The roar of the crowd faded as Damon walked the hallway, belt slung over his shoulder.
Svetlana carried Ava close beside him, while Victor and Joey followed a step behind.
Inside the locker room, Damon set the belt against the wall and sat down on the bench.
Ava climbed onto his lap, thumb in her mouth until Damon gently pulled it out and kissed her cheek.
Victor crouched in front of him. "You broke him down step by step. That's how champions do it."
"Yeah," Damon said simply.
Joey handed him water. "Good? You just made an undefeated interim champ quit. That's not good, that's scary."
Damon sipped, set it down, and looked at the belt. It gleamed under the lights, but his mind was elsewhere.
Svetlana leaned on the wall, arms crossed, watching him. Damon met her eyes, managed a faint smile, then looked down at Ava resting against his chest.
For the first time that night, the fight was over.
