If I’d Known (Cursed 1)

I glance behind us, expecting lights to appear at any second. They don't. Or not yet anyway.

"Vic, tell me what you did!" Lincoln suddenly yells, slamming his palm on Vic's headrest.

I jump and Joey presses me against him. He opens his mouth to say something to Lincoln, but then closes it wordlessly.

"I'm sick of your shit. I'm not going down for whatever the fuck you just did! So talk. Now."

I've never heard Lincoln raise his voice before. He's always so calm and put together. But I guess everyone has their limit. And Lincoln's sword is drawn. It's pretty impressive. Tori must think so too because she gives him a once-over with a raised brow.

Vic turns abruptly, leaning over the seat. "Everyone needs to calm the fuck down! Okay? Nothing happened. When Lana walked in, I was yelling at the clerk. He was trying to sell me this shit brand of cigarettes because he didn't have what I wanted. Wouldn't shut up about how they're all the same, and that they'll kill me. I wasn't up for the lecture, so I told him to go fuck himself. When Lana came in, I grabbed her and told her we were leaving. That's why she's acting like she has something stuck up her ass." He directs his attention to me. "Sorry I touched you, okay? Will you just fucking relax?"

Oh, I want to kick him in the face. And I could too, easily, since my foot is dangling off Joey's leg, right below Vic's chin. But before I can, he twists back around and returns to his angry, pouting posture.

"Little boy, you dropped your toy," Nina sings mockingly, displaying the gun on her flat palm.

Just as Vic grabs for it, she flips it in her hand and points it at his forehead.

"Nina!" Tori calls out.

But Nina doesn't react. Her full attention is pinned on Vic.

"You don't know what the fuck you're doing," Vic challenges her.

Nina cocks the hammer.

No one moves. I don't even think we're breathing. Gary may be screaming. But I can't hear him. The entire world is on mute. I'm staring at the silver muzzle indenting the flesh on Vic's skull.

"How do you know it's loaded?" Vic questions, sounding way too cocky for a guy who might have his brains splattered against the window at any second.

"I don't. But you do," she says, her shiny red lips parting to reveal a big white smile.

"You know I could take that from you, right?"

Nina just smirks wickedly. I grimace with a silent groan. Vic better shut his mouth. He has no idea who he's talking to.

Nina's a fighter. I'm convinced she came into the world that way so she could survive the shit she's been dealt her entire life. She may look super girlie and have a figure to die for, but she's ferocious. Without hesitation, she's had my back in a fight more times than I can count. Even when I'm the one who started it.

So I know, if Vic makes a move, I'm going to want to block my ears.

The car stops. At least it doesn't feel like we're moving anymore. I'm afraid to look away to find out.

"Nina, honey, would you please put down the gun?" Gary asks her so gently, it doesn't even sound like him.

My eyes remain glued to the point where the gun is attached to Vic's head. His jaw tenses. Nina smiles wider, a menacing glint in her dark eyes.

"What did you do in the store?" Nina asks calmly.

Vic swallows. "Nothing. Ask Lana."

"I'm not asking her. I'm asking you. She's a sweet girl, and she shouldn't be involved in this. She might actually go to college. I'm not fucking with that. I'm not going to let you fuck with that either. So, one more time. What did you do in that convenience store?"

Vic sneers. "Nothing."

"Okay, I'm going to shit myself if you don't put down the gun, Nina! Please!" Gary whimpers.

I steal a glance his way. Beads of sweat are covering his forehead and streaking down the sides of his face. He may even be crying. My nose scrunches in disgust. I know this is intense, but ... really?

"Fine," Nina huffs and tips the gun back, easing the hammer in place.