Page 194 of The Silver Fox Brother

I stand from where I was leaning against the back of the couch.

"That's none of your business."

"Not only are you a snake," Rowan spits, closing the distance between us, "but you're also fucking her?"

My jaw tightens. "She's not your girlfriend. She hasn't been for months."

Rowan's fist connects with my face before I can react. The punch is harder than the last time he hit me. It snaps my head to the side and pain explodes across my jaw. But this time I swing back.

My fist connects with his ribs and Rowan grunts, stumbling backward. Then he comes at me again. We're both throwing punches now. A full-on brawl. Fists flying. I get him in the jaw. He gets me in the stomach. The air rushes out of my lungs but I don't stop.

We crash into the side table and a lamp falls to the floor, shattering into pieces. Rowan shoves me backward and I catch myself against the couch. He comes at me again but I dodge and land another punch to his face. Blood is running from his nose now.

"Stop!" Winter's voice screams from somewhere behind us.

"Stop! Both of you!"

I grab Rowan by the collar of his shirt and shove him hard. He stumbles backward and catches himself against the wall. We're both breathing hard, chests heaving. Blood on both of our faces.

Rowan straightens and looks past me at Winter. His chest is rising and falling rapidly. His eyes are wild.

"I guess I was the wrong brother?" Rowan says bitterly, his voice rough.

"Is he the one you want?"

I turn slightly so I can see Winter standing in the hallway entrance. She's pale. Tears are streaming down her face. She looks at Rowan. Then at me. Her eyes lock with mine and she doesn't look away when she speaks.

"Yes," Winter says clearly, her voice steady despite the tears.

"He's everything I could have ever wanted."

The words hit me square in the chest. Rowan stares at her like she's just ripped his heart out. Then he turns back to me, his face twisted with anger and pain.

"I told you," Rowan says to Winter, but he's looking at me.

"This is just a game to him."

I step forward, my fists still clenched at my sides.

"It's not a game," I say, my voice low and steady.

"I’m in love with her, Rowan."

I look directly at him when I say it.

"And I will take care of her better than you ever could."

I move closer, standing right in front of him now.

"Now get the fuck out of my home."

Rowan stares at me for a long moment. His jaw is tight. His fists are still clenched. Then he turns and looks at Winter one last time.

"Well, don't say that I didn't try," Rowan says quietly, his voice dripping with defeat.

He turns back to me, his face a mixture of disgust and resignation.

"I guess you won this round after all."