Page 78 of Girl Violence

Josette’s heart jolts when Jason reaches out and grabs Vince’s arm when he goes for Ian. He tugs him back and leans into him. “Not yet.”

Vince rips his arm from Jason’s grip but thankfully doesn’t make another move. Josette can’t see his face, but she knows how tense he is from his shoulders. Of course, Ian is lapping it all up. It makes her want to run over to Vince and wrap her arms around him. Beg him to leave.

“Jason,” Ian says next. “You’re looking well. Shame you didn’t die when you overdosed that time.”

“Yeah, because I have to look at your fucking ugly face today,” Jason fires back, that grin on his face more deadly than amused.

“What is this?” a different guy, who Josette thinks is called Ethan, asks. He doesn’t look impressed that they’ve interrupted whatever he was doing with the two girls draped over him.

“Nothing. It’s just a misunderstanding.” Ian shrugs, and her skin crawls. “I’m sorry she wants me, Vince. Truly. You saw the picture. She practically threw herself at me.” Josette glares at him with outrage, anger pouring inside her that he thinks she’d ever want him. Ian sighs when Vince remains silent. “This is getting a bit anti-climactic. Are you going to do something, or will you just stand there?”

“Are you with us or not?” Vince calls out then, and Josette’s eyebrows draw together with confusion, wondering who he’s talking to.

A few tense seconds pass until Austin moves and opens the boot of his car. Josette’s eyes widen when he pulls out a bat.

Ian staggers back, and there are a few shocked murmurs around the group, people looking just as confused as her. Josette even sees Alyssa gape at him, and her voice quivers when she asks, “What are you doing, Austin?”

He ignores her and turns to the group, pointing the bat in their direction. “Stay out of this.”

None of them move. Neither can Josette. She’s glued to the spot, unable to take her eyes off them all. The way Vince, Jason, and Austin close in on Ian. Is this what they had planned?

“You fuckers,” Ian laughs as they circle him. “All of this over a piece of ass—”

Vince slams his fist into his face, the same time Austin smacks the bat into the back of his legs. Ian falls to the ground, yelling out a series of swear words. That’s when Josette sees the blood. He tries to wipe blood dripping from his nose with the back of his hand but fails to. It splashes down his face, soaking all the way down his coat.

Kneeling, Vince grabs his face, fingers digging into his cheeks. His eyes dance with fire, and it makes Josette’s breathing hitch. This is the side of him she doesn’t know. The side he hides from her. She can’t tear her eyes away. She wants to see this because she wants to be able to handle this. Sheneedsto.

“You’re pathetic. You’ve always been pathetic.” Vince says coldly, his voice dripping with acid. “You’ve wanted my girl since we were kids, but the moment I arrive back in town, it’s me she wants. When will you learn that it’s only going to be me?”

“I didn’t do anything to the bitch,” he growls, slapping Vince away and glaring at Austin. “And you. You fucking traitor.”

Austin taps the tip of the bat against Ian’s shoulder. “I told you to leave her alone months ago, and she wasn’t to be a part of your fucking games.”

Ian laughs and shakes his head, looking around the group. “Are you all just going to stand there?”

No one moves.

“We all know what you do, you sick fuck,” Austin says, digging the bat into his shoulder harder, making Ian grit his teeth. “You’re finished.”

Ian looks at Josette and bares his teeth. Her stomach churns when he sneers, “Should have fucked you when I had the chance—”

Josette jumps when Vince kicks him in the face, knocking him sideways. Austin then slams the bat into his ribs and Ian grunts, wheezing out for air.

“If anyone wants to keep fucking with what’s mine, try it! I fucking dare you!” Vince shouts, looking at Tyler and Alyssa in particular, eyes darkening with disgust when they both cower.

Clutching his ribs, Ian looks up at Vince and smiles again. “Go on, Vince. Do your worst.”

Stepping forward, Jason slams his hand on Vince’s shoulder. “Vince has other plans. I’m your designated punisher this evening.”

Ian’s mouth goes slack.

“I have this,” Vince says, but Jason shakes his head. He says something to him that Josette can’t hear, and Vince turns to look at her, the anger draining from his expression.

Maybe because she hasn’t moved a muscle since this started, positive she’s in shock by how numb her body feels.

“He’s not worth it anyway,” Austin sighs with boredom, staring at Ian curled up on the ground. “The bastard won’t last one more hit.”

“I’ll make sure he gets the message,” Jason says to Vince. “Go.”

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