God of War: From Fool to Fury

chapter 4

Tracy's mom was fuming at her for accepting the challenge. She angrily stood up and glared at her. "You are just very stupid, and I assure you, you will regret this—getting yourself killed."

Tracy gulped, feeling lost and confused as her mom stormed out.

Dylan nodded. "Well, maybe it's for the best. If Bryan gets himself killed, that would keep him away from this family!"

Fiona added, "Yeah, my worry is about Tracy, blindly trusting some useless fellow who's giving her false hope just because he wants to impress her."

That was how Tracy felt too, but when Bryan told her to have confidence in him, she allowed herself to believe.

Bryan said, "I think we should stop talking and go collect the loan."

Mr. Collins just nodded and told them, "Yeah, go..."

Bryan added again, "Go get yourself killed."

Bryan and Tracy held each other's hands as they walked out of the room. Tracy inhaled the fresh air outside. She turned to Bryan. "Is this going to be possible?"

"Believe in me," was all Bryan said. She nodded as they made their way to the casino bully. Tracy was scared.

Meanwhile, Tracy's mom had called Dustin. Dustin was Tracy's suitor, the heir of a very rich family. He loved Tracy and would do anything to impress her and her family, but Tracy didn’t have any feelings for him.

Tracy's mom told him about the debt and asked if he would help. He agreed to do so.

After some minutes of driving, Tracy and Bryan arrived at the casino. Tracy was so scared and anxious, she wondered what was making Bryan so calm and composed.

"Everything will be okay," he assured her again before stepping out of the car. Meanwhile, Fiona had been behind them all this time.

She grinned as she followed closely, eager to watch how Bryan and Tracy would be embarrassed. She didn’t want to miss the fun part.

As they entered the dimly lit casino room, Tracy's heart raced. Bryan squeezed her hand in reassurance.

They moved toward the back, where the notorious casino bully, Mason, a dangerous man, sat in a plush leather chair, his arm draped casually around a n***d woman who was laughing softly, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his chest as he played with her n*****s. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and cigarette smoke.

“What the fvck is this? What the fvck are people barging in here for and ruining my fun?" he growled.

Suddenly, Fiona appeared, sensing the tension in the room.

Mason pulled out a g*n and threw the woman off him. "I asked you a question! Who the hell are you, and how dare you barge in?"

Fiona quickly moved toward him, clearing her throat. "I'm just here to look after the business," she said, casting a quick, dismissive glance at Bryan and Tracy. "Looks like these two thought they could waltz in here and collect a debt." Her tone was thick with contempt.

"What?" Mason was puzzled.

"They're surely here to collect the Archival family's debt," she said, smirking.

Mason turned his head, his fiery gaze settling on Bryan and Tracy. His smirk grew wider as he leaned back, still holding the woman close. "A debt, huh?" he drawled, eyeing Bryan up and down. "Don't tell me you're here to actually collect that."

"We're here for what you owe," Bryan said steadily, locking eyes with Mason. "I think it’s common sense that what's owed should be paid."

Tracy could feel her face burning, but Bryan remained calm. He let go of her hand, stepping forward with confidence.

Mason let out a bark of laughter, then looked over at Fiona. "What's this i***t talking about?" he asked, amused.

Fiona folded her arms. "Actually, he was an i***t until this evening, so I think that’s probably what's bothering him."

Mason nodded. "I think so. What's the plan? You think walking into this place with nothing but your stupid courage is going to get you what you want? Pathetic."

Bryan didn’t flinch. His expression remained cool, almost unfazed. "I believe in the logic of repaying what you owe."

Mason grinned, clearly enjoying the show. "Logic, huh?" He stood up slowly, towering over Bryan. "Let me give you a lesson in my kind of logic." He gestured to the g*n now resting in his hand, his fingers dancing dangerously close to the trigger. "The only logic around here is that one shot of this thing would make a hole in your head, and you'd die."

Fiona snorted. "He's too stupid to understand that. Bryan's been running on pure idiocy for too long. You should just put him out of his misery, Mason. He’s not worth the trouble." She glanced at Tracy, her lip curling in disgust. "And to think you actually trust this useless fool. Now tell me what he’s going to do here."

"Just leave while I'm still being nice. I'm not giving you a dime, nigga," Mason said, leaning back in his seat.

"We're not leaving until you pay your debt," Bryan said, so composed that even Tracy was amazed.

"See, he’s an arrogant pauper, just bluffing!" Fiona stated.

Mason smirked, stretching his arms and cracking his knuckles. "Repay the money? You’re out of your goddamn mind. I ain't paying sh*t, boy. You think you're some kind of hero? The only thing you're gonna get is a beating."

Bryan’s eyes hardened. "You owe, and you will pay, or else, you will regret it."

Mason leaned forward, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Regret? I'll tell you something, smart guy. Around here, I don’t owe anyone. You come into my domain, you play by my rules. And my rules say you ain't getting a single cent."

Bryan didn't even flinch.

Mason chuckled, low and menacing. "Oh, you ain't leaving, alright. I'll make you crawl out of here." He snapped his fingers, and out of the shadows came a dozen hulking thugs. They surrounded Bryan and Tracy, cracking their knuckles, swinging bats, and tossing knives between their hands.

Bryan knew they'd been nearby, hearing the commotion. Mason sneered. "Boys, cripple him and make him crawl out of here. Teach them a lesson."

"I got dibs on the chick," another thug sneered, l*****g his lips as he leered at Tracy.

Bryan stepped in front of her protectively, his voice firm. "You touch her, and I swear—"

Fiona scoffed. "Swear what? Always bluffing. He's useless and dragged her into this. I can't wait for them to beat both of you!"

Mason dismissed them. "Do whatever you want with them. Make them regret coming to the most dangerous den."

The thugs closed in on them with Bryan standing protectively in front of Tracy, not showing any sign of weakness.

At that tense moment, Mason's phone rang.

Bryan chuckled. "I think you should pick that up."

Mason frowned, wondering what it could be. When he checked the phone, it was from their boss—the overall leader of all casinos in the state. He rarely called, and when he did, it was never a good thing.

Shivering, Mason reluctantly picked it up.

"Boss?"

"Hey! Has he arrived at the casino?"