My heart leapt into my throat. My fingers turned clammy with cold sweat. I scrubbed them against my jeans, resisting the urge to wrap my arms around myself while too many eyes kept drifting my way.
The malocchio was here.
I should have given Liam the cornicello!
But it was too late.
He was going to fight, and there was nothing I could do to protect him.
Kevin removed his glasses and folded them neatly. With a tug, he slid his shirt over his head. Cut, lean muscles covered his frame. A crow was inked across his chest, while other designs scrawled over the rest of his fair skin. Stepping out from behind the veil of nerdy hipster, he looked like a completely different man. I couldn’t believe that sniveling persona had been a mask.
When his voice cut through the room, a chill swept down my spine. “Knives!”
Doc Ryan walked to a nearby table, lifted two knives from their sheaths, and handed one to each man.
Kevin ripped the leather sheath away from his blade, letting the light catch along its edge. The sharp glint danced across the lethal steel.
When Liam had said he was coming here tonight, I had no idea this was what he meant. I couldn’t believe he had intended to leave me out of this!
Liam kept his knife sheathed. Turning away, he jogged up the steps, ducked under the ropes, and slipped into the ring. He crossed to the opposite side and leaned back against the ropes.
One by one, he removed his shoes and socks. His bare feet flexed against the rubber mat, his gaze never leaving his cousin as Kevin climbed into the ring, wearing a tight-fitted pair of shorts.
Before the fight could even be called, Liam reached up and tore off his mask. He dropped it. His shirt followed, as did his pants. Then he pulled off his glove and tossed it aside.
He was disrobing on the platform, where all the mobsters could look upon their king.
My heart skipped a painful beat.
Once Liam matched his cousin, he kicked his clothing back and out of the ring. Liam looked at his weapon. The sheathed knife bounced between his hands once, twice. On the third toss, he held it out to the side and let it fall to the floor.
Kevin laughed. The sound was mocking and wicked as it echoed through the gym.
“Do you give up so easily, cousin?” he taunted.
Liam pursed his lips and shook his head.
“I’ll break you bone by bone,” Kevin continued. “And when you’re in so much pain you can’t think, I’ll leave you begging on the floor while I carve out your heart.”
Liam was silent. It wasn’t out of fear. He exuded power and didn’t need to boast.
After all, beasts didn’t bow to prey.
Clutching the horned pendant for dear life, I whispered a prayer just to cover all bases.
“Are you sure you want to stay?” Connor murmured beside me, leaning close to my ear. “You’re looking a little green, missus.”
I swallowed hard. The churning in my stomach didn’t ease. It wasn’t the violence that unsettled me. It was the fact that Liam stood unarmed against a man holding a knife.
“Can he beat him?” I hissed as the two men began circling each other.
Connor huffed. “I sure as hell hope so. Otherwise, it won’t be good for anyone.”
“I thought he was a mathlete,” I muttered as Kevin lunged at Liam, arms swinging wide.
“He is,” Connor said. “But that was always the game he hid behind. The little shite’s been wily since birth.”
A murmur rippled through the room as Kevin jabbed again, slashing wildly. Liam wove through each strike with fluid grace.
