Blood & Fists: Bare-knuckle Series #1

by Marie Deveraux

  Olivia uncapped the syringe, holding it up as she took a few steps towards her brother.

  “This little fella is my own mixture of some of the most deadly poisons known on this planet. Funny, you always said I was the dumb one and my chemistry degree was useless. Huh, well, let's see if this works.”

  Olivia plunged the needle into her brother's neck and stared into his eyes.

  “Livvy, please …”

  “Don’t you dare call me that.”

  Peter swallowed, his eyes moving between Olivia and her brother.

  It'd only take less than a minute or two. Sawyer's eyes began to roll back and he convulsed. Olivia stared at him as he sank to the floor. Eito let go of him and stepped away.

  “See you in hell, Gregory.”

  She shoved him back as he began to have a seizure and gasp for air. Seconds passed and Sawyer's body went limp. Keeping her steel blue eyes on the lifeless body of her brother, Olivia gave a command in Japanese and Eito walked over to Roisin, Peter, and Ronan.

  “Outside a car is waiting for you to take you each back to your residence. Per her orders, I'm to accompany you for your protection.”

  Peter paced back and forth in their living room. Sitting down on the couch, he ran his hand over his blond hair, back and forth. He was working himself up, he felt sick and exhausted. The anger, the hurt, and the secret she should have told him on day one. He'd trusted her and she’d lied to him from the second they’d met. Cracking his knuckles, he wondered what else she was hiding from him. Drained mentally and physically, Peter rested his face in his hands.

  He was so occupied with his thoughts that he didn't hear the click of the deadbolt unlocking or Olivia stepping into the entryway. Without a sound, Olivia closed the front door, blowing out a shuddering breath. He heard her footsteps on the carpet as she approached him perched on the edge of the couch. She noticed his tense body and clenched jaw as she came closer and stopped at the end of the couch. She didn’t want to get too close to him. Peter would never hurt her but with emotions high, Olivia wanted to be prepared for anything.

  Clearing her throat, “I owe you some answers.”

  Folding his arms, he leaned back on the couch, his green eyes focusing on her. Even if he was furious with her, he was taken aback at how beautiful she was tonight. His voice was hard and cold.

  “You should've told me.”

  Olivia shook her head, rubbing her eyes. With profound sadness, she met his eyes.

  “When was I supposed to tell you, Peter? The night you hit on me …” Olivia’s voice grew rough and tense. “On the jet home? The morning you came back from London? Ask yourself this, knowing all this information now, would you have let me in our … your bed every night?”

  A pained look crossed his face and he looked away from her.

  “No, you wouldn't have. It’s the world we live in, Peter. You would’ve been too intimidated,”

  Olivia gave a bitter laugh and whispered, “It’s a lonely and dangerous job, Pete.”

  He swallowed the lump in his throat, “I could've helped, you know.”

  Olivia shook her head, “This was my fight, babe.”

  Peter stood and took an aggressive step towards her, staring into her eyes, “So you just used me then?”

  Olivia’s lower lip trembled, “No! That was never my intention. You were never a part of my plan. But I saw an opportunity when you asked for me. You. chose. me. Anyone in our world knows that if you see an opportunity, you seize it. I could've said no to you, but I didn't. I liked you. We're so much alike, more than I think you realize.”

  Peter’s brows snapped together, “How's that?”

  Olivia swallowed and choked out, “We keep looking for home.”

  That struck a nerve. Peter looked away from her. Olivia walked over to the glass kitchen table and pulled his key from her pocket. She caressed the pad of her thumb over the key, feeling the grooves before setting it down on the table with a small plink. Peter watched her, his anger and frustration began to reignite.

  “So that's it then?”

  Olivia shook her head and gave him a sad smile.

  “As a Harrison, you should know I'm not docile. As the boss, I’m very very persistent.”

  Peter paused and weighed her words. Her message was clear: she wasn’t going to give up on them, on what they had together.

  “Goodbye, Olivia.”

  She ran her fingers through her hair and moved towards the front door. She turned and looked at him.

  “Goodbye, Pete.”

