Chelsea shuddered. How many was that now, four? Five? It felt like twenty, and she had many more to go. She still couldn't remember them being put in, or why she'd needed them in the first place. Fio had become adept at evading her questions, and so far, she'd just let it go. Part of her didn't really want to know, anyway.

A slow exhale of air that sounded like a hiss. She grit her teeth and tried to think of anything else. 

"We really appreciate the help, Doctor. Going to a civilian wasn't really an option, you know? Too many questions, too much paperwork. How long have you- ow!" She exclaimed, squeezing her eyes shut. God Almighty, that shit hurt! Her eyes drifted over to her purse, and she stared longingly at it, knowing what was inside, and wishing she could burn one right here in the room. Fio knew what she was thinking, and reached over to place fingers on her chin, pulling her gaze back to him. It was brief, but he caught it, then. A flicker of Other. She wanted to surface, but now was not the time, even if her intentions were good. She didn't mind pain, or repercussions.

"How about we hit the track after this? There's a race this afternoon, pretty big one. Be fun, don't you think? Get dressed up, have a few cocktails, watch the ponies run? Invitation goes to you as well, Doc," Fio said, leaning sideways so that he could see the doctor at work behind Chelsea. 

"You a betting man?"

Chelsea hadn't spouted off in Latin. She hadn't bit down on his finger either. That was good. The moment Fiorenzo had caught in her eyes had passed. Hopefully the rest of the stiches were less painful on the way out. He didn't want to have to play the role of a torero with his wife.  He wasn't wearing red anyways. His gaze lingered a moment on Chelsea's eyes as he spoke. It would be a hell of a time at the races. He knew to distract her though. Certain subjects seemed to trigger her as well. He didnt mention the real plans do the race track.

DoctorDoom had asked him about a favor in return. Hell it sounded more like a job opportunity.  Fiorenzo knew how good a friend a doctor could be, let alone a business partner. This would be a way to make better ties there and Fiorenzo was interested the moment he heard someone needed a lesson taught to them. This wasn't just a robbery. It seemed someone didn't think paying their bills was a requirement. Their lights were on still, concession stand was still stocked full, hell the toilets still flushed! You can't forget to pay the most important bill of all. The one that keeps your doors open. The cash that keeps you from paying with your business-perhaps your life?

"I'm told we are guarenteed to walk away richer from the trip." He said with a grin over at the man who pulled loose another stitch. Fiorenzo was trying to keep her distracted. He hoped he was keeping Chelsea here.

Fiorenzo looked over at the new acquaintance's hands, and the work they performed. He thought if Chelsea would have just slowed down and healed a bit more; it would have went easier. A smirk hit his lips as his own left leg sent a familiar burn through his skin. He eased back the weight he was putting there to lean over and look.

Fiorenzo searched over her face once more. It was brief he just wanted to make sure. Her eyes were back on her purse. It could have been a good idea. He couldn't imagine that form of her, the Other one that peered through her eyes, would show. Not if she were to have the calm blanket of her smoke wash over her.

"Mind if I smoke in here?.. Well she smokes in here?" Fiorenzo raised his eyebrows as he looked over at DoctorDoom. He could feel Chelsea's eyes on him. He wondered if she was happy he asked or not.

DoctorDoom had finally set out his services as a doctor after holding them back for so long. Being the friend of a doctor had it's perks, you don't need to go to a hospital and risk being investigated by police every time you came in with a bullet wound in your stomach or wherever else, you basically had your private doctor and didn't have to pay medical bills. Doom didn't believe in gambling with a friend's life since playing god is the last thing you should do in this world, only makes enemies and no allies and well because they could be good in a fight because they'll know the human body more than anything else which makes them a dangerous opponent anywhere if they're willing to get in a fight and have actually done their research, knowing how long it'll take before you bleed out depending on the wound, pressure points and so forth. The list can continue on and on.

Doom sat down in his home but he wasn't known as a doctor to everyone, his fake job was being known as a painter. You know, because nobody expects a painter to be known as a doctor, he didn't make his services extremely known to the general public, just to actual mafioso or trusted partners in case they got into a jam and can't bump over to a hospital in the worry of a police presence. His house was pretty big with a nice separate office space with your casual living room and kitchen, even with fine carpet on the floor, you couldn't go wrong. He had a woman called Sofia helping him around the house, some might call him a wife or a girlfriend but they were just helping one another out, nothing more.

