There was an awkward silence after the girls killed Lazar. Sergeant Josephine Halka spoke: “Maybe we went little too far with torturing him. In the end we were kind of doing it for fun. At least that last part with him suckcing your toes.”

Nicol agreed: “Yeah, you are right. Just don’t mention it in the report. I will use this video to get James on your side.”

Sergeant Josephine spoke with her coworker Judy in the police department: “Yes in the end we choked lazar with our feet. It was self defence. He could have potentialy drawn another knife from somewhere and killed us.”

Judy still seemed not quite satisfied with her explanation but she just said: “Ok. You are right. Although he already had a broken rib and a head injury.” After work Josephine returned home to her husband and kids. In order to forget about her work she decided to make pancakes for her entire family. As she watched her kids argue about who ate more pancakes she thought to herself – it seems so weird that I killed people today.

Simultaneously with Josephine making pancakes, Nicol was meeting with James before her tournament. “So have you seen the video I send you.?”, Nicol asked.

James answered: “Yes. I have. I jerked off to it to be quite honest. Now I like you even more.” “Nicol laughed for a moment.

Then she spoke: “But what about your attitude towards snitching on Richard? Has that changed?”

James said: „I will snitch. That bastard killed my father. I don’t owe him anything. And also, how could I refuse a beautiful girl like you asking me to cooperate with your friend in the police.”

Nicol replied: “You giving me compliments will not result in you having Sex with me James. I just want to be sure you get that.”

“Yeah, you do not have to keep telling me that. But no problem. “James replied in a slightly disappointed tone.

Monica Maldini had arrived for the tournament yesterday. Her mother Flavia who was her coach had accompanied her to the Italian contingents hotel. Monica was 20 years old and had just won the Italian national championships. She had just scraped into the North American Open Championship as the tournament was known last year. It was her first major competition and she had lost in the first round to Cristina the European Champion. She had improved enormously since then, and had climbed up the rankings. She was only 5′ 3″ but she was very strong and stocky, with legs like tree trunks with prominent calf and thigh muscles.

She was also very beautiful with short jet black bobbed hair, big brown eyes, and a winning smile. She was very popular amongst the other competitors. She trained hard which seemed to make her boobs shrink which annoyed her a little. So what if she was flat chested. If anybody laughed at her she would smack them in the mouth. The other girls new she was touchy about it so they never said anything.

Flavia and Monica’s dad, Carlo Barzini, had divorced when Monica was a young girl. Flavia wanted to protect her daughter from all the criminals that Carlo associated with. Monica decided that she would keep her mother’s maiden name so that she was not associated with them either. When he had some Free time Carlo would travel back to Italy and Flavia allowed him access to Monica until he had to go back to sort out his affairs. She was the most precious thing in the world to him, and his trips back to see Monica meant that they had a close relationship. Monica loved her father dearly.

He had always been kind to her, even though he had committed some horrible crimes. She just wished he would walk away from it all. Her mother knew that her father was coming to see her at the hotel today so she had gone to do some shopping to give them a chance to spend some time together whilst Monica doing some light training. If she was going to go deep into the tournament it would be a long day tomorrow.

When Carlo arrived they hugged each other warmly. “How is my deadly little snake?” It was his affectionate name for her because she struck fast and hard.

“I am ready father. I am a much tougher proposition than last year. They will have to fight well to beat me.”

Carlo looked at her appraisingly. Her shoulders were broader than even a couple of moths ago when he had last seen her and she had that determined twinkle in her eye. “Who are your main competitors?” He asked.

“Well there is Cristina who beat me last year.” She replied. “Then of course there is Ming the World Champion who won the tournament last year and the American Champion is Nicol. She lost to Ming in the final last year but I think she is the favourite this time.”

At the mention of Nicol’s name Carlo’s face went red with anger. “You know that woman has killed your cousins Bill and Frank and 4 of my best fighters.” Monica put her hands on her father’s shoulders.

“Bill and Frank were scumbags, you know that father. They were always bullying me when I was a little girl. I know Nicol she likes to be in charge but she has always treated me with respect. What happened?”

Carlo told Monica everything he knew. “It looks like James Sollozzo and some of his associates are going to turn themselves in. They have enough information to put me behind bars for a long time. I am going to have to fight to survive.”

Now it was Monica’s turn to get angry. “You have no choice. You have to give yourself up. “

Carlo sighed. “I will think about it.” He replied. “Now I am hungry. Let us forget about our troubles for tonight and go and have a nice Italian meal, before you win that tournament tomorrow.”

Monica put her arm around her father’s shoulder and they walked out of the hotel and into his chauffeur driven car for what would be their last supper together.

