Before each match, Griff lays out the rules to everyone. Yeah, it’s an underground match, but there are a few rules to keep things civil. I actually respect that and wonder how they handle it when people break the rules.

His opponent takes a dirty shot before the next whistle blows, snapping Murphy’s head back.

“Motherfucker.” My whole body tenses, preparing to fuck this guy up.

“Shit,” Jake mumbles. “Here we go.”

“You got his back?”

“Fuck yeah, I do.”

We wait, watching the match.

“That’s how he got Gingersnap,” Jake says after Murphy lets loose a punishing blur of shots that take his opponent to the mat.

“Yup.”

There’s a flurry of activity when the match is called in Murphy’s favor. I jostle through the crowd to make sure I’m at Murphy’s side when he comes out of the ring.

He grins at me. “See, told you I still had it.”

“Never doubted it, brother. Let’s go.”

Griff walks over and hands Murphy his money for the night. They engage in a tight, pulling-each-other in, slapping-backs kind of handshake, that Murphy normally wouldn’t allow from a stranger. Just how often is he coming out here to pick up fights?

The kid surprises me by shaking my hand too. “Thank you so much for allowing Murphy and Jigsaw in our ring tonight.”

Huh. Respectful attitude for someone his age. “No problem. Murphy speaks highly of you and your partner.”

“Good to hear.” He jerks his thumb over his shoulder. “I have to get ready for the next match. Stay as long as you want.”

He melts back into the crowd.

“Are he and Remy, like gay partners-partners or just partners?” Ravage asks.

“Who gives a shit?” Murphy growls.

“You worry about the stupidest stuff,” I add. I nod at the other kid Murphy pointed out earlier. “I’m guessing by the number of bunnies hanging off his jock, they’re business partners.”

Jake overhears the last part of the conversation and laughs. “Griff’s hard up for Remy’s little sister.”

“How ‘bout that.” I poke Murphy in the chest. “No wonder you two get along so well.”

“Shut up, dick.”

“You speak to Rock like that?”

Murphy shrugs. “He’s not a dick like you are.”

Jake crosses his arms over his chest, his gaze ping-ponging between us. “Man, this is better than hanging out with Wrath and Murphy.”

“Please tell me Wrath kicks his ass more often?”

Jake laughs. “Not that I’ve seen.”

“Hey, Jake.” I turn more serious because I should’ve said this earlier. “Thanks for that class you taught the girls. It, uh, came in handy for Lilly.”