Page 74 of Fight

It took what little will I had left not to flinch at each of Markov’s words. Because each of them hurt, every syllable a dagger that pierced my soul.

And each of them true. There was no way to deny that.

I’d looked away, but after a moment, I met Markov’s eyes again. When I saw the satisfaction there, I was momentarily frozen by a shock of hate so intense it made my vision blur.

But it faded, left behind only the empty resignation that had been there before. Best to get on with this.

“At least you’re honest,” I said. “What do you have planned for me?”

“The same thing I always have,” he said with a little smile.

I quirked a brow. “You’re going to watch your monsters beat me to death and make a few bucks off the show?”

“I’m going to help. And no bets tonight. This is for my own personal enjoyment,” he said as he began to roll up his sleeves.

What little energy I had left me. “Then I guess we should get started.”

His only response was a sickeningly sweet smile.

---