Page 53 of Timber's Line

“When did you grow a heart?” I snap.

“I’ve always had one, and yours needed a jump start,” he snaps back. I start to get up, but Brice pushes me back down.

“No bloodshed on the porch,” Ever hisses.

“I have no problem spilling his blood,” I sneer, “but I won’t do it on the porch.”

Easton steps closer to me. “Is that a threat?”

“No, you know I can wipe the floor with you.”

“Put your money where your mouth is.” Easton steps so close, we’re almost nose to nose. No one is stepping in, and I’m thankful for that.

“Take it to the cage,” London yells.

“With pleasure.” It’s still raining, but I don’t care.

I rip my shirt off and wrap my hands with the wraps in my pocket.

Easton does the same, all the way to his briefs. I’m already in shorts from before.

I’m angry and I’m about to take it all out on one of the guys who has made my life hell.

“You think you can take me?” He’s goading me as we dance around each other. I say nothing, not my style.

“Snow was special to me. Someone needed to pick her up after what you did to her.”

I lunge at him, and he kicks me in the chest. I catch my breath and try again.

“This is why you won’t be a better fighter—you let anger rule you,” he hisses at me.

I don’t say anything, just watch his movements.

“You ruined your life and hers. How does that make you feel?” His eyes dance with anger.

“Fuck you,” I yell, hitting him with a right hook.

He just laughs it off, as if my punch was a butterfly on his face.

“Let it out, asshole. You know it was your fault. Keep bottling up that anger, you’re only hurting yourself,” he snaps, and I hit him with a cross and a kick. He laughs. I mean, he really laughs. I almost wonder if Easton is crazy.

“You hit like a bitch.” He laughs and hits me with an uppercut, knocking me to the ground.

He stands over me, mocking me, “Get up, you pussy.”

I stand and back him into the cage, punching his face a few times before he sweeps my legs out and kicks me in my stomach.

“Get the fuck up and hit me like you want to,” he screams at me.

I roll to the side, pulling on his ankle. He hits the mat hard, and I wrench his arm behind him. He takes his other, hits me in the gut hard, and I roll away.

“You said you were going to wipe the floor with me,” he growls. “You aren’t shit.”

He connects with my face, and I can feel it split. The rain and blood are in my eyes, but I’m not giving up.

I punch him in the mouth, and he spits the blood out, laughing. He’s been laughing the whole time. He’s crazy.

“How do you think you can protect Timber if you couldn’t protect Snow? You hit like a girl.” I swing again, breaking his nose, but he bounces back fast.