Ruinous Love Trilogy, #3
Scythe & Sparrow
by Brynne Weaver
Contents
Beast Mode
Overview
Fionn works ringside at an underground fight, seeking distraction from his growing desire for Rose. Rose unexpectedly arrives and refuses to leave, witnessing a brutal mismatch that spills into a crowd brawl. When Rose is knocked down and her cast hit, Fionn loses control and viciously knocks out the ringer, alarming himself even as the crowd cheers. Their near-intimate moment is broken by Tom, underscoring Fionn’s dangerous volatility.
Summary
Fionn arrives at the Blood Brothers underground fights to serve as ringside doctor, hoping the visceral work will quiet his turmoil over his desire for Rose. He sets up his station, patches up “Nate the Natural” after a bout, and is startled when Rose appears, cheekily refusing to leave despite his warnings.
As a new mismatch is announced—Ballistic Bill versus the Humphrey Hurricane—Fionn grows uneasy. Bill methodically wears the Hurricane down and knocks him out in the second round, confirming Fionn’s suspicion of a dangerous ringer. Fionn clashes verbally with Tom over the recklessness of the booking while tending to the fallen fighter.
A sideline brawl erupts near Fionn’s table. Rose is knocked off her stool, her injured leg jostled, and she cries out, trying to ward people off with a crutch. Seeing Bill collide with her cast, Fionn abandons restraint, shoves Bill, and, when Bill leers at Rose, unleashes a barrage of punches, splitting Bill’s brow and finally knocking him unconscious.
The crowd chants “Doctor” as Fionn, blood-splattered, pushes back to Rose. He cups her face, shaken and drawn to her as she insists she’s okay and asks if he is. A charged moment nearly turns intimate before Tom interrupts, needling Fionn as the unspoken realization settles: Fionn’s protective impulse has exposed a violent side he fears.
Who Appears
- Dr. Fionn KaneRingside doctor at the fight club; loses control defending Rose and brutally knocks out Ballistic Bill.
- RoseArrives uninvited to the fights; is knocked down and her cast hit, triggering Fionn’s violent response.
- TomAnnouncer and organizer; revels in mayhem, likely booked a mismatch, interrupts Fionn and Rose afterward.
- Ballistic BillMassive, skilled ringer who dominates the Hurricane; collides with Rose’s cast and is then knocked out by Fionn.
- Humphrey HurricaneOvermatched fighter; worn down and knocked out by Bill, requires medical attention.
- Nate the NaturalFighter Fionn stitches up; flirts amiably with Rose and invites her to his shop.