“Did you need something?” Knox asked.

“A couple of the guys you cut from the MMA program would like to speak with you.”

“Did they show up with flowers and chocolates to thank me personally for cutting them?”

“I wish they’d come in through the dojo and not up to the business offices. That way they would’ve gone through the metal detector.”

Shit. “That bad?”

“Spewing shit like any other dumb fucker who thinks looking tough and acting tough translates to toughness in the ring.” Deacon cracked his knuckles. “They’re punks.”

Knox ran his hand over the top of his head. “All right. Let’s go.” He looked at Shiori. “Translate those reports into English.”

She smirked. “Sure thing, boss. Don’t you want me to help explain a few things to the punks?”

“Nope. We’ll handle it.”

For a moment it seemed like she’d argue, but she slipped behind her desk.

Knox and Deacon walked side by side down the hallway. “Who showed up?”

“Radley and Lotte.”

“Of course it’s those two. They don’t know when to shut their fucking mouths.” Knox dropped his voice. “Where the fuck did they get their egos? Jesus. It’s not like they did anything of note to earn them.”

“No clue. They’re pathetic little wannabes. Ronin wouldn’t let me work with them full force or they wouldn’t have lasted as long as they did.”

When they entered the training room, Blue gave a subtle nod and slipped out the side door.

Both guys had taken on belligerent postures like punk-ass gangbanger rejects. They also looked high. Great. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s bullshit that you think you can just cut us from the MMA program with no warning,” Lotte said.

“Yeah, you tell him, bro,” Radley piped in.

“Black Arts is a private dojo, and we have the right to revoke training privileges at any time.” Knox’s gaze swung between them. “Is that all you needed me to clear up?”

Lotte sneered. “You don’t have the fucking authority to kick us out.”

“I’m in charge of the dojo while Sensei Black trains out of the country. What I say goes. You’re both done. I know you packed up your gear and were refunded the balance of your fees, so I don’t get why you’re here.”

“You act like you’re hot shit, but you don’t know shit. You’re the joke in the MMA program.” Lotte threw back his shoulders. “You have no skills to offer. You just wander around the training room like a big, stupid ape.”

Even these bottom-feeders see how worthless you are to the program.

His ego picked a helluva time to push that crisis to the forefront of his thoughts.

“Yeah,” Radley added. “When Sensei Black gets back and hears that you cut his two most promising fighters, he’s gonna be pissed.”

Knox flashed his teeth. “Black Arts’s two most promising fighters are still on the roster, and it ain’t you two. Won’t ever be you two. You sucked the day you walked in. Your so-called skills became more laughable the longer you tried to pretend you were badass motherfuckers. Am I right, Deacon?”

“One hundred percent right as usual, Shihan.”

“Do you suck his dick too?” Lotte and Radley high-fived.

“I hear the comedy club in Writer Square is hiring . . . busboys,” Deacon drawled. “You jokers oughta fit right in. Now, get the fuck outta here.”

Lotte and Radley looked at each other.

“Here’s where you say, ‘Make us leave,’ giving us the chance to kick your scrawny asses down the stairs. Or you do the smart thing and shut your mouths and get out.” Deacon stepped away from the door, giving them a clear path.

“We’ll leave, but this won’t be the last you’ll see of us,” Lotte warned.

“Yeah, you’d better start locking your door during the day,” Radley said smugly. “You never know who could show up. Homeless guys are always looking for a place to hide out during the day. Maybe we’ll tell the hobos at the Sixteenth Street Mall about this place.”

“Was that a threat?” Knox asked.

“Call it whatever you want. A warning.” Lotte grinned nastily. “A premonition.”

“That’s supposed to intimidate me into putting you back in the program?”

Lotte shrugged.

Knox started toward them. “Tell you what. If one of you bests me? I’ll let you train.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “So which one of you is it gonna be?”