“So this is about her?” I felt my raging building. “Then why did you do this to Tommy?”
“I’m afraid that he is just a sad casualty. I was enjoying watching you with Madison so much that I didn’t hear him come in with Carmella. Needless to say, he was ready to go to war for his big brother and I just can’t have that, now can I?” Carlos shrugged and sighed. “That’s why he has to die in order for us to move past this. I think you’re at least smart enough to understand that, no matter how many times my guys have punched you in the head.”
“You really expect me to just walk away from my brother?” I turned my attention back to the television. “And her?”
“Oh, did big tough Ruckus go soft after having a sweet little virgin on his cock? I’ll tell you what. Walk out that door and I’ll make sure you get a virgin on the house every time we run an auction in Las Vegas.” Carlos smiled. “That’s one hell of a deal.”
“I don’t want another virgin. I want her.” I trembled with nothing but pure rage boiling inside me.
“Ruck, come on man.” Miguel grimaced and shook his head. “You don’t know that bitch. I know Tommy wouldn’t want you to die here for her. His fate is already done.”
“Pull the trigger, Miguel. If you’re fast enough.” I grabbed Carmella by the arm, slung her at Miguel and ran at Carlos.
One chance…only one fucking chance. I’m sorry, Carmella. You were a go
od fuck, but this is for way more than a fuck.
The shotgun blast nearly deafened me. Blood splattered all over my face. I was still charging at Carlos but when I turned my head, I saw Carmella’s lifeless body dropping towards the floor. Miguel screamed and the shotgun fell from his hands. Carlos reached into his coat for what I had to assume was a gun, but he never got a chance to pull it. I leapt at him, grabbed him by the wrist, and twisted his arm.
“Armbar, motherfucker.” I snapped his arm clean out of the socket with one quick twist as he slammed into the heated marble floor. “You don’t understand, but Madison is going to love knowing that it was your downfall.”
I hopped to my feet, drove a boot into his other shoulder and felt it it leave the socket. Carlos was a frail old man with brittle bones. I ran to where Miguel had dropped the shotgun and grabbed it. He was on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably with his sister’s lifeless corpse bleeding out in his lap. The door of Carlos’ suite opened, but before anyone could enter, I unloaded a round into the ceiling. I ran over and put the barrel to Carlos’ neck, pinning him to the floor before anyone tried to push the door open again.
“I’ve got Carlos.” I yelled as a guy entered with a pistol in his hand. “I want an ambulance for my brother and one of you sure as fuck better know where Madison is.”
“Call Braden! Tell him to bring the girl back! This guy is a lunatic!” Carlos wailed on the floor, trying to move his arms to no avail.
“And an ambulance.” I stepped on his shoulder.
“Yes! Ambulance! Two of them!” Carlos wailed again.
“Don’t touch the phone. You son of a bitch!” I felt something cold press to my skull. “You killed my sister!”
Fuck.
“Miguel, you’re the one that pulled the trigger.” I held the shotgun loosely in my hand against Carlos’ neck but raised my other hand.
“You didn’t have to throw her in front of me.” Miguel’s voice cracked and I could tell he was sobbing.
“What would you have done if it was Carmella on the floor and Tommy was between you and saving her?” I took a deep breath as I realized the ramifications of what I had done.
“Shit, the police are coming.” I heard one of the guys at the door yell and then they started to scatter.
“Tell them I had nothing to do with this.” Miguel pushed the barrel hard against my skull. “Me and you in the cage—to the fucking death.”
“Miguel…” I sighed and then he pushed the metal against my skull again.
“Give me your word, Ruckus. Give me your word and we’ll settle it there. These guns aren’t who we are. We settle our differences inside the cage with our fists.” The metal pulled back from my skull.
“You have my word.” I sighed and put down the shotgun.
“Ruck…” I heard a sputter from Tommy.
“Tommy!” I ran back over and he started trying to sit up.
“Ruck, Carlos has been f-filming you.” Blood ran out of Tommy’s mouth.
“Don’t say anything, bro. Help is almost here.” I cradled his head as I waited for the police to arrive.