The basement of Kramer's casino smelt like sweat and nicotine when Cyrus walked in. Most of the casino was spotless, per Kramer's idea that people paid more when things were clean, and that folks liked to be distracted by sparkles. But the basement ring, where he was kind enough to let the gangsters hold their illegal fights, was far from sparkles. It was poorly lit and damp, with grey concrete walls, and a fighting ring that was never quite dry from the sweat and blood that drenched it every couple weeks. But it was the best place for a fight around, and the shadows in the corners gave privacy to the people who didn't want others to know they were there.

Today's fight was going to be a good match; Cyrus could tell. He had arrived just in time. Felicia was already in the ring, bouncing on her feet and stretching to warm herself up. Jordan Mills stood in her corner, ready with water and anything else she might need during the match. Mills might have hated that Felicia fought in the matches, but he was always the person to coach her, inside and out of the ring. Cyrus had a running bet going with the rest of the Hunters on when he'd get up the nerve to ask her out on a date. Martin said six months, Benny bet a year, Kramer said it would never happen, and Cyrus said Felicia would ask him out first. All things were possible, but it was cute to watch big bad Mills trip over his feet all the time over a pretty girl.

Cyrus didn't recognize the girl on the other side of the ring, but since Oak Mayfield was leaning up against the ropes talking to her, he knew she was a part of his Cardinal Rebels. She was bigger than Felicia, closer to Mills in size and muscles, but Cyrus had no doubt Felicia could take her down. It would be an even match, he hoped. The better the fight, the more money rolled in. Kramer was already sitting against the back wall, counting out cash as guys came up and made their bets. Benny leaned against the side wall closer to the door, keeping an eye on everyone. Cyrus headed for him first.

"What do you think?" He asked casually, looking across the room at the members of Oak's gang.

"It'll be a good fight, but Oak's girl has too much anger, so Felicia will win." Benny said bluntly. "Everybody's been betting fair, so I don't think we'll have any issues. Oak thinks he has this fight in the bag and so does his fighter. Mills is nervous as usual, but Felicia's ready. Kramer's practically foaming at the mouth with all the money he's getting handed though."

"Well then I'm about to make him even happier." Cyrus reached into his jacket and handed Benny an envelope. "Happy pay day."

"How many times do I have to tell you to quit paying me for this shit?" Benny complained, but he still took the envelope and opened it. "Jesus. I need rent money, not enough to buy a small country."

"Oh shut up, you deserve it." Cyrus grinned. "I'll be back." He headed over to Kramer, the fat man's eyes lighting up at the sight of him.

"Mossberg! Almost thought you wouldn't show. Betting on your girl as usual?"

"I'd be stupid not to," Cyrus insisted. "Put me down for five, and I believe this is yours," He handed over an envelope, and Kramer's cheeky smirk got wider as he took it.

"You're a good man, Mossberg."

"You say that like I'm being generous."

"Well you are," Kramer tucked the envelope away. "And just for that, I think I'll buy some new light bulbs for down here."

"Bet on Felicia and you won't need money from your paycheck to buy them."

"No shit, I'm not not stupid either. You still coming to poker night?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Cyrus headed over to the ring, leaning on the ropes as Felicia and Mills stopped warming up.

"Hey boss," Felicia grinned. "So what's the deal, am I winning or losing today?"

"You're kidding, right?" He raised an eyebrow. "You're a star. Pound her into the dirt."

"Aye aye, captain."

"You got everything you need? Mouthpiece, water, all that crap?"

"Why don't you ask Jordy?" She smirked. "He brought two of everything."

"Can't be over-prepared," Mills mumbled, and Felicia shoved him playfully. Cyrus shook his head at the two and dug out two more envelopes.

"You want a happy Tuesday now or later?" He asked.

"I'll collect with my winnings after the fight," Felicia declared, and Jordan nodded in agreement.

"Well then I'll see you after. Kick some ass."

"I always do." Cyrus scanned the room for Marcus or Martin, but they were nowhere to be found. Oh well. He'd pay them later. He headed back to Benny as Kramer stepped into the ring, ready to start the fight.

"Hey Mossberg!" Oak's nasally voice crowed from the other side of the room. Cyrus turned, not really caring what the other gang leader had to say. "Hope you're ready to lose!"

"Hope you're ready to eat your words," He called back.

"As if! My girl, Lena, here is gonna win so easily, you'll be on your knees begging me for your money back." Cyrus smirked.

"While I'm flattered you've been thinking of me on my knees, I'm afraid you're not really my type." Oak went red and Benny started snickering from his spot on the wall.

"If you're so confident, then why don't you and me fight in the next round?" Oak challenged. "I don't need someone else to kick your ass when I can do it myself."

"Oh, so you'd rather roll around all sweaty on the floor with me instead. Is this some fantasy of yours, Mayfield, or do you just want me to bash your face in that bad?" Felicia snorted loudly from the ring and turned away to muffle her giggles. Oak fumbled for a response.

"We-well we'll just see who's fantasy is, um-" He stammered and others started to laugh. "Whatever. You're lame and old!"

"And you're fugly and stupid. Let's let the girls decide who's superior, shall we?"

"Couldn't agree more," Kramer said. "Let's get this fight started." Mills climbed out of the ring, and the spectators headed for their sides, the Hunters on one, the Rebels on the other. Felicia and Lena, Oak's fighter, stepped up to the center of the ring. "You know the rules, ladies. Keep it clean, no biting, etc. Three rounds, winner takes all. Make sense?" They nodded. "Alright, then start whenever." He quickly flounced out of the ring, and the fight began. Lena threw the first punch, an easy blow that Felicia dodged before countering with a punch of her own. Cyrus and Benny watched closely from their spot on the wall while Mills stayed close to the ring, yelling suggestions and encouragements.

"You know, I think Oak likes you," Benny joked. Cyrus smirked and crossed his arms.

"Wow, you really think so?" He replied sarcastically. "Well then it's such a shame I'm taken, I'd totally go after him if I wasn't." Benny gasped dramatically.

"Really?"

"Oh yeah. He's got so much going for him, with that dashing hack job of a haircut and his sixty five Instagram followers. What man could possibly resist?"

"Hey, it's sixty five more followers than your husband has."

"So true. I should go for it."

"If you do, can I have Theo?" Cyrus laughed and shoved at him.

"Fuck no. I'm never letting that one go."

"Wise choice," Benny commented. "And I hate to break it to you, but I think your crush is straight."

"Are we sure about that? Cause Mayfield does post pictures of clouds a lot."

"Martin ran into him at a strip club last week."

"Of course he did. Martin has a problem."

"Martin has a lot of problems."

"We should host an intervention for him."

"We should...What about at Gino's tomorrow, after our chat with our suppliers?"

"Sounds like a plan. I gotta talk to Kramer about who's coming to poker anyways."

"Good. I'll get my therapist certificate tonight and have the rest of the guys draw pictures. If that's not enough to help Martin, we might need to consult an actual professional on how to get him out of his mother's basement."

"That might be the most difficult part. He really likes that basement."

"It's a scary place."

"I know." A loud slap echoed through the room as Oak's fighter hit the floor, and didn't get back up. Felicia stood above her, a bit bruised and bloody, but she was smiling. Kramer rang a bell, signaling the end of the final round, and the Hunters let out a victory cheer.

"And Felicia O'Connor, our reigning champ, keeps her crown for another day!" Kramer announced. "Losers pay up, or I'll hunt you down."

"Hey Mayfield," Cyrus called, grinning. "How those words tasting?" Oak glared at him and raised a finger, making the Hunters laugh.

Paydays were always good days, but fight days? Those were even better.