Condensation drips onto the bar table as I slide the glass over to the patron.

He hardly bothers to glance at me as he hands over his card, eyes riveted on the fight ring.

I don't blame him, the two in the fight ring are a force to be reckoned with.

Killian drops with a practiced move, the sweat dripping down his back so similar to the condensation dripping down the glasses.

I blink, glancing away from him and swipe the card, forcing myself to focus on work.

Candace slips past me, her eyes watching me like a hawk.

I ignore it, used to her eyes on me.

It doesn't bother me.

The crowd roars and my head snaps up, watching as Kade slips into Killian's blind side, delivering a harsh one, two punch to Killian's side.

Shadows seem to dance at his fingertips, punching into Killian's body but when I blink they're gone.

Killian delivers a harsh glare towards Kade, spitting something lowly but Kade only grins back.

Killian falls back, hands twisting around the rope before he bounces back, spitting something at Kade with a taunting grin.

Kade's lips pull back with his own smirk, saying something back that's buried beneath the roar of the crowd.

Killian laughs, the sound seeming to reach my ears, and send a shiver of pleasure down my spine.

I focus back on another customer, delivering a gin and tonic to the woman before taking the cash, rinse and repeat.

I try hard to keep my eyes and mind on the job but every few seconds I hear the pound of fist on flesh and look up, catching a glimpse of naked chest, sweaty foreheads and bloody fists.

"Keep your eyes on the task." Candace says from the corner of her mouth. I lift my head to look at her, raising a brow. She only rolls her eyes, "if you want to keep your fighting a secret then you need to stay away from them."

The glass in my hand almost slips from my fingers in shock and I slowly place it on the counter, turning to look at Candace fully.

"I'm not stupid." She says, not even bothering to look at me. "So don't even try to deny it, I knew it was you as soon as you walked through those door, black hair and mask or not, you still carry yourself the same."

"And how is that?" I say, blindly pouring a drink. "How I carry myself I mean?"

"Like someone put the world on your shoulders and not in your hands." She doesn't say anything else, whipping the rag over her shoulder and moving down the line, further from me, effectively cutting off the conversation.

I slip the money from the patron and start on the next drink, letting Candace' words mull over in my mind.

The buzz of conversation grows almost deafening, the crowd relishing in the fight between Kade and Killian, the rhythmic thud of impact echoing around the air.

The shadows whisper to me but I ignore them, shaking their claws from my thoughts.

Killian unleashes a flurry of punches, his movements fluid and calculated, while Kade counters with lightning-fast reflexes, dodging and weaving with effortless grace. The intensity of their exchange is electrifying, drawing cheers and gasps from the onlookers.

For a second it seems Killian is in two places at once, crowding Kade back with a vengeance but then I blink and Kades winning, Killian pushed back.

Must have been a trick of the light.

Kade relishes in the fight, saying something that I try to read but fail at deciphering.

Killian dips his chin, but doesn't stop his attack and Kade responds with equal measure.

And beneath all that? Cameraderie. They are playing, stretching the fight to the max and as I look around the bar once more I see the wads of cash being passed, more being added as Killian once again takes the lead, then falls back, letting Kade take a swing.

They dance around each other, trading blows with a sense of mutual respect, before Kades fist slams against Killian's jaw, blood spitting from his lips to splatter the crowd.

The crowd goes nuts, and more money passes hands.

It's a smart tactic to have more money come through the bar, more lining their pockets. I've seen it happen many times, usually a part of the fighting pair.

Charles was a king at the game.

A hand slams down on the counter in front of me and I turn to the customer, only relaxing when I find those familiar blue eyes of Malachi on me, playful and full of raw energy.

He flicks his chin to the fight, "I look better up there don't you think, Rosie?"

"I don't know Malachi, Killian looks pretty good up there all sweaty and bloody." I mutter, looking at him under my lashes.

He only grins, leaning over the bar with a taunting grin, "I can get all sweaty and bloody for you, baby girl."

I lean forward, lifting my hand to finger one of the buttons on his shirt.

A hand slams down between us, Candace looking at me with all seeing eyes and then to Malachi, "I think you have a brother to patch up." She dips her head and my eyes slip past Malachis shoulder to see Killian, still shirtless and sweaty weaving his way between the crowd, blood crusting the split on his brow, and lines like tears of blood down the side of his face.

My stomach drops, and Malachi spins in his chair to stare at his twin. "You took quite a beating."

"You should see the other guy." Killian jokes, leaning on the bar, nodding when I slide him a glass of water.

"Thanks, Noah."

Malachi motions to the scotch and I pour him a glass, slipping it towards him.

I stare past their shoulders as they continue talking, finding Kade near the locker room, a bruise already blooming on his jawline, only making his split lip more prominent.

His tongue comes out to prod the wound, lips tipping up at the corners as he speaks to someone before turning towards the bar.

His eyes settles on me and I glance away, using the rag in my hand to wipe the bar and give myself something to do.

A voice clears at my side, the noise grating and all too familiar. I look up, pasting on the fakest smile I can muster as Sienna saunters her way over, slipping in next to Killian.

"Cosmo. Pronto."

