The sounds of cheering fills my ears as I walk into the massive metal cage. I'm just wearing shorts and wraps on my fists because a shirt is a good tool for someone to grab. The guy I'm fighting is gigantic, and he looks like he is on all sorts of drugs. I have the height benefit, thankfully, and I've already planned out how to take him down. See, I’m the smart brother, my twin, Elliot, is the strongest one, Luke is fast, and Harley is the lethal one. I shake myself out of my thoughts as the buzzer goes off, and the guy stupidly rushes at me, thinking he can take me in one go. 

I move quickly to the side and jab a punch to his lower stomach as I move. I want to jump on him and finish this when he falls to his knees, but I back off, dragging out the fight for the screaming crowd.

He gets up and charges me again. This time, he manages to get me to fall. I let him, knowing I need to take a hit; otherwise, the boss won't like it. He lands a punch to my face before I punch back, using my legs to push him off of me. I kneel on his stomach and start landing punch after punch to his face, before I finally see that he is out for the count.

My hands are burning, and I know my lip is cut, but I stand, putting on a face for the crowd as they cheer. I hate hearing them shouting, "King, King, King," like I’m some sort of god.

I eventually move to the back room, avoiding looking at anyone and moving past the training room toward the locker rooms. I grab my clothes and leave them outside the shower before washing off and getting dressed. I think about Luke’s birthday today, knowing we had a lunch because we couldn't have a late party due to the fight. Maisy wouldn't be able to stay out late anyway, and I wouldn’t leave her alone.

Luke has never liked celebrating his birthday, so most years we have had to force him to a party or dinner. Today, we went to a Chinese restaurant he likes in town, and Allie baked him a cake. He was happy, but I could see he wanted to leave. He couldn’t care less that he is finally seventeen. I guess because he has been driving for a year without a licence, the whole getting to drive legally thing isn’t interesting to him.

Harley taught us all to drive way before we took tests. Luke has his test booked in a few days. I've asked him about why he doesn't like his birthday, but he won't answer and just gives me a dark look I know too well. Our dad must have fucked it up for him somehow.

Maisy and I gave him gift cards and a bottle of whisky, which he was happy with. I know he will be enjoying himself tonight.  

"You all right?" Blake asks as I walk out of the locker room. He is leaning on the wall next to the door, texting on his phone.

"All good, just a cut lip," I say, and he nods.

We walk to find Luke at the bar, and several women try to talk to me. I ignore them all, as I only have thoughts for one girl at home, but it’s awkward remembering a few of the faces trying to talk to me. Luke has a gorgeous, tall blond woman standing between his legs as he sits on the stool. I can see him playing with her breasts, and her eyes are dazed. 

"Dude, get a room," I say as I hop onto the stool next to him. He removes his hands with a laugh and kisses her cheek.

"Go dance, and I’ll find you. I need to chat with my brother," he says, and she wanders off. I grab a beer from the bar, ordering Blake one, too.

"I've messaged Maisy that you are all right. She sent me a million messages about the fight, asking if you were doing okay throughout it." He smiles at me as I feel a little relieved.

"Thanks," I say, checking my phone and seeing she sent me a text not long ago saying she is happy I'm okay. 

"Hey, baby." An unwelcome hand slides up my back, and I turn to see Elena. She is more dressed-up than I remember her ever being, or maybe she always dressed like this. She is wearing a tight, red dress, and her hair is everywhere.

"Elena, you know you shouldn't be around me," I say, referring to the restraining order. I had hoped she got the message after that, but it doesn't seem like it from the way she is looking at me.

"I know that bitch made you do it. It's okay, once she has your baby, we can be together." She smiles like she didn’t just say something completely crazy. She is still trying to touch me, but I just move out of the way. I notice Luke and Blake moving closer to my sides. 

"Elena, you’re acting a little crazy, now. I don't understand why you won't just forget me. I love Maisy. You grew up with us, and you know I have always loved her. I shouldn't have used you to try to get over her, for that I am sorry," I say, trying to reason with her. I know I’ve said sorry before, but maybe she needs to hear it again.

She goes to say something, and Arthur comes to her side, making her glance at him instead. She instantly goes to the older man, hugging his side. I grimace at that, because she is the same age as me, and he is in his fifties. I know he sleeps around a lot with the normal girls at The Cage, but I didn't think he would go after her. Well, someone as young as her.

"Sebastian, another wonderful fight tonight," he says in the fake way that he always speaks.

Since he hurt my sister, I can't help but want to kill him. It was bad enough for Izzy, but seeing her tied up to a chair in the cage is something I can never forget.

Arthur is dressed in a blue suit, which stands out in the room full of more casually-dressed people. His hair is almost all grey now, and it highlights his empty, blue eyes.

"Luke, I hear you are fighting for me next week. Blake, how I wish you would fight for me," he says as he leers at Luke, and I see Blake tense up.

"I'd rather kill you," Blake smirks at Arthur, who glares at him in return.

"Don't be rude, boy. Come on, Elena, I have something to show you," he says as she nods her head up and down in excitement. They walk off, but Elena still stares back at me until the crowd swallows her up.

"They suit each other. They are both bat-shit crazy," Luke says, and I laugh. 

"Yeah, hopefully she starts stalking him instead," I say with a grimace.

"I'm off. I want to see Izzy. Do you want a lift?" Blake asks. I know Izzy is staying at our house with Maisy, so it makes sense. Blake is staying over, and Luke drove me up.

"Yeah, sounds good. Have fun with the blonde, bro," I say to Luke, whose attention is on another girl in the crowd. It’s not the blonde from earlier, but that doesn’t surprise me.

"He is worse than us before we found our girls," Blake says when we are walking to the car.

"That's true. Some girl will knock him off his feet. I'm looking forward to that day," I say with a grin.

"Me, too. I'm thinking of asking Izzy to move in with me; she stays over nearly every night now," he says, and it seems like he is asking me for permission. I know he and my sister are perfect for each other.

"You should be asking Harley, but I think it's cool. She is crazy about you, so she will say yes," I say, patting his back.

"I hope so, I know it's soon, but I can't imagine my life without her," he says, unlocking the car. I get into the car before I reply.

"I understand that feeling, but less of the girly talk," I say with a smile, thinking of my beautiful girlfriend at home, who will hopefully be my wife soon. I know I'm only eighteen, but I refuse to live without her any longer. 

"How are you feeling about the baby coming? It must be fucking scary. Yes, I know it’s a girly question," Blake says with a slight shiver as he drives us home. 

"I'm excited. I've always wanted children. Maybe not so young, but I wouldn’t change a thing," I tell him.

"I’m happy Maisy is back. Fuck, I almost lost my best friend back there. She makes you happy, and that's good," he says.

"Thanks for sticking by me. I was off the rails, I know that," I say with a slight grimace.

"I would be the same without Izzy. Plus, you were my brother before I met Izzy," he tells me, and I laugh.

"Man, that is true." I smirk, remembering how Blake grew up with us too.

"Remember when we were eleven and we swore we wouldn't get girlfriends because we didn't like girls?" Blake laughs.

"I remember we were idiots." I laugh with him. My phone buzzes, and I see it’s from Elliot.

Elliot: come back to the cage, Luke needs us.

Me: on my way with Blake. 

"We need to head back, Luke’s in trouble," I say, and Blake does a turn in the road. We have only been driving for half an hour, how much shit could he have gotten into?

I text Maisy. 

Me: had to go back, won't be late, don't worry. Luke needs my help x 

Maisy: Ok. Izzy and I are going to bed. See you soon, love you x

I smile, but I'm still worried about what my little brother has gotten himself into.