I drop to my feet and he stands to his full height, one of his hands sliding into my back pocket as the four of us walk toward the wooden crates at the edge of the setup, and my adrenaline starts pumping to the beat of the loud ass music floating through the air.

It’s like an instant, natural high no drug could ever give me.

I look around at all the people partying and placing bets, smaller fights already happening in the back corner while the larger circle is kept clear by nothing but a couple barrels and tied ropes.

My fingertips tingle.

This fucked up shit is in my soul.

Bass meets us at the first area.

He nods at the guys, then shifts toward me and a rare smile breaks across his face.

“Ready for some fun?”

I tense, my brows snapping together. “Wait, what?”

He frowns and looks to Maddoc. “You didn’t tell her?”

“Tell me what?” I rush out, a little too excited when I could be reading this all wrong.

Maddoc’s eyes shift between mine, but his lips stay tightly pressed.

“Maddoc,” I prompt.

The boys step closer and Bass steps back.

“All you wanted while you were here was to fight. We took that from you,” he says.

“If I wanted to, I would have found a way,” I argue, but it’s weak from the sudden weight of his eyes.

“And I’d have loved pissing you off when I stopped you.”

My lips twitch.

“Now, quiet and listen.” He pulls me close. “You were ready to give up everything for us, so we’re giving you something back.”

I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. My head pulls back, and I look across at the three of them.

Royce is grinning, Cap looks a bit unsettled and Maddoc wears his usual frown.

“Wait, so...”

“You’re on the card tonight if you want it, RaeRae.” Royce shakes me.

“Are you for real?” My stomach flips and I frantically glance from one to the next. “You guys are gonna stand back, as in not step in, and watch me fight?”

Maddoc lifts his chin and my mouth clamps shut.

My lips purse. “There’s a catch.”

“You wanna fight?” He holds his arms out. “You watch me fight.”

“Fucking deal.” A laugh bubbles out of me, and his glare intensifies. “What, you thought I’d say no? Pass on the chance of seeing you go alpha out here? Hell, no!” I grin. “Go for it, Big Man. Whoop some fucking ass.”

That earns me some laughs and then I’m lifted and placed on the nearest crate so he and I are eye to eye.

“Do not move. Do you understand? I don’t care what your reason could possibly be, piss your fucking pants if you need to. Your ass – that ass of mine – stays right fucking here.”

“Yes, boss.”

He stares a moment longer before he steps back and yanks his hoodie and shirt over his head. He throws both in my face and steps under the ropes, gaining the attention all over again.

Damn, he’s fine.

Royce and Captain hop up beside me.

“We’re in for a real fucking treat tonight, folks! Not only are the Brayshaws here – the motherfuckers that make all this possible for your scoundrel asses – but one is standing in this very ring, not that you needed to be told that,” the hype guy yells into his megaphone. “No bets are being taken on this fight, this is for pure entertainment people cause you see, here’s what’s happened...”

My brows pull in and I glance at Royce, he shoots me a quick wink before turning his malicious smirk on the ring.

The pit of my stomach grows tight.

“Y’all remember our dark-haired queen of the night, right? She popped in like a backward Barbie and out like a west coast warrior?”

What ...

“Well, her name is Raven Carver, and she’s back, people!” he shouts, and people start shouting in excitement, eye after eye flying my way and I wanna die.

“I’m gonna fuck you guys up for this,” I mumble for only Cap and Royce to hear.

Assholes laugh at me.

“Now, a couple weeks ago, Raven, or Rae as we call her, slipped in here for a minute, and when she left, our warrior got jumped.”

Some people laugh, others throw out ‘fuck thats’ and the like, but my spine shoots straight, and I grip Cap and Royce by the thighs.

“And guess what else?” the guy shouts. “We know one of the guys who done done it.” People scream, and I jerk forward but, the boys yank me back down. “Bastards and bitches, welcome to the ring, the dumbass who put his hands on Maddoc Brayshaw’s woman.”

My pulse spikes as a dark figure makes his way toward the ring, several big ass buff dudes following close by.

He steps in the center, facing away from me.

“Y’all know the drill, they swing ‘til they can’t. You stay back and out the way, and when this little bitch has thoroughly had his ass handed to him, you can spit on him and walk away.” He pauses so the crowd can shout once more before pulling his megaphone back to his mouth. “Game time, motherfuckers. Shirt off, pansy. Let’s get it.”

The guy hops down and my fingers dig into Royce and Captain’s jeans as I watch the dude across from Maddoc start to pull his hoodie over his head.

I squint to try and see better, but I can’t make him out.

My eyes lift to Maddoc’s and right as they do, his meet mine.

His move prompts his opponent to turn as well and my jaw clenches shut.

Leo.

That little bitch.

“Cap...” I start, but he ignores me, so I snap, “Royce.”

“Yes.” He covers my hand with his and squeezes. “He fucking helped Collins. He gave him the video, and it was his boot that was marked against your ribs. He— ”

“Is a dead man in that ring,” I whisper, anxiousness now fighting its way in and pushing out all the excitement and adrenaline because I know Maddoc is fucking foaming out the mouth right now.

His friend. Someone he half trusted, who I thought was sketchy as fuck, fucked them.

Fucked me.

“We have to show these people, Raven,” Cap whispers in my ear. “And this is the place to do it. These people are drifters, you know that. Word will spread, and everyone will understand.”

“You don’t fuck with a Brayshaw,” Royce finishes for him, looking to me and I reluctantly pull my eyes from the scene to meet his. “None of us.”

The horn blares longer, the crowd gathers closer, and the intensity sparks like an invisible fucking flame.

A thrill runs down my spine and I glance around – wide eyes, baited breaths, and shaky hands surround me.

We all feel it, the power surging from the man in the middle.

My man.

And it’s on.

Leo tries, I give him that, but he’s no match for the fury boiling inside every inch of Maddoc. He was played by his boy, and he’s letting everyone know what’ll happen should they stray.

Punch after punch, kick after fucking kick, and Leo still pushes to his feet, but only after Maddoc steps back to allow it.

And he continues to allow it, waits for it in fact, all to knock him back down with the full force behind his fist.

Leo’s cheek is busted open, his brow split just the same. Blood pours into his eyes and he wobbles on his feet, hands barely at his chest when he readies himself.