  23

  Olivia sat on the shower floor, letting the steam and hot water envelop her. She hadn't allowed herself to cry until she was by herself. She wanted Peter's arms around her and for him to whisper in her ear that everything would be ok. But he wasn't there. She was alone. Eito was in a room down the hall and Noriko was in a suite on the next floor down. She was always so alone. She slept only a few hours a night. She’d roll over, expecting him to be there when she reached her arm out. But he wasn’t.

  Noriko and Eito spent a good portion of their days making sure everything was cleaned up from the events from the warehouse and Sawyer’s sex trade operations. Olivia avoided looking at her phone, the one that Peter had given her. She should’ve gotten rid of it, but it was her link to him. It gave her comfort even if he hated her.

  Eito had gotten her a new phone and she made calls to a few of the bosses in Japan and to Dmitri and Roisin to update them on upcoming shipments. If Roisin was aware of what was going on between Peter and Olivia during their business meetings, she gave no indication. After all, it was business and they knew never to bring in personal issues into a business discussion.

  In organized crime, one didn’t exactly send out a press release or newsletter when there was a shift in power or a boss was taken down. The Feds and Chicago PD would be all over that in minutes. For now, they’d spread rumors and let the other clans decide if they wanted to risk going up against Clan Chiko. Sawyer’s shady connections with the cartels and Italians were the two Olivia, Roisin, and Dmitri were most concerned about. Sooner or later, she knew they’d make a play for the territory now that Sawyer was gone. She needed Dmitri and Roisin to be ready.

  As the days passed, Olivia stayed inside her hotel room, she didn’t like going out unless it was for business purposes. After nearly a week of remaining in Chicago, Noriko along with a few of Olivia’s men would be returning to Tokyo. She needed Noriko to keep the Yakuza in line so things could settle down in Chicago and business could resume as usual. For now, she would remain in Chicago.

  “You look like shit, man,” Dux said as Peter dragged himself into Paddy’s Gym.

  Peter gave him a “don’t ask” look as he unlocked his office door. He’d just realized he hadn’t changed his shirt in three days and it was inside out. Sighing, he pushed the door open. Flicking on the light, his eyes darted towards a chair in the corner where Eito sat waiting. Peter shut the door and shifted his stance, preparing for a fight. Eito raised up a hand and gave him a friendly smile.

  “Relax. I’m not here to kill you, Peter.”

  Peter folded his arms and leaned against his desk, “Did she send you?”

  Eito shook his head, several short strands of his jet black hair fell across his forehead, “No. I’m here to ask you for, well, a favor?”

  Peter’s eyes narrowed, “What could I possibly do for you?”

  “Let me join Clan Driscoll’s fighters.”

  Peter frowned and chewed on his lip. Eito was a good fighter and he could bring in a lot of money. Eito cleared his throat, his dark eyes never leaving Peter’s face.

  “If … when she goes back to Tokyo, you’ll be without a fighter.”

  A sinking and painful feeling gripped Peter’s chest and stomach. Eito watched Peter absorb this information in detail. Leaving. No. Never. She was his.

  Peter picked up a pen from his desk and rolled it between his index finger and thumb, “I’ll consider it. Give me a f
ew days to think it over?”

  Eito stood, buttoning his black suit jacket, “Of course, I believe your mother and Dmitri have my number if you want to get in touch with me or her.”

  Peter furrowed his brow and stuck his hands in his pockets. Eito gave Peter a respectful nod and bow before moving towards the door.

  “W-What was she like when you met her?”

  Eito turned, his hand on the office’s doorknob. Eito’s mouth curled at the edges, “Livvy was sad, angry, destroyed, empty. Yet ... persistent and determined. She saved my life on more than one occasion. Peter, I trained her ... and she’s the strongest fighter I know.” Peter’s eyes widened in surprise. He took a step towards Eito and whispered, “Are you in love with her?”

  Peter knew he had no right to ask that question. He needed to know before he attempted to try fix things with Livvy. Eito shook his head and gave a chuckle, “Only in the way a brother loves his sister. We joke that in our past lives, we were siblings.”

