I’ve figured out a way to correct that oversight, make sure that it doesn’t cause any trouble.”

“And how do you plan on doing that?” he asked.

“I know the amount owed. I will earn it and see the debt repaid.”

“Earn it? How will you do that?”

“Work,” I replied.

At my word, his expression gave away his thoughts, something I was sure was not an accident. His features twisted with disgust and disappointment. “What are you thinking, Ioan? I won’t allow you to sell drugs, do any of the things that would earn you that kind of money.”

His lack of faith, though expected, stung. I went to reassure him. “I wouldn’t do those things or any other you disapprove of,” I said, hoping that he had enough faith in me to believe that if nothing else.

“So how do you plan to pay this debt?” he asked.

“I’m going to fight,” I said. Last night, I’d had no idea how I would settle my debt, but as morning came, the answer became obvious. I’d use Markov’s business to my advantage. I hated putting myself even marginally under his control, but I hated owing him even more, and this was the most direct way to pay him back. I’d have to hurt people, would risk being hurt, but the risk was more than worth it.

Vasile’s expression had again gone neutral and gave nothing away, so I couldn’t tell whether he approved or not.

Probably not based on the way this conversation was going.

“And you’re here for my blessing?” he finally said.

“I’m here because it’s the right thing,” I replied without hesitation.

He gave a humorless laugh. “The right thing would’ve been keeping your nose out of other people’s business.”

“And leave her to die for the amusement of animals?” I asked before I had time to stop myself from speaking.

I should have held my tongue, but doing so wasn’t possible. Vasile was one of the few honorable men I had ever met. That he would even suggest that I leave P to die was not something I could let pass.

“So you did this, violated your oath and the rules that govern us all to save some woman?” he spat.

“Would you have done otherwise?” I asked quietly, certain I knew the answer.

He gave a slight frown, one that made me wonder if I had gone too far. But I couldn’t leave the words unsaid. It hadn’t been too long ago that Vasile himself had broken any number of rules for Fawn.

I wasn’t Vasile, and P wasn’t Fawn, but the principle was the same.

Whether Vasile agreed was something I wasn’t yet sure of. “If I had any pride, I would kill you where you stand,” he said.

My heartbeat intensified, but I stayed put, unwilling to plead for my life should it come to that.

After a moment, though, he relented. “But I won’t. I told you to clean this up. Now sit and tell me how you plan to do so.”

P

At first, I’d been too terrified to do anything but stand in the middle of the room while my heart raced.

I’d been certain it would only be a moment before one of the many gun-toting guards would crash in and shoot me, or worse.

But as the moments passed, my heart slowed, and soon, despite myself, I began to look around.

The room was well decorated but innocuous, something between a doctor’s office and waiting room.

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