I watched Alex pace back and forth in his cage, his hands running repeatedly through his hair. It was beginning to get annoying as hell, but it wasn’t as if we had anything else to do.
As usual, we were naked and dirty, waiting for our next fight in the trench. I sat cross-legged on the ground with my back straight and my hands in my lap. I was trying to remain calm, knowing that we would be fighting for our lives in a matter of minutes.
In the fights before, we aimed only to incapacitate our opponents, though, they hadn’t given us the same consideration. Our next battle would be different. I wasn’t sure who or what we were about to go against, but I knew it would be far from easy.
My gaze automatically landed on the empty cage on the other side of Alex. Only a couple of weeks before, Mark had his first fight. He didn’t return. I was sad for that. He was not a friend, more like a childhood bully, but he had helped the Alpha Division, and his intentions were good. I wished I could have gotten to know him as an adult.
My attention went back to Alex, and I sighed. “Alex, could you take a damn break. Your pacing is making me dizzy.”
Alex stopped abruptly and swung around to face me. A grimace contorted his face, as his hands fisted at his sides with a white knuckled grip.
“How can you be so calm? We don’t even know what we’re about to face. So far, it has only been jaguars, most of which I actually recognized.” He shook his head and slumped to the floor. “I’ve tried my best not to kill them, mostly because I felt sorry for the bastards. In a way, they’re as much victims in this as we are.”
“They are, but my only priority is our survival. I will do whatever I have to in order to get both of us back to Sam. I’m calm, because so far, Alexander has underestimated us, and that hasn’t changed. Whatever comes into that arena, we’ll be able to handle it.”
Alex placed his head in his hands. “I miss Sam.”
I sighed. “You’re not the only one.”
“We’ve got to get out of here.”
“I know. I think we’re going to have to take our chances with the guards that bring us to the trench. It won’t be easy, but I think it’s the only way.”
Alex looked up, eager to hear the rest of my plan. As difficult as it would be, it was necessary. I was tired of this stink hole.
“The big one that usually stays at my back, I’ve been watching him. He always carries his gun on his back. I think I’ll start with him. His cocky ass attitude will be our saving grace.”
The steel door opened, interrupting our planning. I automatically sniffed the air, testing for unknown scents. Alexander’s cologne saturated scent hit me immediately, but under that a few others, my father, Paul and… I breathed deep, unable to believe the sweet smell beginning to engulf the room.
I had closed my eyes to savor the heavenly aroma, when realization hit me like a two-by-four. My eyes popped open wide at the same time Alex growled. My gaze ignored everyone in the room except for her.
At first, I thought my eyes were deceiving me. Sam stood beside Paul, looking amazingly beautiful. My gaze ran over her like a hungry man. She wore loose blue jeans and a rumpled green tee shirt that looked a couple sizes too big. With her long hair pulled up into a messy ponytail, she looked like she just woke up, and she had never looked more gorgeous.
When my gaze landed on her face, though, I felt my heart skip a beat. Her eyes were red rimmed and tears streaked her pale skin. I could only imagine what she had been going through. However, strangely, the expression in her eyes looked almost… happy.
The awe of finally seeing her again began to ebb and anger coursed through my veins. They had taken her and brought her to this hellhole. That was unacceptable. A growl slipped my lips, as my eyes flashed down to Paul’s grip on Sam’s arm.
“Uh uh, save it for the trench,” Alexander said, smiling brightly.
I did not even look at him as he spoke. My stare was all for Sam. I wanted to grab her and run. I wanted to rip this cage apart and take them all down, kill every one of them so I could take her to safety.
“Jordan? Alex? Oh, God, you’re alive.” Sam’s voice hiccupped from her sobs.
She must have thought since we hadn’t been home in so long that we hadn’t survived. Bear should have let her know that wasn’t the case. Had the whole team abandoned us?
“Sorry,” Alexander said, not sounding apologetic in the least. “Paul let everyone know you were never coming back. I thought it was best under the circumstances. In fact, after tonight, you probably won’t survive anyway.”
Sam whimpered, gaining his attention. “I heard you two were sharing this woman and thought she might do nicely at getting you both riled up. We want a good show after all.”