“You’re up in ten.”
I don’t turn around, but my spine stiffens at Art’s voice.
“I know.”
“Benny will be here in a minute to go over the logistics.”
“I know how to throw a fight, Art. Been doing it long before you got your spot down here.”
There’s nothing but silence behind me, but I can feel him hovering like he wants to say something. “Lance… There’ll be video of tonight.”
Video means tonight isn’t a betting night. It’s a hit job.
Someone paid to put a man in the cage with me, and they’re paying for him not to walk out. The camera captures every second, and when it’s over, Myrddin adds it to the collection—another piece of footage that ensures my leash is tight. Because on tape, there’s no context. No orders. No money changing hands. Just me, beating a man to death.
Do what they say or the tapes get leaked, and it won’t only be me who goes down, it will be every person attached to my name. Every person I love dragged through the wreckage of a violent, serial murderer.
It’s the same story, every single time.
Art clears his throat. “Did you hear me?”
I grit my teeth and ignore him.
When tonight is done, I’ll try like hell to go back to beinghisLance, the best friend who would do anything for him, but right now, it hurts that he’s the one down here, filling in the void Freddy’s death left.
I hadn’t expectedhimto play the role of my blackmailer.
He nods, and then he lingers, but I ignore him. Ihaveto, or I won’t be able to become what they need me to be.
At some point he leaves, and I’m left alone.
The door opens again, and this time I do turn, because the footsteps are hesitant.
“What do you want, Benny?”
“Protocol, you know how it is.” He steps closer. “Your opponent tonight is Kingston Brando.”
“I don’t care who he is.”
“He’s connected to the Marcolleti family out of Boston. They’ve got money on him not walking out of here.”
“So they’re paying for a body.”
I crack my neck and nod.
Fine. Fuck them, then.
“Is he any good?”
Benny tilts his head like he hasn’t thought about it. Which means they could have sold this to the poor guy as a chance to win some money in a fight. I’ll have to make it look good. I know how this goes. I give them a show and take enough damage to sell it.
Then I end it.
“Anything else?” I ask.
Benny shifts on his feet, and something flickers across his face. “How’s Tyler?”
“Stop.” My voice is icy as I cut him off. He doesn’t get to talk about my cousin. “That name doesn’t come out of your mouth.”
