Due to so many people taking off work, the underground is busy despite the late hour of the morning. Neca leads me through the crowd until we reach a stairway heading further down.
“The underground has an underground?”
“Sorta. Most of the official business takes place down here. Things are going to be different now that Huemac is running the place.”
“Huemac?”
“He’s been keeping Centavo’s books. You know, taking care of all the seamy details of maintaining a complex criminal organization. With Centavo gone, he’s the natural successor.”
“Hmm, I guess I hadn’t thought of who would take over.” We reach the bottom of the stairs.
Neca leads the way along a lengthy corridor. “Honestly, I don’t think he and Centavo liked each other for a collective minute.”
“How does that work?”
“I think they sorta just fell into an arrangement.”
“That makes no sense.”
Neca shrugs. “Together they consolidated the underground and put a stop to the infighting. I think it was another reason Huatiani looked the other way.”
Briefly, I wonder how much more Neca knows about the relationship between Centavo and the deceased Huatiani. “How are things going to be different now?”
Neca leans close as we pass an open door. “Let’s just say Huemac puts the criminal in criminal organization.”
“Understood.”
“He’s another reason I’m done after tonight. I can’t stomach the thought of my proceeds going to the likes of him.”
“The likes of who?” A familiar voice causes me to flinch.
“Yetic, fancy seeing you here.” I face the turncoat and instantly wish I hadn’t. He’s essentially naked, wearing nothing but a cloth wrapped around his loins.
“Where else would I be on a fight day?” He shrugs.
My hibernating rage bubbles up. “Oh, I don’t know. I thought you might have reached the borders of Tlatlaca by the way you were running when I saw you last.”
“You little—”
Neca intervenes, pushing us apart. “We both know opponents are supposed to avoid unmonitored interaction the day of a match.”
Yetic points at me. “I put my ass on the line to fulfill my end of the deal.”
I open my mouth.
Neca puts a hand over it. “I’m here to fulfill my end. Xoxoctic?”
Yetic takes a moment to stare us down before he nods. “Yeah, xoxoctic.” He passes us in a full on strut. “See you in the cage, Nightmare.” Without waiting for a response, Yetic pushes through a swinging door. The sounds of inane male banter and clattering weights, along with a suffocating wall of sweat-drenched air, waft past him as he disappears.
“It’s not too late to change your mind.” Neca smiles mischievously. “I could meet you upstairs in an hour.”
I cross my arms and stare at him.
He looks me up and down. “There are a few female fighters, but…”
“But what?”
“Let’s just say they don’t look like you.”
“Is that supposed to be a complement?”
“It’s the most polite one you’re gonna get beyond that door.”
I wave him forward. “I think I can handle it.” On the inside, I’m not so sure.
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