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She turns to me instantly, her brows knitting together in that stubborn expression I know so well. “When you're fighting for me? I can't just sit there, playing pretend with your sister while I wonder if you are okay. I had to come because I'm fighting for you just as much.”

My chest tightens as I look at my wife, who's willing to walk into this nightmare with me even when she doesn't have to. Even when every fiber of my being wished she'd stayed safe at home, curled up with Stanley and Madison, far away from Luke's toxic world.

But that's Savannah. She doesn't run when things get ugly. She stands and fights.

Henry clears his throat, catching my attention in the rearview mirror for a split second before pulling into the club parking lot. “Are you sure about this, Cade?”

I look up, meeting his worried gaze through the mirror, and I don't hesitate. “Yes.”

“Look, I'm all for you playing the hero and impressing your girl, but you've got her now.” Henry's voice carries that reasonable tone that makes me want to punch something. “You can just leave Covey U and go to the Anglerfish early. You don't need to stay.”

“I do,” I grit out, looking over at Dash, and then my thoughts drift to Madison.

If I walk away now, leave this thing bleeding and unfinished, there’s no telling how far Luke’ll take this.

He already warned me he’ll come for the ones who matter.

My sister. My team. Every last person I’d bleed for, and I can’t keep them all safe.

This ends tonight. It has to.

Henry parks, and we all stare at the bright pink neon sign flashing like it's some rinky-dink dive bar that nobody visits anymore. That's the view from the front, at least. The back entrance will have people lined up around the block, waiting for the first Saturday night of the month.

Fight Night.

And I'm the main fucking attraction.

“Come on, let's get this over with.”

Henry's the first to reach for his door handle when Dash's hand shoots out, grabbing his arm. “You're staying in here, Rookie.”

Henry whips his head around, mouth falling open in shock. “What?”

“You're staying out here in case we need a fast exit,” I say.

He looks between me and Dash, disbelief written all over his face. “You're kidding, right? You drag me all the way out here just to make me sit in the car like some fucking chauffeur?”

We both nod without hesitation.

“But I was here last time and helped Cade out. You could use me in there.”

For all of Henry's faults, and hell, there are a lot of them, he's not a bad kid. But that's exactly what he is. A kid. He doesn't need to be involved in this takedown, doesn't need Luke's attention turning his way when this all goes sideways.

“Henry.” I lean forward, meeting his eyes in the mirror. “As much as I appreciated your efforts last time, if I have to pick between you and Dash as backup in there, it's always going to be Dash.”

Henry's mouth snaps shut. He gets it. Dash's height alone makes him the most unintentionally intimidating man people have ever laid eyes on. Plus, we've got a plan. One that involves Dash keeping watch for someone who might be willing to help us plant that USB while I distract everyone.

Savannah pushes her door open, and the sound cuts through the tension.

“Wait, she's going too?”

“Of course. She's my wife.”

“That's exactly why she shouldn't be going.”

“I'm going, Henry.” Savannah's voice carries enough sass to make my chest tighten with pride and arousal in equal measure. “Suck it up and wait out here.”

Henry grumbles, letting his head fall back against the seat in resignation. “Fine. But if you all get yourselves killed, don't expect me to explain it to Madison.”

After shutting the door, I race around the car and take Savannah's hand, her fingers immediately lacing through mine like they belong there. Dash falls into step beside us as we approach the club.

This is it. The endgame.

The last fight.

The last time I'll have to step foot in this godforsaken place.

The last time Savannah's going to live in fear of the monster behind these walls.

“Are you sure you're ready for this?” Dash asks as we make our way toward the entrance, his voice low and serious.

I nod, squeezing Savannah's hand a little tighter. Dash goes quiet for a moment, and I can feel his disapproval radiating off him in waves. But the fact that he's here, supporting me despite thinking I've lost my damn mind, means more to me than anything else could.

“I'm happy for the two of you,” he says finally, his voice softer than usual. “You're creating something beautiful.”

I can't help but look at Savannah, who has the tiniest smile ghosting across her lips despite everything.

“Thanks, brother,” I say to Dash, managing a smirk. “And you know what? Out of all the people in the world, at least it's you with my sister. Imagine if she'd ended up with Henry.”

Dash nearly retches at the thought. “I wouldn’t wish that kind of torture on anyone.

