“And you expect us to believe that you’ll just let us walk out of here to tell the cops what happened?”
“I didn’t say the winner walks out of here. I said you get to live. I didn’t say where or how.”
An enraged Pine bolted toward Buckley, but two of the men tackled her before she could get to him.
She fell at his feet. He looked down at her and then nodded at the man next to Blum.
Pine saw this and screamed, “No, please, don’t hurt her.”
The man ripped open Blum’s sleeve with the knife and cut delicately into her skin. Blum jerked back as the blade sliced into her. She started to shake with pain.
Pine was hauled to her feet and was vibrating with fury, as Buckley looked at her in disappointment.
“I expected better from you,” he said. “And your sister is apparently a real killer in the cage. You better bring your A game.”
He jerked his head at his men. They force-marched the two women into the ring. Spector followed and then the door was closed behind them.
Spector finally looked at them. “Are you two ready?”
“What the fuck do you think?” snapped Pine.
“If you don’t fight hard, he will do exactly as he said he would to your friend.”
“And you really expect us to believe he’s not going to kill all three of us regardless of what happens in here?” said Pine.
“I don’t know what else to tell you,” said Spector, looking at the dirt.
“Great, thanks for the help,” said Mercy.
“I’m just doing my job.”
“Right, I’m sure he’s paying you plenty. Enjoy it along with the memory of a triple homicide,” barked Pine.
Spector led them over to the center of the ring. She pulled from the knapsack two pairs of UFC gloves and two mouthpieces. She helped the women get them on and then looked over at a man who was standing next to a large countdown clock set on a table and visible to all in the cage.
“Okay, I’m sure you both know the rules. Knockouts and armbar stops are in my sole judgment. Your level of fighting is up to him. And Carol is already bleeding some, so keep that in mind.”
Both women looked over at Blum to see her pained face and the swelling patch of blood leaching onto her torn sleeve.
Pine stared at her sister. Mercy looked back at her, with not a shred of hope on her features.
“Well,” said Pine. Her voice was garbled because of the mouthpiece. “He was right about this being something I’ve never faced before.”
Spector said, “Okay, step back and then commence fighting on the sound of the horn.”
Pine looked once more at Mercy and shook her head.
“Shit” was all she could think to say.
CHAPTER
71
WHEN THE HORN SOUNDED, they marched forward, and each assumed a defensive stance. Mercy looped a kick; Pine blocked it and then threw an awkward punch.
The scream froze them.
Blum’s gag had been removed. And the man standing next to her had made a large cut on her upper arm, where blood was streaming down.
“Carol!” screamed Pine.
Buckley called out, “I warned you. Now fight!”
Spector stepped between them and whispered. “Do it, ladies, or she’s dead. Just make contact and absorb the punishment. He’s not an expert in MMA. Come on. You can do this.”