Page 100 of Cruel Betrayal

If someone else kills me, he has another person to blame. People won’t turn to him and expect answers.

Noah’s smug when I let him go. “You know there’s only one way this is going to end, and it better be the way I want it to. I’m not fucking around with you anymore.”

“Fuck you.”

His hand hovers near the gun at his hip. “Cute. You’re the one who’s pushed me this far, Ezra. I never would’ve had to intervene if you had just done the job I told you to do. Instead, you had to let your obsession get the better of you.”

I don’t answer him.

He’s right, in a way, as fucked up as that is. None of this would be happening right now if I had just done what he wanted me to and kept my head down. I wouldn’t be about to march into the ring and to my death.

He wouldn’t be about to make a fuck ton of money and gain territory before he has me killed.

I’m going to throw the fucking fight, and then I’m going to find Jade.

If I can survive the fight, at least. They might still try to kill me even if I don’t fight back.

Noah takes one last look at me. “I hope your death is more peaceful than your life.”

He leaves me standing there in the locker room with nothing but the confirmation that tonight is going to be the night I die. Not that I’m surprised.

Jade was right. I knew she would be, and I still came here.

Even if I survive tonight, she’s not going to want anything to do with me.

Tyson pokes his head into the room. “Your turn.”

“Great.”

He steps into the room, looking around, catching sight of the dent in the lockers. “Everything okay in here?”

“Don’t think it’s ever been okay, but it’s not like there’s really any other option, is there?”

Tyson shrugs. “Think we do the best we can with the shit life we’ve been given.”

“I can’t keep doing this.”

Tyson opens the door again. “Good. Nothing left to do but get out there, I guess.”

“I’m not coming back once this is over. He’s either going to kill me, or I’m going to have to switch to the other side.”

“Probably for the best. I don’t think Noah’s going to last much longer in his position. People are getting restless, and he’s not doing much beyond fucking his own people over.”

“You should get out while he’s pissed about me. It’ll be safer.”

Tyson leads the way out of the locker room. “Planning on it. I’m not sticking around, though. Getting the hell out of here. Changing my name. Cutting all ties to New York.”

“Only thing you should be doing. It was nice knowing you.” I clap him on the shoulder as we get to the edge of the ring.

“Keep yourself alive after this.”

“I’ll try.”

Taking a deep breath, I shake out the tension.

I need to get my head in this long enough to survive the night. And then somehow, I need to swallow my pride long enough to beg Aiden to give me protection.

Dying might be the better option.