Page 129 of Tell Me Pucking Lies

Instead, he rushes Revan—full force, tackle-style—and slams him to the ground. They hit the pavement hard, and Koa starts throwing punches.

One. Two. Three. Each one landing with a sickening thud.

Atticus just stands there. Watching. Like this is entertainment.

When Koa gets in too many hits—when Revan’s face is bloodied and his guard is dropping—Atticus finally moves.

He grabs Koa from behind, arms wrapping around his chest, lifting him off Revan. It’s deadly the way Atticus moves. Holy shit.

“Stop!” I hear myself scream. “Stop it!”

But they don’t hear me. Revan gets up, spits blood onto the ground, and starts punching Koa while Atticus holds him in place.

Stomach. Ribs. Face.

Over and over.

“Stop!” I’m running toward them now, my voice breaking.

Revan turns to look at me, chuckling darkly. Blood drips from his nose. “We’re not done here. Move.”

Before I can respond, another figure emerges from the shadows.

Oxy.

He’s massive—built like a bull, shoulders twice as wide as anyone else here. He doesn’t hesitate. Just grabs Revan and throws him to the ground like he’s nothing.

Atticus still has Koa in a headlock. Koa’s face is turning red, then purple, then blue.

“Stop!” I scream again. “You’re going to kill him!”

Oxy doesn’t waste time. He grabs Atticus, tries to pry him off, but Atticus tightens his grip.

Koa’s eyes are starting to roll back.

Oxy changes tactics—grabs Atticus by the throat and squeezes until Atticus has no choice but to let go.

Koa drops to the ground, gasping, coughing, clutching his throat.

I rush to him without thinking. Drop to my knees beside him. “Koa. Koa, breathe. Just breathe.”

He’s still coughing, struggling to pull air into his lungs. His face is a mess—blood everywhere, one eye already swelling shut.

I look up at Atticus. He’s standing over us, straightening his jacket, not even breathing hard. Where the fuck is Oxy? I turn and notice him in the bushes, trying to get to his feet.

Atticus just looks down at me and smirks.

Like this was fun. Like almost killing Koa is just a game. He doesn’t say anything, and I notice that he’s quite quiet.

“You’re fucking insane,” I spit at him.

He licks his lips as he watches me.

I push against his chest, trying to make him move. “Leave. Just leave!”

But he doesn’t budge. Just keeps staring at me with those cold green eyes.

Behind him, Revan’s getting up, wiping blood from his mouth. He’s grinning too like he’s enjoying this.