Strip For The Devil 2
"Wait, don't shoot!" Isaac shouted, stepping in front of Lucien, positioning himself between him and the guns aimed at them.Lucien's brows lifted in surprise. He hadn't expected Isaac to shield him so instinctively."What's going on?" Riley asked, his gaze shifting from Isaac to Lucien, then back to Giovanni."You've got some nerve stepping into my territory," Giovanni said, his eyes locked on Lucien. "No backup either. What's your game? Because if you came here for war, you'll get it."Lucien's response was calm, almost detached. "I don't have a plan. I'm only here to retrieve what's mine."Giovanni let out a low chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "Bold of you to think you can just walk in here and take what you want."Lucien met his gaze evenly. "Bold of you to think you can stop me." His voice was steady, almost bored, as if the threat didn't faze him.
Isaac felt his blood boil at the words, his body tense with both anger and disbelief. He shot Lucien an accusing glare over his shoulder, his eyes burning with frustration. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?" he hissed.Lucien didn't hesitate. "If that's what it takes to get you back, then yes."Isaac's eyes narrowed, a mix of disbelief and exasperation flooding his chest."You're insane," Isaac whispered, his thoughts slipping out unconsciously.Lucien's lips twitched, just slightly. "So I've been told."Giovanni cleared his voice, breaking their gaze. "Lucien, might I remind you that you're on my turf? This isn't New York. Your connections here are limited, and all it would take is a bullet through your head to take over your underground operations in the U.S. Are you really going to risk everything you've built for him?" Giovanni demanded, his voice cold with authority."Absolutely," Lucien replied in a heartbeat. "But I might have a better deal than my death. Fifteen percent."Giovanni's brow shot up. "Fifteen percent?""That's all Hound owned in the illegal parts of New York. His connections, his arenas, his businesses, everything. That alone would bring you significant profit, and more importantly, it would give you a solid foundation to expand your operations into foreign territory.""You're inviting me to rival against you?" Giovanni asked, his tone sharp.Lucien met his gaze coolly. "You'd still hold a minority share, so I wouldn't exactly consider you a rival."Giovanni couldn't help but burst into laughter. Only Lucien would have the audacity to step into enemy territory, openly insult them, and still know he had enough leverage to pull it off."Is this why you're taking over Hound's operation?" Giovanni snorted. "But why would I settle for just fifteen percent when I could take it all?" "Trust me, this is the best deal you'll get," Lucien replied. "Shoot me, and you won't see a dime, whether it's from Hound's old business or mine."Giovanni pursed his lips, nodding his toward Isaac. "All this, just to save him?""No, he doesn't want to be saved," Lucien said, his gaze locking momentarily on Isaac's. His eyes softened, the hard edge of resolve melting away and revealing something more vulnerable when he whispered, "But I do."Isaac's heart slammed against his ribs, its frantic rhythm filling his chest as the weight of those words sank in.Giovanni raised an eyebrow. "I'd take the deal, but Isaac's already a good investment. He'll bring in big money through the tournaments here. Tonight was proof of it.""What if I told you he could earn you more in one fight than he could in a lifetime of tournaments?"Giovanni's expression shifted, intrigued. "What do you mean?""A high-stakes tournament with prize money through the roof and an audience large enough to pack your biggest underground fights. You could inflate the prices to ridiculous amounts, and people would still pay."Giovanni chuckled, his skepticism evident. "What makes you think people will pay that much for one tournament from a rookie?""Because Isaac will be fighting against me."***"What the hell was that?" Riley demanded as they were returned to their room. Lucien had been taken away by Giovanni to discuss terms, and everyone else was dismissed. Isaac and Riley had no say as they were driven back to their place, and Giovanni's men were posted outside their studio, guarding the perimeter. Isaac and Riley weren't allowed to leave without permission, and no one would tell them where they had taken Lucien. Isaac paced, running his fingers through his hair, gnawing on his lip in frustration."Isaac," Riley called, his voice quiet, but it barely registered with Isaac, his mind still spinning from everything that had just happened."Isaac!" Riley tried again, this time louder.