As he writing and reviewing over paperwork. A knock came on his office door, reaching over to grab the gun in his drawer; Doom stuffed the gun into his coat as anything could happen. He walked over to his door and with opening it, it was just Sofia. There were people standing at his door leading inside his home.

"Said they can't go to a uh, a civilian. You know, should I send them out?" Sofia asked, she was a broad italian woman.

"No. It's okay, I'll take a look at them myself. Been meaning to get something to do anyways, thank you however." Doom replied, Sofia nodded and walked into the kitchen.

DoctorDoom walked over to the duo standing at his doorway.

"Why are you here?" Doom asked.

"I need my stitches removed." Chelsea replied.

DoctorDoom looked around and beckoned the duo, providing they would follow him over to a room where he would, conduct surgery. She had Chelsea lay down on the table and the doctor prepared his tools on a separate table, they sat on a plate and since it was just stitches he gonna need to get scissors and tweezers to loosen the knot then eventually cut it. There were some other factors that needed to be taken into account however, if the wound had completely healed and so forth if he needed to put a cream on it afterwards to make sure it continues healing and doesn't get infected by putting some Derby Portland on it. 

Doom had stood there removing the stitches with the scissors to cut it and with the tweezers to pull it out.

"We really appreciate the help, Doctor. Going to a civilian wasn't really an option, you know? Too many questions, too much paperwork. How long have you-" Chelsea said, but with DoctorDoom pulling out another stitch...

"Ow!" She said in pain.

Nobody said this was gonna be a smooth job.

"How about we hit the track after this? There's a race this afternoon, pretty big one. Be fun, don't you think? Get dressed up, have a few cocktails, watch the ponies run? Invitation goes to you as well, Doc."

"You a betting man?" Fio stated.

"Well, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't enjoy a horse race every now and then, but sure. I'm all game after we remove these poor stitches, must've been a mean predicament you've gotten yourself into, huh?" Doom asked, a little sense of humor every now and then didn't hurt.

"I do need a favor done, though. Someone's been borrowing money from me and well, hasn't paid back what their due, consider this a bill that they well... haven't paid for. You guys look pretty energetic, willing to get your hands dirty? Might walk out with a nice bit of cash..." Doom offered, he had yanked out another stitch loose at this point.

"Mind if I smoke in here?.. Well she smokes in here?" Fio asked.

"Go ahead. I wouldn't mind a bit." Doom replied, he could see the two of them being some good business partners.

She didn't know if he quite understood which kind of smoke Fio had been talking about, but he didn't say anything when Fio slid a joint from the outer pocket of Chelsea's purse and lit it for her. She accepted it and hit it hard when he offered it to her, the paper burning brightly and crackling in the quiet room. Another inhale like the first, and she immediately felt more at ease. Moments later, the last stitch was pulled free, and a slight tug of a zipper had Doom politely readjusting her dress. Chelsea shifted her shoulders around, and sighed with relief when nothing caught on the fabric. Handing the joint to Fio, she slid down off of the table and glanced between the two men.

"Off to the races, then? Actually, I could eat...I'm famished," she grinned.

Doom recommended a steakhouse not far from the track in question. As Chelsea dug into a well-done steak that had so much steak sauce on it that you couldn't identify the cut of meat, he fleshed out the details. Who owed how much, where the money was kept, and when would be the ideal time to recover it.

John Tiegs always had loved the ponies. Unfortunately, he'd never had the charisma or wherewithal to score a bank loan to finance a track. A loan shark had been his only option, but extension after extension had only found Tiegs in a nicer car, a bigger house, and a prettier wife. Ponies could run, but debtors could not. You can't outrun the mob, especially with a hundred large of their cash.

Doom had been tasked with teaching Tiegs a lesson and re-appropriating the money, by any means necessary. He'd planted a couple of his people inside of the track, and knew that the best time for the take would be during the last race of the day. Everyone would have their attention on the ponies, and the noise level would be at its peak. Tiegs wouldn't be in the stands, no. He liked to stay locked in his office with all the money collected that day, with one guard on the door, and another in the hall. All three carried guns, but as far as anyone knew, Tiegs had never fired one in his life.

Chelsea lifted a forkful of baked potato, stained brown by the lake of steak sauce it had been resting in.

