Nicol and James were travelling towards Richard and rest of the family. James was driving. He spoke up, “So when we get to the hotel. Are we going to sleep in separate beds?”

“Yes James, we are”, Nicol replied.

“Oh. Yeah. That is what I expected…Aghhmm…I mean what I also wanted to suggest actually. But you did that first. So, there is no point in continuing this conversation. Because we agree.”

“Yup”, Nicol said. There was an uncomfortable silence.

At least for James it was uncomfortable. For five minutes they were just driving in silence and looking at the trees. Nicol spoke – “This reminds me of an old Greek myth about Jason. He has to avenge his father and get the throne back from an evil king that stole his throne. Mia told me that story.”

“Does he make it?”, James asked. “Yes”, she answered. “Well good for him”, James said in a slightly irritated tone.

When they arrived at the hotel they left their things in the room. As they were going to the family house James spoke: “I think there is a chance I will have to fight Richard. I have to be the one that beats Richard or I will look like a coward. But it would be nice for you to get involved if I start losing the fight. The point of this trip is for me to look as manly and as cool as possible in front of the hitman. If I get them on my side, I will make peace with the Barzinis. And I will give you a lot of money. As much as you like. I will also make sure no one in my family seeks vengeance against you or Mia.”

In front of the house, they were stopped by two men with Kalashnikovs. One of them yelled: “Stop. Or I will shoot.”

James said – “Will! You son of a bitch. Don’t you recognize me?”

“Hahaha. I thought you were dead. Good to see you man. Come in”, Will replied. As they entered the house, both guards stared at Nicols’ butt and legs. A number of armed men in the house whistled as Nicol was passing by.

But before they did anything James said: “She is with me. Be polite guys.” James suddenly felt more confident because everybody thought Nicol was his girlfriend.

Soon they entered a large room in which Richard was sitting on a giant chair, made partially of gold, and smoking a cuban cigar. Richard was the first one to speak – “What brings you here James? I heard you got caught by the police. How come you are Free now?”

James quickly replied: “I did not get caught. I came here to claim my fathers place. I have to lead this family and make peace with the Barzinis. My father wanted peace. I want to respect his wishes.”

Richard spoke again: “Your father was killed by the enemy and you seek to make peace with them. His soul cries for vengeance. And you James. You are too weak to seek vengeance.” James saw that the hitmen were impressed with Richards warmongering speech.

So he replied quickly: “No, Richard. My father was not killed by the Brzinis. I think you are the one to blaim. You killed my father. I can not be sure. But my gut tells me you did it.”

Suddenly there was silence. Both men did not know what to say next. Nicol noticed a drop of sweat on Richards’ forehead. Richard spoke after a long silence: “How dare you say I killed him. Where is your proof boy?”

James did not know what to say next. He was afraid that he was going to look like an idiot. Nicol sensed she needed to step in: “You seem very nervous for an innocent man. Why is there sweat on your forehead Richard? Are you afraid of James?”

Richard replied: “Who the fuck is that woman? Why are you here? Speak up.”

“First you answer my question, Richard. Then I will answer yours. That’s how conversation works. Do I need to ask you again or do you remember what I just said?” Richard was now getting very nervous. He knew he had to project strength, just like James. He stood up and walked towards Nicol. For a moment he just stared at her legs. Nicol sensed Richard was turned on by her looks.

Richard continued to approach her while saying: “A beautiful girl like you should be with someone like me. A real man that can protect her.”

When he finished the sentence, Richard grabbed Nicol by her Ass. Before he realized what is happening, Nicol screamed and kicked him in the mouth with a Straight Leg Kick. Richard fell to the ground. She continued by quickly delivering an Ax Kick with her foot and breaking Richard’s nose while he was on the ground.

As she was removing her foot from his nose she spoke — “Do not do that again Richard. It will not end well for you if you do. Next time I will smack you in the face with my feet until you apologize and start kissing my toes.” All the killers in the room laughed. They were laughing at Richard.

When Richard stood up, he was furious. His face was red because of the humiliation he felt. “I do not hit women usually. But nobody treats me like that and stays alive.”

James now sensed it was his time to step in: “How about you fight me like a man instead of getting your Ass kicked by a girl.”

Two men began to fight. Both of them had a lot of anger and hate in them. An amateur boxing match took place in front of the hitmen. James took a lot of blows to his face. But so did Richard. James sensed he is barely able to stand on his feet. Blood flowed from his lips and nose. Richard sensed James was about to collapse so he started to approach him. But he forgot to protect his face. With the last of his strength, James struck Richard in the chin with a direct hit. James felt his metal finger collide with the bone of his opponent. Richard was knocked out cold.

Before James could collapse on the floor as well, Nicol approached him and grabbed him by the hand. That way she prevented him from collapsing. She kissed him on the cheek and said in order to make him look cool — “Come on James. Let’s go and have Sex in the hotel.”

She said that to justify holding his hand and to make him seem more manly in front of the killers that watched the match. James was missing a few of his teeth and felt like puking. But it was one of the best days of his life. He avenged his father. And he felt like a man. He was to tired to think of all the things that could go wrong for him in the near future. He just wanted to lie down and have a beer. But Richard was still alive. And he was not the type of a person that forgets when his honour is taken from him.