Ghost in the Underground

Chapter 11: The Price of Survival

The bruises on Sammy's ribs hadn't even started to fade, but he didn't have time to rest.

Someone wanted him dead.

Carlos was right—this wasn't about climbing the underground ranks anymore. It wasn't about proving himself. It was survival. And if he didn't start fighting back the right way, it wouldn't matter how good his hands were.

He needed to find out who put the bounty on him.

The only way to get answers? Go deeper.

Sammy and Rick walked into a bar that didn't have a name.

It wasn't a place for regular people. It was where fighters, fixers, and bookies did business.

Rick led the way, weaving through the tables. "There's a guy here—name's Benny. He hears things."

Sammy nodded, eyes scanning the room. The place reeked of stale beer and sweat, and the hum of low conversations filled the air.

At the back, a thin man with slicked-back hair sat alone, lazily stirring a drink.

Rick stopped at his table. "Benny."

The man looked up, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Rick. Haven't seen you in a minute. Who's your friend?"

Sammy pulled out a chair. "Someone who needs information."

Benny chuckled. "That so? Information costs, kid."

Sammy pulled a roll of cash from his pocket and tossed it onto the table. "This enough?"

Benny raised an eyebrow, flipping through the bills. "Depends. What's the question?"

Sammy leaned in. "Who put the bounty on me?"

Benny's grin faded. He sat back, swirling his drink. "Now that's a dangerous question."

Rick folded his arms. "Cut the bullshit, Benny."

Benny sighed, tapping the table. "Alright. You really wanna know? The bounty came from someone high up."

Sammy's jaw tightened. "Who?"

Benny hesitated. Then he said a name.

"Vinnie."

Sammy's heart stopped.

Rick cursed under his breath. "You sure?"

Benny nodded. "Dead sure. Vinnie's the one who set it up. He wants to see if you can survive it."

Sammy's fists clenched.

Vinnie.

The same man who had smiled at him after his fight with Dante. The same man who had handed him a gold card and told him he had a future.

He had set Sammy up.

Rick exhaled. "So what now?"

Sammy stood. His body still ached from the last fight, but his mind was clear.

"We go see him."

Vinnie's club was busy as always—high rollers, fighters, and criminals all mixed together under the flashing lights.

Sammy and Rick walked in, ignoring the bouncers, heading straight for the VIP section.

Vinnie sat at a corner booth, a glass of whiskey in his hand.

When he saw Sammy, he smiled. "Kid! You made it."

Sammy slammed his fist on the table. "You put a bounty on me."

Vinnie didn't flinch. He set his glass down and leaned back. "And?"

Sammy's fists tightened. "And? You trying to get me killed?"

Vinnie chuckled. "No, kid. I'm trying to make you famous."

Rick grabbed Sammy's arm, stopping him from throwing a punch.

Vinnie sighed. "Think about it, Sammy. Before this, you were just another underground fighter. Now? Everyone knows your name."

Sammy's jaw tightened. "They know it because they want to kill me."

Vinnie shrugged. "And yet, you're still standing."

Silence.

Vinnie leaned forward. "You've got talent, kid. But talent ain't enough. If you wanna survive in this world, you need to be more than good."

His eyes gleamed.

"You need to be a monster."

Sammy exhaled, his blood boiling.

"I don't need your games."

Vinnie smirked. "Then walk away. But let me tell you something—this bounty? It's not going away. Not yet. And if you really want it to stop…"

He raised his glass.

"You need to win."

Sammy stared at him. He wanted to punch the smirk off his face.

But Vinnie was right.

There was only one way out.

He had to survive. And he had to keep winning.

As they left the club, Rick shook his head. "This is insane."

Sammy exhaled. "Yeah."

Rick glanced at him. "So what now?"

Sammy didn't hesitate.

"I fight."

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End of Chapter 11