"What kind of message are we talking about sending, here, Doc? You just wanting the hundred grand back, see him roughed up a little? Or are you cleaning him out? 'Cuz you know that'll shut him down permanently, losing all the wagered money. Hell, someone else is apt to kill him for you," she smirked, then took a bite.

Fiorenzo’s lip curled up slightly to form a small grin. He watched the relaxation wash over Chelsea. She was still pretty energetic when she was stoned. When she handed him the joint he instinctively put it to his lips and hit it. That was new. He wondered if he was picking up her habits now. It probably had a lot to do with all of it they smoked in that hotel room in Florence trying to keep his mind off his own leg. The first hit gave him the what-the-hell mentality needed to take another. He raised his eyebrows to Doom and offered it across the table.

“Won’t forget that one, Doom.”For a moment he stared over at the doctor. Fiorenzo respected the man. He would be happy to help him out in return. “Dirty hands and cash always lead to the best of times. I’d love to hear more.”

Fiorenzo looked Chelsea over after she slid to the floor. She had hated the stitches being there, and it didn’t help that she had no idea their origin. The scene flashed through his mind for moment. Her hand had been buried so far into Capriana’s abdomen you would think she was an amateur doctor herself. The mention of food brought him back to reality. A nice steak would be great. There was nothing like a good meal before going off to ruin someone’s day- their life even.

***

They cooked his filet to a perfect medium. Fiorenzo was distracted though. He barely noticed the excellent quality that the chef’s at Forester’s had put into their meal. The smoke from earlier had him eating at quite the pace. A couple times he glanced over at Chelsea’s plate and laughed inwardly. He wasn’t so sure she liked steak as much as she did the sauce.

He listened to the details. The three of them shouldn’t have a problem with this. How well did Doom know his informants though? He hadn’t known the doctor long enough to have a feel for the situation. It didn’t matter. He didn’t want trapped in an office down a corridor either. At least those tight quarters made their guns less useful. Fiorenzo liked the idea of storming in there as the last race took off. There would be some pissed off gamblers tonight.

“Let’s hope the bastard isn’t smart enough to be paranoid already.”

He tossed his napkin over his half eaten meal. The talk of business had turned his mind from food. Fiorenzo grabbed for his the glass of pinot grigio. It should be obvious that the money wouldn’t just keep coming. It always amazed him how dumb someone could be with just a little power. It must feel great for this Tiegs right now. He is on top of the world. All that money flowed into his pockets. Fiorenzo smiled. He hoped they would clean him out for good.

The waiter came by and offered him another glass of wine. Normally he wouldn’t drink before anything like this. Was it the atmosphere of the steakhouse? Maybe it was the joint Chelsea had passed him earlier at the Doom’s place? He gave the go ahead for another glass. The waiter must have felt odd how quiet the table went when he got close. The man was smart though. He kept his distance. He knew how good a tip you could receive if you gave the right amount of attention and distance to a group like this.

With all the conversation that's been going on, he was glad he didn't need to do any surgery since it required to cut someone up and well dig deeper, but with all that negative thinking it was gonna get him nowhere since after all it was just a bunch of stitches that needed removing, usually he was expecting for some poor guy to be strolling in here with a bullet in his chest or lodged up somewhere else. DoctorDoom had finished removing the last stitch and no doubt that gave Chelsea some relief since the job was done; setting the tools down on the counter where he had gotten them from last.

Doom had adjusted Chelsea's dress after they were done making sure nothing got caught on the fabric. Was the least thing he could thing after they were nice enough to invite the doctor himself out to a horse race and then somewhere to eat afterwards, Doom started to unbutton his coat and slide it right off like it was nothing. No point in overdoing himself when it was hot today, letting the coat rest out on a bench, what revealed underneath was a nice suit, the doctor did well for himself despite the circumstances.

"Off to the races, then? Actually, I could eat...I'm famished." Chelsea stated as she slid off the so called operating table.

"I know a steakhouse not far from here. Really good food, it's my usual go-to place when I don't feel like cooking or just wanna go out somewhere with a friend." DoctorDoom stated.

When Fio had offered a joint, Doom raised his hand and politely refused.

"No thank you, heh." DoctorDoom said with a grin.

"Off we go then." DoctorDoom had left his coat on the bench and walked out with the duo, but his housemate Sofia was just passing by.

"Going out for a bit, take care of things for me here will you?" Sofia nodded as they were on the way out. Usually, he didn't have to remind her but it never hurt honestly, just something that keeps the brain jogging.

