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She narrowed her eyes. “I managed to distinguish myself. Surely that’s in my records too.”

Theron waved a hand. “Whatever.”

“But the reason I really left was—”

“Silence.” Without breaking eye contact, he called out, “Bring him.”

“Yes, sir.” And then the guard was gone, leaving her alone with Theron.

A cold trickle of sweat slid down Eve’s back.What the hell are they up to? And how am I supposed to convince him if he won’t even let me speak?

Theron regarded her in silence, and she did her best to return his stare, back straight, shoulders squared.

I could take him out. End it right here.

We might need him. And you have no idea of the forces he keeps around him.Hashtag’s voice was gentle.You’ve got this, okay?

A few moments later, the guard returned, followed by a huge man. One glance at his face told Eve he’d been in plenty of fights, some of them recent, judging by the bruises, not to mention a mélange of scars that made her think his face had been hamburger at some point.

Theron pointed a bony finger at Eve. “She will be your opponent. Do what you have to in order to win.”

The hulking guy smiled at her, showing several missing teeth. “Of course, sir.” He turned his head toward Theron. “Same deal?”

“Yes, yes,” Theron replied with a touch of impatience. “Win, and your family will receive food and medicine. Lose, and they will suffer.”

“I will not lose,” the man vowed, his accent thick. Eve couldn’t figure out where he was from, however.

Sounds Russian, Hashtag observed.Or somewhere in that area.

“Take her to the courtyard,” Theron instructed. “The guards will be on standby. And I shall be watching.”

Disgust seized her once more, tightening her throat.They’re forcing him to fight so his family would be cared for? That really sucks.The guys had told her about Brick’s parents, and she couldn’t help wondering about this mountain on legs.Who’s to say his family is still alive?

Then she realized she had more important things to worry about.

Like not dying.

He led her back into the courtyard that was easily the side of a football field.

Insane villainy apparently pays well.

The hulking man took a spot on one end, pointing to the other. “You stand there.”

Eve had no idea what was going on, and right then she wished fervently for someone to explain the rules.

Theron appeared at an open window above that overlooked the courtyard.

“On my command you will each shift, then rush to the center to fight tooth and nail.” His voice rang out in the still morning air.

As a gorilla she had an advantage. Or so she thought until the guy stripped down, revealing an ocean of muscles. Whatever he was, it was going to be massive.

Eve stripped off her clothes and tossed them aside.

“Duncan.”

She raised her head to stare at him.

“If Victor wins, you will become part of our breeding program, and Victor will be the first to use you.” Even at a distance, she caught the gleam in Theron’s eyes. “And be warned, he’s quite… animalistic in his approach to mating. Trust me, you’ll likely end up wishing he had killed you.”