  24

  Olivia and Noriko rode in silence to the private hanger. The old woman’s cold hand clasped Olivia’s as the car stopped on the paved runway where the jet stood waiting to take Noriko and a few of Olivia’s men back to Tokyo. Olivia’s hand gripped hers and their eyes met.

  “Olivia-chan, it will be alright. In your heart, you know this. Give the boy time.”

  Olivia nodded and gave Noriko’s hand a squeeze. “I almost forgot,” Noriko pulled a gold chain with a key on it from around her neck. Recognition dawned on Olivia’s face and she shook her head, looking at the key in her palm, “I forgot about this.”

  Olivia’s eyes filled with tears, “We did it. I still can’t believe it’s finally done.”

  Noriko smiled, “You did it. We still have a lot to clean up but I know they’d be so proud of you and everything that you’ve accomplished. Your mother raised such a strong and determined daughter.” Olivia squeezed her eyes shut, tears stinging her eyes. Opening her eyes, she turned her head towards Noriko.

  “Yes … you did, okaa-san.”

  Noriko’s chin quivered as tears spilled down her cheeks. The leather seats of the car squeaked as Olivia pulled Noriko into a hug and whispered, “Be safe, let me know when you land. Call if there are any issues with the shipments.”

  “I will, Olivia-chan.” Noriko wiped the tears from Olivia’s face and stepped out of the car. Olivia watched as the old woman, flanked by two men in black suits, step up the stairs and disappear into the jet. Sniffling and wiping her eyes, Olivia climbed up to the right passenger seat and buckled in. Looking over at Eito, a smile tugged at Olivia’s lips.

  “Now, it’s just us, brother.”

  Eito met her eyes and chuckled, “Indeed it is. Just like old times.”

  “Let’s go get some breakfast, I’m starving! Surely there’s gotta be a place around here that must be open.”

  Olivia typed out a text on her second phone as they sat in a run-down cafe eating waffles. Eito scrunched up his face as he took a sip of piss water that the menu listed as coffee. Olivia looked up at him and asked, “Pen?”

  Eito reached inside his suit jacket and pulled out a pen. He handed the pen to her, glancing down at her fingers tapping on a paper napkin. Olivia started drawing two lines, “Answer me truthfully, did you let me win that night?” Eito’s mouth twitched and he chuckled, “Why yes, Livvy. I did. Cracking two of my ribs, hurting my knee, and almost breaking my ankle was me allowing you to win. You know I want a rematch right?”

  Olivia winked at him, “Of course. If you didn’t, I would think you’d gone soft on me and grown a heart.” Eito pushed his hair out of his eyes, “You know that would never happen. Beside, not after--” Eito looked away and out the cafe window. Olivia looked up from drawing on her napkin, watching him.

  “Eito.”

  He looked back at her. Olivia swallowed, her steel blue eyes burning, “I promise you, you will get your vengeance. I’m getting close to finding him, so close. It’s only a matter of time before he’s found, he can’t hide forever.”

  Eito stared down at his coffee cup, “Thank y--”

  Olivia raised her free hand, “Don’t you ever thank me, onii-san.” Unable to respond, Eito took a sip of coffee and watched Olivia finish sketching the Japanese symbols on her napkin:

  一期一会

  Olivia looked up at Eito, “One life, one encounter.”

  Eito smiled at her, “Since you paid for mine, you have to let me pay for this one.”

  Olivia rolled her eyes and shrugged, “Even though yours were a gift, I’ll let you pay for mine. There’s a place nearby that opens in a few hours. It’s called ...” she glanced down at her phone, “The Twisted Sisters Tattoo Parlor. Looks like they do some really awesome work.” She held up her phone to Eito so he could see the Twisted Sisters’ portfolio. They had some real talent and their color mixtures were insane. Eito knew he’d have to restrain himself from getting more ink while Olivia got hers. When it came to Eito and tattoos, it was always easier said than done.

  25

  The two African-American sisters looked up surprised as the door to their shop opened, seconds after the oldest sister had turned on the neon ‘Open’ sign. Low music flowed out of a bluetooth speaker from behind the glass counter. A man in a dark black suit stepped in followed by a woman dressed in a red flannel shirt with wavy blonde hair. Imani Briceson and her younger sister Rhianna exchanged a quick look before the elder stood from her worn tattoo chair and stuck out her hand.