The trio drove out to the steakhouse that Doom had recommended. They were sat down and were quickly served with the food they had ordered, nothing like a good steak before you go off to possibly kill someone, digging into his steak he had lifted the piece of meat up to his mouth and began to chew. The place was busy as per usual with people coming in and out but then you also have your usual rowdy people that like to spark up the establishment, can either be good or bad depending on how the situation plays out.

"What kind of message are we talking about sending, here, Doc? You just wanting the hundred grand back, see him roughed up a little? Or are you cleaning him out? 'Cuz you know that'll shut him down permanently, losing all the wagered money. Hell, someone else is apt to kill him for you." Chelsea had stated.

Doom set down his silverware and started to give it some thought.

"Well, let's think about it. If I kill him, that's one less person I get to suck off money from, you know? I'm thinking about it for the long run; so we'll fuck him up and take his money, that way it's fun, right?" DoctorDoom grinned.

"Let’s hope the bastard isn’t smart enough to be paranoid already."

"Of course not, he won't see it coming." Doom had stated in response to Fio's statement.

No doubt the waiter had chills crawling up his spine every time he had approached the table to take away plates so they can be cleaned later on, but a good amount of hush-hush money made everyone silent, they just received double of what they usually get on the paycheck, would certainly keep the right people quiet.

"You've been there yourself, then, Doc?" Chelsea was trying to see the layout in her head, and reached inside her purse for some scrap paper and a pen. "Maybe you could sketch it out for us? Fio and I are at a disadvantage here since we've never visited the track," she said, sliding the pen and paper across the tablecloth towards him. DoctorDoom picked up the pen immediately and set to work drawing an outline of the building that overlooked the racetrack itself. As the ink laid to paper, she leaned back a bit so that Fio could see it too. Semi-circular, with betting booths off to the right near the entrance from the parking lot, a long hall that gave way onto several private rooms with a view of the track on the lowest floor for the not-so-big spenders who had a little extra cash to burn and didn't want to sit out in the elements. Following those, restrooms and storage rooms. The last room, anchoring the building on the end, was Tiegs' office, where the money waited while the largest race was run. A door at the end of that hallway spilled onto the private employee parking lot. 

Chelsea grinned when she saw that door. No backtracking through the building against a wave of either very happy or very pissed off people. Fewer witnesses. The waiter was back again, a tray of cocktails held aloft, and Doom's hand casually fell upon the scrap paper before the waiter even knew it was there.

A fresh round of drinks had arrived, which gave them all pause. They hadn't ordered them. 

"Compliments of the house, Doctor. The owner sends his regards and hopes that you and your guests have enjoyed your meals," the waiter said with a large smile, as he carefully placed the drinks down in front of them and hurried off again to leave them in private. Chelsea blinked, then relaxed back into her seat. Of course they knew and respected him, he was a regular here. No reason to panic. He'd probably taken out the owner's kid's appendix or something. 

No bill arrived, but none of them really expected one at that point. The steak had been outstanding, but now Chelsea sort of wished she'd gone  all in and ordered the lobster. Glancing over at Fio, who was staring at his second, untouched beverage and obviously wondering if it was even a good idea to drink it, she spoke up.

"Anything else we're forgetting, Cucciolo?" 

"Only dessert."

Fiorenzo answered her with his eyes still on the two full glasses of pinot grigio. You could see the mental coin flip reflected across his face. He grabbed for the first glass to show up and took a long sip. He felt uncomfortable here all the sudden. His eyes darted to their waiter. The man was staring over at them.  Fiorenzo met his gaze. The two stared at each other for a moment from across the room. Fiorenzo's leer must have won the silent battle. The waiter took off towards the kitchen.

His hand, with the wine glass in tow, gestured to the impromptu blueprint Doom had drawn up for them. He smiled. If they somehow fucked this up, Fiorenzo hoped it was just for good. This job should go down smooth. It made him nervous.

"So we need the car ready out that door there?  Let's go get the good doctor his money. The first guard needs handled before the one at the door knows what is going on here. I also don't want to open a door with a terrified man holding a gun on the other side. Soon as those hooves start thundering, we move in quick." 

Fiorenzo looked over to Doom. It was nice to have a doctor on board. He didn't want to have to use him. His left leg still had that constant burn. He kept himself distracted from it. If not, his mind would let the burning sensation roar into a fire.

