Page 70 of Ward

It lands on the floor a few yards away with a heavy thunk.

“You little bitch,” he shouts.

I lunge, tackling him to the floor. The lighter slips from his hand as he reaches up to grasp my collar.

“Fuck you, you bastard!” He throws a punch that lands on the side of my head. Pain explodes across my vision like fireworks, and then rage turns it red.

My fist connects with his cheekbone and then his jaw. A final blow to his nose sends blood erupting over both of us, disorienting him enough that I can wrestle him onto his stomach.

“Stop,” I growl at his ear. “It’s over. You’re done.”

He groans. I pull his left arm behind his back. As I reach for his right, my grip slips, and he elbows me in the ribs. Pain shoots up my spine and ricochets throughout my chest. I lose purchase on him as he scrambles out from under me.

I see the gun in my peripheral vision and reach for it, just as Liam grabs hold of the lighter.

A manic grin consumes his face as he spins the strike.

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