"Sure." I say sweetly, dropping the rag on m the bar. "I just need to see some identification."

She blinks at me, doe eyed look being replaced with a stupid one. "Identification?"

"License? Proof of age card?" I remind her, tapping my fingers on the tabletop, enjoying the way her cheeks redden in humiliation.

"Just give me the drink." Her voice is sweet, higher pitched than normal and I lean back, narrowing my eyes on her as the twins tense, Malachis fists clenching on the bar.

"Once you give me ID." I counter, shaking my head slightly.

She huffs, foot stomping on the beer splattered ground and turns to Killian, who holds his drink in one hand. "You served Killian."

I smile, "it's water."

Her glare turns hot, "you served him." She waves a hand over her shoulder to Malachi who glares at the side of her head like he's imagining depraved things.

"Malachi gave me ID." I lie.

Sienna huffs again before pulling out her ID and handing it over.

I skim the photo and information before handing it back. "That's a fake, sorry can't serve you,"

"Listen here you little roach, just serve me the fucking drink or I will get your fired."

I lean over the bar, forearms resting on the slightly sticky surface with an inward wince. "I'd like to see you try."

Malachi doesn't hold in his amusement, hiding his grin behind his glass.

Her eyes flash to him, ruthless. "Lachlan will soon own this bar and then what are you gonna do? Whore yourself out to every other person in the town? Guess trash only knows how to survive one way."

A feeling seems to whisper through the air, dropping over me like a thick blanket. Drowsiness slips through me, my core tightening weirdly and then Sienna is leaning over the bar, mouth opening.

I lean forward, even if a part of me tries to pull me back yet it's like I'm compelled to listen, to obey.

With a sirens voice, she begins to speak before a deeper, male voice interrupts with a bark.

"Careful Sienna." Killian says, not even looking at her as he surveys the crowd. "You forget yourself."

Sienna straightens, chastised and I raise an impressed brow.

"Killian-"

"You know the rules." She huffs, wicked eyes searching behind the bar for a way out.

She finds Candace, waving her down.

I blink, still feeling the remnants of whatever took over me and look to Killian, finding his eyes steady on me with what could only be described as concern.

Candace raises a brow at me as she approaches before listening to the little spiel Sienna spills.

She rolls her eyes. "Seriously? I don't have time for petty drama." She turns and slaps the rag over her shoulder, almost hitting Sienna in the process. "If Noah said no, then it's a no."

She turns, ignoring Siennas splutters in outrage and I get a giddy feeling in my chest as I watch her walk back to her posse deep in the crowd, wrapping her arms around Lachlan's elbow with a flash of a glare my way.

Killian's drops his glass back in the bar and I go to refill in when he stops me, a thumb resting on the top of my hand. "Save it for me."

I raise a brow at the cryptic words, "where are you going?"

He flicks his chin to the ring again, "back up there."

"You're fighting again?"

He flashes me a grin, "is that concern I hear in your voice?"

I roll my eyes, "more like surprise."

His lips tip up at the corners, eyes crinkling. "Kade was just the warm up, I need a real fight."

For a warm up it sure got really hot.

Killian turns from the bar, making his way through the crowd and back to the ring except this time his opponent is smaller, slimmer and a whole lot more annoying.

"You really let anyone fight here don't you?" I say, watching as Lachlan tosses his shirt to Sienna in the crowd and lifts his arms, demanding a reaction from the crowd.

He gets one, though I doubt it's as big as he wanted.

Malachi chuckles, "gotta make money."

I look back to Malachi, finding his eyes on the crowd, the ring and then finally on Kade, who sits at a high table near the back of the room.

"Can I get another scotch, baby girl, actually make it two."

"Get Candace to do it."

"But I want you to do it."

I stare at him deadpan, "I'm not your servant."

He raises both brows, eyes full of amusement. "But you do work for me."

I narrow my eyes and reach for the bottle, sliding it over to him. "Now fuck off."

He grins, kissing the air in front of me. "You're a doll."

He slips from the stool, weaving his way between the crowd to take the seat beside Kade, resting his elbows on the table.

I serve a few more people before finding a lull in the patrons and find myself staring towards Malachi and Kade. Malachi lifts the bottle of scotch to his lips and Kade scowls at the move.

Sighing, I reach for two glasses and fill them with ice before making my way through the crowd.

Placing the glasses in front of both guys, I turn to the fight ring. My hand has barely left the glass when Kades wraps around it.

I ignore the skim of our fingers and the eyes I can feel on me.

"I thought you weren't my servant?" Malac murmurs lowly.

"Do you want me to pour this over your head?"

He chuckles, leaning forward until his nose is just touching mine, his eyes intent on me.

My heart pounds in my chest, crawling its way up my throat as I watch Malachis eyes dance between mine, searching for something.

What? I'm not sure.

He moves forward just slightly.

"Kai." The word is harsh and biting, and I snap my head towards Kade, shaking my head to rid myself of any thought.

Malachis lips skim my cheek, and then up to my ear, his hot breath slipping along the shell and eliciting a shiver down my spine.

My eyes flash up, finding Kades on me, his eyes never once leaves me as Malachi moves and his lips skim the shell of my ear.

