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Hudson shifts on his feet. “Fuuuuuck!”
“I’m not worried. Beast’s got this,” I say firmly.
“You might want to tell that to him,” Tony adds, pointing to the cage as Beast steps into the spotlight.
“He does look worried,” Hudson comments, earning him an elbow-dig to his rib.
“It’s his game face, he’snotworried,” I retort, even though the look on his face tells me that he very much is.
Shit.
Circling each other, Beast and Derby face off. Where Beast is tense, Derby is relaxed in a way that doesn’t speak of arrogance, but confidence. He thinks he’s going to win. Beast might have the edge in height and build, but there’s no denying the fact that he doesn’t seem to intimidate this guy in the slightest.
“Dotheyknow each other?” Hudson whispers. “There’s a lot of eyeballing going on.”
“Appears that way,” I reply, and when Derby drops his chin and gives Beast the briefest of smiles, revealing a set of gold teeth, a thread of anxiety bubbles up in my stomach.
Everything feels off.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Carter says, interrupting my thoughts and drawing my attention to him as he steps into the cage. “Or should I sayGrimand gentleman…” He laughs at his own joke as a spotlight appears over my head, highlighting me to the room and the fact I’m the only female within it.
“Oh shit, he’s not going to sing you happy birthday, is he?” Hudson mutters, raising a laugh from Tony and some of the other arseholes nearby.
“Fuck,” I mutter, keeping my lips in a tight smile.
“Come on up, Grim,” Carter says, motioning me over.
I want to say no, but this is Carter and no really isn’t a word he takes kindly to. Instead, with the smile plastered on my face, I head towards the cage. All eyes are on me, and as I stride across the room, I can see the King and Rodriguez step out of Carter’s office. Rodriguez is smirking and King is watching me closely. My gut flips over.
The moment I step inside the cage Carter jerks his chin, fishing in his pocket for something. A moment later he pulls out a coin and gives me a beaming smile that’s so fake, I almost wish I’d worn shades.
“Carter?” I question softly, turning my gaze to Beast who briefly meets my eyes with an empty gaze. There’s not even a flicker of acknowledgement. My gut twists. I know he has to keep up pretences but fuck, that hurt.
“Tonight you’re all here to help celebrate my daughter’s birthday,” Carter continues, addressing the crowd and doing nothing to temper my growing unease. “Tomorrow, Grim will be turning eighteen, and as such I’ve arranged for Beast and Derby to go head-to-head, all for your viewing pleasure.” The room erupts into cheers and whistles, only quieting when Carter raises his hands. “But for tonight only we’re going to change the rules of the cage.”
I glance at Beast with a question on my face, because we all know the only rules that apply in the cage are that thereare no rules. The last man standing is the winner, that’s it.
“What?” I ask, but my question is lost amongst more cheers and whistles from the crowd. Why do I get the feeling they already know what Carter is talking about?
Pinching the coin between his finger and thumb, Carter says. “In a moment I’m going to ask Grim to toss this coin.”
“Carter?” I repeat, quieter this time.
He throws the coin to me and I catch it, frowning at the weight and the warmth. It’s one of those old sovereign coins that are no longer in circulation but are often mounted in jewellery as a nod to theold days. I wonder where he got it from.
“Tonight Beast is up against Derby, a worthy opponent,” Carter continues, dragging my attention back to him as he strides around the edge of the cage. He looks pumped. No, he lookswired. There’s a jittery kind of energy pouring off him. It’s not fear, but excitement, and I’m not a hundred percent sure it’s the natural kind. His pupils are blown wide and he’s sweating. “As usual anything goes. The only difference is that tonight we allowweapons.”
“What?” I exclaim, my eyes widening. Again I find myself looking at Beast and this time he shakes his head minutely, warning me not to protest. Swallowing hard, I bite back my concern and say nothing. Carter raises his brows, looking between us both as he notices the silent exchange.
“Grim will throw the coin. If it lands on tails, Beast will get to choose his weapon of choice first. If it falls on heads, Derby will.” He motions over his shoulder to someone in the crowd. “Bring me the weapons.”
Rodriguez steps into the cage, wearing his usual shit-eating grin. I grit my teeth, hating the way he smirks at me like he’s in on the joke and I’m the fucking punchline.
Maybe I am.
Standing between Beast and Derby, Rodriguez waits for further instruction. On the large silver tray are several weapons. Notably, a twelve inch butcher’s knife with a slightly curved blade, a pair of knuckle dusters with clawed tips, nunchucks, a crowbar and finally, a baseball bat.
Jesus Christ.