James arrived at the tournament with his friend Will. Will was in the middle of his speech: “You have convinced me. If it is true that the police are on to us, I will snitch in order to start a new life. I look forward to working for your company in a legal way. I just want to have a normal job. I will snitch on this hitman I once met. He is called Dugin. He used to tell me stories about the women he raped and people he killed for fun. He truly deserves to rot jail. The worst thing we did is I would say taking “protection” money from small businesses. We never killed civilians. You and I. We only killed those that chose to play the same game as us.”

James was thinking about what to say when Nicol suddenly appeared: “Hey James. I will be fighting with the Barzini girl. You should go talk to her and explain that you want to make peace with her family. And also tell her that I do not hate her because her cousans tried to rape my girl. I hope she does not hold it against me that I killed one of them in a very brutal way actually. I disfigured his whole face by smacking him with my feet. I was very angry at that time. I will see you later. Now I have to go stretch before the tournament.”

As Nicol was walking away Will said: “That girl was so Hot. How did you meet her?”

James replied: „I was her house Sex slave for a while. I will explain it to you later.”

Will continued: What the hell man? Now I need to hear this story. You can’t just mention it like that and not tell the story.”

James stopped listening to his friend because he just saw the girl of his dreams. It was the Barzini girl stretching in front of him and practicing her kicks. James approached her by saying: „Hey. I am sorry to bother you. I am James Sollozzo. I need to speak with your father in order to make peace. I have this scar on my face because I needed to fight some people from my side of the conflict. They wanted this pointless war between our families to continue.”

Monica looked at him for a while in silence. Than she spoke: “If you truly want peace than I support you. I just want my family to be safe and away from crime. But if you are lying in order to hurt my father I promise you I will personaly beat the shit out of you and kill you.” James was instantly turned on by Monica. By looking at her strong legs he knew she could actually kill him.

James spoke: Would you give me the opportunity to take you out for a diner? Is there a better way to fight hate of the older generations in our families than by creating Love between younger generations.”

Monica replied: “This is the most dramatic way anyone has ever asked me out on a date. But if you are telling me the truth you have my respect. We will see each other after I fight with your friend Nicol. Now let me prepare for the fight.”

Sergeant Judy Powell had checked the Arena to make sure all the plain clothed police were in position. She entered the cafeteria and ordered a croissant and a coffee for breakfast. She walked over to the table where Sergeant Josephine Halka sat with her husband Roland and son Louis. Josephine and Louis were having tea and crumpets whilst Roland was eating a full English breakfast. “All that fatty food is not good for you.” Said Judy.

Roland smiled and said, “It is going to be a late finish. I need some sustenance inside me.”

Judy then turned to Louis who was smiling happily. “Are you looking forward to the tournament, Louis?” She asked.

“Yes I am Sergeant Powell. I want Ming to win.” He replied.

“Why is that?” Asked Judy.

“She is tall, muscly and sexy like my mum and also because she is the best.”

Josephine Halka swallowed her tea down the wrong hole and began to cough, and Judy and Roland burst out laughing. Louis was just pleased that everyone was in a good mood. “Do you think she will give me her autograph this time?” He asked.

“The best time to try is when she has just won a fight.” Replied Roland.

“Is everyone in place?” Asked Sergeant Halka.

“Yes,” replied Judy “All of the Barzini’s are here and most of the Sollozzo’s. We will need to round them all up after the tournament has finished.” Sergeant Halka nodded satisfied.

Everyone who had entered the Arena had been checked for weapons. She would make sure that Louis and Roland were close to her at all times. If anyone laid a finger on them they were dead. Nicol looked over to see James approach Carlo Barzini. The 2 men walked off together alone. Monica was coming towards her. “Hello, Nicol.” She said “I just thought I would wish you good luck.”

Nicol accepted the olive branch with a nod. “James is going to give evidence against your father” She replied.

“I know, I have told my father to give himself up.” Monica brushed away a little tear. She did not want her father to go to prison but knew that there was no alternative. She hoped her father would realise this too.

Nicol put her hand on Monica’s shoulder. “You have always been friendly towards me when we have not been fighting each other. You have my respect as a person and hopefully when this is sorted we can become friends. Is your mother still your coach?” She asked.

“Yes, she is a very successful business woman who runs several companies. She will be able to help us if we are to unite the families” Replied Monica. Nicol looked over at Mia who was checking the equipment.

“My girlfriend is going to be in my corner.” She said.

“So James is not your boyfriend then?” Asked Monica hopefully.

Nicol laughed. “No,” She replied, “He has got no chance with me but we are very good friends. So make sure you don’t hurt his feelings.”

Nicol could see by Monica’s relieved look that she fancied James, and when he turned his head round to look back at Monica Nicol knew that he liked Monica as well.

“I think this will work out ok in the end.” She said and the two rivals smiled at each other then went back to their training. There were 32 competitors entered for the tournament, and the draw for the first round was about to begin.

Nicol’s name came out at no9. Ming was no20. Cristina was no27 and Monica was no31. She was the last to fight. With the draw complete the announcer turned his attention to the large crowd. “Let the tournament begin.” He said.