I finished mopping up my face and tossed the towel to Bennie since Garret was busy answering his phone. The younger twin caught my arm and used the towel to rub over the outer bicep of my right arm. “You missed a spot, cuz,” he muttered as he made sure the impurity was cleared away from the tattoo that was only six weeks old.

I nodded my thanks then brushed the backs of my knuckles over the portrait of Nova’s face. Lyric Thornton had put it on me, allowing me to take my angel everywhere with me the only way I could now.

“You ready?” Vito asked, nodding toward the exit.

“Maybe I want another round.” I took the sports drink his brother offered and sat on the bench across from them. The arena right outside the locker room we were in was still going crazy after that last KO. They were amped up for another match, and the men who ran these fights would give them what they wanted. If I wanted in, all I had to do was say the word.

“No, man. You’ve had enough tonight.” Garret said as he put his phone away. “You’re going to be feeling that last hit for a few days at least. Did he knock any teeth loose?”

I ran my tongue over my back teeth. “Nah. I’m good. He barely tapped me.”

“You’re already bruised,” Vito said with a shake of his head. “If Tetka sees that, she’s going to bury my ass.”

“I’m ready for some dinner,” Bennie said, packing up my duffel bag. “I could go for something dripping in grease.”

“I’m not hungry,” I muttered, taking the shirt Vito tossed to me and pulling it over my head. “I think I’ll just go home.”

“Not until you eat.” Vito tossed me my jeans next. I stepped into them. There were showers I could have washed the sweat off in, but I probably would have caught something in there that really would have Mom losing her shit. It was better just to stink and shower when I got home.

“You have to eat.” Bennie zipped up the bag and tossed the strap over his shoulder. “Both of you.” He shoved Garret when he started to argue, pushing him toward the exit. “I’m thinking burgers and fries. What do you say, Vito?”

“Yeah, fratello,” the older twin agreed, limping along behind. His leg hadn’t fully healed yet, but he’d graduated to a walking boot that he’d be in for at least a few more weeks. “These two could use some big, juicy meat.”

“Fuck you,” Garret grumbled over his shoulder, letting Bennie drag him out to the SUV that was waiting on the four of us. When we went to these fights, we kept security light. Only taking a driver who was also a guard and making him stay in the car. For one reason, so we didn’t draw too much attention to ourselves, but more than anything, so the guards wouldn’t narc on me to Mom and tell her I was participating in the cage fights. If she knew, I didn’t doubt the promoters would end up facedown in a river somewhere.