Fiorenzo finished the glass and set it to the table next to its full counterpart. He snatched up that one after a glance at the paper once more. This was going to be easy right?  His glass raised to the middle of the table. This would form a nice buzz for him. Post time on the last race was an hour away, but they needed to get into position.

"To unpaid bills and the fun they can give their collectors. Saluti!"

A few clinks of glass and a some tossed down hundreds later, the trio made their way to the exit. The ride from Forester's to Fourberie Downs was a short jaunt. The way over Fiorenzo kept pulling out his stiletto switchback. He didn't release the blade, but his thumb kept teasing the switch. Doom parked the car. Fiorenzo looked at the lot. This place was not the employees lot. It was packed. John Tiegs needed to get his ducks in a row. There was no reason he couldn't pay his bills. Gamblers didn't win every day. There were too many people here for it to be a bit of bad luck. He understood why Doom wasn't worried about the man's life. If he didn't pay then, he was never going to do so later. 

It was nice to have the place in his sights. It was close to what he envisioned- maybe a little smaller. Fiorenzo slid his blade back into his pocket. There was still twenty minutes to spare. Doom had parked in a good spot. They could get out of the lot quickly from here. Problem was they would likely be exiting from the other side of the building. The employee lot had a new gate recently installed. They could slip around back maybe? None of them seemed like they wanted to reevaluate.

"Let's try not to turn this race into a stampede. Angry gamblers don't have much left to lose. Most would come out ahead in a coffin anyways."

DoctorDoom was just sitting there, thinking, the two conversed about dessert but Doom was in another world for a few minutes before snapping back to reality when they asked him to sketch the place. He shook his head and began to take out paper and pen, beginning to start his somewhat artistic drawing. He had to adjust his position with the pen every now and then to make a different set of the building then he moved onto the lot and let it off there, setting the pen into his pocket and staring at the drawing he just made, it wasn't perfect but it was easy on the eyes and understandable, but it was more practice for him.

He waited for the drawing to sink in as Doom cut into the last half of his steak and continue eating. The trio were caught by surprise with the whole set of drinks being placed on the table, they were confused as no one ordered that many but the waiter had a smile on his face but Doom himself couldn't think of a whole reason on why it'd be on the house as the waiter stated, so he sat back and gave it some thought as the memory of him taking the owner's kid's appendix after he was involved in some accident a few days ago, long before Chelsea and fio ever came along.

It was odd since there wasn't a bill placed yet but probably the whole order was free. Talk about a surprise that you're not expecting but if you were expecting it wouldn't be a surprise, also puts a frown on your face at the thought that you could've gone all in with a buffet there and then free of charge, probably another favor another time. Fio kept a smile on his face despite his leg giving him the act, Doom noticed his leg acting up long before they had left his house but he didn't wanna ask, sooner or later he was gonna have to though since it was probably annoying.

Doom finished his glass of whiskey but since there was another round of drinks, would be shame to let them go to waste. He set the empty glass down on the table and grabbed another full glass that was just sitting there, the race was almost over and they had a job to do soon. The trio clanked glasses together and waited for the race to finish before they got up and left but before Doom was out of the door, there was still that little bit of steak left. He jogged back and ate the last bit of steak before dropping the silverware on the plate then quickly walking back to the exit, they were off.

Doom drove off to the target building and parked up in a real good spot just across the street in a lot to case the place in person but there was a new gate installed which could prove troublesome but they didn't have to backtrack once they went inside the building, there was only one entrance and a single exit people could pile out of it and it would be easier for them since they couldn't be intercepted unless people were waiting outside the door which would take some psychic planning.

"Let's try not to turn this race into a stampede. Angry gamblers don't have much left to lose. Most would come out ahead in a coffin anyways." Fio stated.

DoctorDoom couldn't help but share a small grin.

"Let's go then." Doom said as he reached for his pistol on the dashboard and tucked it into his jacket, had to be prepared for the worst.

Three mafioso waltzed through the main entrance to the race track, ill intentions on their minds. The lines to the betting windows had dissipated; the thundering sounds of horse hooves hitting soft-packed dirt reverberated through the building and vibrated the floor. 

The last race had started. They only had minutes to pull this off.

Tick, tock.

Chelsea took the lead, immediately heading towards the hallway. She passed the first guard and headed towards the restrooms, which were closer to the second guard and the door to the office. With a wobble and a twist, she went down to the floor, sending one of her heels skidding towards the second guard's feet. Gasping loudly, she reached for her ankle as he rushed over to help her.

