Page 21 of Unleash Hades
It was a microcosm of humanity that made my stomach twist.
I hated this. I hated the feel of privilege and entitlement sneering at the fighters like they were livestock. It was wrong. And I was a part of it.
At least, for now. Just until I got my story. Just until I got justice for Adelia.
“Drink?” A waitress in a black dress held out a tray of wine, champagne, and beer.
“No, thank you,” I shook my head, trying not to be obvious as I scanned the room.
Someone had to be in charge here. There was no way that this finely tuned machine could run without a conductor.
Someone had to organize the bar, the wait staff, the referee, the fighters… the Underground Circuit moved from place to place. No two fights could happen in the same location back-to-back. It was all intricately coordinated and layered with more secrets than the CIA and tougher to crack than Fort Knox.
Someone said that the Mafia heads – The Italian Durantes, the Russian Vasilievs, and the Irish Greens - all came together to put on the fights. The bets, all done digitally on an untraceable app,made millions. Inside the room itself, people exchanged betting slips amongst themselves, and cash was traded.
Conspiracists believed that the criminal families came together for the cash grab. But that painted a rather fantastically kind image of the cutthroat criminals.
Others believed it was a conglomerate of fighters themselves … but then no one could agree onwhowould do that. The final theory was of a shadowy billionaire, who ran the fights like a puppet master, staying behind the scenes and working through loyal intermediaries.
“Would you like something to eat?” the waitress persisted. “Caviar? An amuse bouche?”
I didn’t answer, looking at her tray of drinks, then looking at the other waiters walking around with plates of finger food.
“We are catered by Le Bisous Restaurant,” she smiled, blinking her long lashes as her cleavage threatened to jump out at me.
“Really?” Le Bisous was a famous restaurant with two Michelin stars. It was expensive, and highly exclusive. That’s where Richard had taken me and his clients, recently.
Was Richard the head of the snake? It could be, after all. He profited the most, right? But I didn’t know enough about this circuit to be sure.
“Is the organizer friends with Constance Leclerq?”
I name dropped the restaurateur, hoping that it made me seem worldly, and all knowing. Someone who would be worth confiding in.
But the waitress simply smiled, “I wouldn’t know anything about that.”
Ah, ignorance. The greatest way to deny anything.
Unlike “no comment”, which always hinted at the possibility of a huge comment, or “I can neither confirm nor deny,” which was always a confirmation, pleading ignorance couldn’t be challenged.
She moved to her next patron, offering the drinks, then food, then more.
The chairs looked a lot like the covered seats of a wedding. White, with crimson ties on the back.
I looked around at the faces and recognized them all.
Gavin’s son was here, Kieran. He had seen me, and given me a nod, but made no moves to approach. I was grateful for that, because we wouldn’t run in the same circles. People would suspect something if he came to see me.
In another corner was the Governor of Massachusetts, Corbin McClellan. Arthur Ramirez, the District Attorney, was casually wrapped around a woman who was definitelynothis fiancée.
The guest list was filled with VIPs, and by any standard, my skirt suit made me underdressed for the occasion.
But I had to be here tonight because Richard wouldnotbe here. There was a problem with our Algerian branch, and so he was far, far away. This was my only chance to go to this event without his suspicions. I could talk to people and mingle without the Eye of Sauron on my back.
“I did not think that this would be your scene.” I heard the ruffle of fabric as a man plopped into the empty seat beside me. I didn’t need to look. The apricot ascot with a massive blue diamond pin in my peripheral vision gave him away.
Lucien Bellamy.
“Especially not without yourdarling Richardin attendance.” The mockery in his tone was thick with amusement, even though it didn’t reach his eyes. His face was full of curiosity, “What’s the scoop?”
