Page 117 of Timber's Line

“I’ll try to go easy.”

“When is your fight?” she asks him.

“Not for a while. Memphis and London are training me.”

“I’ll come root for you,” she teases him.

“Please don’t, he would really kill me then.” He grins.

“Thank you, Oscar, for apologizing. Are you staying?”

“In Atlanta, but maybe I might move out here when I have some money saved up to buy some property.”

She nods, and they hug again as he moves on.

“Please don’t kill him,” she says. My shoulders shake with laughter.

“I can’t promise that. But he’s not the one I want to kill,” I reply honestly.

“I know, but I believe in karma, and Ethan will get what’s coming to him.”

“Maybe,” I tell her, but if I see that guy around again, I can’t promise anything. I want to knock his teeth down his throat and worse.

“Is Uncle Sal going to let you back in the cage anyway?”

“You heard Oscar.” I smile. “Yes, he’s setting it up now. All the fighters here are doing a charity event.”

“You’re the headliner?”

“It will be my welcome back premiere,” I say, and she smiles. I love it when she smiles.

“I can’t wait.” She leans into me, and I hold her tight as we watch our friends and family. I can’t help but feel like I’m finally home.

EPILOGUE

DAYTON

One year later

I can feel the crowd cheer. It’s so loud, the floor in the cage vibrates and I’m exhilarated.

“Dayton, this has been a long time coming, a Cinderella revamp, so to speak. How are you feeling?” the reporter asks.

They just announced me as the winner, and I searched the crowd for Timber. I can see her.

I pat Memphis on the back. He looks beat. I am too, but my adrenaline is soaring.

“I’m happy. Memphis is a tough cookie. But I need to go to my wife.”

I push through the crowd and haul her over my shoulder, heading for my dressing room.

“You’re a caveman.” She giggles. I set her down and then jump on her. Sex is so much better after a fight. Ever had told her that once, and she was right.

Before long, clothes are off, and she’s moaning my name.

I kiss her and ravish her body. In the last year, we’ve found a flow. I bought her a new clinic and shelter. Since Hickory is growing and thriving, they needed one. The old veterinarian retired, and it’s just her. She’s been so busy that she’s taken on employees. She is still in school, but everyone in town trusts her with their pets and livestock, so she practices under the watchful eye of the man that retired. He just doesn’t come into the clinic, it’s all hers.

“Fuck,” I hiss out as I come.