He stood up, stepping in front of him and cupping his face with both hands, forcing him to stop."Calm down," Riley said gently, trying to soothe him. "You're pacing like a caged animal."Isaac blinked, the words pulling him back, his breath still quick but slowing now."I can't calm down," Isaac replied, his voice tense and panicked. "He's here, Riley. Why is he here? I told him to stay away. Does he want to get hurt that badly? And now he's with Giovanni with no power. Where are Rocco and Elijah? Did he really come here without any protection, any plan? Is he out of his mind?!"The words spilled out of Isaac's mouth, his frustration pouring out unchecked."I think he hasn't been sane for a while," Riley grumbled, but even he hadn't expected Lucien to risk everything and come here personally to find Isaac. Not only that, but to negotiate such a huge deal and even suggest fighting him."What he said... people won't actually pay that much to see him fight, right?""They would," Riley replied without hesitation. "Lucien's a legend in the underground fighting world. His career was short, but he was unbeatable. After he retired from the ring and started owning the arenas, no one's been able to match his record or make as much money in such a short time. If word gets out that he's back, even just for one fight, people will pay a fortune for a seat. No question."Isaac swallowed hard, the weight of the situation sinking in. "But he's going to fight me. Why would he do that?""That... I don't know either," Riley admitted. "One moment, he says it hurt him to see me fight, and now he's the one telling me I should fight him. What the hell does he want?" Isaac's voice cracked, the confusion and frustration clear in every word. "Riley, I can't fight him," Isaac groaned, his voice trembling. "I can't..." Hurt him, Isaac wanted to say, but the words caught in his throat. He feared it was already too late for that. Despite his calm demeanor, Isaac could tell Lucien was upset. He knew the moment he walked away from him, Lucien felt betrayed. "I can't do this."Riley was silent for a moment, studying Isaac's face. Then, quietly, he spoke. "You love him, don't you?"Isaac froze. The question lingered in the air, heavy and unspoken for so long. He swallowed hard, his throat dry. His heart seemed to skip a beat, and for a moment, he wanted to deny it, to shut the thought down completely. But the truth settled within him like a cold weight.He opened his mouth to reply, but the words faltered. He blinked, and to his surprise, his vision blurred—his eyes stinging with the sudden rush of emotion. A lump formed in his throat, and before he could stop it, a tear escaped.Isaac laughed in disbelief, the flurry of emotion taking him completely by surprise."God, I never thought I'd–" his voice broke off. Without a word, Riley pulled him into a tight embrace, holding him close."Shhh, calm down," Riley murmured, rubbing Isaac's back in slow, soothing circles. "I'm sure he has a plan. Things won't be as bad as you think."But even Riley's voice wavered slightly, his words lacking conviction. He had no idea what Lucien was planning. Would Isaac really be willing to fight him? Despite all his power and notoriety, even Lucien couldn't defy the unspoken rules of underground fighting. Once they stepped into that arena, neither of them could leave until one of them was unconscious. Someone would get hurt. The question was, who?"No matter the outcome," Riley added, "I'm sure Lucien will find a way to get you out."Isaac remained still, stuck in a war zone of confusion."What would you do if he gave you a chance to leave this place?" Riley asked after a long silence, pulling away to meet Isaac's gaze. Isaac stood there, staring at the floor, surprised by how quickly the answer came to him."I want to go back to him," Isaac whispered, his voice barely audible. "He's never left my mind since that fight at the casino. I didn't just run away to protect him. I ran because I was scared. Scared of how deep I was falling for him. He knows exactly what to say, what to do, to make my heart race, to get under my skin, to make me think about him constantly. I knew if I let it go on, I wouldn't be able to turn back. But how can I tell him to stop being so precious to me?"Isaac took a steady breath, trying to release the tension that had built in his chest."He's selfish, possessive... He'll tear through anything in his path to get what he wants," Isaac muttered, his voice heavy with conflicting emotions. "But Lucien always talked about being in the dark, unable to see far ahead. I finally understand what he meant. The only path I see now is the one that leads to him. He's what I want. He said he can't live without me, but I think it's the other way around. I'm suffering without him."Isaac let out a hollow chuckle, the sound bitter. "And it's not about his money, his houses, or his cars. I just want... him."Isaac looked up at Riley. "I know this hurts to hear, but I can't give you false hope. I don't feel what I used to feel for you. I still care about you, I do, and I want to be near you, but you're not the one for me. He is."Riley flinched at the words, his face betraying the hurt that he hadn't expected to face. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came at first. He paused, trying to find the right thing to say, but someone else cut him off. Luka entered, his face grim, his eyes locking on Isaac in a way that made him brace for bad news."You did good out there, pretty boy," Luka said, his voice carrying a tone of grudging respect. "Haven't seen a rookie put up a fight like that in a while. But it won't be enough.""Enough for what?" Isaac asked, a knot tightening in his stomach.Luka's gaze hardened, the news he was about to deliver hanging heavy in the air."Giovanni wants me to intensify your training. You've got two weeks.""Two weeks for what?""Two weeks before your grand fight against Lucien Royce."
