"You can't fight tonight. I'm serious," I say, catching Luke's arm in the changing room as I start to really panic about all this. We’ve been living in peace the last week, pretending like this wasn’t going to happen today, and now it’s here, and we can’t avoid it. The fight is planned, and Arthur is out there waiting. Watching.

"He has to," my brother says behind me, and Luke tensely looks down at me. I know he doesn’t want to do this, and I want to hate him. I want to drag him out of here, but I understand why, and that’s even worse.

"I don't want to do this, but it's all over if I don't. Five years of pain, misery, and destruction for nothing. Arthur will kill me, you, and everyone I care about," Luke says, sliding his hands onto my face. “I can’t risk you and Parker. My brothers, my sister. Everyone.”

"He’s my brother," I whisper.

"I know the price," my stupid brother replies. I turn my tear filled eyes on Dale, who looks over my shoulder at Luke. "I want some time with my sister. Meet you out there, Luke."

"I'm sorry," Luke whispers, letting go of me before he walks past. "I’ll try to make it quick." A sob escapes my lips as I just stare at his green eyes, knowing every part of him doesn’t want to do this. Whatever Luke is, he isn’t a cold-blooded killer.

I hear Luke walk away, the door open and shut in the distance, and I look back at my brother. The light from the tiny window in the room shines on my brother, his tanned skin and black hair so similar to my own.

"I don't want to die. I will admit that," Dale says, coming up to me and placing his hands on my shoulders. "I want you and our family to live more than me. We’ve both spent years being used by that monster. Years where I have done things I want nothing more than to forget. Luke will never forgive himself for killing me, so he’ll need you to forgive him. I need you to forgive me for this."

"I can't watch the man I love kill my brother because of this goddamn place!" I shout, whacking my fists onto his chest as I burst into uncontrollable sobs. Dale pulls me into his arms, holding me tight as we hear the door open. I know it’s time, but Dale still has to pull me off of him.

"Dase had run because he couldn’t watch, so after this, you’ll only have dad and Luke to watch your back. Be careful," Dale tells me, before letting me go and walking away.

"I love you. I wish I could change this," I cry out.

"My death has been coming for a long time. At least I will die for something; that can't be said for our brothers or most our family, sis," he tells me, his words echoing around the room before he shuts the door. The slam of the door feels like the final goodbye, and I can't process the pain as I fall to the floor. I don't know how long I sit there on the floor, remembering every good thing I can about my brother. How he would steal ice cream out of the freezer for me. How he would beat up the big boys who used to chase me around the playground and steal my lunch. How he was there for me when I went into labour and how Dale was the first person to hold Parker. I block out all the sounds of cheering, the bloodthirsty customers who love to see a fight until I have to hold my hands over my ears. The world seems to blur away for a long time, my thoughts disappearing into nothing but pain. Hands gently cover my mine on my ears, lowering them and I know that touch anywhere. This time, I don't want to look at him, and I can't.

"It's over," he whispers to me.

"I want to hate you for it," I cry.

"Then hate me," he replies.

"I can't. I fucking love you," I say, bursting into tears. Luke wraps his arms around me, sitting on the floor and holding me close as I wish for the pain to disappear. It doesn't, and I suspect it never will.

"I have to go," Luke gently tells me, reminding me why my brother's death was so important. “I have to finish this.”

"Make sure he pays for it," I demand, locking eyes with Luke and seeing the pain. Seeing the heartbreak and how scared he is to lose me.

"I will." His words are firm as I lean closer and press my lips to his for only a moment before pulling back. "Leave and let me finish this. Keep our son safe." I don't reply to him, knowing I can't process any words right now before I get up and walk out. I hold my head high, not looking once at the cage and the place that keeps destroying every part of my soul. This place will burn, and Arthur just lit the match.