Reese

“What’s the Colosseum?” Law questions.

I look at him and sit on the edge of the window ledge.

“It’s like the holy grail of fight clubs. Talked about with reverence and awe, but most believe it to be a myth. It’s one of the most exclusive fighting clubs in the world, but it’s nothing like what you’ve seen around here.”

“You’ve been?” Law asks.

I shake my head. “No, but I received an invitation once.”

Vega’s eyes sharpen on mine. He knows exactly when I received an invite.

“Only the best of the best get invites,” Blink says with awe in his voice.

“No. The best fighters know when to walk away, but Titus isn’t looking for a clean fighter. He’s looking for a savage.”

I look up at Law. “He’s looking for gladiators.”

Law frowns before looking at the others. “Colosseum. Gladiators. Next, you’ll be telling me you can only use swords or some shit.”

When none of us answer, he starts cursing. “Are you fucking serious right now?”

“Like I said, I’ve never been inside. I only know what I’ve heard, which is more than most simply because my sources are that good. I think it’s safe to assume though that the final round will include weapons of this nature. It’s definitely something we’d need to prepare for.”

“How the fuck has this place stayed under the radar?”

I shrug. “Its location is kept secret. Those who speak of where it is find themselves in a velvet-lined coffin. Titus might be a violent fuck, but he has taste, apparently.”

“How does this all tie together, though? Titus might be psychotic, but he would never draw attention to himself like this. Not after spending so many years trying to hide,” Hank asks what I was thinking.

“He’s dying. Word on the street is that he has an inoperable brain tumor,” Vega exhales.

“And he’s looking for the successor to the Colosseum. Fuck, it will be a bloodbath.” I shake my head.

“I’m still not sure how they are both tied together,” Hank frowns.

“Me either. And honestly, maybe they aren’t. But right now, it’s the only solid lead I’ve got. Someone is making these people fight whether they want to or not. If it’s unrelated, then entering the games is still the best way to talk to other fighters and find out what they know.”

“I don’t like it.” Hank crosses his arms.

“Neither do I, but what other choice do we have?”

“I have a question,” Law says after a moment of quiet.

“Who the fuck is Charlie?”

I can’t help it. Despite the tension in the room, I laugh.