her behind him. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s willing to square up with anyone, and I respect the hell out of him for it.
Brody must be walking toward her, but Maximo taking the microphone that hangs from the ceiling grabs everyone’s attention.
“Tonight’s fight is going to be a little different. Jo, will you please enter the ring.”
“What the fuck!” I sneer, taking a step forward to stop her when Reaper’s hand lands on my shoulder. “This was not part of the plan!” I yank my arm away and watch as Braveheart helps her to the stage. “She’s scared. She’s fucking pregnant, Reaper. I would think out of all people, you’d give a fuck about that. The stress isn’t good.”
“Listen to me…” Reaper grips me by my shirt and slams me against the wall. “This is why I can’t share with you. You’re too involved.”
“Brody Andrews, please step into the ring. Give me my money while you’re at it,” Maximo orders Brody with a big grin on his face.
I can wait to peel Brody’s lips off with my scalpel. I hate how he’s looking at her.
“Keep him locked down,” Reaper orders Tongue who grips my arms so hard, I swear my bones threaten to break. Reaper scolds me with a twisted expression on his face before walking away and stomping toward Braveheart.
“Don’t make me cut your tongue out, Doc. I like you.”
Bastard. He would too.
“We have a special fight planned for you tonight,” Maximo announces, and Jo takes a step back until she hits the side of the cage. Brody is inching into her space.
He must say something that pisses her off, because in the next instance she whacks him between the legs with her crutch, then slams the other across his face.
Kick his ass, Jo-love! That’s what I really want to say, but I have my orders, and I need to keep my mouth shut until it’s my turn.
The crowd roars with glee, stomping the metal bleachers with anticipation. This type of crowd wants blood, they want torment, they want pain. They give over a hefty dollar amount, and it’s only right that they get a show.
Reaper comes on stage next, followed by Braveheart, and the cocky smile is wiped from Brody’s face.
Maximo takes the microphone again. “Everyone here, you know Brody. One of the managers who takes your money. He’s been naughty, skimming cash from the top and stealing from me. Not only that, but he took advantage of poor Jo. Drugged her. Raped her. And left her to be forgotten,” Maximo tsks, and Jo squeezes her eyes shut with embarrassment as her dirty laundry is aired out for entertainment.
“Fuck you. I’m not going to let you embarrass her,” I try to pull free from Tongue, and he holds his knife to my neck.
“Move an inch, and see what happens,” Tongue warns.
The crowd boos Brody and throws bottles at the cages.
“Kill him!”
“Feast on his flesh!”
“Skin him!”
“Have her do it!”
The crowd yells over one another, and when Brody tries to make a run for it, Tool is in the doorway, blocking him.
“You see, Brody. She was under the protection of the Ruthless Kings, and they’re here, not only for payback, but for the hit you called on them.” Maximo drops the microphone, leaving it to swing in the air.
Reaper grabs Brody behind the back of his neck with one hand then grabs the microphone in the other, the silver speaker glittering in the yellow light of the illegal arena. “Swallow it,” his deep voice beckons across the ring, the pebbles on the surface of the ground trembling from the powerful baritone.
Brody whimpers and tries to beg, but Reaper doesn’t let him go. He wraps the cord of the microphone around Brody’s neck and tightens it. “I said swallow it, you filthy bitch,” Reaper states, shoving the pill to the back of Brody’s throat. “Good boy.” Reaper smiles proudly, slapping Brody’s face. “Now we wait.”
“What did you do to me?” he asks into the microphone, and his voice breaks as the drug begins to affect him.
Reaper points at me, narrowing his dark gaze as he crooks his finger.
Like I need to be told twice. I run toward the entrance of the ring and forget everyone else, moving straight to Jo. “You okay, baby?” I cup her face and lay a kiss on her lips.
A sound of sickening laughter follows behind me.
“I’m fine. I just want this over,” she says, unable to meet my eyes. She doesn’t need to be