Ruthless Prince (The Mancini Mafia #2)

Chapter 6

Chapter

Six

ELLIE

V incent comes home late, staggering through the door. I can smell the alcohol on him from where I sit in the living room.

“Are you all right?” I ask, making him jerk.

“I didn’t hear you. Sorry.” He stumbles, bumping into the wall. I stand up and reach out to steady him, but he backs away.

“I’m not good, Ellie. I just killed a woman tonight. You shouldn’t touch me.”

My skin turns to ice. “You … what?”

He places his finger on his lips, laughing. “Shh. You weren’t supposed to know about that.”

“Vincent, what happened?”

“She was an assassin. She tried to kill me. So, I killed her.”

My mouth gapes open. “What?”

“Someone doesn’t want me to fight. But that’s not going to stop me. I’m going to fight, and I’m going to win. This is somehow tied to Nico Mancini. I know it.”

Before I can get another word in, Vincent stumbles down the hallway and goes into his bedroom. I don’t dare follow him there.

But I can’t just sit idly by and do nothing, so I go to my father, who’s in his office.

“Someone tried to kill Vincent tonight,” I tell him.

He looks up from a paper on his desk. “What are you talking?”

“He just told me. Someone tried to kill him because someone else doesn’t want him fighting in the competition. You need to look into it. We need to make sure Vincent is safe.”

“We?”

My face flushes. I shouldn’t make my crush on Vincent so obvious to my father.

“Yes,” I say. “You brought Vincent into this house. You want him to fight. If someone is trying to kill him, you need to help him.”

He thinks on it for a moment before nodding. “Next time he fights, I’ll be on the lookout.”

That’s as good as I’m going to get with my father.

VINCENT

It’s the third round of competition, and I’m going up against a man named the Bully. He has a habit of fighting dirty, so I’m on my guard.

Ellie and Mr. Moore are back in the audience, cheering me on. I also keep my eyes out for anyone who could be a potential assassin. After Rachel, who was just an unassuming girl, the assassin could be anyone.

The fight begins.

Bully tries kicking me between my legs, which is against the rules. I manage to block him at the last second. One hit to my balls, and I’d be down for good. Igor trained me in all different fight styles growing up, including more dirty tactics. I know how much they can hurt.

The two of us throw punches and kicks, neither one of us going down. The fight lasts a while—my longest one in a long time.

Until Bully lands a hard kick to my side. I can hear the crunch before the pain rushes in.

The bastard just broke one of my ribs. I should know—I’ve had broken ribs in the past.

I stumble away and catch my breath, but Bully comes right at me, landing a hit to my face. There’s a mixture of boos and cheers coming from the crowd, but I don’t know who’s cheering or booing for me.

Bully tries to hit me again, but I block his attack and land an uppercut to his chin, knocking him back. Even though the pain in my side is searing, I can’t lose this. I need to win so I can get close to Nico. I need to know if he killed my father and why.

With a burst of speed, I jump onto Bully’s back and bring him to the ground with a chokehold. He slams his elbow into my side. The pain almost makes me black out, but I hold on until Bully can’t fight anymore. He slumps to the ground.

I’ve won again.

The audience cheers for me as I stand up and then promptly double over. Clutching my side, I limp out of the ring and head to the locker rooms.

I’m startled when I see Ellie show up. “You shouldn’t be in here.”

“You’re hurt.” She reaches her hand out to me, but I pull away. We can’t get close, and she knows this.

“Pretty sure my fucking rib is broken. Nothing I haven’t dealt with before.”

She shakes her head sadly. “What kind of life have you lived, Vincent?”

Before I can answer her, Mr. Moore arrives. “Ellie, what are you doing in here? Let’s go home.”

“Vincent is hurt.”

Mr. Moore stares down at her for a long time before sighing. “Vincent, come with us. We’ll make sure you make it home safely. I don’t want another assassin coming after you. I want you to win this competition.”

“Why?” It’s only now I realize I never asked Mr. Moore why he wants me to win. Other than for the money, I don’t see another reason.

“We’ll discuss that when we get home. Let’s go.”

“I’m good here,” I tell him.

Mr. Moore sighs. “Fine. Your choice, but be smart about this, boy. I’m letting you live in my home. Don’t die.”

ELLIE

“Why do you want Vincent to win this competition?” I ask my father once we’re home.

“For the money, of course.” That’s all he tells me, and yet I feel like he’s keeping something from me.

Knowing I won’t get any more answers out of him, I take a shower, needing to clear my head. Once I’m done, I wrap a towel around me, step out of the bathroom, and almost collide with Vincent.

“You’re back,” I gasp.

His eyes linger on my body. It’s then I become aware that I’m only in a towel. I tug it higher around myself.

“I’m back,” he says. The way he stares at me intently makes me weak in the knees.

After a moment, Vincent backs away. “Sorry. I’ll leave you for the night.”

“Vincent,” I call out, making him turn back to me. “I’m glad you made it home safely. I don’t want you to die.”

“You know, you’re the first person to ever be concerned about my safety.”

“Not even your father?”

He scoffs. “My father never gave a damn about me except for how much money I could make him.” His eyes soften. “So … thanks for being you.”

“You’re welcome,” I respond, my voice sounding more flustered than I mean it to.

Vincent smiles once more then limps away, holding his side.

There’s a fine line we’re teetering on. I’m not sure which way it’s going to fall.