Page 48 of Pretty Vengeance

Then things happen in a blur. Jamie plants a foot in the back of Brad’s leg, causing Brad to drop to his knee. As he goes down, War releases him. Because of Brad’s hold—though loosened—around Ash’s throat, she buckles backward as he falls. Before she lands on Brad or the floor, though, War grabs Ash around the waist. He yanks her away from Brad, lifting her several feet off the floor so her side is flush with the sweat-drenched t-shirt that’s stretched across his chest.

My heart hammers like I’m sprinting for an Olympic record, but Ash doesn’t even bobble the phone when she’s wrenched out of my brother’s grip. Instead, she slides her fingers over the screen intently.

When she looks up, she locks eyes with me. “Deleted. Nothing to worry about, Seesaw.” Holding the phone in her right hand, she reaches out with her left to tug my mask back into position.

“Give me my phone,” Brad snaps as he rises to his feet.

“Go fuck yourself.” Ash’s smug tone causes him to stiffen and ball his fist.

“Skinny cunt?—”

Jamie hauls Brad backward. In the same instant, War’s left fist shoots out and slams into Brad’s stomach, knocking him farther into Jamie.

Brad’s breath wheezes out of him as he doubles over and lands back on the floor. I don’t think he got the full effect of the punch though, since his momentum was away from it, but he’s shaking from more than rage as he retches.

Jamie signals two other security guys who are hovering nearby. “Outside and slow his roll,” Jamie orders.

The men grab a startled Brad to haul him away. “O’Rourke, you don’t want to do this. You’ll lose your scholarship and your spot on the team.”

Jamie’s blue eyes are deadly cold, but he remains silent.

Moving into our orbit, Crosby Bergmann appears from nowhere. He’s not wearing a mask or costume. His black shirt hangs open revealing thick pecs and a barrel-shaped torso. “Hey, what the hell’s up? Ashling, is that you?”

“Fuck off,” War says, still holding Ash against him.

“Hello, Cros. Did you come with Asshat Brad? If so, I hope you drove because he’s been bounced, and if he’s your ride, you’re walking.”

“Allendale’s not with me,” he says quickly. “Not after a certain girl made her feelings on him crystal clear. Hey, Andre the Giant, you can put the princess down now.”

I expect War to drop Ash so he can hit Crosby, but he doesn’t rise to the bait.

Still, there’s a toxic cloud of testosterone and rage swirling around us. I don’t want Ash and I caught in the middle of a fight if one erupts. My muscles tighten as I pick up my wig and yank it into place, trying to figure out how to get us away.

“Princess Bride. I love that movie,” Ash says in an easy tone as if her feet aren’t dangling well above the ground. She looks War in the face and gives him a pretty smile that’s mock flirtatious. “If you wanted to dance, all you had to do was ask.”

Oh, my God.He is not someone to taunt?—

“For fuck’s sake,” Jamie says.

Ash grimaces, and I guess at the cause because of the way she looks down at her side where War has her in a vise grip.

Jamie moves forward, but before he intercedes physically, Ash’s voice changes again. Now she’s calm and serious. “War, truce.” As their gazes lock, something passes between them. Her voice implores him. “For the night, truce.”

“You shouldn’t be here,” War says as he sets her on her feet.

“Not up to you.”

“Your cousin banned you.”

“Not up to him, either.” Her eyes flick to Jamie. “No offense, James. I love you, but if you want me to respect a ban, it needs to come down from the top.”

Jamie’s lips tighten into a frown. “If that’s the way you want to play it, all right.”

She wrinkles her nose. “Still friends?”

His angry expression eases and he nods grudgingly. “Always.”

Stepping forward, she gives him a hug, which he doesn’t return. “The party was great.” She turns. “I’m ready to go.” Her hand catches mine and holds it, claiming me as hers. “Cros, walk us out?”