Isaac felt his blood boil at the words, his body tense with both anger and disbelief. He shot Lucien an accusing glare over his shoulder, his eyes burning with frustration. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?" he hissed.Lucien didn't hesitate. "If that's what it takes to get you back, then yes."Isaac's eyes narrowed, a mix of disbelief and exasperation flooding his chest."You're insane," Isaac whispered, his thoughts slipping out unconsciously.Lucien's lips twitched, just slightly. "So I've been told."Giovanni cleared his voice, breaking their gaze. "Lucien, might I remind you that you're on my turf? This isn't New York. Your connections here are limited, and all it would take is a bullet through your head to take over your underground operations in the U.S. Are you really going to risk everything you've built for him?" Giovanni demanded, his voice cold with authority."Absolutely," Lucien replied in a heartbeat. "But I might have a better deal than my death. Fifteen percent."Giovanni's brow shot up. "Fifteen percent?""That's all Hound owned in the illegal parts of New York. His connections, his arenas, his businesses, everything. That alone would bring you significant profit, and more importantly, it would give you a solid foundation to expand your operations into foreign territory.""You're inviting me to rival against you?" Giovanni asked, his tone sharp.Lucien met his gaze coolly. "You'd still hold a minority share, so I wouldn't exactly consider you a rival."Giovanni couldn't help but burst into laughter. Only Lucien would have the audacity to step into enemy territory, openly insult them, and still know he had enough leverage to pull it off."Is this why you're taking over Hound's operation?" Giovanni snorted. "But why would I settle for just fifteen percent when I could take it all?" "Trust me, this is the best deal you'll get," Lucien replied. "Shoot me, and you won't see a dime, whether it's from Hound's old business or mine."Giovanni pursed his lips, nodding his toward Isaac. "All this, just to save him?""No, he doesn't want to be saved," Lucien said, his gaze locking momentarily on Isaac's. His eyes softened, the hard edge of resolve melting away and revealing something more vulnerable when he whispered, "But I do."Isaac's heart slammed against his ribs, its frantic rhythm filling his chest as the weight of those words sank in.Giovanni raised an eyebrow. "I'd take the deal, but Isaac's already a good investment. He'll bring in big money through the tournaments here. Tonight was proof of it.""What if I told you he could earn you more in one fight than he could in a lifetime of tournaments?"Giovanni's expression shifted, intrigued. "What do you mean?""A high-stakes tournament with prize money through the roof and an audience large enough to pack your biggest underground fights. You could inflate the prices to ridiculous amounts, and people would still pay."Giovanni chuckled, his skepticism evident. "What makes you think people will pay that much for one tournament from a rookie?""Because Isaac will be fighting against me."***"What the hell was that?" Riley demanded as they were returned to their room. Lucien had been taken away by Giovanni to discuss terms, and everyone else was dismissed. Isaac and Riley had no say as they were driven back to their place, and Giovanni's men were posted outside their studio, guarding the perimeter. Isaac and Riley weren't allowed to leave without permission, and no one would tell them where they had taken Lucien. Isaac paced, running his fingers through his hair, gnawing on his lip in frustration."Isaac," Riley called, his voice quiet, but it barely registered with Isaac, his mind still spinning from everything that had just happened."Isaac!" Riley tried again, this time louder.