"I...I think I've sprained it," she whined, her free hand coming down on his shoulder. He wasn't the best security guard; all thoughts of keeping eyes on the office door and his surroundings in the hallway flew out the window. Chelsea didn't know if it was just good manners, or the view he was getting of her thighs from this angle, but it didn't matter. She was going to play to it either way. 

"Can you stand? Here, let me help you," he said, slipping an arm around her waist. She tried for dead weight, making him work for it as it took an eon for him to get her vertical again. Leaning into him heavily, she hid a smirk. He was guiding her right into the office!

"Right this way, Ma'am. You can sit down in here for a moment," he said, reaching for keys to unlock the door. Chelsea risked a look over his shoulder back down the hallway; Fio hadn't wasted a second. He was in the process of shoving one of the storage doors closed. it must have been a small one; he was shoving pretty hard and there was already a puddle of red crawling out from under the door. Both she and Fio stared at it a moment; nothing to do for it, really. They needed to keep moving.

Tick, tock.

As the door in front of her opened, she saw Tiegs behind his desk, a look of suspicious confusion on his face.

"What the hell are you doing? She can't be in h-"

"The lady is hurt, Boss. I'm just getting her a chair," the guard said, cutting him off. Chelsea noticed his hand was still on her, even after he'd helped her into one of the seats. She didn't want to have to kill him, but he was in the way. Fio and Doom were surely just outside the doorway now, waiting.

Tick, tock.

"Ice?" Chelsea asked politely, staring up at the guard. "If you could just fetch me some ice, I'll be out of your way," she smiled up at him.

"Oh, of course, of course!" He stammered, backing away and into the hall. She may have just sent him to his demise, but that wasn't her concern. All those stacked bills, carefully separated into neat piles upon Tiegs' desk...THAT was her concern.

Fourberie Downs was alive. The energy of the last race was palpable. So many people thought they were about to hit their big break or lose the last of their money for the day. The three of them weren’t just ruining one man’s day here. They didn’t have long. Fiorenzo’s eyes scanned across the betting booths. None of the workers seemed too interested. They probably just wanted to get this last rush through with and head home. Their day was about to change for sure.

Chelsea took the lead, and the first guard had taken notice. Fiorenzo reached for his switchback as the guard’s head turned in swivel with his wife. It was hard not to get distracted by Chelsea right now. She put on a show for the second guard. That man’s greedy hand slipped around Chelsea’s waist. His fingers sprawled out and groped at her. Fiorenzo’s thumb instantly triggered his blade with a sharp click.

The man died with a jealous look on his face. He wanted to be the one with his hands on that broad. The click must have caught his attention. He turned; Fiorenzo’s blade slid across the front of his throat in a quick flash. His left hand gripped over the man’s mouth tight and pushed him against the wall.  The two stared back at one another for a brief moment. Fiorenzo could see the man’s look change from fright to anger to acceptance. The two hazel eyes, that stared at him as he died, never changed. They were cold and disinterested.

Fiorenzo looked back at the doctor with a shrug. He put his blade away, and opened a small closet door the guard was posted by. The damn thing had too many shelves to fit him. “Entra lì cazzo!” He snarled out in hushed anger. The door clicked shut. He looked straight to his wife. Should he have left that man to live? It didn’t matter at this point. They were here for one thing. That guy would have been headed for the office soon anyways.

The door shut behind the oaf guard and his faux damsel. Fiorenzo looked at Doom for a split second as they both made for the doorway. “He would have been problems.” Fiorenzo didn’t notice all the blood all over his own jacket. He was just focused on making sure Chelsea wasn’t in danger now. They made for the door. Fiorenzo moved passed the door quickly when he noticed the handle start to turn. It opened and the guard let it shut behind him.

His eyes focused on Doom for a moment. He then looked passed him to the growing pool down the hallway.

“Is that-“ Fiorenzo drove his stiletto blade down behind the man’s collar bone. It drove in deep into his chest cavity from above. Fiorenzo's other arm wrapped around his neck and pulled him in close. The dying man reached back and tore for anything he could grasp. His fingernails dug into Fiorenzo’s side and scraped away the first few layers of skin. “Sonno bastardo.” Fiorenzo cooed into his ear as he twisted and pushed the knife as hard as his white knuckled grip would allow.

