Page 130 of Burning Ember

Bodie, being smart, decides to stay out of it. He glares up at Taz who’s standing at the end of the table spinning a toothpick around in his mouth. “Shut the fuck up.”

“Fuck that. I’m a cherry pie man or I’ll eatPumpkintoo. Either way, I’m all over it.”

Dozer smiles broadly after taking another bite. “Especially if it’s fresh and sweet like this.”

White-hot anger spears through me. I pull my hands from Ember and turning, I reach across the table, grab Dozer’s collar, and lean close into his face. “You just don’t know when to shut the fuck up, do you?”

“What?” He glares back at me. “Did I say somethin’ wrong?” He laughs. “Or is it ‘cause you don’t like where my mouth’s been?” Sneering, and rising from the bench, he says, “It must eat at you that I got a taste of her first.”

I jerk him forward so we’re nose to nose. “She’s made her choice though, hasn’t she? Now you’re stirrin’ up shit, because it wasn’t you.”

“Mav, stop!” Ember begs and I feel a tug on the back of my cut.

But it’s too fuckin’ late. This shit has been building between Dozer and me for a while. It’s about time it comes to a head. Especially now. He started this shit out here in front of everyone and it needs to end here too. Doll doesn’t realize that in my world when someone blatantly disrespects you, you can’t let that shit go unanswered.

His eyes move from me to Ember. “He’s only ever treated you like trash. Can’t you see that?”

I shove him back. Growling, I say, “Don’t fuckin’ talk to her! Don’t even fuckin’ look at her!”

But he keeps going. “If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t be here. He thought you were a rat. He fuckin’ called you trash. And he wanted me to kick your ass out on the street. Is this the kind of guy you really want?”

I make rapid strides around the table. I don’t waste time with words. Instead, I launch my fist at him and when it connects, a bone-jarring tremor rattles my arm. A second later, a woman screams and shouts ring out as Dozer launches his massive body at me. His vice-like arms wrap around my waist and we stumble back a few feet, until we fall to the ground. Dozer gets to his knees first and throws his fist forward, slamming it into my cheek. My head snaps to the side as fire barrels into my face. Shaking it off, I roll and get to my feet and barely make it in time to dodge the body shot he throws.

We’re both breathing heavily, glaring at one another, and circling, looking for a weak point, an opening. When I find one, I strike fast and land a solid blow to the softest part of his stomach. He curls over my fist and a gasp of air puffs out of him. I push him back and he staggers off balance.

I vaguely hear someone close holler, “That’s enough! Pull ’em apart!”

My arms are wrenched back as I’m grabbed from behind. The same happens to Dozer. Then Edge is in his face trying to talk him down. But looking around him, Dozer shouts, “You weren’t savin’ her for Edge you self-righteous fucker! You were savin’ her for yourself!”

Trying to push away from the men holding me back, the truth rips out of me. “You’re damn right I was!”

At my admission, Dozer struggles and breaks free. He rushes at me, but he’s stopped short and hauled back. “You piece of shit!”

“Yeah? I’m the piece of shit? I’m the one blowin’ off the club and leavin’ my brothers all fuckin’ hangin’?”

He growls, “Fuck you! You don’t know shit!”

Suddenly Ember’s standing in front of me. She places one hand on my chest. “Mav! Stop this!” It takes me a second to focus on her and shake off the fury riding me.

“Doll, get back.”

“No! This is crazy.”

“Someone get her out of here!”

Griz grabs on to her arm, but she fights him. “No, Mav, I won’t stay here if this is what it’s going to be like. You swore you’d prove it. Is that what this is?”

I sober instantly. My eyes fall from an enraged Dozer to Ember. Her eyes are sad and yet fierce. She’s dead serious. I can see it. She’ll leave before we’ve even really had a chance to make this work. Because of this. Because of Dozer and because I can’t keep my fuckin’ temper under control.

“I’m done!” I shout still staring at her. “It’s okay. Let me go.” Taz and Goose let my arms go and back off.

Dozer’s not done though. “You’re done? Bullshit! We’re just gettin’ started!” His eyes are riddled with jealousy as he watches the two of us.

“We’re done with this,” I tell him. “Fine. You’ve got your reasons for steppin’ down. I won’t bring it up again. But she’s mine. Stay the fuck away from her.”

“Get the fuck off me,” he shouts and shrugs off the arms holding him before stalking off.

“I can’t stay, be here, not like this. I don’t want to come between you,” Ember says. Her brows are pulled tight with tension.