best bored expression while inwardly ripping his throat out for the way he always used my full name when seeing me again. Not that it was disrespectful, just fucking pointless. I had better things to do than listen to his voice.
“Moritze.”
His eyes narrowed just a fraction because, unlike him, I only gave respect to those who deserved it, and this son of a bitch was not someone I addressed on a first name basis.
Recovering from the subtle reminder that he wasn’t on a high enough level to lick my shoes, Moritze stepped aside to give me a full view of the supposed fighters behind him.
If anything, they were dead men walking, breathing corpses that didn’t know their day was coming.
One look at these punks and I could tell they weren’t hardened fighters. Not one of them showed any scars, their eyes scanning the pit like they’d stepped into a nightmare. My men would eat them alive before the first bell rang, but it was entertainment for the masses and money in my pocket. I restrained myself from telling every one of them to make final arrangements for family they may have.
Meeting Mortize’s dark gaze, I noticed the yellow tinge of his sclera and wondered if he’d been testing his own product so much that he was killing himself slowly.
“Are you fighting all three in the coming weeks?”
Moritze grinned like the question meant I was worried.
“They’ll give your people a run for their money. I promised them their choice of a slave after the fight is won.”
The three assholes laughed, their eyes sliding my direction with the lecherous desire to bend a woman to their will.
Even if they did survive the pit, Isabelle would destroy these bastards before they had a chance to pull out their cocks.
The girls were well trained, but their bodies were reserved for true warriors, not for the type of arrogant pricks that stared across at me now.
Fucking idiots. Every one of them.
“I was hoping I could show them around. Let them get acquainted with the pit.”
Sliding my gaze between all three, I returned my attention to Moritze.
“Do they know the rules?”
He smiled wider, his expression like a rabid hyena.
“I’ve explained.”
Somehow, I didn’t think whatever he told them was the absolute truth. Taking it upon myself, I eyed them again.
“Once you go in the pit and those gates close, there’s no getting out again unless you’ve killed your opponent or you’re dead. Do you understand that?”
Fucking stooges chuckled like it was all a game. They may as well have picked up a pen and signed their own death warrants.
Whatever. It was their funeral and not my first concern. My sights were set on another annoying problem, a tiny brat that had volleyed off a demand that she knew would grate on my last nerve.
Franklin may not have understood the underlying taunt in Lisbeth’s request that I show up to talk, but the intended insult couldn’t have been clearer.
Talk, like I hadn’t been permitted to do when we were younger.
Talk, as if I had anything to say to the little bitch.
I’d said all I needed to say when I’d dragged her through the halls kicking and screaming. If she didn’t get the hint already that she would do as she was told, then I had no problem raising the stakes a bit higher.
Pushing away from the wall, I clapped Benny on the shoulder.
“I’m needed at the mansion. Show these guys around, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Moritze stepped out of my way, his slimy slug crawl halting in place when I barreled past him to steal his space because he wasn’t man enough to claim it.
“I’m surprised you’re running off so fast. Was it my men that scared you?”
The asshole spoke at my back, voice pompous and full of pride he hadn’t earned. I heard the three punching bags he’d dragged in with him laughing as if they actually stood a chance.
Ignoring them, I pulled my phone from my pocket and called Colton.
“Callan,” he answered with such sleaze in his voice that I felt a sudden need for a shower.
“Have the new girls started yet?”
He paused, most likely in shock that I gave a damn what went on down there. The lower levels were his domain, and I rarely made an appearance.
Tonight, however, I had a reason.
“Just today, in fact. I’m starting them off slow. Why? Will you actually deign to grace us with your presence?”
My eyes rolled as I hit the button of my key fob and climbed