Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Murray's fist brushed past Corley's cheekbone with a dull thud.

As Murray raised his fist for a second blow, Corley grabbed his collar, yanked hard, and nearly knocked him down.

Corley took the opportunity to step back and create some distance.

"Damn," he muttered, touching the sore spot on his cheekbone.

"Murray, have you lost your mind?!"

"You're asking for it!"

Corley smirked, seeing Murray grinding his teeth in rage. Understanding the cause, his smirk widened even more. "Saw everything, did you?" Murray raised his fist again, his eyes bloodshot with anger.

"What? Can't handle it? You know, scenes like this will happen over and over, even bigger than this. What's your plan? Hit me every time you see me?"

"But what's the point? Does hitting me stop anything from happening?"

Murray's chest heaved with suppressed rage. If looks could kill, Corley would have been dead a thousand times over.

Suddenly calming down, Murray asked, "So, Roseanne agreed to be with you?"

Corley's smile faltered.

"Seems she hasn't. You couldn't

else's leftovers? Can't afford anything new, or just prefer hand-me-downs?" Corley's smile vanished, and he stepped forward, grabbing Murray by the

"Am I wrong?"

say anything about me; I can take it. But keep her out of this-don't insult a woman

smirk appearing on his lips. "Admit it, you're just jealous. Jealous that

a loser who couldn't keep her

straight at

Toved a piece of

you."

that, he punched Murray

punch, was for

"And this one, is me returning the

going down without a fight. He swung back, and under the dim streetlight, in the secluded alley, two men in suits

all bore

Until-

"Holy smokes! I knew this was going to blow

swallowed hard, "They're going to

one man in each

urged, "Murray, Corley, cool it!

"I'll