Alex immediately noticed that I wasn't moving. "Jack? What is it?" he asked.
Just then, the rough-looking-guy reached out and smacked the little girl, sending her stumbling backwards and holding her own cheek even though he was still gripping her right wrist. "C'mon, bitch! You are really asking for it!"
"HEY!!" I yelled, realizing that I'd already taken off, running at them. "Leave her the fuck alone!"
"The fuck are you?" rough-looking-guy turned and glared at me.
"Let go of her!" I called while slowing up as I got within ten feet of them.
The guy's posture had changed and I started to relax.
No matter how much a bully, almost anyone would back off from doing anything stupid while they had a public audience.
Yeah, well, not this guy.
"None of your fucking business, asshole!" Roughy yelled at me. And then for good measure, he turned and slapped the girl again, this time sending her sprawling face-down onto the sidewalk.