  “Good morning, welcome to Twisted Sisters Tattoo Parlor. My name is Imani and this is my sister Rhianna.”

  Imani pushed a strand of her braided dreadlocks over her shoulder and pointed to Rhianna who gave a warm smile to Olivia and Eito from behind the glass counter. The paint chipped floorboards squeaked as Olivia moved from behind Eito and stuck out her hand to Imani. Olivia pulled out her napkin with the Japanese symbols on it and handed it to Imani. As Imani and Olivia talked over design, Rhianna eyed Eito, who was scanning every inch of the small parlor with his intense dark eyes.

  Sitting down in Imani’s worn leather chair, Olivia rolled up her sleeve as Imani prepared and sterilized her work station. Eito took a few steps towards the counter staring at several large sketches of intricate tattoo designs.

  So tempting. Rhianna eyes focused on her dirty fingernails when Eito’s intense gaze fell on her. His lips parted as he noticed a small cut on her forehead and callused red knuckles. His instincts told him that there was something more to Rhianna. He made a mental note to look into this.

  Very aware of his unwavering gaze, Rhianna pressed her lips together, attempting to hide a smile. Eito felt the corners of his mouth begin to curl, he couldn’t help it. She was the first woman to make him smile in a long time. Passing off his smile as a cough, Eito’s eyes trailed over to a small weathered photograph behind the counter of two young girls with their arms around each other, both with braided hair. The soft sound of the tattoo machine starting up and Imani snapping on latex gloves broke Eito’s focus.

  Imani traced Olivia’s design on her forearm with contact paper and touched up a few spots while telling Olivia about the parlor and clients. Regaining his thoughts, Eito walked a few steps to the left of the counter and browsed a display of Twisted Sisters merchandise and various brands of tattoo and skin salves. Olivia only half listened to Imani talk while she began to ink her arm. She was too occupied watching the wordless shy glances between Eito and Rhianna.

  Eito really wanted to get the dragon on his torso touched up and added on to. But not today. Today was about Livvy, she needed this distraction. It’d been a rough week for her and he wanted to do something nice to give her a small moment of happiness. When he came back to the store, he wanted the goddess behind the counter to ink his skin. His body ached at the thought of her hands on his body. His phone buzzed in his pocket and he returned the salve to its place on the shelf before answering.

  Rhianna raised her eyebrows as she heard him a
nswer the phone in Japanese. Listening to the man on the other end of the phone, Eito glanced at Rhianna before flicking his eyes towards Olivia. Olivia motioned with her eyes to take the conversation outside. Eito nodded to her and opened the parlor’s front door, stepping out in to the early morning sun.

  Driscoll’s was closed on Sundays, at least it appeared to be to the average person. The shades were drawn on the giant front window to make sure the Feds or anyone who was curious couldn’t look in. Ronan stood leaning against the bar, chewing on some stale peanuts while Andreia did inventory and cleaned the bar near the kitchen. Roisin sat at small table near the shaded window with her hands folded.

  Approaching 50, she was a strikingly beautiful woman. Strong green eyes and high cheekbones, it was easy to see why Dmitri was still madly in love with her. Roisin and Ronan’s eyes darted towards the door as they heard a knock. Ronan stood and unlocked the door, expecting Peter but scowled when he saw Olivia with Eito standing close to her. Ronan scowled at her and motioned for them to come inside. Olivia spotted Roisin and gave her a small polite nod.

  “I need to search ye two.”

  Olivia and Eito raised their arms and allowed Ronan to frisk them. Roisin gave Olivia a smile as she sat down while Ronan finished searching Eito. Olivia leaned back in her chair and rested her hands on the table. She hated having her back to the pub door. She avoided sitting in places without having her back to the wall as a precaution. She scratched her forehead, scanning the room. She was expecting Peter to be here, but there was no sign of him. She just wanted to see him, wanted to make sure he was ok. She spent so many sleepless nights worrying about him.