The man slowly went to the floor and his hand let loose from Fiorenzo. He had followed him to the ground. Fiorenzo stood back up and kicked the lump on the ground. He spit down on him, as he cleaned his blade on the man’s pant leg. His eyes darted to Doom then to the door.

“I think Tiegs is waiting for you.”

They really didn’t have much time now.

Like every other job Doom had been on, regardless if he was alone or with company, he'd hope that it'd go off without a hitch but of course the trio were gonna have to get their hands dirty. After they exited the vehicle, they made their way to the entrance leading to the race tracks and like the mobsters they were, they strolled in like if they owned the place. Everyone was sitting down watching as the horses race on the track while their hooves slam the dirt and people cheer them on. Shame they were all on a job, sometimes relaxing with how hot it is today wouldn't kill them. Literally anyway.

But they were late as this was the last race for the day. So speed was the priority in getting this done, how they say slow and smooth gets the job done, sometimes you'd have to speed things up just to beat the clock because time is neither your ally or your enemy. Just something there to speed up the day that leads into the next, and the next, and the next. Every second, hour, week, month, year gets you closer to meet death which is an inevitability for everyone, regardless of their position in this world.

The long day had worn out the guards and when Chelsea took the lead, the first guard out of the rest happened to take notice but didn't care much when Chelsea passed by, no doubt he gave her a look because she was beautiful. Fio was a lucky man but Doom wasn't so fortunate to gamble with luck so early in his life. As she proceeded past the restrooms, Doom and Fio were right behind her; the first guard stood up just as Fio dug his switchblade into the man's next and died slowly as he collapsed and of course they didn't have time to clean it up so they walked right past.

The second guard was guarding the office so this was gonna take something to distract him, which Chelsea was just getting to it as he started wobbling her foot on purpose and fell right in front of the guy, of course the acting was an A plus so the guard instantly went over to check on her as she complained that she sprained it. Though, the guy seemed to be enjoying himself as he was trying to get a view of her thighs just from up close, thinking he was gonna be lucky saving a gal who just hurt herself, or did she? Guiding her up from the floor, the fool was leading her right into the office which was the goal.

The guard sat her down but they were out of the view for the duo for the mean time. Hopefully Chelsea got settled down in that office since the guard was about to make his way back out, they both hid and when the guy took notice of the growing blood pool that was creeping down the hallway.

"Is that..." Were the words the man said out before Fio dug his switchblade into the man's spine, brutal, but it got the job done. His facial expressions switching from one mood to another before he eventually accepted his fate. That was pretty much the last guy standing between Doom and Tiegs.

"I think Tiegs is waiting for you." Stated Fio as he finished cleaning the blade on the man's pant leg.

"Then we should visit." Doom replied.

The duo entered and Tiegs looked up at the office door.

"Can you hurry up with the f-" Tiegs paused in his sentence as it wasn't his guard coming back. But the man definitely wasn't expecting DoctorDoom.

"Tiegs! Listen, where's my money? You know the money that you've been holding back on for the past two weeks now and I've been very grateful to you by extending your deadline, but you seem to be taking advantage of my kindness and the last thing I need is someone taking me for granted. You know, you should never judge a book by it's cover. I have my demons, you have yours, but only one comes out as the victor in this one."

"I was gonna pay you! Uh, uh..." The man couldn't even mutter words.

Doom walked up to the desk and launched a firm right hook into the man's jawline and then began to send a left hook into the man's temple. It put him into a daze and eventually with a final punch, he was knocked out on the chair. The stacks of cash that were stacked neatly in different piles was just sitting there, but you know, he had his demons as he said. Doom stated before he was gonna have him fucked up after all, there was a cut or two on the man's face after he was done.

He started to take the cash that were in piles and stuffed them into his jacket and where he could store them for the meantime. Time was running out and they needed to leave if they wanna escape the public eye and avoid being confronted by the cops. Doom beckoned for the two to leave out the doorway and he followed right behind by closing the door. The race was over by the time they passed the bathrooms, as this point they had to speed-walk out and they finally made it to the entrance.

Doom dug into his jacket and began to pull out two stacks, for the both of them. What kind of man would he be if he gotten help without paying? He held the stacks out and they grabbed it in joy, it was pretty much triple of what anyone else earns out here.

"Split up. I'm sure we'll meet one another again, was nice working with you." Doom started to adjust his collar as he walked off to his car.