The decision is made for me

I didn't get the opportunity to think things through any longer as the two thugs I beat up last time came closer, visibly pissed.

"We're going to teach you a lesson first, asshole." One of them said, cracking his knuckles. "You took us by surprise last time."

Antonio didn't seem to want to intervene. He and the three other men simply took a step back.

"Oh? You want more?" I raised my fists. "Fine, then."

One attacked first, throwing a punch at me. It was somewhat sloppy, nothing I couldn't predict. His only fighting experience was most likely street brawls, he never received any training. I bobbed and weaved and countered with a quick right jab to the guts. Not enough to knock him out, but enough to make him take a step back while his friend took his chance. Instead of a punch, he charged at me, trying to grapple me. I side-stepped and threw a uppercut, hitting him straight to the jaw, which was apparently enough to incapacitate him.

I still kept an eye on the other four. Antonio wasn't moving but seemed impressed. The thug I jabbed recovered and took a more defensive stance as he approached. I rushed straight towards him and stepped on his foot, using that distraction to punch him out cold as well.

Antonio clapped his hands and whistled. "Oh, really impressive. Maybe I should introduce you to the underground fighting ring. You'd become a star in no time with skills like these."

I looked at him and shook my head. "Sorry, but I'm not interested, especially after your goons tried to attack me again. They're really lacking in discipline."

"Indeed, they aren't the most obedient, but they can be quite resilient when they're not drunk." Antonio said as I got smacked in the head by something hard, knocking me onto the ground.

It hurt a lot, I had a difficult time regaining my senses, but saw the first guy I hit holding a telescopic baton. I expected a fist fight, I didn't think that they'd use weapons.

Fuck...

I wobbly tried to stand up and get my bearing back, he hit me harder than I first thought. These batons were no joke, I had to be careful. I wasn't out yet, though, I could still fight. The other guy was slowly waking back up but I had some time. I clenched my fists and carefully analyzed his stance.

He attacked me again with a vertical strike. I barely evaded it and grabbed his arm with my right hand, dropping my left elbow on it with all my strength. I was trying to incapacitate him however I could, I didn't have the luxury to let this fight drag on. He screamed in pain and dropped the baton, allowing me to punch him in the face.

I touched my forehead, I was bleeding. Hope it won't leave a scar...

Before the second guy could fully recover, I trounced on him and knocked him out for good. I needed to catch my breath, but I still had four more potential threats a few meters away, and I didn't think I'd be able to deal with them. I overestimated my strength...

"You're also pretty resilient on top of being strong, a lot of people wouldn't have been able to stand back up after being hit like this, much less keep fighting." Antonio commented, visibly pleased by the results. "You really don't want to reconsider?"

I took a step back. "No, I won't work for you."

I had an attack of vertigo and lost my balance, forcing me to kneel down. I heard Antonio and the remaining goons approaching, but I could barely move at that moment, everything spinning around me.

Come on, brain...

"Well, it's a shame. I suppose you need to be taught a lesson, then." Antonio exclaimed before another goon threw a kick in my face.

I was barely able to dodge but fell to the ground, leaving me wide open for another one to hit me. I braced myself and protected my head, but kept getting kicked and stomped for a few more minutes, the pain becoming worse and worse. I faked passing out and the relentless **** stopped. Someone took out my wallet.

"Let's bring him with us, boys." Antonio announced shortly after.

I needed to think of a way out, but I barely had any strength left. One of the men grabbed my legs, while another held my arms, and I felt a needle pierce through my left arm, someone injecting something in me. I tried to break free, but to no avail, and slowly lost consciousness.

I woke up an undetermined amount of time later, groaning in pain. I felt it, I was ****. I couldn't move, I had no strength at all and my hands were tied to a chair.

"Ah, already waking up? That didn't take long." The familiar voice of Antonio seemed to echo throughout the room even though I saw him in front of me.

Whatever **** they gave me were messing with my senses. Everything was blurry and echoing.

"I first thought of just leaving you beaten up in the park, but when I saw your ID, I decided otherwise. You're the son of the director of the Trust Corporation, aren't you? Your father appeared in the news recently."

I didn't reply.

"No need to play mute, I did some digging. Anyway, maybe we could work together in another way, now." Antonio said.

"If you're… hoping for a ransom… you chose badly. My parents… disinherited me… they would never pay anything..." I muttered despite the pain and the grogginess. I didn't know how exactly I'd be able to break free.

A knock on the door interrupted our 'conversation'. "Boss, you got an important call."

"Ah, I'll be there shortly. We'll continue later, Edward."

Antonio left the room, leaving me alone, tied up and weakened. The ropes were too sturdy, I couldn't tear them down with brute strength, especially not in my current state. I really was in a dire situation.

What can I do...?