Page 72 of Kyle

“Well, he wants a fight. He’ll get one.” I hear the crowd of brothers in the warehouse. “Who are they betting on?”

“Hell, I don’t know. I don’t care. And you shouldn’t either.”

I go to open the door, but his voice stops me.

“Son.”

I turn back. “Yeah?”

“The MC knows you’re the better fighter. But they’re all wondering if you’ll knuckle under and throw the match.”

My jaw tightens.

“If he wins, he has to earn it. Don’t go easy on him. Don’t punk out and let him win.”

I jerk the door open and stalk toward the cage, fire burning in me. Is that what I always do? Let him win.Well, not fucking tonight, brother.

I see Rafe in the cage, dancing around and punching the air, getting warmed up.

Hopping up to the mat, I scan the crowd, but there’s only one face I’m looking for, and I don’t see her. It’s crowded and the lights are on the cage, making the crowd dim shadows. I can’t help wondering if Sutton is here, if she’s going to watch us fight.

Red Dog is referee tonight, and he motions us together to bump fists. “Okay, boys. Defend yourself. I’ll enforce the agreed-upon rules of this competition, but you are responsible for your own safety.” Then he grins. “And no nut shots.”

He moves away, and Green rings the bell, and it’s on.

Rafe taunts me with a grin. “You ready to get your clock cleaned, bro?” He sends a scorching blow that knocks me off balance.

I return his grin. “Glad to see you’ve decided to show up this time.” Then I dig down and charge him, holding nothing back.

Sutton—

I stand behind the crowd of cheering men. If the cage wasn’t elevated, I wouldn’t be able to see. As it is, I can barely see the shoulders and heads of the two men in the cage: Rafe and Kyle, bouncing around and taking jabs and kicks at each other.

The crowd is loud and echoes in the warehouse. I glance around. Melissa and Gigi are watching me.

They must realize I want to be alone, because they don’t approach.

I pray it ends quickly and neither gets hurt, but a part of me hopes Kyle doesn’t cave to the immense guilt I know he feels—guilt that always makes him let Rafe win.

Not this time, Kyle. Make him earn it.

I can hear the slap of skin on skin, kicks making connections, even though I can’t see them. I stand on tip-toe, but I’m not sure I really want to see and pop back down. I chew on a finger, more worried with the sound of each hit that lands.

Green informed me there are three five-minute rounds. There’s a digital clock on the wall, the numbers lit in red. The seconds tick down, but it seems like an eternity.

By the third round, they both look tired. Kyle never hits a blow to Rafe’s head, and I’m sure it’s because he’s being careful. All his shots are to the body and legs.

He spins and does a roundhouse kick, hitting Rafe’s hip and making him stagger against the cage. The chain links rattle and shake.

I glance at the clock. There’s only about three minutes left, and I’m terrified for both of them. I can’t bear the thought of them truly hurting each other. I hope this heals the rift that’s grown between them.

When the fight is over, I know what I plan to do—sneak out. But I can’t possibly do that until I know how this ends. Until I know that these two brothers who have loved each other their entire lives are finally able to work out their issues. I want them to be happy, and I know I can’t stay and come between them.

I glance around the crowd who are like a big family, all watching out for each other. I’ll miss them. Every single one of them. I can’t believe how quickly they’ve wormed their way into my heart.

I fade into the shadows and find a box to stand on next to an iron I-beam. It gives me a good view.

Rafe looks tired, but Kyle is still fighting strong.

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