Ghost in the Underground

Chapter 12: The Next Predator

Sammy knew it was coming.

After Vinnie's reveal, he wasn't just another fighter anymore—he was the target. And the underground didn't care about fair fights.

They just wanted to see blood.

His blood.

Two nights after the meeting with Vinnie, Sammy and Rick were at their usual gym. The place was mostly empty, the few late-night fighters keeping to themselves.

Sammy was hitting the heavy bag, his body sore but his mind sharp. He couldn't afford to slow down.

Rick was watching him when someone walked in.

A tall man, bald, with tattoos covering his arms and a scar running down his lip.

The gym went silent.

Sammy recognized him immediately.

Axel Kane.

A former cage fighter turned underground enforcer. A man with a reputation for breaking bones—sometimes on purpose, sometimes just for fun.

Rick muttered under his breath. "Shit."

Axel's eyes locked onto Sammy.

"You're Rodriguez?"

Sammy exhaled, wiping sweat from his face. "Yeah."

Axel smirked. "Then you're mine."

Sammy didn't flinch. "You want a fight?"

Axel laughed. "I want more than a fight, kid. I want your spot."

Rick stepped in. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Axel cracked his knuckles. "Vinnie put a price on you, but he also put up a challenge. Whoever beats you gets a seat at his table."

Sammy's stomach tightened.

Vinnie wasn't just trying to make him a target. He was using him to test the next rising stars.

Axel grinned. "And I plan on taking that seat."

Sammy exhaled. "Fine. Let's do this in the ring."

Axel shook his head. "Nah. Not some back-alley fight. I want everyone to see it."

Rick scowled. "That means the underground arena."

Axel nodded. "Two nights from now. Main event." He took a step closer, his voice dropping.

"You won't walk out the same, kid."

Then he left.

Sammy stared after him, his fists tight.

Rick ran a hand through his hair. "This is bad."

Sammy didn't respond.

He already knew.

That night, Carlos met them at the gym. His face was serious.

"You need to be smart about this."

Sammy nodded. "I know."

Carlos continued. "Axel isn't just a bruiser. He's got years of MMA experience. He knows how to grapple, how to break people down."

Sammy exhaled. "Then I need to be faster. Smarter."

Carlos crossed his arms. "You need to be ruthless."

Silence.

Carlos met Sammy's gaze. "He's not here to fight. He's here to cripple you. If you don't put him down first, he's going to break you."

Sammy tightened his fists.

Then so be it.

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End of Chapter 12