Page 13 of Ruthless Prince

“Not only will the winner get money, but they’ll also get the chance to meet me.” He passes the microphone off to the announcer and steps off stage …

… and lands right before me.

We lock eyes.

Nico’s eyes narrow then widen before he walks away.

I have no fucking clue what that was about.

But now I have my chance to meet Nico and see if he killed my father, and if he did, I’ll kill him myself. Not because I loved my father. No. But because without vengeance, I have nothing, and only my anger is keeping me going right now.

I will win this competition and get the answers I need from Nico Mancini.

Chapter

Four

VINCENT

The men laugh at me as I sign up for the competition.

“You lost to the Mountain. You don’t have what it takes any longer, Vincent,” a guy named Sal says.

“Good thing I’m not listening to you,” I comment back then walk away. One thing I learned from Igor growing up was to know when to fight and when to walk away.

I will win this competition no matter what. Losing to the Mountain is a stain on my reputation, but it won’t be that way forever.

I spend the next few days training hard, using the punching bag Mr. Moore set up in the gym room of his mansion. I punch and kick and jab and par until I’m exhausted. It also gives me the excuse not to talk to Ellie. She’s too cute for her own good, and I know Mr. Moore doesn’t want me to interact with her. I’m not going to lose this fight over some girl.

I’m going to get close enough to Nico Mancini to kill him.

The first round of competition arrives. It’s a ten-round competition, with each winner going up against a previouswinner until only one remains. They’ll win the money and a meeting with Nico.

“Ready for this?” Mr. Moore asks on the drive to the fight. Ellie is in the backseat. I heard her and her father arguing about whether she could come, but in the end, she won. I’m sort of glad she’s here.

“I’ve been fighting most of my life. I’m ready.”

We arrive and enter the building. I start to head for the locker rooms but stop and gently grab Ellie’s arm. When Mr. Moore gives me a look, I let her go instantly.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry if I was an ass about you asking Nico Mancini to meet me. I know you were just trying to help.”

She smiles softly at me, which makes my heart flutter for some damn reason. “It’s ok. I hope you win this round so you get closer to meeting him your way.”

“Who knows? Maybe you’ll be my good luck charm.”

She blushes and turns away from me. “Good luck.” Sitting down beside her father, she waves at me before I head into the locker rooms.

I can hear the roar of the crowd grow as more people arrive. The announcer, Sebastian, riles up the crowd as he introduces the fighters. I zone all of that out and focus on my one task.

Win this fight.

Then it’s my turn.

“The Kraken!” Sebastian announces, and I enter the ring. Before me stands a large, muscular man nicknamed Bear. It’s fitting with how hairy he is.

Bear is a tough opponent to go up against in my first fight back after the Mountain decimated me, but I can take Bear. I have to.

Nico is in the audience tonight, I notice. When I glance at him, I catch him watching me with a scrutiny I don’t understand.

---