Page 17 of Declan

“Oh, is that so?” Wesley murmurs, his voice deceptively calm.

“Fuck you! I didn’t do shit!” Jason shouts, the weak attempt at bravado almost laughable.

Wesley and I exchange a glance before we both start laughing.

Jason shrinks back.

“Where’s Hux?” I ask, still grinning.

“Talking to Kaden. They’ll be here soon. Let’s get this piece of shit in a room.”

I nod, and together, we drag Jason down the hallway.

The fight club operates in a system. New fighters get locked up in small, windowless rooms with barely more than a mattress and a lightbulb. If they survive their fights, they get an upgrade. If they win big and start pulling in crowds, they’re given freedom, under the condition that they always return to fight. If they don’t, well, we hunt them down.

No one’s ever been dumb enough to test that rule.

The ones who win make serious money, and the ones who lose?

Well, they were already dead men walking.

Wesley yanks open the door to one of the smaller rooms, but before we shove Jason inside, heavy footsteps echo down the hall.

Hux and Kaden.

They step into view, both taking in the situation with assessing looks.

“What the fuck is this?” Hux asks, his sharp gaze flicking from Jason to me.

I tilt my head slightly toward Jason, making sure he understands, without words, that if he dares to mention Lena’s name, I’ll break his fucking jaw.

“Change of plans,” I say smoothly. “He likes putting his hands on women.”

A slow smirk spreads across Kaden’s face as he steps closer, eyes glinting with something cruel. “That right?” He studies Jason, tilting his head. “Looks like you just bought yourself a different kind of ticket to the fight club, son.”

Jason swallows hard. The fear in his eyes is one I’ve seen a thousand times before. These guys love to talk big, right up until they realize they’re about to pay the price.

Hux flicks open his lighter, the orange glow briefly illuminating his grin before he brings a cigarette to his lips.

“Lock him up,” he says, exhaling a stream of smoke. “We’ll get a fight scheduled for tomorrow night.”

He turns to Kaden. “Get the word out. People love an unexpected fight.”

Kaden’s smirk widens. “Oh, this one’s gonna sell big.”

Jason thrashes in our hold. “Wait! No! This isn’t?—”

Wesley silences him with a single punch to the gut. Jason crumples, wheezing, and we shove him into the room.

The door slams shut.

Tomorrow night, Jason is going to wish he never fucking met us.

Chapter 7

Lena

It’s been hours since Declan left, and I can’t relax.

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