CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Jesus, what have we discovered. First they’re hunting animals who have no hope of escape and now they’re collecting animals to use in the ring?” whispered Kev.
“You have to remember that in many South American countries they’re still bull fighting, stabbing a bull multiple times for a kill,” said Blake. “I hate it but it’s cultural.”
“Yes, but putting lions, rhinos, tigers, elephants and other animals in a massive ring and pitting them against men is vastly different,” said Ham. He turned to look at Josh. “How are they selecting these men?”
“It’s women too,” he frowned. “Anyone who has wronged Marco or owes him money. He literally sees himself as Ceaser or some shit. They’ll get armor, or at least what looked like armor and they’ll have access to swords, some sort of curved blade looking thing, a huge net that weighs a ton, it’s all insane.
I thought she could tell animals what to do and he thought… ”
“He thought he could bet on the games and win every time,” frowned Zane. “You figured she’d tell the animal to win or lose, drop down or kill, and every damn time Marco would win.”
“Y-yes,” he said lowering his head.
“Did you despise me so much that you would turn me over to a man like that? First it’s helping to get his drugs into the country, then it’s this? Why would you ever believe that I would do something so disturbing?”
“You weren’t going to have a choice,” he said staring at her. The sound of flesh on flesh was so loud, every man in the room turned to see if Josh was still sitting in his chair. Blake’s handprint vividly made itself known in red, while Josh pursed his lips cursing her under his breath.
“You were turning me over to my death. Yes, I can speak to the animals but I cannot force them to do anything. Like all creatures they have minds of their own. They know what’s right or wrong.
If you starved the animals, beat them, they would fight to survive or get a meal but you’re mistaken if you believe I can control that. ”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m a dead man now. You fucked up the drugs coming in and he’s losing money. Whether he kills me or you kill me, he’ll still come for you and no one, not these big goons, no one will stop him.”
The men stared at one another with a slight upturn of their lips. Then, Kev bellowed with laughter and shook his head leaning over Josh. He gripped his throat, leaning so closely he could count the hairs on the man’s chin.
“You idiot. There are hundreds of us ready to defend her. Where you are, doesn’t even exist on a map. And you’re right. You’ll be dead by our hands before the sun sets.”
“Blake! Blake, come on, honey. I was a good stepdad,” he pleaded.
“Good? You beat my mother on a regular basis only because she threatened you if you touched me. You followed me, you hovered, you called me names, all to make yourself feel better. You weren’t a good stepfather.
You weren’t even a decent stepfather. You were just a man in the house taking up space. ”
Josh stared at her, then noticed that Zane was holding her hand. He burst out laughing, shaking his head.
“Hold her hand all you want, big man. Once Marco gets a hold of her, there will be nothing left.”
“Zane, take her home,” said Ham. “We’ve got some business to finish.”
Zane nodded, taking her hand and heading out the back door. The others turned to stare at the man, waiting for their cue. When Trak walked in, he had not only Alvin at his feet, but also Oscar and Hank.
“Wh-what are you doing?” stammered Josh.
“You’re so fond of animals, we thought we’d introduce you to a few of our favorites.
Alvin over there is highly effective at taking out the trash.
In fact, he doesn’t leave one little scrap for anyone to find.
Oscar and Hank, they’re new to all this but they definitely enjoy their outings with Alvin. ”
“And him?” he said nodding toward Trak. “Does he tell them what to do? Does he talk to animals too?” Ham laughed, shaking his head.
“Nope. He just gets out of their way.”