He stood up, stepping in front of him and cupping his face with both hands, forcing him to stop."Calm down," Riley said gently, trying to soothe him. "You're pacing like a caged animal."Isaac blinked, the words pulling him back, his breath still quick but slowing now."I can't calm down," Isaac replied, his voice tense and panicked. "He's here, Riley. Why is he here? I told him to stay away. Does he want to get hurt that badly? And now he's with Giovanni with no power. Where are Rocco and Elijah? Did he really come here without any protection, any plan? Is he out of his mind?!"The words spilled out of Isaac's mouth, his frustration pouring out unchecked."I think he hasn't been sane for a while," Riley grumbled, but even he hadn't expected Lucien to risk everything and come here personally to find Isaac. Not only that, but to negotiate such a huge deal and even suggest fighting him."What he said... people won't actually pay that much to see him fight, right?""They would," Riley replied without hesitation. "Lucien's a legend in the underground fighting world. His career was short, but he was unbeatable. After he retired from the ring and started owning the arenas, no one's been able to match his record or make as much money in such a short time. If word gets out that he's back, even just for one fight, people will pay a fortune for a seat. No question."Isaac swallowed hard, the weight of the situation sinking in. "But he's going to fight me. Why would he do that?""That... I don't know either," Riley admitted. "One moment, he says it hurt him to see me fight, and now he's the one telling me I should fight him. What the hell does he want?" Isaac's voice cracked, the confusion and frustration clear in every word. "Riley, I can't fight him," Isaac groaned, his voice trembling. "I can't..." Hurt him, Isaac wanted to say, but the words caught in his throat. He feared it was already too late for that. Despite his calm demeanor, Isaac could tell Lucien was upset. He knew the moment he walked away from him, Lucien felt betrayed. "I can't do this."Riley was silent for a moment, studying Isaac's face. Then, quietly, he spoke. "You love him, don't you?"Isaac froze. The question lingered in the air, heavy and unspoken for so long. He swallowed hard, his throat dry. His heart seemed to skip a beat, and for a moment, he wanted to deny it, to shut the thought down completely. But the truth settled within him like a cold weight.He opened his mouth to reply, but the words faltered. He blinked, and to his surprise, his vision blurred—his eyes stinging with the sudden rush of emotion. A lump formed in his throat, and before he could stop it, a tear escaped.Isaac laughed in disbelief, the flurry of emotion taking him completely by surprise."God, I never thought I'd–" his voice broke off. Without a word, Riley pulled him into a tight embrace, holding him close."Shhh, calm down," Riley murmured, rubbing Isaac's back in slow, soothing circles. "I'm sure he has a plan. Things won't be as bad as you think."But even Riley's voice wavered slightly, his words lacking conviction. He had no idea what Lucien was planning. Would Isaac really be willing to fight him? Despite all his power and notoriety, even Lucien couldn't defy the unspoken rules of underground fighting. Once they stepped into that arena, neither of them could leave until one of them was unconscious. Someone would get hurt. The question was, who?"No matter the outcome," Riley added, "I'm sure Lucien will find a way to get you out."Isaac remained still, stuck in a war zone of confusion."What would you do if he gave you a chance to leave this place?" Riley asked after a long silence, pulling away to meet Isaac's gaze. Isaac stood there, staring at the floor, surprised by how quickly the answer came to him."I want to go back to him," Isaac whispered, his voice barely audible. "He's never left my mind since that fight at the casino. I didn't just run away to protect him. I ran because I was scared. Scared of how deep I was falling for him. He knows exactly what to say, what to do, to make my heart race, to get under my skin, to make me think about him constantly. I knew if I let it go on, I wouldn't be able to turn back. But how can I tell him to stop being so precious to me?"Isaac took a steady breath, trying to release the tension that had built in his chest."He's selfish, possessive... He'll tear through anything in his path to get what he wants," Isaac muttered, his voice heavy with conflicting emotions. "But Lucien always talked about being in the dark, unable to see far ahead. I finally understand what he meant. The only path I see now is the one that leads to him. He's what I want. He said he can't live without me, but I think it's the other way around. I'm suffering without him."Isaac let out a hollow chuckle, the sound bitter. "And it's not about his money, his houses, or his cars. I just want... him."Isaac looked up at Riley. "I know this hurts to hear, but I can't give you false hope. I don't feel what I used to feel for you. I still care about you, I do, and I want to be near you, but you're not the one for me. He is."Riley flinched at the words, his face betraying the hurt that he hadn't expected to face. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came at first. He paused, trying to find the right thing to say, but someone else cut him off. Luka entered, his face grim, his eyes locking on Isaac in a way that made him brace for bad news."You did good out there, pretty boy," Luka said, his voice carrying a tone of grudging respect. "Haven't seen a rookie put up a fight like that in a while. But it won't be enough.""Enough for what?" Isaac asked, a knot tightening in his stomach.Luka's gaze hardened, the news he was about to deliver hanging heavy in the air."Giovanni wants me to intensify your training. You've got two weeks.""Two weeks for what?""Two weeks before your grand fight against Lucien Royce."
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