Seven

GABRIELLE POV.

Breathe deeply... think about death and gore. Imagine yourself as the conqueror. You've won this war already.

Grunts registered from a faraway place, my opponent's heavy breathing sounding faint in my ears. It was drowned out by the thumping of his pulse, I imagined the beatings of his heart. Was it steady? With the way he was breathing so loud, I doubt it was. He was afraid, and that would be his undoing.

Grandfather's hand tapped against his metal chair, the ring he wore making a clang as it connected. I broke out of my trance, blinking to adjust my gaze, at the same time pushing all the thoughts that plagued my day out of my head.

My opponent studied me, his beady eyes raking over my form before a taunting snare touched his lips.

I looked around the fighting arena. Everything was just as I remembered. I hated this place.

Focusing back on my opponent, I readied myself, while my eyes scanned his physique carefully. He was a bulk of a man but still managed to look graceful on his feet. He looked too cocky though- he probably thought this was going to be an easy fight.

I kept my gaze locked on his while checking off all the weak points he had in my head. His gaze was fierce and I knew he was ready to do whatever it took to make sure I didn't get out of the arena alive... This was my grandfather's way of putting me in my place. I reckoned this guy here would be my replacement... Or not.

I decided I wouldn't wait for him to attack first... I was going to go on the offensive because I was tired of waiting for things to come to me. This man was not going to be breathing once I was done. I glanced at my grandfather, our gaze colliding like grenades.

He sat like he always did when he watched me fight, and just like before, his anticipation of my defeat shone through his cruel eyes.

I do not plan to give him the satisfaction... I had been beaten down countless times to his amusement but not anymore. Those days were over, long forgotten. He went out of his way in those days to let me know that I was his best, that everything he put me through was to make me a better leader, a better killer, a better Capo Dei Capri, yet he planned to take away my inheritance. Was it because I was a woman? I could never figure out his motives and It made me want to smash my fist in his face.

He gave a nod for us to proceed. I held my opponent's gaze. I read him, following his movement. He's an open book. I attacked without warning. I aimed my shot up and under his ribcage, targeting his kidney. His breath caught- once my fist connected with skin- from the pain. He doubled over, a harsh gasp forced out of his throat due to the power of my punch.

I wanted to end the man as swiftly and quickly as I could so I moved around him, twisting and using my strength until I had him in a chokehold, I squeezed my bicep and forearm close, pushing his head forward. But he was tougher than I anticipated and he stunned me when he broke out of the hold and flipped me over. I tumbled, crashing to the floor.

I groaned, inhaling sharply, my lungs constricting in the process, but I was not given a chance to recover. He pulled me up instantly like I weighed nothing.

The first punch to my face was dizzying, catching me off guard. I only managed to block his other punches at the last minute. There was the awful scent of sweat and copper in the air as we grappled. Our harsh breathing and grunt echoed in the otherwise silent room. I brought my knees up, breaking out of his hold, and staggering to my feet. I couldn't feel my face, but I was delirious with the thrill of winning this fight, so I pushed on and managed to swerve his punches, maneuvering fast enough to land a crippling leg strike to his tailbone. I heard the sickening crunch, making me grin through the fog of pain.

He crumbled to his knee, a pained grunt escaping his lips. I followed it up with a kick to the base of his skull, smashing his head into the floor.

I had him In a chokehold with my thighs and knee before he could even blink, or squeal... I laughed, even as I panted. Sweat trailed my hairline, dripping down my face. I met my grandfather's eyes. He could have done better. If this was supposed to be my replacement...PFT, then he was such a pathetic creature. I tightened my hold until I felt his veins get crushed... he gagged out blood, his feeble attempts dying out.

I smiled at the fury in my grandfather's eyes. For someone who otherwise showed no emotions, it was enough to know I got under his skin. I let go when he stopped twitching. I got up to face my savior and, at the same time enemy.

"Was this the pathetic man you wanted to give me up for?" I stared down at my handiwork, his eyes were wide open in terror, his face contorted in pain even after death. I looked back up at Grandfather... "I must say I got a little carried away. I killed your little doll" I said tauntingly, my face felt like it had been split into two and it was a bit difficult to talk, but I didn't mind because I've had worse days.

He stared at me with a calculating glint in his eyes.

"I was never planning to replace you Gabrielle. I wonder where you got such a notion from".

I felt his falsehood on my sweaty skin. He taught me to lie convincingly himself so I wondered why he thought I'd believe such a blatant falsehood.

"The other member of the family doesn't seem to appreciate the amount of power you wield. They feel that you're going to destroy their empire one day, since women happen to be ruled by their emotions, they think you're flaky but you're the one I've chosen. I'll make sure you are not challenged once I am gone."

Empty words, but I decided to humor him. "It feels good to have your reassurance grandfather," I said like I believed what he was saying. It took two players to play a game of chess. I've won this round. I wonder what his next move is. Will I lose a piece? Or will he? He did not look convinced, but I could tell he was satisfied with my reply.

"For such an epic fight, I think you deserve a present" he announced, clapping his hand.

My face throbbed as I turned to face the approaching figure. It was his height that registered first to me, but he was extremely good-looking, tall with a lean build. He had cruel black eyes. A murderer's eyes. I could practically smell blood on him and I knew two things at once.

This was grandfather's replacement for me and two, he was going to try to kill me by working with me. I must have been given a test to see how far I was willing to go to keep my position. It didn't matter. I was going to kill this murderer too.

"He'll act as your bodyguard" he announced in a voice that left no room for argument.

"I don't need a bodyguard, especially one that I do not trust" I forced out of my lips knowing it would piss him off that I was refusing his offer. It was the second time I was opposing him today, considering that I spoke out of turn earlier which was what led to him trying to kill me -maybe not- in a fight.

"Are you refusing my gift Gabrielle. I would reconsider my words if I were you". He threatened in his steel voice, with an accent so thick, I felt shivers trail my skin. I decided not to antagonize him further. I kept my face blank.

"Thank you for the gift. I know I'll find a good use for him".

"Good. You may leave" he ordered. I gave a crisp nod, heading towards the exit. His next sentence stopped me dead in my tracks.

"That undercover cop you've been keeping around..." he trailed in his taunting voice and I turned around sharply to face him, fighting myself to keep a neutral expression. I knew not to give him any weakness to use against me, but I was sure he already got the reaction he was looking for. This was cheating, but I knew normal rules did not apply to this game of chess we played.

"What about him?" I asked, keeping my voice steady, but I could tell that he already saw the panic in my eyes. Fuck. He looked satisfied to have rattled me.

He stared at me, his cruel eyes twinkling with mirth. "I believe you know what you're doing keeping him around. But the way you look at him, I know I told you to keep your enemies close..."

So, he was keeping an eye on me, but it wasn't really surprising... But I wished I knew who the spy was...

"I can take care of my business grandfather," I cut him off calmly when all I wanted to do was rip something apart. Blake was mine. No one was to touch him except me. My fist clenched tightly by my side. I felt my new bodyguard watching me with interest, so I forced myself to relax.

"If he is your business then watch over him, and keep him in line... accident happens all the time you know" he casually said with a wave of his hand. I felt raw like something was poking at my insides, tugging at my internal organs until I felt I'll either collapse or go mad. I hated him. I hated him so much, that I was going to kill him.