Page 96 of Deadfall

“I hear you have been manipulating the schedule when it comes to the Hurricane,” Mahoney said.

I stayed silent.

“I have also instructed that she is to be sedated at all times, especially during handling.” Mahoney paused. “Orders you have also not followed.”

When it was obvious I wasn’t going to speak again, Mahoney pursed his lips.

“Is it because you got…territorial?” Mahoney spread his arms wide. “She is available for anyone here, as long as it is during their free time.” He smirked. “And they have the balls to risk it of course,” he added dryly.

My jaw clenched involuntarily and I watched Mahoney latch onto it.

“Ah, so you believe she’s yours then. I see.” He studied me. “Marcello!”

Marcello emerged from the crowd and stood at attention in front of Mahoney.

“Marcello, is this the man who attacked you in the dining hall?”

“Yes, sir,” he said smugly.

“And he told you not to touch her—meaning the Hurricane—again, correct?”

“Yes, that’s what he said,” Marcello agreed.

“Thank you, that’s all,” Mahoney waved him away.

He proceeded to call forward several other men we’d had heated altercations with while negotiating the Menagerie shifts. Each one condemned me with a satisfied glimmer in their eyes. When Mahoney was done, he turned with a smirk.

“I see that we have a problem here.” Mahoney rubbed his jaw, the glitter in his eyes darkening as he contemplated whatever dark thoughts ran through his mind.

“I must admit, I haven’t run into this kind of territorial nonsense before, but I think I’m going to have some fun with it. Usually around this time I’m holding Atrox tryouts here, but since the league is postponed,” Mahoney’s face soured at the word. “We will just have to host our own little game.”

Brooks looked uncomfortable. “Sir, we can’t afford to lose anyone—”

Mahoney waved his hand in irritation. “Nonsense. We can spare twenty people I’m sure.”

“But the party tomorrow night,” Brooks insisted. “It’s high profile and—”

“Brooks,” Mahoney turned on his head of security. “That’s why I hired you. You’ll figure it out.”

Mahoney looked him up and down coldly. “Or I’ll find someone who can. Understood?”

Brooks frowned. “Yes, sir.”

Mahoney clapped his hands. “Good! Now, besides Griffin, I need nineteen volunteers. Whoever finds the Hurricane first and brings her back to the starting line, will get to have her overnight as their prize. Weapons selection will be one handgun, one extra mag, and one knife.”

“What is the map?” Brooks asked.

Mahoney grinned diabolically. “The maze.”

Several groans came from the crowd, along with a few guards who shook their heads.

“You heard him,” Brooks bellowed. “Who’ll go up against Griffin? Remember boys, it’s live ammo, and the maze is a nasty bit of real estate itself—who’ll it be?”

Seven immediately stepped up to my side. My jaw tightened—I’d rather he didn’t come but I knew any protest of the sort would fall on deaf ears. Marcello took an additional step forward with a sly glint in his eyes. The rest of the men who answered the call looked like they were either down for a little danger, or knew exactly what they were getting into. The last to step forward, and round out the twenty of us, was Angel. He didn’t look happy at all and refused to look me in the eye.

“Perfect!” Mahoney exclaimed. “Oh, I almost forgot. Griffin—” He turned to me. “Usually the punishment for disobedience of the rules is a whipping, but since we are pressed for time, I’ll settle for a beating instead. Twelve hits. Unresisting. Brooks?” He snapped his fingers and two men started forward with Brooks. They went to grab me and Seven stepped into them.

I put a hand on his shoulder. “Stand down,” I murmured roughly.