Ghost in the Underground

Chapter 22: Marcus's Next Move

Sammy stood over Miguel's unconscious body, his breath heavy, blood dripping down his face.

The underground crowd roared, but Sammy didn't care.

His fists were still clenched. His fight wasn't over.

Carlos pushed through the crowd. "We need to go. Now."

Sammy turned. "What?"

Carlos grabbed his arm. "This was a setup, remember? Marcus didn't just want you beaten. He wanted you out of the picture."

Rick shoved through next, looking tense. "Miguel was just the first step. Marcus has something else planned."

Sammy exhaled, shaking off the pain. "Then we deal with it."

Carlos gritted his teeth. "Man, you're not listening. This isn't about fighting anymore."

Sammy frowned.

And that's when he saw them.

Marcus's guys.

Standing near the exit. Watching. Waiting.

---

Sammy and his crew moved toward the exit.

Marcus's men didn't block the way, but they sure as hell didn't move either.

One of them, a stocky guy with a busted nose, smirked. "Hell of a fight, Ghost."

Sammy didn't respond.

Another stepped forward—Leon, Marcus's right-hand man.

"Boss wanted me to deliver a message."

Sammy met his gaze. Silent. Unmoving.

Leon smirked. "You're dead."

Rick stepped up. "Real original."

Leon ignored him. His eyes were locked on Sammy.

"The next fight you take? That's the last one you'll ever have."

Then Leon stepped aside, motioning toward the exit.

Carlos didn't hesitate. "We're leaving."

They walked past, the weight of the threat heavy in the air.

As soon as they stepped outside, Carlos cursed. "This is getting out of control."

Sammy wiped more blood from his face.

"Then we make our move first."

Back at the gym, Carlos paced while Rick sat on the bench, shaking his head.

"This isn't just about fights anymore, man. Marcus is playing for keeps."

Sammy unwrapped his hands. "So what? We run?"

Carlos stopped. "No. But we need to be smart."

Sammy looked at Rick. "What's Marcus's next move?"

Rick sighed. "He's not stupid. If he wanted to jump you, he would've done it already."

Carlos nodded. "Yeah. He's gonna set you up in a way you can't refuse."

Sammy thought for a moment.

Then it hit him.

"He's gonna challenge me himself."

Rick and Carlos went silent.

Rick exhaled. "Yeah. That sounds like him."

Carlos shook his head. "That's a problem."

Sammy smirked. "Not for me."

Carlos scowled. "You don't get it! Marcus isn't just another fighter. He's a killer."

Rick nodded. "Dude's got experience. He's been in this game longer than any of us."

Sammy clenched his fists. He didn't care.

If Marcus wanted him out, there was only one answer.

He had to take Marcus out first.

---

The next morning, Sammy's phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

He picked up. "Yeah?"

Marcus's voice came through. "Ghost."

Sammy didn't answer.

A chuckle. "You made it this far. I gotta give you credit."

Sammy exhaled. "Get to the point."

Marcus's voice was cold. "I'm offering you one chance. One fight. Winner takes everything."

Sammy leaned forward. "Everything?"

Marcus laughed. "I don't just mean money. I mean your career. Your place in the underground."

A long pause.

Then Marcus continued. "You lose? You never fight again."

Sammy's grip tightened on the phone.

"And if I win?"

Marcus's tone darkened. "Then you run this place."

Sammy's heartbeat pounded.

Carlos and Rick stared at him. They already knew what he was gonna say.

Sammy didn't hesitate.

"I accept."

---

The moment Sammy hung up, Carlos exploded.

"ARE YOU INSANE?"

Rick sighed, rubbing his face. "Dude…"

Sammy stood up. "It was gonna happen no matter what."

Carlos clenched his jaw. "Marcus plays dirty. You think Miguel was bad? Marcus is worse. He'll do whatever it takes to win."

Sammy cracked his neck.

"Then I do the same."

Carlos glared. "That's not the point! He's stronger. Smarter. More experienced."

Sammy met his gaze. "Then I get stronger."

Silence.

Rick groaned. "We're really doing this, huh?"

Carlos muttered under his breath. "Unbelievable."

Then he looked at Sammy. "Fine. But if we're doing this, we do it right."

Sammy nodded. "Agreed."

Rick sighed again. "Man, I just wanted to make money off bets, not get involved in an underground war."

Sammy smirked. "Too late for that."

---

For the next two weeks, Sammy trained like never before.

Carlos and Rick pushed him to his limit. No shortcuts. No wasted movements.

They focused on:

Counter-wrestling – Marcus was a beast in the clinch. Sammy had to be ready.

Inside fighting – Marcus loved dirty boxing. Sammy had to be dirtier.

Cardio for hell – If Marcus wanted a war, Sammy had to outlast him.

Every day, every hour, Sammy prepared for war.

---

The underground was more packed than ever.

This wasn't just a fight.

It was a power shift.

The entire scene had come to watch.

Either Marcus would keep his throne.

Or Sammy would take it from him.

In the center of the ring, Marcus stood, rolling his shoulders.

He smirked. "You ready for your funeral, Ghost?"

Sammy stepped in, eyes cold. "You should be asking yourself that."

The announcer grinned.

"Ladies and gentlemen… this is it. The fight to decide everything."

The crowd held their breath.

The bell rang.

And the war began.

---

End of Chapter 22

Next up: Chapter 23 – King vs. Ghost

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