The creature I house seems to purr at the attention.

Kade watches my face, cataloguing every emotion that crosses my features and Malachi laughs, seeing how trapped I am.

I blink, pulling my gaze from Kades and turn to the fight ring.

Clearing my throat, I pull back slightly from Malachi. "Who do you think is going to win?"

Malachis laugh is sudden, but he's not the one who answers me.

"You sound like you have no faith in your little boyfriend."

I flash my gaze to Kades, grinding my teeth. "Killian's not my boyfriend."

"How do you know I meant him?" Kade raises a brow, smug satisfaction rolling over him.

"Fuck off, Kade."

Malachi wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his body. "Killian will wipe the floor with Lachlan's perfect blonde hair."

I turn to the fight, watching as Killian seems to circle Lachlan like a cat playing with a mouse.

And then the real fight begins.

• • •

I slip behind the bar and find the back room, walking past Candace and ignoring her knowing eyes as I make my way to the store room and change, my shadows slipping over my hair and bleeding into my irises before walking back out a half our later.

I slip through the crowd, ignoring the eyes that settle on me before finding my self in the centre of the building, stopping in front of the fight ring.

Ducking under the taut rope, I step up and into the ring.

My eyes sweep around the ring, waiting for my opponent to show up. I slowly walk around, keep my posture straight and my eyes away from the blood hungry crowd.

Yet even as I try to ignore the eyes on me, I can't help but look to the corner where three eyes are on me, two blue and one stormy grey.

Kade steps forward, the rest of the crowd seeming to disappear around him.

Malachi and Killian stand at his side, slightly behind him like guards to a crown prince.

I turn from their probing gazes and find my opponent, a tall man, lithe muscles prominent across his body, small sliced scars peppering his fair chest, with a nipple ring staring straight at me.

I look up, finding his eyes analysing me just like I'm analysing him. He dips his chin in respect, a roguish grin splitting his face.

He's young, maybe only a few years older than me. Shaggy light brown hair falling into dark eyes, cheeks stubbles with a day or two of growth.

He takes position, bouncing on the balls of his feet and everything else fades into the background as I let the raw energy of the fight slip over me.

• • •

I shake out my arms, feeling the ache of the fight in my muscles as I push through the growing crowd and into the empty locker room, raw energy zipping through my like a wild fire.

I flex my fist, closing my eyes instinctively as I relax, listening to the muffled chaos of the crowd outside, only drowned out by the thick red door.

The noise comes back suddenly and I spin for the door, hands reaching for a weapon I don't have but I relax when I see Kade standing there.

He lets the door shut behind him, the noise drowned out once more and I feel my heart pounding in my chest.

"You step forward with your left leg when you throw a punch from that side." His words aren't harsh, more educational and I refrain from telling him I know.

It was a habit I'd struggled to break even with Charles' encouragement.

I nod my head in acknowledgment, "habit." I supply, changing my voice slightly, keeping my tone soft and quiet.

Kade nods, "we all have them." He looks around the locker room, seeming at a loss for words and I wait with bated breath for him to call me by my name, to accuse me of something but it doesn't happen.

"What's yours?" I can't help the words, part of me wanting to know and he opened the conversation.

"Trying to find a weakness?"

I shrug, crossing my arms in front of me.

He tilts his head at me. "I have to hit hard and fast, because I haven't got the speed to evade." He doesn't let me reply, looking me up and down again. "You fight well, how'd you learn?"

I hesitate to answer for a second but then reply, "the man who raised me."

Kade nods, crossing his arms in first of him. "You'll bring a lot of revenue to this bar."

Anger slips through me and I narrow my eyes. "I don't fight for anyone."

Kade lifts his hands, "we don't make people fight here, if you want to fight you can and if you don't then you don't."

"Who's we?"

"My names Kade Hawthorne, I own this bar along with my cousins."

The door behind him opens, the red metal groaning from the assault of two bodies punching their way in and then Malachi and Killian are there.

Here it is, my doom. I wait for one of them to call
me out but neither do, both paying close attention to Kade.

"These are my cousins, Malachi and Killian."

I nod my head at them, keeping my eyes down so I don't stare at them for too long and hope they do the same.

"What's your name?" It's not Kade who asks, but Killian, his voice gruff.

I glance up, finding all three focused on me.

I stare past their shoulders, my lips forming the word before I can think it through.

"Red."

"Like the colour?" Malachi mutters.

I nod, and Kade watches me closely. "Well, welcome to town, Red. If you need anything just ask for us, everyone will know how to get into contact with us."

I nod, pocketing the information away but having no idea what to do with it.

The room is silent around us and I'm adamant that I will not be the one to break it, the less talking I do around these guys the better.

I don't have to worry for much longer before the door is pushed open and the guy I fought is there, eyes finding Kades.

"You're going to want to see this, Kade."

"What is it, Enzo?"

Enzo's eyes settle on me, dipping his chin in respect, much like he did before the fight but his eyes say what he isn't.

Whatever information he has, it's not for me to know.

Malachi and Killian slip out after Enzo, Kade lingering behind before he follows.

I watch all three walk away, my eyes and mind drawn to them.