” We approach the back entrance, and I can already hear the bass thumping through the walls.

My eyes scan the line of people—mostly men, mostly here for blood and violence and the kind of entertainment that decent people don't talk about in daylight.

I'm looking for someone. Anyone who might have a grudge against Luke, someone desperate or angry enough to take the risk of planting that USB. Someone who works inside, has access, but hates their boss enough to burn him down.

So far, no one fits the bill, and I'm starting to think the only way this is going to happen is if I sneak in there myself, which is next to impossible.

Luke's going to have eyes on me from the moment I walk through that door.

He'll be watching every move I make, every breath I take, waiting for me to step out of line so he can make an example of me.

There's no way I'll be able to slip away long enough to get to his office, find his computer, and plant the evidence we need.

Fuck.

“What's the backup plan?” Dash asks quietly, like he can read the frustration building in my jaw.

“There isn't one,” I admit, hating how that sounds out loud. “This has to work.”

Savannah's grip on my hand tightens, and I know she's thinking the same thing I am. If we can't find someone to help us tonight, if this plan falls apart, then I'm walking into that cage for nothing. Just another fight, just another way for Luke to assert his control.

And that's not fucking good enough.

Not anymore.

The club always looks different on fight nights.

The usual ‘dirty glamor,’ as I like to call it, is stripped away, replaced with a huge fog of smoke and a lot of men desperately looking for a quick buck.

What once was a stage for dancing has been transformed into a ring.

One that feels like concrete when you fall down on it.

I felt it once the first time I tried to fight here and vowed never to feel it again.

The first fight is underway, but I’m far away enough from the action that I can’t see what’s going on, and that’s just fine with me.

Savannah squeezes my hand, her shoulder brushing mine just as the crowd erupts. They’re loud, feral, and high on bloodlust. The air is thick with sweat, booze, and violence, so heavy I can taste it on my tongue.

My heart is pounding, but I keep my face stone cold.

Out here, emotion is a liability. You don’t flinch before a fight.

You don’t blink, and you sure as hell don’t feel.

Not when every bastard in this place is watching, waiting, hoping I slip, even once.

All it takes is a crack. One second of softness, and they’ll use it to cut me open.

Unfortunately, my biggest weakness is holding my hand, flaunting our relationship in front of everyone in this godforsaken place. Savannah never belonged here. Not in this pit of sweat, smoke, and blood. She’s too good for it. Too good for me.

She’s stayed close since we walked through the door, and every second she’s within reach makes it harder to breathe.

Dash was right. She’s a liability in this setting, but I can’t push her away. Not when part of me would burn this whole place down just to keep holding her hand.

When the current fight is called, one of the guys gets dragged out of the ring, unable to walk and completely unrecognizable. His face is covered in so much blood it's dripping from his hair like crimson rain. The crowd roars their approval.

“Let’s get this over with,” I mutter to myself.

One fight. That’s it. I’m going to get through this one fight, and then I’ll sneak into Luke’s office myself if I have to.

Dash flanks my other side as we walk to the ring, only stopping when we see Luke standing lazily next to it. Cal is next to him, counting the cash he made on that last round, and when he spots me, he crooks a finger in my direction.

“You actually showed,” Luke says, surprised.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I say flatly.

“Well, I’m impressed.”

“I’m not here to impress you,” I reply, my voice steady despite the adrenaline surging through me.

“And you brought Dash and Savannah.” He drawls out Savannah’s name, but it’s Dash who I feel freeze up beside me, mainly because I bet he didn’t realize Luke knew who he was.

Savannah, on the other hand, lifts her chin in defiance as Luke takes her in.

“Since you’re here, I could use some help in the rooms.”

My body moves before my brain even registers it, stepping in front of her like instinct. I plant myself between them, shielding her from his gaze like I’m made of stone and bad intentions.

My jaw locks, tight enough to crack bone, teeth grinding as rage hums low in my chest.

“She’s not here for you,” I bite out, voice sharp enough to cut. “She’s here for me .”

“Yeah, yeah, keep playing hero. Say whatever you want.” He leans in just enough for the malice to land. “I’m just counting down the seconds until she finds out who you’re really up against.”

Who I’m up against?

What the fuck has Luke done?